DAY 1                            SUNDAY JANUARY, 1.                                       2017

NATIONAL DAY OF THANKS                                                Ps 136:1-16.26

Oh, give thanks to the Lord of Lords v3.

January, according to many US calendars, is National Thank You month. This, of course is easily transferable everywhere, so perhaps it should be Global Thank You Month. In order to make the best use of this celebration of gratitude, lets’ begin by seeing what Scripture says about thankfulness. One place to start is Ps 136 which begins and ends with the words  “Oh, give thanks” (vv. 1,26). Again and again in this chapter we are reminded of a single, overriding reason to bestow our gratitude on our great God: “His mercy endures forever.” We could spend the whole month learning about gratitude from Ps 136.

The psalmist reminds us of God’s “great wonders” (v4) He tells us of God’s creative work brought on by His wisdom (v5) He moves on to rehearse the great exodus of His people (vv 10-22). As we think through these pictures of creation and deliverance found in Ps 136, we can easily find something to thank God for every day of this Thank You Month.

What better way to start off a new year to concentrate on conveying gratitude to our Lord! “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures for ever (v1) David Branon.

PRAYER LINE: How good it is to thank the Lord, And praise to Thee, Most High, accord, To show Thy love with morning light, And tell Thy faithfulness each night – Psalter

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When you think of all that’s good, give thanks to God.

 

 

DAY 2                            MONDAY JANUARY, 2.                                     2017

NEVER, NEVER, QUIT                                                  Prov. 16:3

Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Prov. 16:3 NLT.

The Moment you start believing you’re successful enough to rest on your laurels, you’re in trouble. You’ve put a lid on your growth. Solomon wrote, ‘Do you know a hard-working man? He shall be successful and stand before kings. “(Prov 22::29 TLB) Success is always a possibility, but never a guarantee. It belongs to the man or woman who’s willing to show up early, stay late, go the extra mile, and keep asking, “Is there a better way? ‘An agency once created an ad for an automobile company. It said, ‘At sixty miles an hour the loudest noise in this Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock. ‘When they ran the ad by the company’s CEO, he smiled and said, ‘I guess we’ve got to do something about that clock!” A young man once asked Henry Ford,

How can I make name for myself and be successful? He replied, ‘Decide what you want, then stick with it. Never deviate from your course no matter how long it takes or how hard the road, until you’ve accomplished your purpose. ‘Successful people have one thing in common; they refuse to quit. No matter how many times they fail, they get back up, dust themselves off, learn from it and start over. Paul. J Meyer says, ‘ Ninety per cent of those who fail are not actually defeated, they simply quit.’ The Bible says, ‘To win… you must deny yourselves… things that…keep you from doing your best (1 Cor 9:25) The only people who never fail are those who never try. So keep going, and don’t even think about quitting.  (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father Lord, please give me the wisdom to be patient and trust in Your Word, because I know I will overcome, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Run the race with eternity in view.

 

 

DAY 3                            TUESDAY JANUARY,3 .                                     2017

THIS YEAR ASK GOD FOR HIS PLAN                          Jere 29:11 NIV

I know the plans I have for you (Jere 29:11 NIV)

GOD SAYS, ‘I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you…plans to give you hope and a future…pray to me, and I will listen to you (vv 11-12 NIV) This year ask God for His plan. It’s miserable playing a part for which you’re ill-suited. It’s like walking in shoes that don’t fit. So… what are you good at? What do you enjoy doing most? What accomplishments make you feel best? List five moments in your life when you were acutely aware of this feeling of fulfillment.

Does this reveal anything about your purpose? If money wasn’t a consideration, how would you fill your days? How does this compare with where you are now? What one small step can you take right now – one phone call made, one letter written, one email sent – to move you towards your true calling? What have you learned about your purpose through failure? Are some areas clearly not a part of your calling at all? Who do you admire for the way they’ve applied their talents?  How would you describe your vision for your life this year? Or five years from now? Or ten? Who are the people in your life who really get who you are? Have you asked them what they think your purpose might be? Have you given any indication of how they think you should use your talents? If you could write your own obituary, what would you want it to say? What would you like to be remembered for? As you begin the New Year, ask God for His plan. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, I surrender my plans for this year to Your overriding power. Grant me the grace to follow You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Rich treasures of God’s truth are waiting to be discovered.

DAY 4                            WEDNESSDAY JANUARY, 4.                             2017

INVOKE GOD’S BLESSING UPON YOUR LIFE            Isa 65:16 AMP

He who invokes a blessing on himself…self do so by saying, May the God of truth and fidelity…(v16)

THE WORD ‘invoke’ implies these two things; (1) to make an earnest request for, or to solicit (2) to put into effect or operation, or to implement. With that in mind read this Scripture: ‘(It shall be) That he who invokes a blessing on himself in the land shall do so by saying, May the God of truth and fidelity (the Amen) bless me; and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth and faithfulness to His promises (the Amen) because the former troubles are forgotten.’ That’s a powerful promise! Even as God, our Father, spoke the world into existence, we too can use the scriptures to frame the world we will live in. When you speak the blessing of God over your life, you ‘make an earnest request and solicit it.’ And you also put it into effect or operation, and implement it! This is why God told Moses to bless the Israelites with these words: ‘The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace’ (Num6:24-25 NKJV) Then God added, ‘And I will bless Them’ (v27 NKJV) Now you can understand why speaking God’s Word over your life can change things for the better, and why the Bible says ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Prov 18:21 NKJV) So the word for you today is – Invoke God’s blessing upon your life! (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: No matter the challenges on my way, God’s plans and purpose for my life and family will come to pass, in Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.

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A life lived for God has a pleasing aroma.

DAY 5                            THURSDAY JANUARY, 5.                                  2017

YOUR QUIET TIME WITH GOD (1)                                       (Matt 5:33)

(1) Intentionality When something important is lost, you must put aside other things and seek until you find it (2) Importance: Seek first the kingdom of God’ Matt 5:33 NKJV

JESUS SAID ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.’ What was He talking about? Things like money, houses, relationships, health and jobs. What did He mean by ‘the kingdom of God? Living under the rule of Christ each moment and submitting to His will in all things. When Jesus used the word ‘seek,’ He called for three things:  (1) Intentionality Position, performance, prosperity, and popularity can be good things when properly used. But without the rule of Christ in your life, you’ll always be vulnerable to the devil (2) Importunity. No matter how long it takes how hard you must work, or what you must rearrange, restore your quiet time with God to its rightful place. The psalmist wrote, ‘When You said, “Seek My face, “My heart said to You, ‘Your face I will seek.’ (Ps 27:8 NKJV) ‘Quiet time’ has been called many things throughout the history of the church: morning watch, daily devotions, appointment with God, or personal devotional time. It really doesn’t matter what you call it, as long as you have it regularly. Your quiet time with God is just daily fellowship with Him through His Word and prayer. It’s time you deliberately set aside to meet with Him. The goal is that you might grow in your personal relationship with God so that you can know Him, love Him, serve Him and become more like Him (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father Lord, let my quiet time with You be a time of total surrender, a time of anointing and a time of revelation of Your Word, in Jesus’ Name.

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When we can’t see God’s hand, we can trust His heart.

 

 

DAY 6                            FRIDAY JANUARY, 6.                               2017

YOUR QUIET TIME WITH GOD (2)                                       (Rev 4:11)

And for thy pleasure they…were created. (Rev 4:11 KJV)

Did You know (1) God created you so that He can have a relationship with you? He made you in order to enjoy your company everyday. ‘And for thy pleasure they…were created.’ Your attitude towards your quiet time with God will be transformed when you realize that He wants to spend time with you, waits for you, and welcomes you into His presence. (2) The cross is what made this relationship possible? When Adam sinned, God drove him from the Garden of Paradise and placed angels with swords at its entrance so that mankind could never reenter. Then God did something truly amazing: He took on human form, lived among us, died in our place, and was cut down by the sword of divine judgment at the cross, providing us with a way back into His presence. Wonderful isn’t it? In the Old Testament only one man, the high priest could go into the Holy of Holies. And he could only do it one day a year. A thick veil separated God from the people. They stood outside wondering what God’s voice sounded like, what His presence felt like, and what His glory looked like. Only the high priest knew. But when Jesus cried, ‘It is finished!: (Jn 19:30 NKJV), the Bible says, “The veil of the temple was torn in two from top (where God was) to bottom (where we were)”  (Mk 15:38 NKJV). Now, as priests unto God’ we come into His presence at any time and meet with Him (Rev 1:6) What a privilege! Grace makes it possible. And gratitude should be the magnet that draws you there each day. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, I thank You for the sacrifice Jesus’ made for me on the cross. I can worship in Your presence without the veil. Glory be Your Name. Amen.

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If we walk with God, we’ll be out of step with the world.

 

 

DAY 7                            SATURDAY JANUARY, 7.                                  2017

MADE TO LAST FOREVER (1)                                               Ps 36:4

God has… planted eternity in the human heart (Eccl 3:11)

Surely God would not have created such a being as man to exist only for a day! No, no, man was made for immortality – Abraham Lincoln.

This life is not all there is. The Bible says “God has… Planned eternity in the human heart. You have an inborn instinct that longs for immortality. This is because God designed you, in his image, to live for eternity.

The Bible calls your earthly body a ‘tent,’ but refers to your future body as a ‘house’. ‘When this tent we live in –our body here on earth – is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has (made) which will last forever’ (2 Cor 5:1) While life on earth offers many choices, eternity offers only two: heaven or hell. Your relationship to God on earth will determine your relationship to Him in eternity. If you learn to love and trust God’s Son, Jesus, you will be invited to spend the rest of eternity with Him. On the other hand if you reject his love, forgiveness, and salvation you will spend eternity apart from God forever. C.S. Lewis said, ‘There are two kinds of people; those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done and those to whom God says, “All right then, have it your way” Tragically, many people will have to endure eternity without God because they chose to live without him here on earth. When you fully comprehend that there is more to life than just here and now, and you realize that life is just preparation for eternity, you will begin to live differently. (Rick Warren)

PRAYER LINE: Along life’s pathway troubles come That God will help us bear; Then we can look beyond the pain To those who need our care – Branon.

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God will either spare you from suffering or give you the grace to bear it.

 

 

 

 

DAY 8                            SUNDAY JANUARY, 8.                                       2017

MADE TO LAST FOREVER (2)                                               Phil 3:7-11

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ (v.7)

When you live in light of eternity, your values change. You use your time and money more wisely. You place a higher premium on relationships and character instead of fame or wealth or achievements or even fun. Your priorities are recorded. Paul said: ‘I once thought all these thing were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.’ (Phil 3:7) If your time on earth were all there is to your life, I would suggest you start living it up immediately. You could forget being good and ethical, and you wouldn’t have to worry about any consequences of your actions. You could indulge yourself in total self-centeredness because your actions would have no long-term repercussions. But –  and this makes all the difference – death is not the end of you. Death is not your termination, but your transition into eternity, so there are eternal consequences to everything you do on earth. Every act of our lives strikes some chord that will vibrate in eternity. The most damaging aspect of contemporary wing is short-term thinking. To make the most of your life, you must keep the vision of eternity continually in your mind and the value of it in your heart. There’s far more to life than just here and now. Today is the visible tip of the iceberg. Eternity is all the rest you don’t see underneath the surface. The Bible says: “No mere man has ever seen, heard or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord.’ (1 Cor 2:9) (Rick Warren).

PRAYER LINE: He has gone “to prepare a place for you” That where He is, “There you may be” our death is not the end of life, – We’ll be with Christ.

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Death is gain because it means heaven, holiness and Him.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 9                            MONDAY JANUARY, 9.                                     2017

MADE TO LAST FOREVER (3)                                     Matt 25:34-40

Come, you who are blessed by my father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you… (v34)

In heaven we will be reunited with loved ones who are believers, released from all pain and suffering, rewarded for our faithfulness on earth, and reassigned to do work that we will enjoy doing. We won’t lie around on clouds with hales playing harps. We will enjoy unbroken fellowship with God, and he will enjoy us for an unlimited, endless forever. One day Jesus will say: “Come you who are blessed in my father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’ (Matt 25:34)

C.S. Lewis captured the concept of eternity “For us this is the end of all the stories… But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world… had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever and in which every chapter is better than the one before. (Lewis – The last battle) God has a purpose for your life on earth, but it doesn’t end here, His plan involves far more than the few decades you will spend on this planet. It’s more than “the opportunity of a lifetime”. God offers you an opportunity beyond your lifetime. The Bible says, “(God’s) plans endure forever, his purposes last eternally (1 Cor 4:7b NLT) Rick Warren.

PRAYER LINE: MY Lord knows the way through the wilderness; All I have to do is follow, Strength for today is mine always And all that I need for tomorrow – Cox

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Jesus knows the way – follow Him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 10                          TUESDAY JANUARY, 10.                                   2017

MADE TO LAST FOREVER (4)                                     Hebrew 13:14-29

This world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven (v14)

The only time people think about eternity is at funerals and then it’s often shallow, sentimental thinking, based on ignorance. You may feel it’s morbid to think about death, but actually it’s unhealthy to live in denial of death and not consider what is inevitable. (Gal 4:7b) Only a fool would go through life unprepared for what we all know will eventually happen. You need to think more about eternity, not less. Just as the nine months you spent in your mother’s womb were not an end in themselves but preparation for life, so this life is preparation for the next. If you have a relationship with God through Jesus, you don’t need to fear death. It is the door to eternity. It will be the last hour of your time on earth, but it won’t be the last for you. Rather than being the end of your life, it will be your birthday into eternal life. The Bible says, ‘This world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven. (Heb 13:14)

Measured against eternity, our time on earth is just a blink of an eye, but the destiny of the next. We should be ‘realizing that every moment we spend in these earth bodies is time spent away from our eternal home in heaven with Jesus (2 Cor 5:6) Years ago a popular slogan encouraged people to live each day as the first day of the rest of your life.” Matthew Henry said; “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day.’ (Rick Warren)

PRAYER LINE: Oh, why not turn while still you may; Too late it soon will be – A glorious life you can possess Throughout eternity – Anon.

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What we weave in time we will wear in eternity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 11                          WEDNESDAY JANUARY, 11.                             2017

THE DAY OF FAVOUR                                                           Esther 5:1-3

For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield – Ps 5:12

Queen Esther found favour in the sight of the king and she was promised blessings up to one half of the kingdom. There are lots of lessons in the passage before us. First of these is that the kings eyes located Esther. 1 Sam 16:11-13 tells us how favour located David which he was watching over the flock of his father. Mk 5:1-15 also narrates how favour located the mad man of Gadara in the graveyard. The king did not just see Esther, he focused on her. When your day of favour comes, God will not just glance at you, He will focus on you. The day of favour beamed on the sick man at Bethesda. Jesus located him for healing (Jn 5:5-6) Another story of favour is that of a lady whose mother would not allow her to get married for fear of being neglected by her after marriage. This sister had been in church for a long time but when God’s favour located her, she suddenly got a suitor within one week. My prayer for you is that whatever is blocking the view of those who should favour you shall be removed this season in Jesus’ Name. The only obstacle to divine favour is unrighteousness. Ps 5:12 says ‘for thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.’ Surrender your life to Jesus and begin to live a life acceptable to God for divine favour.

PRAYER LINE: Father, please let your favour locate me for breakthrough today in Jesus’ Name. (O.H)

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Divine favour is divine gift from God.

 

 

DAY 12                          THURSDAY JANUARY, 12.                                2017

DIVINE INVOLVEMENT                                               Exo 3:7-8

And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians… ye shall not go empty – Exo 3:21

Divine involvement simply suggests God’s participation in a subject matter. When the Almighty God gets involved in a person’s affairs, it will appear as if that fellow is wiser or more powerful than others. The moment the Almighty God got involved in the affliction of the children of Israel, things began to work out for their good.

God said in Exo 3:8 “And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians.” The first thing God did was to raise a deliverer for them. I pray that the Almighty God will send helpers to you this season in Jesus’ Name. Although Moses felt he was not capable, God said to him in Exo 3:12 ‘…Certainly, I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee; When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.” This is one thing that children of God should know it’s one thing to have a willing helper, and it’s another thing for the helper to be capable of rendering help. When God gets involved in your situation, He wipes tears away from your eyes. I prophesy to someone using this devotional that God will get involved in your situation today, and things will turn around for your good in Jesus’ Name. God got involved in the terrible situation of the children of Israel because of the relationship He had with their patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exo 2:24-25).

PRAYER LINE: Cry to God Almighty in the Name of Jesus to get involved in your situation today. (O.H)

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We’re never without a helper because we have the spirit within.

DAY 13                          FRIDAY JANUARY, 13.                                      2017

DIVINE REPLACEMENT                                      Esther 2:1-4

And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee… that is better than thou (1 Sam 15:28)

“And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti”  (Esther 2:17) From the Scripture above, you will observe that divine replacement has both positive and negative sides to it. For Vashti, the divine replacement that occurred was negative, but for Esther, it was positive. I pray that you will enjoy the positive side of the divine replacement coming your way this season in Jesus’ Name. The Bible says that it is God Almighty who sets kings on thrones (Rom 13:1). The One who installs a king has the power to unseat the same king. The story behind the replacement of Vashti with Esther in Esther 2:1-17 should teach us some lessons as Christians. We should heed the warning in Rev 3:11: ‘Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.’ Do not sell your birthright like Esau of old for a morsel of food. It was pride that replaced Queen Vashti. To avoid divine replacement, we must be careful to obey every instruction given to us by our Saviour, King and Husband – Jesus Christ. One of such instructions is the commandment to bear fruit (Jn 15:16-17) When we bear fruit, we honour and compliment His work of Salvation.

PRAYER LINE: Father, please prevent me from doing anything that will make me lose my position in Christ in Jesus’ Name. (O.H)

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Our anchor is the Rock, Jesus Christ.

 

 

DAY 14                          SATURDAY JANUARY, 14.                                2017

WEEP NOT: A DIVINE COMMAND                                      Lk 7:12-15

Rejoice evermore – (1 Thess 5:16)

“Rejoice evermore” In today’s Bible reading, we were given a command; “Weep Not”. This command is easier read than obeyed, but then, it should be obeyed. A widow lost her only son and Jesus commanded her not to weep! This command came before the action that justified it in that situation. Jesus is telling you; “weep not” because He will intervene in that situation which is causing you to weep. Jesus Christ who asks you not to weep knows what He is going to do about that situation, like in the case of the widow of Nain. The Bible says that Jesus came and touched the coffin that was bearing the dead young man and commanded life to come back to the lifeless body. Death then immediately released the soul of the young man. Weeping could be very detrimental to those who indulge in it. It blurs your vision and reasoning. Also, weeping particularly when God has spoken against it, is an indirect way of protecting against God’s Word. It is equal to murmuring which is also rebellious. “Weeping may endure for a night; but joy cometh in the morning.” (Ps 30:5.) Blessed are we, if we believe this Scripture. Weeping blurred Mary Magdalene’s vision on the resurrection morning so much that she mistook Jesus Christ for a gardener. (Jn 20:15) An antidote for weeping is the reading of God’s Word concerning His promises to us in time of trouble. Another one is high praises to God who specializes in reversing the irreversible. When David was distressed at Ziglag he appealed to God and the unpleasant situation was reversed. PRAYER LINE: Father, please wipe away all tears from my eyes by removing those situations that caused me to weep today. (O.H)

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Where God guides, God provides.

 

DAY 15                          SUNDAY JANUARY, 15.                                    2017

THERE’S POWER                                                 Jas 5:13-18

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much – (Jas 5:16)

When my sister found out she had cancer, I asked my friends to pray. When she had surgery, we prayed that the surgeon would be able to remove all of the cancer and that she wouldn’t have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation. And God answered yes! When I reported the news, one friend remarked. “I’m so glad there’s power in prayer.” I responded, ‘I’m thankful that God answered with a yes this time.” James says that “the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (5:16) But does “effective” and “fervent” mean the harder we pray, or the more people we ask to pray, the more likely God is to answer with a yes? I’ve had enough ‘no’ and ‘wait’ answers to wonder about that. Prayer is powerful, but it’s such a mystery. We’re taught to have faith, to ask earnestly and boldly, to persevere to be surrendered to His will. Yet God answers in His wisdom and His answers are best. I’m just thankful that God wants to hear our hearts and that no matter the answer, He is still good. I like Ole Hallesby’s words; ‘Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only those who are helpless can truly pray… Your helplessness is your best prayer” we can do helplessness quite well – Anne Cetas.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, I’ve been taught many things about prayer – be specific, be bold, be surrendered, be strong in faith, be persistent. Today I recognize my helplessness and Your power as I share my heart with You – Amen.

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Prayer is the child’s helpless cry to the father’s attentive ear. (ODB)

 

 

DAY 16                          MONDAY JANUARY, 16.                                   2017

MUCH MORE THAN SURVIVAL                                  1 Thess 2:17; 3:7

Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love (1 Thess 3:6)

In April  1937, Mussolini’s invading armies forced all the missionaries serving in the Wallamo region to flee Ethiopia. They left behind just 48 Christian converts, who had little more than the gospel of Mark to feed their growth. Few even knew how to read. But when missionaries returned 4years later, the church had not just survived; it numbered 10,000!

When the apostle Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-10), he yearned to learn about the survival of the band of Christians he left behind (1 Thess 2:17). But when Timothy visited the Thessalonian church later, he brought word to Paul in Athens about their “faith and love” (1 Thess 1:6). They had become “examples” to the believers in the surrounding regions in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thess 1:8) Paul never claimed credit for any numerical increase in his ministry. Nor did he attribute it to anyone else. Rather, he gave credit to God. He wrote, “I wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” (1 Cor 3:6) Difficult circumstances may thwart even our best intentions, separating friends from each other for a season. But God is growing His church through every difficulty. We need only be faithful and leave the results to Him.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, we are so prone to be fearful when we face opposition, yet so often we want to take credit for every little success. Help us see that You are the One who blesses and builds Your church.

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I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it – Jesus (Matt. 16:18) (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 17                          TUESDAY JANUARY, 17.                                   2017

DON’T LET FEAR STOP YOU (1)                                  PHIL 1:6 NIV

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion’ (Phil 1:6 NIV 2011 Edition)

Has God called you to do something you don’t feel capable of doing? Could you think of a dozen others better suited for the job? It doesn’t matter what you think, God didn’t choose somebody else! He chose you in spite of your limitations and insecurities. Your inadequacies don’t surprise Him. In fact, His ‘power works best in weaknesses (2 Cor 12:9 NLT) Jon Walker says, ‘You say… hide your weaknesses from others, but you can’t hide them from God. He created you (do you think He made a mistake?) He created you with weaknesses to keep you on your knees… without them to push you back to God you’ll get prideful … and He won’t allow you to use them as an excuse for avoiding your mission or ignoring your purpose. If God is calling you to a monumental task, He will equip you to complete it – and that includes the Holy Spirit working from inside you. So focus on His strength, not yours. Don’t think about how incapable you are for the task. Remember, God is bigger than anything you face, no matter how overwhelming it may appear. The Bible says we were’ created in Christ …to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (Eph 2:10 NIV 2011 Edition) God’s plans are never an afterthought. He designed you for a specific purpose, and the One who ‘began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. So instead of letting fear stop you, let it motivate you to get up and get going. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Gracious Lord, I thank You, for the knowledge that when You send, You empower. I will shout for joy, in Jesus’ Name.

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When you think of all that Christ has done for you, you’ll want to do your best for him.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 18                          WEDNESSDAY JANUARY, 18.                           2017

DON’T LET FEAR STOP YOU (2)                                  Matt 9:9 NIV

‘…Matthew got up and followed him’ (Matt 9:9 NIV 2011 Edition)

Collecting Taxes for the Romans was a lucrative job. But for a Jew like Matthew it meant betraying your own people. As a result he was despised and excluded from religious worship. But that didn’t stop Jesus from calling him to be a disciple. And when He did, Matthew didn’t  hesitate; he got up and followed him.’ Sheila Schuller Coleman points out: ‘Where everyone else saw a pariah, Jesus saw a promise…where everyone else saw a traitor, Jesus saw a loyal follower. Where everyone saw a loser,  Jesus saw a champion of the faith… it matters not who we are… our education… our pedigree…our connections… or our history. Jesus has a plan… and He needs every one of us to fill our God-given, divine purpose. ‘It’s natural to be apprehensive when you’re facing change and uncertainty, but God says, ‘Take courage! …Don’t be afraid’ (Matthew 14:27 NIV 2011 Edition). One Bible teacher writes: “God knows it involves a challenging stretch…He knows our abilities and resources aren’t what strengthen us for the journey (Phil 4:13). When we fear we can’t do the things God calls us to do… that He won’t protect and provide… we embrace the lie that our circumstances are bigger than God , and our faith gets placed on the altar of our own perceptions. If you’re like me you often fear what’s behind the curtain of God’s call, and – frustratingly-He won’t let me peek….He keeps the curtain of our future drawn so we’ll learn to live by faith and not by sight, so we’ll become certain of what we hope for, and become sure of God even when we can’t see how He’s working in our current circumstances.’ – (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Thank God. I am reminded – Fear Not-in the Bible. Praise God.

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To avoid sin, nip it in the bud of temptation.

 

 

DAY 19                          THURSDAY JANUARY, 19.                       2017

STEP INTO THE WATER                                               Matt 3:17 NKJV

“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matt 3:17)

When Jesus was baptized, ‘the heavens were opened to Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven saying, ‘This My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (vv 16:17 NKJV). That day when Jesus stepped into the River Jordan, He was stepping into the fullness of God’s purpose for His life. Those waters teeming with the sins of mankind. John had baptized multitudes of converts there, their sins figuratively passing from them into the sea of God’s forgetfulness, just like the waters of the River Jordan end up in the Dead Sea. Maybe you’re appalled at the idea of Jesus wading into sin. But He was doing it to fulfill the purpose of God – redemption for you. Jesus was exactly where God wanted Him to be, doing exactly God wanted Him to do. That’s why His Father announced, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ There is a lesson for you. Doing God’s will sometimes means stepping into messy situations and troubled waters. But when you obey God and do what He says, you won’t have to speak up for yourself or fight for yourself. God will command whatever forces are involved to yield to you. You won’t have to flounder around for the right answer, or wonder if something is right for you. God will give you the ability and resources you need because you’re where He wants you to be, doing what He wants you to do. So the word for you today is ‘step into the water.’ (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Precious Lord, baptize me afresh with the Holy Spirit, to step into the water, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Our lives are never more secure than when they are abandoned to God.          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 20                          FRIDAY JANUARY, 20.                             2017

A SONG TO REMEMBER                                    Deut 31:-22

Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect. (Deut 32:3-4)

I was delighted when I received a free gift in the mail – a CD of Scripture set to music. After listening to it several times, some of the melodies took root in my mind. Before long, I could sing the words to a couple of verses in the book of Psalms without the help of the recording.

Music can help us recall words and ideas we might otherwise forget. God knew that the Israelites would forget Him when they entered the Promised Land (Deut 31:20) They would forsake Him, turn to idols, and trouble would follow (vv 16-18) Because of this, He asked Moses to compose a song and teach it to the Israelites so they could remember their past closeness with Him and the sin that hurt their relationship (31:19-22) Perhaps most important, God wanted His nation to recall His character, “(God)” is the Rock, His work is perfect; for His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice, righteous and upright is He” (32:4) Consider what God might want you to remember about Him today, Is it His power, His holiness, His love, or His faithfulness? Can you think of a song that celebrates God’s character? Sing it in your heart to the Lord (Eph 5:19) Jenifer Benson Scheldt.

PRAYER LINE: Give me a spirit of praise, dear Lord, That I may adore Your name, Sing praises from the depths of a grateful heart To the One who is always the same – Dawe

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Remembering God’s goodness puts a song in your heart. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 21                          SATURDAY JANUARY, 21.                       2017

A SOUND MIND (1)                                                     2 Tim 1:3-7

God hath …given us … a sound mind (v7)

In Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, there’s a line regarding the priest Myriel, who ‘was fated to undergo the lot of every newcomer to a little town where there were many mouths that speak, but few heads that think.” The undisciplined mind becomes a lazy mind. And that’s dangerous because it easily succumbs to the culture and influence around it. Little of value is ever learned through one-way monologue, be it a sermon or a lecture. There are many eloquent speakers today who are relentless in offering their opinions on just about every issue, who weave a spell of thought that relieves the individual of exploring things for themselves.

In the Book of Acts we read that the Bereans  “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11NIV). Asking, Why? How? Who says so?” is not an act of rebellion, it’s godly wisdom. One walks around today knowing full well that an inappropriate response to a political comment, a doctrinal issue or even a job. The godly mind, however, resists this cookies-cutter approach to thought. It weigh’s every question and asks if scripture speaks directly or indirectly to the matter. It examines it in the light of history how have God’s people faced this before? It measures the matter in terms of its ability to reflect the redeeming love of Christ. It requires, “Will this credibility or shame to the kingdom of God which I represent?” (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, I need spiritual and physical rest. Help me to deliberately take the time to spend with You. Please remove any obstacle that keeps me from having a more balanced rhythm in my life. Amen.

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Living for God begins with resting in Him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 22                          SUNDAY JANUARY, 22.                           2017

A SOUND MIND (2)                                                     2 Tim 1:3-7

God hath… given us … a sound mind (v7)

G.K Chesterton once said of Abraham Lincoln: “This great man had one secret vice that was far more unpopular among his followers than the habit of drinking. He had the habit of thinking.” Cultivate the company of good thinkers: Solomon says, “He that walketh with the wise men shall be wise” (Prov 13:20) When we submit ourselves to Christ He doesn’t tell us to abandon our minds, he tells us to renew” them (Rom 12:1-2) How do we win someone to Christ? By attacking what they think? No, that alienates them. We must do 3 things; (1) Convince them that we truly care about them. (2) Convince them that God truly cares about them. (3) Find their wounded area and apply the healing balm of God’s Word to it. When it comes to sharing our faith a lot of us are only comfortable talking to “down-and-outers,” Hey, who’s going to reach the “up-and outers? “Paul said, ‘I continue … witnessing both to small and great” (Acts 26:22) When Paul visited Athens he ended up on Mars Hill where he addressed some of the city better minds. His words are a brilliant display of a spirit sharpened mind at work. Paul was not a small parochial man, but a man in touch with his world. He was comfortable in backwater town like Derbe, a business community like Ephesus, a political capital like Rome, and an intellectual outer like Athens. ‘I am made all things to all men, that might save some” (1 Cor 9:22) So discipline your mind, dedicate it to Christ’ purpose and use it to attract others to Him. (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: O Lord,  may the way I serve tell Your story! I want to bring You all the glory in my work, at home, and everywhere I go. Fill me and use me to bless others and honour You today. Amen.

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God honours faith because faith honours God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 23                          MONDAY JANUARY, 23.                         2017

LOVE – CREATING A RESPONSE                                 1 Jn 4:7-21

“We love because he first loved us” (v 19)

We are seeing that when our deep longings are carefully considered it seems we long for three things: to be loved, to be valued and for our lives to have meaning and purpose. Sometimes I use alliteration when describing these longings: security, self-worth and significance. The more deeply we are loved, the more secure we feel. The more we are valued, the more self-worth we experience. And the more we know there is a point to our existence, the more significant we feel. When all three needs are met by human love the soul begins to flourish, but human love is inadequate in itself to bring the soul to its highest potential. Only the love that comes directly from God can do that. What happens to children who are deprived of unconditional love in their developmental years? Often (though not always) they are unable to relate effectively to others or to love themselves. A child who has not received love frequently finds it difficult to give love. This is because God has designed children to respond and sadly deprived children are unable to say ‘I love because I am loved’ because they have not been loved. Generally speaking, the more we are loved the more able we are to love, though many do rise above this deprivation to become truly loving people. The same applies to value and meaning. Children who are not valued tend not to value themselves or others.

PRAYER LINE: Father, I thank You for You are such a wonderful parent to me. All honour and glory be to Your name Amen. (EDWJ)

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When we love God, we will serve people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 24                          TUESDAY JANUARY, 24.                          2017

AN ASSIGNMENT FROM GOD                                    Ps 34:1-22

“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD” (v 11)

Only divine love can bring the soul to its highest potential. From where do children receive their first injection of love, value and meaning? The answer is that usually this comes from their parents and carers – those who nurture them.

Although the psalmist is not directly referring to young children in the text before us today, there is a sense in which his words could be in the heart of every parent. When God gives us children He gives us an assignment, and the assignment quite simple is this: to love them unconditionally, value them highly and prepare them for a role in life in which they will find purpose and meaning. But no parents are perfect. They cannot fully meet their child’s longings for love, value and meaning. All parents can do is to start the process of loving. The Hebrew midwives,… put a finger in the mouth of the infant to encourage the sucking action before placing the child on the breast of the mother. This custom was unhygienic, perhaps, but it worked. God parenting does something similar, by pouring unconditional love into the hearts of their children, parents stimulate their souls so that they begin to love as they are loved and are thus prepared for the time when at the age of understanding, they discover the love of God. Blessed are those parents who know when their mission starts and when it finishes.

PRAYER LINE: Father, how wondrous are Your purposes for human life. Help parents understand that children are given to us as gift, but as a gift that has to be returned to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen (EDWJ)

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Jesus: His name and His mission are one and the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 25                          WEDNESDAY JANUARY, 25.                             2017

AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE                                       Eph 6:1-9

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the LORD (v4)

“Childhood is that period of life when parents build the rooms of the temple in which later God will dwell when the child is an adult. Parents are in effect, an executive committee working under God to provide children with the love, affection and training they need to be able to stand on their own two feet to relate to the world and eventually relate to God. Children first relate to their parents, so the manner in which parents fulfill their task often determines how a child will relate to God if, in later years, he or she comes to know Him. So many times I have been able to trace the difficulties Christians were having in their relationship with God to problems they had experienced in their relationship with their parents. Here’s one example. A woman once told me that although she had received Jesus into her life and had asked for His forgiveness, she never felt fully forgiven. It turned out that she had been brought up by a father who put her on probation whenever she did anything wrong. Godly parents can regard themselves as ‘booster rockets’ whose purpose is to propel their children towards God, and when the connection is made with Him they will fall back  – mission accomplished fact – the godlies parents cannot guarantee that their children will turn out well.

PRAYER LINE: Father, I realize that what I am reflecting upon must be right. I know in my own heart that my past relationships greatly influence the present ones. Take me deeper into these issues of the personality I pray, in Jesus’ Name Amen. (EDWJ)

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Our Salvation is secure because God does the holding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 26                          THURSDAY JANUARY, 26.                       2017

TAKE THIS TEST.                                                           Eph 2:1-10

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.” (vv4-5)

Take this test First, think about what happens to you when you feel deeply loved by another human being. Isn’t it true that when that is your experience something powerful moves within you? (2) And isn’t it true, also, that the more you feel loved, the easier it is to rise above your grudge, give up bad habits and go about your tasks with joy in your heart? (3) Again, doesn’t something similar happen when you know you are seen as valuable in the eyes of at least one significant person in your life? (4) Finally, consider the feelings that go through your mind when you realize that you are not just drifting aimlessly through life but that there is a purpose behind what you do. Does that not bring an intense sense of satisfaction to your heart?

Now consider how different life is when you do not feel loved by another human being, when no one seems to value you and you see no point to life. Human love and appreciation makes such a difference to the functioning of the soul. How much more, then, when our souls are open to the Almighty and we allow Him to pour into us the love and affection, that reaches the deepest parts of our  being. Note-‘When we are loved and valued by a significant other it is like a cup of water given to our parched souls, but when we realize how loved and valued we are by God it is not just a cupful of water, not even a jugful, but a mighty Niagara that fills and floods the soul.

PRAYER LINE: Father, thank You for Your love. Pour it into me without measure, I pray, in Jesus’ Name. Amen (EDWJ)

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There is no better test of a man’s integrity than his behavior when he is wrong.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 27                          FRIDAY JANUARY, 27.                             2017

LITTLE FUEL FOR LIFE’S HIGHWAY                   Rom 5:1-11

“God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us’ (v5)

Question – Why is it that those without a faith seem to live life better than a number of Christians? It’s a good question and one that deserves a clear answer. After all, one would think that when Jesus lives in us then anxiety, depression, phobias, obsession and other mental health issues ought to die in us. Answer. Consider a non-Christian who has had a loving upbringing and who has also been given a strong sense of value and purpose, and put him or her alongside a Christian who has had a dysfunctional childhood and never had a real sense of being loved and valued or of purpose in life. The non-Christian because his or her soul has been fuelled by a strong degree of human love, value and purpose, will function fairly well in life and can be free of psychological symptoms, whereas the Christian who has lacked such an input has little fuel to motor down life’s highway. The challenge for the Christian is to open himself/herself up to the love of God. But often this is difficult as, having no experience of love, the soul struggles to comprehend and appreciate the love that is divine. It is not an impossible problem, of course, the Spirit works to pour out divine love into hearts that are given to Him. In the end,  the Christian has the advantage, for Jesus’ presence in the soul means that though there may be difficulties in this life, there will be none in the life to come.

PRAYER LINE: Father, please help those who were bereft of love in childhood and find it difficult to relate to love in the present, in Jesus’ Name I ask it. Amen (EDWJ)

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You need no fear where you’re going when God is going with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 28                          SATURDAY JANUARY, 28.                       2017

HUMILITY’S REWARD                                                 Lk 14:7-14

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and who humbles himself will be exalted Lk 14:11

A small western college was struggling financially. The buildings were shabby, and staff salaries were meager.

A stranger visited the campus one day and asked a man who was washing a wall where he could find the president.” I think you can see him at his house at noon,” was the reply. The  visitor went as directed and met the president, whom he recognized as the same man who was scrubbing a wall earlier in the day, though he was now in different clothes. Later that week, a letter came with a gift of $50,000 for the college. The spirit of service on the part of the president had made a positive impression on the visitor. Because the benefactor saw a man who was not too proud to help where needed, even though it involved to contribute generously to the school.

The lesson is clear. God rewards those who take a lowly place. The Saviour Himself set the pattern by becoming man and giving His life for us (Phil 2:3-11) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. “(vv.3-4) Keep in mind Jesus’ words in (Lk 14:11) “He who humbles himself will be exalted.’ That’s humility’s reward. RWD

PRAYER LINE: God often uses lowly ones

His purpose to fulfill,

Because it takes a humble heart

To carry out His will – DJD

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True service is love in working clothes. – (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 29                          SUNDAY JANUARY, 29.                           2017

BY OUR DEEDS                                                                      Matt 23:3-36

Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right (Prov 20::11)

One night a clergyman was walking to church when a thief pulled a gun on him and demanded his money or his life. When he reached in his pocket to hand over his wallet, the robber saw his clerical collar and said: ‘I see you a priest. Never mind, you can go.” The clergyman, surprised by the robber’s unexpected act of piety, offered him a candy bar. The robber said, “No thank you. I don’t eat candy during Lent.”

The man had given up candy as a supposed sacrifice for Lent, but his lifestyle of stealing showed his real character! According to the writer of Proverbs, conduct is the best indicator of character. If someone says he is a godly person, his words can only be proven by consistent actions (20:11). This was true of religious leaders in Jesus’ day as well. He condemned the Pharisees and exposed their sham for professing godliness but denying that profession with sin in their lives (Matt 23:13-36). Appearances and words are deceiving. Behaviour is the best judge of character. This applies to all of us. As followers of Jesus, we demonstrate our love for Him by what we do, not just by what we say. May our devotion to God, because of His love for us, be revealed in our actions today – Marvin Williams.

PRAYER LINE: Spiritual words are mere distractions if not backed up by our godly actions, And all our good and beautiful creeds Are nothing without God – honouring deeds – Williams.

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Conduct is the best proof of character (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 30                          MONDAY JANUARY, 30.                         2017

UNSTOPPABLE                                                             Num 22:10-34

The LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way – (Num 22:31)

“Under it. Over it. Around it. Through it. Nothing will stop me from doing it.” I often hear people express this kind of attitude when they get an idea or see an opportunity that seems good or profitable. They devote all of their resources to getting it done. As evidence that this way of thinking may be flawed, I call as my witness a donkey – a donkey belonging to a man named Balam. Balam was offered a profitable assignment from a neighbouring king and he inquired of God  for permission to accept it (Num 22). When God said no, the king’s representatives made a better offer. Thinking God might change His mind, Balaam asked again. God granted permission for Balaam to go with them but with strict conditions. God knew Balaam’s heart and was not pleased with him, so He placed His Angel in the way. Balaam couldn’t see the Angel but his donkey could. When the donkey refused to continue, Balaam became angry with the animal for blocking his progress. Balaam’s story teaches us that not every obstacle is meant to be overcome. Some are placed to keep us from doing something foolish. When our plans are hindered, we shouldn’t assume that it’s Satan trying to stop us. It might be God trying to protect us.

PRAYER LINE: Let Your wisdom guide me ever,

For I dare not trust my own,

Lead me, Lord, in tender mercy

Leave me not to walk alone – Reed

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God is always protecting us – even when we don’t realize we need it. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 31                          TUESDAY JANUARY, 31.                          2017

FREEDOM THAT ENSLAVES                                        Rom 6:15-23

If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed – (Jn 8:36)

People today have made a god out of freedom. For then, freedom is of paramount importance in everything-whether it is the freedom to abort a baby or simply to ride a motor-cycle without a helmet. Some freedoms are good, while others produce nothing but harm. For instance, society’s rejection of traditional standards of morality has led to numerous social problems, including rampant teen pregnancy, broken marriages, and high crime rates. The apostle Paul knew well that freedom is a mixed bag. He knew that each choice we make has consequences-either good or bad. And he knew that there is only one freedom that has no drawbacks – the freedom we gain through becoming the slaves of Jesus Christ (Rom 6:16-18) Slavery to Christ frees us from the burden of trying to earn salvation through good works (v23) It frees us from our former slavery to sin and puts us on the path that leads to heaven. We now are slaves to something that works in us to produce holiness (v22). You have the freedom to choose. It’s a choice between two masters. You can appreciate true freedom only when you choose Christ as your Master – (Jn 8:31-32) “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. “

PRAYER LINE: What freedom lies with all who choose

To live for God each day!

But chains of bondage shackle those

Who choose some other way – DJD

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You can worship your freedom of choice or you can choose the Truth. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 32                          WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY, 1.                             2017

PRAY ABOUT IT                                                                     Jas 5:13 AMP

Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil) He should pray – (Jas 5:13 AMP)

It’s Amazing how long we put up with things before we decide to pray about them. The hymn writer says, ‘O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.’ We complain to our friends. We wonder why God doesn’t do something. We wrestle with the situation in our minds, yet we fail to take advantage of the simplest solution there is – prayer. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “We’re all guilty  of treating prayer as a last ditch effort. When you say things like, ‘Nothing else is working. Maybe I should pray about it,’ do you realize what that says about you? That you really don’t understand or believe in the power of prayer as you should. You’re carrying burdens you don’t need to carry, and life is harder than it has to be because you don’t realize how powerful prayer is. If you did, you’d pray about everything – not as a last resort but as a first response. The Bible says, ‘Is anyone among you afflicted (ill treated, suffering evil? He should pray.’ When you’re sick pray. When you feel like giving up pray. When someone you love is suffering: pray. When you’re discouraged: pray. When you don’t know what to do: pray. Jesus who prayed early in the morning and late at night, said, ‘Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them, (Mk 11:24 NKJV) So pray about it (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me: I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see. Amen.

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With God, all things are possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 33                          THURSDAY FEBRUARY, 2.                       2017

GOD’S VICTORY PLAN (1)                                                    Mk 9:23

Jesus said unto him, “If thou canst believe, All things are possible to him that believeth (v23)

The Lord will always come through with His victory plan if we  will just believe His Word. In the New Testament, God tells us very clearly His victory plan. (Mk 9:23 above) God’s victory plan is based on believing. Believing what? Believing what God said in His Word and acting on it. No matter what circumstance you face, just hold on to God’s Word because help is on the way. 1 Cor 1013 says: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted more than you can bear, He promised He will make a way of escape for you. In 1 Cor 1:9 – God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. God is faithful. The Bible says, “Great is His faithfulness” (Lam 3:23) So we can be sure that God with faithfully bring His victory plan to pass in our lives as we obey Him. Jesus Tells us more about His victory plan. He promised that He and His father would make their abode for us. Read John 14:23. (Kenneth Hagin Jnr)

PRAYER LINE: God is still on the throne. He never forsaketh His own. His Promise is true. He will not forget you. God is still on the throne – Suffield.

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Our afflictions are not designed to break us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 34                          FRIDAY FEBRUARY, 3.                             2017

GOD’S VICTORY PLAN          (2)                                 Heb 13:5-6

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.  (vv5-6)

God promised to help us in the time of trouble. And with God on the inside of us, we have a Helper greater than any problem we could ever face. The Bible says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” ( 1 Jn 4:4) the Holy Spirit, the Greater One who lives in us, is greater than any problem the devil can throw our way! Besides that, God promised that “no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper (Isa 54:17) You see, the victory has already been won by Jesus. Remember, the Bible says that you’re not going to have to fight in this battle (2 Chro 20:17)  You don’t have to fight the devil because Jesus already defeated him at Calvary’s Cross. You just have to stand your ground on the Word and see the mercy and the delivering power of the Lord! Talk victory by talking the Word some Christians seem to prefer taking off their coats, rolling up their sleeves, and getting in a fight. But the arm of flesh is not going to win you anything. On the other hand, the power of God will deliver you every time. God’s power is contained in His Word, and the Word will triumph over the devil and every evil circumstance. Let the Word fight your Battles for you. (Kenneth Hagin Jnr).

PRAYER LINE: The greatness of our God is seen In sky and sea and forest green; And living creatures great and small Reveal the God who made them all- D De Haan

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All creation sings God’s praise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 35                          SATURDAY FEBRUARY, 4.                       2017

GOD’S VICTORY PLAN (3)                                           1 Cor 15:57

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (v57)

God will set you free. God will deliver you – if you’ll just do things His way. It doesn’t matter how you feel. It only matters what the Word promises. And God said He will make a way so you can walk in His victory plan.

The Bible says in 2 Cor 2:14 “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. It doesn’t make any difference where you are now. No, you don’t have to run over here or over there to receive the delivering power of God. This verse says that God will always cause you to triumph. Where? In every place, no matter where you are – just as long as you’re in Christ. Friend, don’t let the devil steal your joy. Don’t let the devil take away from you what belongs to you. The devil didn’t give you your inheritance in Christ, and the devil can’t take it away from you either – unless you let him. Col 3:24 says “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ. People may not understand your shouting when it’s dark and bleak all around you – when there’s not even a speck or ray of hope anywhere. But it doesn’t matter whether or not they understand your faith in God. (Kenneth Hagin Jnr)

PRAYER LINE: Father, give me the courage to overcome all those fears that would rise within me with You, I can face anything, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Faith – testing times can be faith – strengthening times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 36                          SUNDAY FEBRUARY, 5.                           2017

GOD’S VICTORY PLAN (4)                                                    Eph 4:25-32

Neither give place to the devil (v27)

The Bible says, “Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph” (2 Cor 2:14) The greater One living inside of you will put you over in every circumstance if you’ll just look to Him. He’ll show you His victory plan in every dark circumstance and make a way for you to escape the devil’s plans. Get on the victory side with God! Then catch yourself if you start grumbling and complaining. Grab yourself by the collar and say, “What am I doing, giving place to the devil with my words! The Bible said, “Neither give place to the devil” (Eph 4:27) God, please forgive me. I purpose to only speak Your words of victory.” People can talk about what the devil is doing in their lives. But I don’t care what the devil is doing. It doesn’t interest me in the least. What interests me is what Jesus Christ is doing on this earth – and what Jesus wants  to do through me! Jesus Christ came. He died on the cross. He arose victorious. He sits at the right hand of the Father on High, making intercession for us. Thanks be to God, we are victors through Christ Jesus. God has a plan for you. Follow His plan exactly, and it will always bring you victory. Remember, God does not intend for His plan to fail. But you will have to get your eyes off your problem and look only to Jesus (Heb 12:2) Listen to what God is saying to you. Then do God’s will and follow His plan exactly (Kenneth Hagin Jnr)

PRAYER LINE: Forbid it, Lord, that I should be Afraid of persecution’s frown; For Thou hast promised faithful ones That they shall wear the victors crown – Bosch

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When God would make us strong He schools us Through hardships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 37                          MONDAY FEBRUARY, 6.                         2017

DO WHAT GOD HAS ORDAINED                                2 Tim 1:9

Who has saved us, and called us with holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace…(v9)

If you are only talented, you may feel comfortable taking your talents into a secular arena. Talent, like justice, is blind; it will seek all opportunities the same. But when you are cognizant of divine purpose, there are some things you will not do because they would defeat the purpose of God in your life. For instance, if it is your purpose to bless the body of Christ in song or ministry, though you may be talented enough to aspire to some secular platform of excellence, if you are cognizant of your purpose, you will do what you are called to do. Being called according to purpose enables you to focus on the development of your talent as it relates to your purpose. Whenever we bring our efforts into alignment with His purpose, we automatically are blessed. 2 Tim 2:4-5 says “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier…” In order to strive lawfully, our efforts must be tailored after the pattern of divine purpose. We spend hours in prayer trying to convince God that He should bless what we are trying to accomplish. What we need to do is spend hours in prayer for God to reveal His purpose. When we do what God has ordained to be done, we are blessed because God’s plan is already blessed (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Every life has been created – God’s handiwork displayed; when we cherish His creation, we value what He’s made – Sper.

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God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 38                          TUESDAY FEBRUARY, 7.                          2017

RENOVATING THE HOUSE                                          2 Cor 5:1-5

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God (vv 1-5)

So the bad news is that the old house is still a death trap; it’s still infested with rodents. A legion of thoughts and peeky memories crawl around in our heads like roaches that come out in the night and boldly parade around the house. Add to this pestilence an occasional groaning in the dungeon, and you will have a picturesque view of the inner workings of a Christian! That should not negate our joy, though; it merely confesses our struggles. What do I mean by “groaning’? The occasional groaning you hear is not demonic. Rather, it is a painful groan that pierces our nights like the whelping cry of a wounded animal. We have not been taught about the crying of the Spirit, but I tell you that the Holy Spirit can be grieved. He has the capacity and ability to groan within us until His groaning emerges as conviction in the heart of the humble. Yes, it is bad news, but the guest we entertain desires more for us than what we have in us. He enjoys neither the house nor the clothing we offer Him. He just suffers it like a lover suffers adversity to be in the company of the one he loves. The good news is that the bad news won’t last long. Jesus said, “…every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” (Matt 12:25) Yes, we are constantly renovating through the Word of God, but the truth is, God will eventually recycle what we are trying to renovate (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Father God, I want to know You in all Your fullness. Help me not to serve out of my own strength, in Jesus’ Name Amen.

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Learn from Christ then make Him known.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 39                          WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY, 8.                             2017

AN INTERNAL CONFLICT                                            Rom 7:22-24

“For I delight in the law of  God according to the inward man” (v22)

Unless we walk consistently in the Spirit, living holy is difficult. No, it is impossible! It isn’t natural to “do good to them that hate you.” (Matt 5:44) You don’t see one dog steal another one’s bone and then see the betrayed dog wag his tail in happiness! No, forgiveness isn’t natural.

Without God it cannot be done. Being a Christian means that one part of you is constantly wanting to do the right thing while the other part of you is desperately campaigning for you to walk in your old habit. We often talk about how God saved us from sin. I agree. I am grateful for the terrible wicked things that He saved me from. Because I was saved, I didn’t commit those wicked sins, but I would have had He not set up a protest in my heart. He brought my trembling soul to His bleeding side and cleansed my very imaginations, intentions, and ambitions. Yes, the Christian life is a life of conflict, and I thank God that He groans and protests my sinful behavior. It is because He challenges my proclivities that growth begins. “Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David, but David waxed stronger and stronger…Saul waxed weaker and weaker (2 Sam 3:1). Transformation is a process. It takes faith and patience to see the results that bring out the true nature of Christ in any of us (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Father, grant me the grace to stay on course in my Christian race, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Those rescued from sin are best able to rescue from sin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 40                          THURSDAY FEBRUARY, 9.                       2017

UNLEASHED                                                                           Gal. 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage – (Gal 5:1)

People with a past have always been able to come to Jesus. He makes them into something wonderful and marvelous. It is said that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. Christ was moved with compassion for even this base kind of human existence. He never used a prostitute for sex, but certainly loved them into the kingdom of God. Matt 9:10-12 says “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him… But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” The blood of Jesus is efficacious, cleaning the woman who feels unclean. How can we reject what He has cleaned and made whole? Just as He said to the woman then, He proclaims today. “Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.” How can the church do any less? The chains that bind are often from events that we have no control over. The woman who is abused is not responsible for the horrible events that happened in her past. Other times the chains are there because we have willfully lived lives that bring bondage and pain. Regardless of the source, Jesus comes to set us free. He is unleashing the women of His church. He forgives, heals and restores. (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Let us go forth, as called of God, Redeemed by Jesus’ precious blood; Redeemed His love to show, His life to live, His message speak, His mercy give – Whittle.

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When you share the gospel, make sure you live the gospel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 41                          FRIDAY FEBRUARY, 10.                           2017

SUCCESS AGAINST OUR ENEMIES                                      Ps 3:1-4

“In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed.” (v1)

David declares that it is the Lord who sustains you in the perilous times of inner struggle and warfare. It is the precious peace of God that eases your tension when you are trying to make decisions in the face of criticism and cynicism. When you realize that some people do not want you to be successful, the pressure mounts drastically. Many have said, “God will not deliver him.” However, many saying it still doesn’t make it true. I believe that the safest place in the world is in the will of God. If you align your plan with His purpose, success is imminent! On the other hand, if I have not been as successful as I would like to be, then seeking the purpose of God inevitably enriches my resources and makes the impossible attainable. So many were the nights that I languished over the needs in our home. During these times Satan always shows you images of yourself and your children wrapped up in dirty quilts, nestled under a bridge with a burning 55 – gallon drum as the only source of heat. He is such a sadist. I prayed, or more accurately, I complained to God. I explained to Him. “Where are You, Lord’ If the storm comes and I know I am in the will of God, then little else matters. (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, give us courage to confess, To bare our heart and bend our knee; Forgiving love You long to show, And from our sin to set us free.

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Sin brings fear, confession brings freedom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 42                          SATURDAY FEBRUARY, 11.                     2017

OPEN WITH GOD                                               Ps 51:1-4

“Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies” (v1)

Saul was anointed by God to be king. He was more moral than David in that he didn’t struggle in some of the areas that plagued David. His weakness wasn’t outward, it was inward. Saul looked like a king, whereas David looked like an underage juvenile delinquent who should have been home taking care of the flocks. But David wasn’t in the palace. He was out there with the men, fighting the giants and bringing about change. Saul’s armor shined in the noonday sun. David had no armor. He fought naked, free from the entanglements of trying to be impressive. He was not ashamed. Even his weapon looked substandard; it was just an old ragged, shepherd’s slingshot. Although David’s weapon was outwardly substandard, it was nevertheless lethal; it led to the destruction of the giant. We can never destroy our enemy with the superficial armor of a pious king. We don’t need the superficial. We need the supernatural! David’s naked, transparent demeanor was so translucent that he often seems extremely vulnerable. He seems almost naïve at times. When he worships, he does it with holy abandonment. When he lusts, he does it to obsessive dimensions. When he repents, there is something so powerful in his prayer that even his most adamant critic must admire his openness with God. Read Ps 51:9-14. (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE Ps 51:9-14 “Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…

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Praise to God comes naturally when you count your blessings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 43                          SUNDAY FEBRUARY, 12.                         2017

HOW TO OVERCOME ANXIETY (1)                                      Matt 6:25-34

“Stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life” (v25 AMP)

Here are some steps to overcoming your anxiety (1) Talk to God. Don’t bemoan the collapse of an investment, ask God to help you. Don’t pace the floor of the hospital waiting room, pray for a successful surgery. ‘Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him’ (1) Peter 5:7 AMP) (2) Slow down. ‘Rest in the LORD,’ and wait patiently for him (Ps 37:7 KJV). Jesus’ first miracle took place at a wedding. They had run out of wine, which was a social disaster in those days. Mary could’ve blamed the host for poor planning, or the guests for overdrinking, but instead she took the shortage to Jesus and He solved her problem. You can do the same. Access the problem, and then take it to the Lord in prayer. (3) Don’t let your anxieties get the best of you. When a mosquito lands on you, you don’t say, I’ll take care of it in a minute. ‘No, you kill it before it can bite you. Be equally decisive with your worries. The moment they surface, deal with them. Before you rush to diagnose that mole as a cancer, have it examined. Instead of assuming you’ll never get out of debt, consult a financial expert. Be a doer, not a stewer. Horace Bushnell said, ‘Anxiety is a word of unbelief or unreasoning dread. We have no right to allow it. Full faith in God puts it to rest. ‘The crosses we bear over anxiety concerning the future aren’t crosses that come from God. So give your anxiety to God, and leave it with Him. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Thank You Lord for the knowledge that worry cannot add a cubit to stature. I trust in Your promise in Jesus’ Name

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The best preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 44                          MONDAY FEBRUARY, 13.                       2017

HOW TO OVERCOME ANXIETY (2)                            Phil 4:7

And the peace of God … will guard your hearts…( Phil 4:7 NIV 2011 Edition)

Here are three more steps you can take to overcome anxiety (1) List your worries? Money? Marriage? Job? These aren’t one-time worries that come and go quickly. They’re things that make you ‘perpetually uneasy (Matt 6:25 AMP) So begin to review them. Ask yourself how many of them have actually turned into reality? Charles Spurgeon said, “Our worst misfortunes never happen…most of our miseries lie in anticipation.’ (2) Analyze them. You’ll detect recurring area of preoccupation that may become obsessions: what people think of you; the fact that heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s run in your family, the fear that you won’t have enough to live on when you get old. Identify each fear and pray specifically about it. (3) Live in today. God has promised to meet your needs daily, not weekly or annually. He’ll give you what you need-when you need it! Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need,’ (Heb 4:16 NKJV) The old hymn goes: ‘Not so in haste my heart. Have faith in God, and wait, although He lingers long He never comes too late.’ When the word ‘worry’ is mentioned in the Bible; it’s almost always following the words ‘do not.’ If ‘worry’ features in your vocabulary, it should be as part of God’s words to you: ‘do not worry’ (Phil 4:6-7 (NIV 2011 Edition) says to you, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer… present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts? (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: When we share another’s burden We display God’s love and care, offering relief and comfort when life seems too much to bear – Sper.

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Bearing someone else’s burden makes your own seem lighter.

 

 

 

 

DAY 45                          TUESDAY FEBRUARY, 14.                        2017

TRUE LOVE                                                                   Jn 15:9-17

“Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends’ (v13)

During the rehearsal for my brother’s wedding ceremony, my husband snapped a picture of the bride and groom as they faced each other in front of the pastor. When we looked at the photograph later, we noticed that the camera’s flash had illuminated a metal cross in the background, which appeared as a glowing image above the couple.

The photograph reminded me that marriage is a picture of Christ’s love for the church as shown on the cross. When the Bible instructs husbands to love their wives (Eph 5:25), God compares that kind of faithful, selfless affection to Christ’s love for His followers. Because Christ sacrificed His life for the sake of love, we are all to love each other (1 Jn  4:10-11) He died in our place, so that our sin would not keep us separate from  God for eternity. He lived out His words to the disciples “Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (Jn 15:13) Many of us suffer from the pain of abandonment, rejection, and betrayal. Despite all of this, through Christ we can understand the sacrificial, compassionate, and enduring nature of true love. Today, remember that you are loved by God. Jesus said so with His life –

PRAYER LINE: Love divine, so great and wondrous

Deep and mighty, pure, sublime!

Coming from the heart of Jesus –

Just the same through tests of time – Blom

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Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross of Jesus. (ODB)

 

DAY 46                          WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY, 15.                           2017

BOND SLAVES (1)                                                        Exo 21:1-11

Then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost; and his master shall piece his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever (v6)

Romanian pastor Paul Negrut shares a prayer written by a Christian prisoner just before he died by execution under the communists of Romania.

Lord, I look forward to the great day I see you and your family in heaven.

I look forward to seeing the great evangelists standing before you.

I  look forward to the day I see all the missionaries coming home rejoicing with their sheaves.

I look forward to hearing all the great singers of the world praising you.

I look forward to seeing the great preachers of the ages standing before you.

But Lord, I have one special request. When that day comes, allow me to be there in the clothing of a prisoner.

I want to praise you throughout eternity in my prisoner’s clothes to always remind me that I was a prisoner for you. Christians in the suffering Church visit brothers and sisters in prison regularly. One reason is for the encouragement they bring. Another is that they can bring much needed gifts of food. (Paul Estabrooks)

PRAYER LINE: The fullness of God’s matchless love shines forth from Calvary; What mercy, grace He showed to us When Jesus died upon that tree –  Anon.

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When you know God’s grace, you’ll want to show God’s grace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 47                          THURSDAY FEBRUARY, 16.                     2017

BOND SLAVES (2)                                              Exo 21:1-11

‘And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do” (v7)

There are numerous reports how these visiting Christians would stand outside the prison or camp after their short visit and sing at the top of their lungs. I was encouraged to read one such song translated from Chinese into English as follows:

‘I’m a little bird in a cage, away from the trees, flowers and fields

To be in bonds for you, Lord, how glad I am to sing and pour out my heart to you all day.

You like to hold my wings that like to fly.

Listen to the songs that I have to sing;

Your great love constraints me, I’ll be your love slave who will never run away.

Who will understand the bitterness of prison life? But the love of the lord can make it sweet; Oh, Lord, I love the road You have prepared  for me.

May the whole creation praise your wonderful deeds.’

The Christian prisoner for whom this was sung ‘stood on the balcony and wept, touched beyond measure’

In the New Testament, the apostolic writers continually referred to themselves as slaves of Jesus Christ or ‘bond servants.” (Paul Estabrooks)

PRAYER LINE: Every day more like my Saviour,

Every day my will resign, Until at last Christ reigns supremely In this grateful heart of mine – Brandt

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The power that compels us comes from the Spirit who indwells us.

 

DAY 48                          FRIDAY FEBRUARY, 17.                           2017

BOND SLAVES (3)                                                                  Exo 21:1-11

But if a servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children, I will not go out free. (v5)

In Bible times, slaves had no rights. But a slave or ‘bond servant’ had the right to leave his master after he had worked off his indebtedness. If out of love for his master he chose of his own free will to stay and become a lifetime member of that home, he went through a strange but agonizing ceremony (as in our Bible passage for today). It was a sign like a wedding ring – only much more demanding  – saying, ‘I love my master and have given myself for him so I can give myself to him.”

In the Hermitage in St. Petersburg is a painting depicting “The Baptism of Jesus.’ Brother Andrew writes about his experience there 30 years ago: The museum guide points to the beautiful painting and says, ‘In the background there are groups of people standing who were made slaves by this man.” This communist had seen it correctly: Jesus doesn’t make slaves for a system, no member for a church, no supporters for a religion or followers of a philosophy. He said: “Follow me”, and those followers became slaves of the Person of Jesus Christ. Then they could, and dared, to put up their lives for him. They had given everything and therefore couldn’t lose any more. Now they could go wherever he sent them (Paul Estabrooks)

PRAYER LINE: He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labours increase; To added affliction, He addeth His mercy; To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace – Flint

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Faith grows best in the winter of trial – Rutherfood

 

 

DAY 49                          SATURDAY FEBRUARY, 18.                     2017

SERVE WHERE PLACED.                                                        Ps 19:7.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple (v7)

Vietnamese Pastor Ha is an amazing example of willingness to serve Jesus wherever He places you – even a cockroach-infested prison with rotten food. Here is his own description of that experience.

“If God had called me to prison ministry in 1975, I would have refused. But He spent those years preparing my heart, so when the time came, I accepted. I saw all this as the amazing plan of God. During my six years and twenty-three days of living in the iron cages, the Lord called ninety-six people to believe in Him. They were members of the former government, officials from the new communist government, refugees, Chinese, Cambodian – even a few of our captors…

God put me in prison to share Jesus Christ with the outcasts and the hopeless to express his love. His glory became known in that prison. The guards tried many ways to keep us from communicating with one another, but the witness went on.

Later Pastor Cyong  Nguyen also spent six years in prison in Vietnam before being deported to the United States. Over one year of that time was spent in solitary confinement. He says, “Wherever God puts you, that is your mission field! During his prison term he led fifty-six people to faith in Jesus Christ. (Paul Estabrooks)

PRAYER LINE: The words I spoke but yesterday Are changed as I read Your word; I see more clearly Your perfect way, And my heart is deeply stirred – Kilgore

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Let God’s Word fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your words.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 50                          SUNDAY FEBRUARY, 19.                         2017

POWER IN CHAINS                                                               Phil 1:12-14

Most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God courageously and fearlessly (v12)

Somehow there is power in chains. Even the Apostle Paul expressed that so clearly in Phil 1:12-14 He indicates that what most other Christians thought would be so terrible – his own imprisonment – God turned into good. Rather than hindering the spread of the gospel, it actually aided its advance. And as a result everyone including the palace guard learned that Paul was in prison because  of his love for Christ. And more importantly he said, ‘most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly (Phil 1:14)

In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, fourteen Christians continued their witness while in prison by reading Scripture aloud. By the time they were released, they had read through the entire New Testament and Forty-four inmates professed in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Natta Bush served over seven years of a thirty year prison sentence in the country of Sudan. A co-worker who visited him after his miraculous release reported “God… wanted me in prison for a special purpose. Many people are saved in prison. Even the guards were also saved and that is why they transferred me here to El Khobar prison (Paul Estabrooks)

PRAYER LINE: Oh, give me, Lord Your love for souls, For lost and wondering sheep, That I may see the multitudes And weep as You did weep – Harrison

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Those who have been found should seek the lost.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 51                          MONDAY FEBRUARY, 20.                       2017

GROWING OLDER, AND BETTER                                         Ps 118:17

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD (Ps 118:17 NKJV)

If you want God’s will to be done in your life, don’t rush things. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, did that. As a result Ishmael was born, and that brought all sorts of strife and family complications. Remember: “Flesh gives birth to flesh… the Spirit gives birth to spirit (Jn 3:6 NIV 2011 Edition),  so be sure your plans are conceived by God’s Spirit. Don’t try to salvage anything flesh – based. God said, “My covenant will I establish with Isaac’ (Gen 17:21 KJV), Isaac was born as a result of God’s will, done God’s way, in God’s time. Everything that’s conceived in you comes from one or two sources: the flesh or the Spirit. So be careful. People will try to involve you in all kinds of schemes to promote yourself. God doesn’t need anybody’s help to bless you. He can do it all by Himself! That’s why whenever Satan attacks you, you need to be able to point him to your spiritual birthplace and remind him that you didn’t begin this project and you don’t have to finish it. “He who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion “.  And here’s another thought. If God’s dealing with you about carnality, pride, or some other obstacle in your path, don’t resist, don’t run, and don’t get in His way. Like a drowning man frantically trying to save himself – until you stop flailing around God can’t do anything for you. So the word for you today is: Try less and trust more (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: We can be young in heart and mind, To others we can yet be kind, sing songs of praise to God through tears, And grow in grace through all our years – Zimmerman

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Faithful is God’s requirement, fruitfulness is His reward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 52                          TUESDAY FEBRUARY, 21.                        2017

IDENTITY THEFT                                                           Gal 2:20 NIV

Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20 NIV)

Your identity has great value not only to you, but also to te thief who wants your name and credit card to run up a stack of bills. Some of us will go to great lengths to try and gain an identity we think will make us more acceptable to a certain group – like wearing designer clothes or driving a certain car. Some think it’s their looks and opts for plastic surgery. Some identify themselves by their profession or trade. Maybe you’ve heard about the guy who went to the psychiatrist with a severe identity crisis, saying, “Doctor, I’m convinced I’m a dog.” When the psychiatrist asked how long he had this problem, he blurted out, ‘Ever since I was a puppy!” Too many of us are confused or basically uninformed about our true identity as redeemed children of God. This leads to false growth or no growth. Paul bottom – lined his identity like this: “Christ lives in me “ Then he added: ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13 NAS) With the fingers of Mozart there’s no musical piece you couldn’t play. With the brain of Einstein there’s no mathematical formula you couldn’t unravel. With the life of Christ within you there’s no victory you cannot win. Your new identity also solves your self-worth problem (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Ponder .  You’re a totally forgiven, fully accepted, deeply loved, daily empowered child of God. Praise Him. Glorify His Name. Thank You gracious Lord.

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A change in behavior begins with Jesus changing our heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 53                          WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY, 22.                           2017

FAITH SAYS, “IT’S SO”                                                 Heb 11:4-7

Without faith it is impossible to please God (v6)

Tony Evans writes: “A practical definition of faith I like, is acting like it’s so even when it’s not, in order that it might be so, just because God said so.” Maybe you’re saying “That sounds like I’m supposed to pretend something’s real when it isn’t. No. We’re talking about believing that what God says is true, even when there’ no evidence available. And the way you know you believe – is when you act on it. Maybe you think people like Noah and Moses had it easier than we do because God spoke to them directly. True. God did speak to them, but that didn’t make their obedience any easier. Remember, Noah worked for 120 years with no water around him, and kept announcing a coming flood based solely on what God had told him. Moses didn’t get to attend a showing of The Ten Commandments and find out how the Red Sea would part. Actually, we have the advantage because we have God’s completed Word. But we still experience the turbulence of life. Ever been on an airplane when it started shaking or dropped? Remember how you felt when the captain spoke over the intercom, calmly explaining that this was no big deal. Your options were to have faith in the captain – or believe what you saw or felt. Faith takes you beyond the limits of your logic, reason and senses. It enables you to believe that if God said it, it’s true (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, we are in awe of You, Thank You that You created us with such complexity and care and that You know us with such intimacy. We love You and trust You with our lives.

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All life is created by God and bears His autograph:

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 54                          THURSDAY FEBRUARY, 23.                     2017

A DAILY DOSE OF SCRIPTURE                                              Lk 24:28-35

It felt like a fire burning in us when Jesus…explained the Scriptures to us: (v32)

The two Emmaus-bound pilgrims discovered the power of the Scripture that first Easter Sunday. They were broken-hearted from the crucifixion: “Sadness (was) written across their faces” (Lk 24:17 NLT) They allowed their pain to blind them to the presence of Jesus. He’d risen from the dead, and though they didn’t yet recognize Him, He’d come to take their sorrow. How could He do this? “Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Lk 24:27 NLT) He opened their eyes, lifting their heavy hearts with the Scriptures. He chose the one thing that never fails – God’s Word! Did it make a difference? For those two it did: “It felt like a fire burning in us when Jesus talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us”. Trying to live a victorious Christian life without a daily dose of the Scriptures is like trying to run your car on an empty tank, work all week on an empty stomach, or pay your bills on an empty checking account.

Steve Farrar writes: “I need to be reminded of what is true. God’s Word gives me a dose of reality. My morning briefing in the Word gives me a perspective that I don’t get in the world. A Christian without the constant nutrition of the Word, will soon tire and be dragged off by the sheer force of the current (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE:  Father, please feed me constantly with the nutrition of Your Word to empower me to win souls for Your kingdom, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Keep your tools ready – God will find work for you.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 55                          FRIDAY FEBRUARY, 24.                           2017

INTOXICATED                                                               Eph 5:15-21

Do not get drunk on wine… Instead, be filled with the Spirit (v18 NIV)

A drunk man doesn’t get that way by just talking about alcohol, or looking at advertisement for liquor. No, he gets drunk by drinking. And  the more he drinks the more the alcohol controls him. We say he’s “under the influence.” Another power takes over which transforms him into someone he was not before. One minute he’s nice and quiet, the next he’s loud and boisterous. He may even think he’s Pavarotti and start to sing. When a police officer stops him and tells him to walk a straight line he can’t do it. Why? Because something else is running the show. And what alcohol is to your body negatively, the Holy Spirit is to your new nature positively. When you’re under His control He makes you walk in ways you wouldn’t normally walk, and talk in ways you wouldn’t normally talk. That’s why, rather than spending our time and energy trying to change, we need to concentrate on being – and staying – filled with God’s Spirit. Now you see why Paul drew the analogy between someone who’s drunk and someone under the Spirit’s control. Those under the influence of the Holy Spirit will not be offensive or rude, self-serving or “show –boating.” In an attempt to impress others. No, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman. The power He provides is controlled and channeled toward a life, not possible by any other means. That power is available to you today (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: The power of God can turn a heart From evil and the power of sin, The love of God can change a life And make new and cleansed within – Fasick

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Justification means our guilt gone, Christ’s righteousness given.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 56                          SATURDAY FEBRUARY, 25.                     2017

MIND MANAGEMENT                                       Gal 6:7 NIV

A man reaps what he sows (v7 NIV)

Managing your mind should be one of your top priorities. Your mind is like a computer, it only spites out the data you feed it. Winners work hard at investing the right material inside themselves. We naturally act on what fills our minds. When we become preoccupied with a thought, eventually we want to act on it. This explains a lot of things-like why so many rapes happen after gulps have watched pornography night after night. It also explains the huge amount of violence among young people between the ages 12 and 24. By then the average young person has seen more than 4,000 murders on T.V. not to mention video games. The more violence older people saw the less thinking, learning, reasoning and emotional stamina they had. The garbage they fed their minds affected what came out. The computer stored the wrong information – now they could only retrieve the wrong stuff. The apostle Paul didn’t know about computers. But he knew about agriculture. “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction: the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Gal 6:8 NIV) So, manage your mind (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: May the mind of Christ my Saviour

Live in me from day to day.

By His love and power controlling

All I do and say – Wilkinson

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Live so that when people get to know you they will get to know Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 57                          SUNDAY FEBRUARY, 26.                         2017

PRESS ON                                                                               Phil 3:12-14

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (vv 13-14)

Have you noticed that God gives a great and wonderful vision, plus the first and the last steps necessary to attain it? He gives us the first line and the last line of the story, but He never informs us of the fine print.

God  does not discuss the “in-between” part, but He will tell us the ultimate goal or aim of the vision. He may even tell us about where we must go, but He never gives us enough to go on apart from faith and total dependence on Him. One of the reasons so many saints get frustrated is that they settle for less than their destiny. They get stuck in the middle and never press through to the end. Let me encourage you. Yes, you heard from God. Do not worry about unexpected situations- they are not “unexpected” to God. You and I both know that something inside is telling you that something is bigger, better, and greater is waiting for you just on the other side of the middle. So just keep pressing forward until you make it to your dream.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, forgive me for getting stuck

in the fine print in the middle.

I know that You finish what You start.

I determine today to press forward

to fulfill my destiny. (CTC) Amen.

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When facing a crisis, trust God and move forward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 58                          MONDAY FEBRUARY, 27.                       2017

DEAL WITH ENEMY IN THE MIRROR                                  Heb 12:5-17

Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed (v13)

God has written a script for your life that the devil cannot alter. No matter what the adversary throws against you, he cannot change your destiny: Nor can he keep you from reaching the end of your story.

The devil cannot change what God has set into place. No one can change what God has established in your life – excerpt you. You are the only one who can stop you from experiencing what God has planned for you. You determine your destiny by your obedience. Check your obedience level right now. Do you want to accomplish God’s kingdom purpose in your life? Then release every area of disobedience or “lameness” to which you cling. Do not be a worse enemy to yourself than the devil already is.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, I receive Your loving correction and repent of every sin against You and against other people.

Forgive me for loving things, appetites,

comforts, and my own will more than I have loved You.

 I offer You my life anew. Thank You for giving me a new beginning today  and for placing me back on the path of obedience to Your perfect will, in Jesus’ Name I pray Amen. (C.TC)

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To know where you stand before God, test yourself by His standards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 59                          TUESDAY FEBRUARY, 28.                        2017

COUNT THE COST.                                                       Lk 14:25-33

Which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it? (v 28)

Do you have enough to finish what you have started? Have you counted the cost? After the Lord rose again, He appeared to the disciples and said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18-19) You have to be a disciple before you can make one. Jesus set a high standard for disciples when He said in Lk 14:33 that if we do not forsake all that we have, we cannot be His followers. If you have not forsaken all, then you are just a “wanna-be.” You have to count the cost first. What is the cost? This is the gospel. It is easy to pick out people who have not counted the cost; they pick and choose what they will do for Christ. When something costs your life, your whole priority scheme changes the moment you decide you must possess that thing. Converts just want to benefit from the blessings of Christ and the cross without enduring to the end. Disciples, however, have forsaken all for the sake of the gospel and the Lord of the gospel. The Lord is not someone they ‘add’ to their life – He is the life.

PRAYER LINE: Lord Jesus, You gave everything to purchase my freedom and restore me to Your kingdom. Please forgive me for those times I have shipped into “country –club Christianity” and played the fashionable follower. My life is no longer my own, for I have been bought with a price. Thank You, Lord (C.T.C)

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Heaven – no pain, no night, no death, no tears.

 

 

 

 

DAY 60                          WEDNESDAY MARCH, 1.                         2017

OUT OF THE NEST                                              Deut 32:1-14

“Like the eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wins to catch them and carries them…” (v11)

The idea for a series on the theme of The Divine Eagle arise from the verse before us where God is pictured as a mother Eagle. The eagle makes a wonderful mother. She builds her nest in tall tress away from prying human hands, taking the utmost care to line it with the softest feathers. When her eggs hatch, she gives the little eaglets her undivided attention. Every morning she fills the nest with tasty morsels that will keep them going for the whole day, nothing is too good for her precious brood.

After several weeks of this tender, loving care, the mother eagle’s behavior suddenly changes. It is now time for her eaglets to leave the nest and learn to fly. So,  reaching down into the nest, she rips out the feathers, breaks up the twigs and overturns their nice, comfort table home. The little eaglets are frightened out of the wits. Gently she nudges one of them toward the edge of the overturned nest and pushes it out into the air. The little bird, of course, falls like a bullet to the ground, squawking with fright, but just as it is about to hit the ground, the mother eagle swoops beneath it, catches it on her broad wings and carries it safely up into the sky. This is what God does. He pushes us out of our comfort nests in order that, we might expand our wings and  soar toward His highest purposes.

PRAYER LINE Father, I am on the tiptoe of expectation. I’ve been in the nest far too long. Teach me to expand my wings – and fly, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.(EDWJ)

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Better to go through the storm with Christ than to have smooth sailing without Him.

 

 

 

DAY 61                          THURSDAY MARCH, 2.                            2017

THE PURE IN HEART                                                    Matt 5:21-32

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember your brother has something against you, leave your gift at the (v23)

Jesus came to fulfill the law, not to destroy it. Jesus teaches that the law of God is an essential diagnostic tool.  Whether we break it or keep it, and whether we encourage others to break it or keep it, is an indication of our true spiritual condition. It is the standard for evaluation in the kingdom of God (Matt 5:19), but not the standard for entrance into the kingdom. “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.  Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.  … It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” (Matt 5:25-32 NKJV).(Sinchair B Ferguson)  

PRAYER LINE: When amazed by His love for me To love Him back became my prayer, I sought an answer sincerely – it was; Love the neighbor who’s there – Verway

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The proof of our love for God is our obedience to the commands of God.

 

 

 

DAY 62                          FRIDAY MARCH, 3.                         2017

MURDER WITOUT KNIVES             (1)                        Exo 20:13

“Do not murder” (v13)

For Jesus, to kill with a knife, or to engage in character assassination through anger, or to belittle another by calling him “fool” is part and parcel of the same spiritual sickness. Clearly, he does not mean that it makes no difference whether we gossip or stab, but he does mean that both activities reveal the same animosity of heart to our neighbours. There are times when men are fools. Jesus said so himself (Matt 23:17; Lk 12:20) And Scripture teaches us to recognize that (Ps 14:1; 49:10; Prov 1:7, 22,32) Jesus does not have that stubborn rebellion against God in mind here, but the deliberate belittling of someone’s person because of the animosity and hatred of our own heart, and the desire to have mastery over them. That is murder. It  is not only in the sordid  muckraking of some elements of the media that such public assassination takes place. It is not unknown among professing Christians. Men build empires in the church as well as in the world, and will brook no rival. In the spirit of the Pharisees, they wrongly assume that they can retain clean hands by ruining someone’s reputation with a word under the cover of “getting at the truth.” The New Testament gives clear teaching about controlling what we say IB(Matt 12:34; 15:18; Eph 4:29; Jas 3:1-12) Our words are the index of our true spiritual condition. (Sinchair B. Ferguson)

PRAYER LINE: May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour. So that all may see I triumph Only through His power – Wilkinson.

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To know God’s strength, we must know our weakness.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 63                          SATURDAY MARCH, 4.                            2017

MURDER WITOUT KNIVES             (2)                        Jas 3:1-12

For we all stumble in many things. If any one does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man able to bridle the whole body (v2)

Jesus recognized that we cannot be trusted in our judgment of the seriousness of careless speech. We treat the damage we do with our lips very lightly because we do not see the corpses we leave behind. That is why Jesus invaded our moral slumber by telling us how serious this is in the sight of God. He uses language we readily understand: anger incures judgment. Using terms of contempt (like raca) is worthy of condemnation by the highest court (Matt 5:22)  calling someone a fool fits us for hell. In the verses that follow (23-26), the necessity and urgency of reconciliation in place of animosity are stressed by two illustrations. Here Jesus is showing us that when an activity is forbidden in God’s word, its positive counterpart is commanded. If we are not to engage in physical or verbal murder, we are to engage in personal reconciliation. Picture a man in church. He is about to express his devotion to the Lord in worship and in his offering. But he has not been enjoying fellowship with his brother. There is disharmony in the relationship. Jesus says the man should  leave his offering, be reconciled to his brother, and then return to worship God with a clear conscience and full heart (Sinclair B Ferguson)

PRAYER LINE: Start where you are in serving the Lord, Claim His sure promise and trust in His Word. God simply asks you to do what you can He’ll use Your efforts to further His plan – Anon

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Don’t make a cemetery of your life by burying your talents.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 64                          SUNDAY MARCH, 5.                       2017

MURDER WITOUT KNIVES             (3)                        1 Sam 15:17-23

So Samuel said; “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices… better than sacrifice (v22)

Obedience is better than sacrifice (v22) As Peter shows, this principle extends to the home and family; husbands are to treat their wives with respect and as heirs of the gracious gift of life so that nothing will hinder their prayer (1 Pet 3:7) The principle is clear: right relationships with others are part of the meaning of the commandment not to murder. They are essential if our righteousness is to go down deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus gave us another illustration. Two men are on their way to court to settle a dispute between them. They are still arguing on the way. Jesus says the two men should settle the matter now, before they are in the courtroom, with the judge. It may be costly to settle it now, it will certainly be humbling. But if it continues, one man may find himself in prison and unable to get out until he has paid the last penny. (Matt 5:26) Animosity is a time bomb; we do not know when it will ‘go off.’ We must deal with it quickly, before the consequences of our bitterness get completely out of control. Jesus says that the right time is as we are conscious that we are at enmity with our brother (Matt 5:23)  Jesus urges us to seek reconciliation when ‘your brother has something against you (v23) or when “your adversary… is taking you to court (v25) (Sinchair B. Ferguson)

PRAYER LINE: We may confess our outward sins Because they’re difficult to hide, But we must also guard against Our inner sins, like lust and pride – Sper

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Pride is the stone over which many people slumber.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 65                          MONDAY MARCH, 6.                     2017

GIVE ME THAT OLD – TIME REVELATION                 Jn 14:16-17; 15:26

When He, the Spirit of truth, has come He will guide you into all truth; for He will not Speak on His own authority; but whenever He hears He will speak… (Jn 16:13)

Why is it so important to be tested? The pressure of a test plants the seed of the kingdom gospel inside you. This is what the old saints had. They did not have a radio programme and they were not on T.B. They did not even have a concordance or a commentary for the most part. All they had was the King James Version of the Bible and the Holy Ghost as their Teacher. The King James Version features the English language as it existed in 1611 (five years before William Shakespeare died) complete with its “thou’s” and  “ thee’s” and ‘wist nots”. Many modern saints prefer never translations while the old saints made it with the help of the Holy Ghost. I know we have all kinds of commentaries, teaching tapes, and videos available to us today – and I am thankful for them – but sometimes these tools become the toys of fools because we forget that they can never replace the work of the Holy Ghost. Ask the Holy Spirit, “Teacher, teach me what the kingdom is about so I can get in my heart.” You will discover a whole new world awaiting You under the incomparable instruction of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER LINE: Holy Spirit of God, I ask You to teach me what I need to know about the kingdom. I look only to the Word of God and the heart of the Father as You show me these things. In Jesus’ Name I ask it (C.T.C)

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Our worship is right only when we are right with God and with others.

 

 

 

DAY 66                          TUESDAY MARCH, 7.                      2017

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES DAILY. Acts 17:11-12; 2 Tim 3:16-17

These (Bereans) were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that the received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so (Acts 17:11)

Do not accept everything I say as ‘the gospel truth.” Study these things for yourself, and remember that you have your own personal teacher: the Holy Spirit. Paul the apostle actually commended the saints at Berea because they refused to take his word at face value. He praised them because they “searched the Scriptures daily” to see if the things Paul said were true. Ask your Teacher to illuminate the things you do not understand; ask Him to teach you and show you how to live and He will.

Sometimes He may teach you through example and have you experience things as He teaches you about it. So do not be surprised if the Holy Ghost takes you on a field trip when you ask Him to show you something. (It will be the most exciting thing you have ever done).

PRAYER LINE: Heavenly Father, thank You for the Holy spirit,

 my Teacher and Guide. Holy Spirit,

show me the Father’s heart, and teach me how to honour and please Him.

 Instruct me in the way of the kingdom and make my life

fruitful for the King. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

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Don’t let yesterday’s failures bankrupt tomorrow’s efforts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 67                          WEDNESDAY MARCH, 8.                         2017

PROCLAIM THE KINGDOM WITH AUTHORITY                   Matt 7.

When Jesus had ended these saying…the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes (vv 28-29)

Jesus communicated directly with the heavenly Father, and then He shared what He heard with others and He did it with authority. It is just as important to speak by the Spirit as it is to see by the Spirit. Many people talk about what their pastor or some teacher says. This does not carry any spiritual authority because you just end up talking about that person instead of the revelatory truth from God and His Word. You must witness to what you learned from your inner being. When you can receive something from Lord yourself, and speak it out with inner conviction from the Holy Ghost, then you are giving God glory. It is far better to testify and witness out of your innermost being than to parrot what someone else said.

People in the world wonder if God really talks to people. We know that He does, but it is far better if we can prove it in our own lives on a daily basis. We have the privilege of living out what many people only dream about. We can have intimate communion with the Creator of the universe.

PRAYER LINE: Heavenly Father, Jesus showed us that the key to speaking with authority in the earth is to seek Your face and listen to Your heart first. I come before You today to listen more than to speak. Show me Your heart, Father, in Jesus Name. Amen (C.T.C)

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Prayer is the soil in which hope and healing grow best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 68                          THURSDAY MARCH, 9.                            2017

PRAYING FRIENDS                                                      1 Thess 3:6-13

Brethren, pray for us (1 Thess 5:25)

I met my friend Angie for lunch after having not seen her for several months. At the end of our time together, she pulled out a piece of paper with notes from our previous get-together. It was a list of my prayer requests she had been praying for since then. She went through each one and asked if God had answered yet or if there were any updates. And then we talked about her prayer requests. How encouraging to have a praying friend.

The apostle Paul had a praying relationship with the churches he served, including the one at Thessalonica He thanked God for the faith, love, and hope of the people (1 Thess 1:2-3)  He longed to see them, and asked God ‘night and day” that he might be able to visit them again (3:10-11) He requested that the Lord would help them “increase and abound in love to one another and to all” (v12)  He also prayed that their hearts would be blameless before God (v13) They must have been encouraged as they read about Paul’s concern and prayer for them. Paul knew too his own need for God’s presence and power and pleaded, “Brethren, pray for us” (5:25) Loving Father, thank You for wanting us to talk with You. Teach us all to be praying friends – Anne Cetas

PRAYER LINE: I need the prayers of those I love While travelling on life’s rugged way, That I may true and faithful be, And live for Jesus everyday – Vaughn

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The best kind of friend is a praying friend  (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 69                          FRIDAY MARCH, 10.                       2017

EXTRAVAGANT GIFTS                                                 Lk 21:1-4

All these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had (Lk 21:4)

When I was pastoring a small church, we faced a huge crisis. Unless we could complete the extensive renovations necessary to bring our building up to the proper safety codes, we would lose our place of worship. A desperate time of fund raising ensued to pay for those renovations: but of all the money given one gift captured our leadership’s attention: An elderly woman in the church donated several hundred dollars to the project- money we knew she could not spare. We thanked her for her gift but wanted to return it, feeling that her needs were greater than the church’s. However, she refused to take the money back. She had been saving for years in order to buy a stove and was cooking on a hot place in the meantime. Yet she insisted that she needed a place to worship with her church family more than she needed a stove. We were astounded by her extravagant gift.

When Our Lord observed a widow putting two mites (the smallest of coins) into the temple offerings, He praised her for her extravagance (Lk 21:3-4) Why? Not because of how much she gave, but because she gave all she had. It’s the kind of gift that not only honours our God, but also reminds us of the most extravagant of gifts to us – Christ-Bill Crowder.

PRAYER LINE: What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb, if I were a wise man I would do my part; Yet what can I give Him – give my heart –Rossetti

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Gratitude of heart can often be seen in a generous spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 70                          SATURDAY MARCH, 11.                          2017

THANKFULL IN ALL THINGS                                       1 Thess 5:12-22

In everything give thanks (1Thess 5:18)

My daughter is allergic to peanuts. Her sensitivity is so acute that eating even the tiniest fragment of peanut threatens her life. As a result we scrutinize food package labels. We carry a pre-filled syringe of medicine (to treat allergic reactions) wherever we go. And, when we eat out, we call ahead and quiz the wait staff about the restaurant’s menu items.

Despite those precautions, I still feel concerned –both for her current safety and for her future safety. This situation is not something I would naturally be thankful about. Yet God’s Word challenges: In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess 5:18). There’s no getting around it. God wants us to pray with thanksgiving when the future is uncertain, when heartbreak hits, and when shortfalls come.

It’s hard to be grateful in difficulties, but it’s not impossible. Daniel “prayed and gave thanks” (Dan 6:10) knowing that his life was in danger. Jonah called out “with the voice of thanksgiving” (Jonah 2:9) while inside a fish. These examples, coupled with God’s promise that He will work all things together for our good and His glory (Rom 8:28) can inspire us to be thankful in all things.

PRAYER LINE: Thanks for roses by the wayside, Thanks for thorns their stems contain, Thanks for homes and thanks for fire side Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain storm.

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In all circumstances, we can give thanks that God has not left us on our own (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 71                          SUNDAY MARCH, 12.                     2017

VICTORY THROUGH PRAISE                                       2 Chron 20:21-24

And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab and mount Seir… (v22)

Victory is generally presented in the Bible as an act of God. From Genesis to Revelation, God is always presented as the source of all victory, which He grants to those who obey His commands and put their trust and confidence in Him. Wherever you turn to in the Scripture this principle holds true. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing  over them in it (Col. 2:15) In essence, God has destroyed the value and quality of our enemies and has also put their failure, disgrace and shame in open display for all to see. Victory  is always presented in the Bible as achieved by God without human intervention. This reality makes it absolutely necessary to praise God whenever we are confronted by the enemy, knowing that victory is assured in Jesus’ name. The Bible also presents praise as a spiritual language that can reach beyond the intellect to touch the heart of God. Whenever God wants to do something really supernatural, He calls for an army of musical warriors, to bombard the stronghold of the enemy. Such was the case in the time of Jehoshaphat king of Judah who deployed divine warriors, an army of worshippers to march into battle with musical instruments in their hands and song of praises in their mouth. God rose on their behalf and completely destroyed all their enemies – Read 2 Chron 20:22.

PRAYER LINE: As you  worship God today, He will arise and scatter all your enemies in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. (O. H)

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Better to go through the storm with Christ than to have smooth sailing without Him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 72                          MONDAY MARCH, 13.                             2017

PRAISE THE LORD                                                        Ps 147:1-11

Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.  The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.  (vv5-6NKJV)

Praise and thanksgiving are two important components of Christian worship. Thanksgiving is an acknowledgment of what God has done while praise is an acknowledgement of who He is. In today’s passage, the psalmist underscores the priority of praise to our God, by stating the reason why we should praise God: for His acts of deliverance (v2) for His restorative grace (V3) ; for His magnificent insight (v4); for His unlimited understanding (v5); for His sustaining grace (v6) and for His benevolence to the earth (v8) Are you grateful for who God is in your life and what He has done? Do  not take God for granted. Remember the blessing of people, opportunities and favour you receive daily. Cultivate the habit of thanks to Him for what you have and stop complaining about what you do not have. A heart of gratitude spurs God to do more.

Gratitude is the sure way to high altitude when you look at the sky, do you see the greatness of God written clearly there? Write down five things you know about God personally. (NBC)

PRAYER LINE: Lord give us grace to pray for those who seek our harm and not our good; And teach us how to show them love In ways that will be understood – Sper

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People may mock our message but can’t stop our prayers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 73                          TUESDAY MARCH, 14.                             2017

THANKS BE TO GOD                                                    1 Chro 17:16-27

Then king David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? (vv16-17)

David was the second king of Israel and the most prominent. He lived in a way that he won the heart of God and became a man after God’s heart. Why? He had a penitent heart and an underlying love for the God of Israel. Out of his passion for God, he desired to build a permanent temple for the Ark of God as an expression of gratitude (1 Chro 17:1-2) God however, refused him, rather his son was to build it (1 Chro 17:11-12)  David was not disappointed at this message delivered by Nathan. He was rather grateful to God. His words of gratitude are the text for our meditation today. How do you respond to God when your heart desire is not met? Do you grumble and trivialize God’s act of goodness? People who have had life threatening experiences, whether from an illness, an accident, or some other challenges, often appreciate God and see everyday as a gift from Him. We do not need to have such experiences before we embrace a lifestyle of gratitude. Rather, we should be grateful for the opportunity to experience each day. That was the example David set for us in our text. Be very conscious to say “thank you” to God for every opportunity God brings your way as from today.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, am for ever grateful for everything You have done for me.

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Every act of God deserves thanks  from you (NBC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 74                          WEDNESDAY MARCH, 15.                       2017

IN ALL THINGS, THANKS                                             Eph 5:15-20

“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20 NIV)

Paul’s final instructions to the believers in Ephesus on the basis of Christian life include how to cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is an expression of gratitude to God for His mighty acts in our lives. Being filled with the Spirit makes praise and thanksgiving to God easy (Eph 5:18) Naturally, we find it convenient to thank God when things are falling in line and everything is on course. But when things go the other way, it becomes difficult to thank God. That is when the exhortation of Paul becomes relevant: “in all things, give thanks.” The same exhortation was given in 1 Thess 5:18.  Thanksgiving and praise involves more than just speaking lovely words to God. There is power in the praise of God. Giving praise to God should not be determined by our emotions. God is worthy of your praise whether you feel like praising Him or not (Heb 13:15) When you make praise a habit, you will realize you are always surrounded by the presence of God, even when things seem not to be fine (Ps 22:3) Job experienced a turn around because he maintained an attitude of thanksgiving even when he lost all he had. (Job 1:20-22; 42:12) Remain ever grateful, life is a privilege not a right.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, open my eyes to recognize Your sovereignty in all situations and to respond with thanksgiving (NBC)

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No matter how long the night may be, there will always be day break.

 

 

 

 

DAY 75                          THURSDAY MARCH, 16.                          2017

INSPITE OF EVERYTHING, THANKS                                     Rom 7:14-25

“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (v25 NIV)

Paul’s conversion experience was dramatic as recorded in Acts 9:1-17. Coming out of that encounter with Jesus, he received a commission to preach the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles (Acts 26:15-18) From his own training and upbringing as a Jew; he believed that righteousness and holiness is attained by strict observance of the law, which he referred to as “legalistic righteousness” (Phil 3:6) But on coming to God, he began to understand the subject of grace and how our victory over sin is secure on the platform of God’s benevolent mercy. Think of the woman who was caught in adultery and was brought to Jesus. According to tradition, she was to be condemned. But Jesus had a different opinion. “Then neither do  I condemn you” (Jn 8:11) That is what grace did for all of us (Rom 5:1)

Think of a well-known person whose personal failure was popularized by the media. How did he or she seem to cope with the shame of the future? This illustrates our situation before we met Christ. We were to be crushed by sin and exposed to ridicule and shame but Jesus came and rescued us from the tyranny of sin. Undoubtedly, we need to give thanks to God for the victory. Hallelujah! Grace works. In your struggle with sin, remember the finished work of Christ on the cross and give thanks to Him.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, keep me in perpetual remembrance of Your finished work on the cross.

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The greatest deliverance we receive from God is the freedom from sin (NBC)

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 76                          FRIDAY MARCH, 17.                      2017

INCREASING THANKS                                                 2 Cor 4:7-15

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (v15 NIV)

Paul’s encounter with God brought a radical change to his life. He changed totally from whom he used to be and gave himself unreservedly to the cause of preaching the Gospel. He believed he carried the power of God in his body, though seemingly like the jar of clay (2 Cor 4:7) He believed and cherished God’s power as treasure. This zealous pursuit of heavenly mandate generated negative reaction and persecution from his countrymen. He lived daily as though walking in the valley of shadow of death but the power that conquers death was literally at work in him (2 Cor 4:11-12) His perspective, however, is that whatever he was going through will eventually result in thanksgiving. Paul believed that all he had endured all he did, and all he said benefited the Corinthians. As more people hear and believe the grace of God that leads to salvation, more people will join the grand celebration before God, praising and thanking Him. This should be the goal of every believer in whatever we go through. We must live with the consciousness that even in trials and persecution, all would result in thanksgiving to God. Always remember that God wants to be glorified in all our trials.

PRAYER LINE: God, help me to patiently bear every moment of pain so that it would result to thanksgiving at the end.

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When you face great trouble do not look at the pain, concentrate on the gain at the end (NBC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 77                          SATURDAY MARCH, 18.                          2017

THE POWER OF MUSIC                                               Ps 59:6-16

I will sing of Your power, yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning, for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble (v16)

In Wales, the music of men’s chorus groups is deeply engrained in culture. Prior to world war 11, one Welsh glee club had a friendly yet competitive rivalry with a German glee club, but that bond was replaced with animosity during and after the war. The tension was gradually overcome, though, by the message on the trophy shared by the two choruses. “Speak with me, and you’re my friend. Sing with me, and you’re my brother.” The power of music to heal and help is a gift from God and comforts many. Perhaps that is why the Psalms speak so deeply to us. There we find lyrics that connect with our hearts allowing us to speak to God from the depth of our spirits. “But I will sing of Your power, yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy, in the morning: for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble” (Ps 59:16)

Amazingly, David wrote this song as he was being hunted down by men seeking to kill him! Despite his circumstances, David remembered God’s power and mercy and singing of them encouraged him to go on.

May our God give us a song today that will remind us of His goodness and greatness, no matter what we may face – Bill Crowder.

PRAYER POINT: This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Saviour all the day long; This is my story, this is my song; Praising my Saviour all the day long – Crosby

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“I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel” Judges 5:3 (NLT) (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 78                          SUNDAY MARCH, 19.                     2017

IN THE END, THANKS                                         Rev. 11:15-19

We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign (v 17 NIV)

God gave John, the beloved, the revelation of what would happen at the last days. He saw visions of God and His plans as He would bring all things to a close at the end of age. In today’s passage, he saw the victory of Christ and the triumph of the saints of God. The last segment of this chapter, beginning from verse 15, introduces the final judgment, which contains two hymns: one on the kingdom and the other on thanksgiving for what God has done. The first one mentions Christ as the everlasting ruler in His kingdom, that is, the war with Satan was over. The second one addresses God, speaks of His divine power in judging the dead, rewarding prophets and saints, and destroying the destroyers.

Believers must rejoice in the truth that everything will ultimately come under the sovereign rule of Christ. Our victory is not temporal in nature but eternal in its efficacy. This alone should spur thanksgiving from our hearts. Our thanksgiving is promised on the love of God expressed in giving Jesus to redeem and restore us to Him. Our motto then should be “thank God for victory at last. Since you know that God destined you to live in victory begin to live with purpose, passion and praise.

PRAYER LINE:  Lord, help me to be among those who will sing victory at last.

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Everything in God will culminate in thanksgiving for those who are in Christ (NBC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 79                          MONDAY MARCH, 20.                             2017

PRACTICAL WORSHIP – DANCING                            Ps 103:1-5

Let them praise his name in the dance; Let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp – (Ps 149:3)

We can worship God in various ways and manners. It is possible to worship God in song, dance and even in silence. However, throughout the Bible, practical worship is the preferred mode of worship whenever God does something great for His people. On the day that God miraculously delivered Israel from Pharaoh and the Egyptian army, the people practically worshipped God with songs and dancing (Exo 15:120)  After each victory or manifestation of the signs and wonders of God in the wilderness, the Israelites always responded with shouts of joy accompanied with singing and dancing. Moses, Hannah, David, the woman of Israel and even the prophets of different times in history composed various songs to glorify the Name of the Lord. It is clear from all of those cases that practical worship, also known as the sacrifice of praise, always begins with the fruit of the lips (Heb 13:15) A good example of practical worship is found Exo 15. After the deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea, the Bible says that Moses and Miriam composed songs (the fruit of their lips) which led to the use of timbrels and dancing. Another example, Chenaniah the choir master and the singers of Israel were singing praises to the Lord with the nations orchestra. You must become an addicted worshipper to receive the best from God .

PRAYER LINE: As you worship Him today, may He multiply His blessings in your life, in Jesus’ Name. (O. H)

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God’s grace is infinite love expressing itself through infinite goodness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 80                          TUESDAY MARCH, 21.                             2017

WHERE OUR FEARS LIVE                                            1 kgs 17:17

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You (Ps 56:3)

Twelve years into our marriage my wife and I were discouraged by the emotional roller-coaster of hopes raised and dashed in attempting to have children.  A friend tried to “explain” God’s thinking “Maybe God knows you’d be a bad father.” He said. He knew that my mother had struggled with a terrible temper. Then, Christmas 1988, we learned we were expecting our first child! But now I had this nagging fear of failure. The following August, Kathryn cried on the warming day. I offered my hand to comfort her and her tiny fingers wrapped around my finger. In that instant, the Holy Spirit swept through me, assuring me of what I had only recently doubled-that I would show love to this little one.

The widow of Zarephath also had doubt. Her son had been struck with a lethal illness. In her despair she cried out. “Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?” (1 kgs 17:18) But God had other plans. We serve a God who is mightier than the struggles we inherit and who is full of the desire to forgive, love, and heal the brokenness that rises up between us and Him. God is present in the places where our fears live – Randy Kilgore.

PRAYER LINE: Father, make Yourself known to us in our weakest moments and in our greatest fears, Teach us to receive Your love in a way that enables us to show it to others, especially

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Love swims against the current of life’s false fear. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 81                          WEDNESDAY MARCH, 22.                       2017

THE GREAT CREATOR –HEALER                                 Ps 139:1-16

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (v14)

A few years ago, I had a rather serious skiing accident and severely tore the muscles in one of my legs. Infact, my doctor told me that the tear caused excessive bleeding. The healing process was slow, but during that time of waiting I found myself in awe of our great Creator (Col 1:16) I’ve wrinkled a few car fenders in my lifetime and dropped more than one dish. They’ve always stayed broken, Not so with my leg. As soon as the tearing of my muscles occurred, the internal healing mechanisms that Christ created in my body went to work. Invisibly, down deep in my throbbing leg, the medics of His marvelous design were mending the tear. Before long, I was up and running against with a whole new sense of what the psalmist meant when he said we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and my heart was filled with praise (Ps 139:14) Sometimes it takes like an injury or a sickness to remind us of the masterful design that we carry around in our bodies. So the next time you face an unwanted interruption – no matter its cause – focus your attention on Jesus’ wonderful love and let Him lift your heart to grateful worship in the midst of the pain! Joe Stowell.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, help us to see beyond the moments of our lives and to delve deeply into Your marvelous handiwork and perfect design. Forgive us for our short-sightedness and teach us to see You in every circumstance.

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Worship of the masterful Creator begins with a grateful heart. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 82                          THURSDAY MARCH, 23.                          2017

POWER IN HIS NAME                                                 Phil 2L:9-11

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness (Ps 29:2)

The Bible says in John 14:13-14 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.” At the mention of the Name of Jesus, irrespective of the environment or circumstance, every knee shall bow in heaven, on earth and under the earth (Phil 2:10-11) The power in the Name of Jesus is so potent and active that there is no limitation whatsoever to what you can achieve through the application of the Name. the dead has come alive by the Name, sorrow has been turned to joy in many lives by the Name, and the Name has brought salvation to billions of souls. The Name of Jesus carries supreme authority and unlimited power. Having understood this truth, you ought to praise His Name at all times and deploy the power in His Name against all challenges and circumstances you are confronted with. Mk 9:38-39 says “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us, and we forbid him, because he followeth not us, But Jesus said, Forbid him not; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can highly speak evil of me.”

The power in the Name of Jesus will do you no good if you do not apply it. As you call upon the Name of Jesus today, may the potent power in His Name work for you in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER LINE: Praise the power in the Name of Jesus and then hold Him to His Word by asking for your heart’s desire in His Name . (O. H)

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Repentance restores and renews our intimacy with the Lord.

 

 

 

DAY 83                          FRIDAY MARCH, 24.                       2017

GOD’S TIME TABLE                                                      Eccl 3:1-8

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (v1)

The world began in Genesis and has closely followed the pattern of a drama. The timing of every act, the duration of each scene and the role of each actor strictly follows a divine script written by God Himself. Therefore there is a time to be born, a time to laugh, a time for war and a time to die. There is a time for salvation, deliverance, and judgment. There is an appointed time for the rise and fall of individuals and nations of the world. In God’s timetable, there is a time for favour. When the time to favour you comes, you will receive divine intervention like Daniel in the lion’s den. Favour will locate you like David in the wilderness; a higher authority will become interested  in your case like Joseph in prison, and all your prayers will be answered. When your time of favour comes, the word of God in Rom 8:28 will become reality in your life: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Moreover, in God’s timetable, there is a time for the fulfillment of prophecy. To be destined for such a glorious position in the agenda of the Almighty God is not a general gift and not by accident. It is usually for a purpose.

PRAYER LINE: When your time of fulfillment of prophecy comes as experienced by Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, Esther, David and Jesus of Nazareth, God will suspend natural laws and break protocols for your sake. Prayer Father, please let my time of special favour come speedily, in Jesus’ Name (O. H)

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To stay on course, trust the compass of God’s Word

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 84                          SATURDAY MARCH, 25.                          2017

YOU’RE NECESSARY                                                              1 Cor 12:14-26

But God composed the body, having given greater honour to that part which lacks it (v24)

The story has been told about a conductor who was rehearsing his orchestra. The organ was giving a beautiful melody, the drums were thundering, the trumpets were blaring, and the violins were singing beautifully. But the conductor noticed something missing-the piccolo. The piccolo player had gotten distracted and hoped his instrument wouldn’t be missed. The conductor reminded him: “Each one of us is necessary.” This was essentially the same message Paul communicated to the Corinthian believers in his first letter to them (1 Cor 12:4-7) Every Christian plays an important role in the body of Christ. Paul gave a list of gifts of the Spirit and compared their use to the functioning of the various parts of the human body for the good of the whole (vv8-10) The Corinthian believers may have had different cultural backgrounds, gifts, and personalities, but they were filled with the same Spirit and belonged to the same body of Christ. Paul made special mention of the parts of the body that were weak and obscure, and taught that all believers play necessary and significant role. No one part was more necessary than any other. Remember, Jesus has given you a significant part to play and will use you to build up His people – Marvin Williams.

PRAYER LINE: The Church, a living body, containing all the parts – It lives, it moves, it functions, and touches any hearts; When each part is committed to do the Saviour’s will, His members are united, His purpose fulfill – Fitzhugh

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As a member of the body of Christ, you are a necessary part of the whole.(ODB)

 

 

 

 

DAY 85                          SUNDAY MARCH, 26.                     2017

ADULTERY IN THE HEART (1)                           Exo 20:14

You shall not commit adultery (v14)

The law of God forbids all adultery (Exo 20:14). The Old Testament penalty was death (Lev 20:10) But for all practical purposes, the scribes reduced this law to, “You shall not be found guilty of committing adultery.” Deuteronomy 24:1  required a man whose wife ‘becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her’ to give a certificate of divorce to her. A law that was clearly intended to safeguard the women in Israel was turned into an escape clause for self-indulgent men. Jesus calls a halt to all such distorting of God’s word. He lets it speak with full force. The lust that leads to adultery will also lead a man to hell. Better to deal with the lust now-to deny oneself now-than live with eternal self-recrimination. Far from simply forbidding some acts of immorality, Jesus says God’s law demands purity and integrity in our hearts and in our thoughts about others. Sexual relations have become the door through which many professing Christians have walked to their destruction. Jesus knows what is in all men’s hearts (Jn 2:25) He recognizes that no man is free from temptation, nor is any man free from the influence of indwelling sin. The man who looks at a woman lustfully commits heart adultery with her (Sinclair B. Ferguson)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine, fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine, Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride; I now surrender, Lord-in me abide – Orr

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A change in behaviour begins with Jesus changing our heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 86                          MONDAY MARCH, 27.                             2017

ADULTERY IN THE HEART (2)                           Gen 2:21-25

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife…(v24)

God made men and women to be attracted to each other, to need each other, and to enter into relationships with each other that have physical, spiritual, and mental dimensions. We have, by God’s goodness, the ability to share in the reproduction of other human beings, in a context of the closest imaginable human relationship – both physically and spiritually. The gift of sexual relationship is unequivocally good. It is God’s gift. But the supreme reason for that gift is companionship. God brought Eve to Adam in the Garden of Eden because it was ‘not good for the man to be alone” (Gen 2:18) It is within that bond of committed fellowship that family life is to be established, and our sexual instincts are to find their fulfillment.

In order to become one flesh, ‘a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife” (Gen 2:24) At the heart of the relationship lies the element of commitment – leaving parents and uniting with one’s wife or husband. This is God’s order, and we breach it at our own peril and at the risk of destroying our society. The commandment against adultery is set in this context. Adultery actually involves the breach of several of God’s commandments. It involves disobedience of the Lord, theft, idolatry. Another person’s companion – as a result of coveting what belongs to another (Sinclair B. Ferguson)

PRAYER LINE: Despite the faults that spouses have, Their marriage still can thrive, But must look to God for help – He’ll keep their love alive – Branon.

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If you think it’s possible to love your wife too much you probably loved her enough.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 87                          TUESDAY MARCH, 28.                             2017

ADULTERY IN THE HEART (3)                           Matt 5:29-30

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look wistfully at a girl’ (Job 31:1)

Adultery is so serious. It shatters people’s lives, disrupts families and despises God. If we are men, then like Job, we will say “I made a covenant with my eyes…” (Job 31:1) If we are women, we will make a similar covenant with the Lord. How, then, can we keep our way pure? Jesus’ vivid illustration suggest a number of important general principles. (1) Realise where yielding to sinful lust will lead you. Jesus says that hell is the direction in which all sin leads  (Matt 5:29-30) Fix that in your mind (2) Deal with the real cause of your sin. If it is the right eye that causes you to sin, says Jesus, gouge it out. Could we substitute something else? No, says Jesus (3) Act decisively, immediately, even if it must be painful. There will be pain, tears, blood. There will be “withdrawal symptom” after the amputation. The consequences seem almost unbearable (4) Realise especially that your lust is not the whole of your life, and weigh against its influence all that will be yours by abandoning it. But Jesus gives us the hope of a new perspective. Gouge out the offending eye, but save your life. Jesus confirms that God hates divorce (Matt  2:16) Only one exception is made in this passage: the marital unfaithfulness of once spouse. In another case, divorce ‘makes’ the woman commit adultery, and anyone who then marries divorced woman commits adultery. (Sinclair B. Ferguson)

PRAYER LINE: What are your values and priorities? What do they tell you about your spiritual life? As others watch you, will they readily see your belief in God?

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Show that you know God is real.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 88                          WEDNESDAY MARCH, 29.                       2017

ADULTERY IN THE HEART (4)                           Matt 5:31-32

“But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason, except sexual immorality…commits adultery (v32)

Throughout the ages, Christians have differed on the significance of these words in Matt 5:31-32.

• Scripture clearly teaches, and this passage certainly underscores, that God’s design is permanent commitment in marriage. The destruction of a marriage is carnage in God’s sight. (2) This passage provides us with Jesus corrective for divorce-on-demand, the consequences of which are disastrous for the lives of whole families, (3) The passage emphasizes that divorce on unbiblical grounds complicates sin rather than cures it, and may implicate others in sin rather than absolve them. Two other points, which are also made in the Westminster Confession of Faith. (4) Jesus recognizes that Scripture itself taught that sexual immorality can destroy marriage bonds. In the Old Testament, sexual sin was regulated by the death penalty. Setting the other partner free from the marriage. Although that penalty is no longer used, its effect is still relevant. (5) In view of this Old Testament background, in which the marriage ceased to be, so in the New Testament era, someone who is divorced following such marital infidelity can act as though the other partner has ceased to be, and can remarry. (Sinclair B. Ferguson)

PRAYER LINE: Ponder on this: Lord, teach us the lesson of loving, (without adultery) To love as You showed us the way; Then help us to love one another (with faithfulness) For this we most earnestly pray – Anon

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True love is an action, not just a feeling.

 

 

 

DAY 89                          THURSDAY MARCH, 30.                          2017

MARRIAGE IS A COVENANT                                       Prov 2:17; Mal 2:14

Who forsakes the compassion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God (Prov 2:17)

How, then, can we maintain marital faithfulness? Jesus does not expand on this in Matt 5:31-32, but his answer can be found in the previous section of the sermon (5:27-30) Marriage is a covenant (Prov 2:17; Mal 2:14) We enter into it as a lifelong promise “to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; until God shall separate us by death.” Failure to keep that covenant is to live a lie before God and man. Bind it, therefore, on your heart. Decide that nothing will breach it. Strengthen it by genuinely “having them by God’s grace. And gouge out from your heart anything that might destroy the joy of your relationship.

It is better, says Jesus, to lose a moment, a day, a week, a month, a year, of stolen pleasure than to lose all – self, wife, family, grace – and finally be cast into hell for despising the word of God. Who can read such teaching without trembling? May God help us to be faithful – to our spouse (if we have married), for our spouse (if we are to be married in the future)  – or  simply to God Himself (if we remain single) (Sinclair B. Ferguson)

PRAYER LINE: What keeps you from calling out to God for spiritual rescue? Your pride? Do you fear that you are too bad for God’s grace? What does Rom 3:23-26 says?

As a user of “My Prayer Diary” you will not go under, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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The heart of repentance is turning from sin and toward God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 90                          FRIDAY MARCH, 31.                       2017

NO SUBSTITUTE NEEDED                                            Ps 139:1-12

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or  where can I flee from Your presence (v17)

While I was visiting my son in San Diego, we decided to go to Shadow Mountain Church to hear Dr. David Jeremiah preach. Steve and I got up early on Sunday morning and took the hour-long drive to the church. But our anticipation turned to disappointment when we discovered that Dr. Jeremiah was not there that day. “Some other guy” – a substitute – was preaching.

A couple of weeks later, I was scheduled to preach at the church in Grand Rapids where my wife and I attend. As I stood in front of the congregation, I realized that now I was “some other guy” and they might come to hear our pastor – not me- speak. While we find comfort in the familiarity of those we depend on in life, we have to recognize that at times they can be substituted. But the One we need  most – the One on whom we depend for life itself – is always present (Ps 139:7-8)  When we desire to enter God’s presence in prayer, He is always there.” “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice” (Ps 55:17).

Looking for God? He’s always right there. No substitute needed. – Dave Branon.

PRAYER LINE: Dear Lord, I am so thankful  that You are always present. I never need to make an appointment to speak to You, the God of the universe. No matter where I go or what time it is, I can depend on Your presence.

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When you come to the Lord, there is no waiting line – His ears are always open to your cry. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 91                          SATURDAY APRIL, 1.                      2017

FROM BLEAK TO BEAUTIFUL                                     Job 42:10-17

The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. (v12)

Springs is the time of year when God reminds us that things are not always as they seem. Over the course of a few short weeks, what appears hopelessly dead comes to life. Bleak woodlands are transformed into colourful landscapes. Trees whose naked arms reached to heaven all winter, as if pleading to be clothed, suddenly are adorned with lacy green gowns. Flowers that faded and fell to the ground in surrender to the cold rise slowly from the earth in defiance of death.

In Scripture, we read about some apparently hopeless situations. One example is that of a wealthy man named Job whom God described as having integrity (Job 2:3). Disaster struck and Job lost everything important to him. In misery, he said, “My days are… spent without hope” (7:6). What appeared to Job and his friends as evidence that God had turned against him was just the opposite. God was so confident of Job’s integrity that He trusted him in this battle with Satan. Later, Job’s hope and life were renewed. The faithful arrival of spring every year comforts me when I’m in a situation that seems hopeless. With God, there is no such thing. No matter how bleak the landscape of life may look, God can transform it into a glorious garden of colour and fragrance. – Julie Ackerman Link-

PRAYER LINE: Dear God, we pray for faith anew; For greater trust in all we do, For hope that never knows defeat, For victory at Thy mercy seat. – Brandt ________________________________________________

With God, there is hope even in the most hopeless situation. (ODB)

 

 

 

DAY 92                          SUNDAY APRIL, 2.                          2017

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS                                           Ps 5:1-3

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek (Matt 7:7)

Prayer is ordained as a means of communication between God and man. Christians are commanded to depend on God completely for all their needs, hopes and aspirations by bringing all their requests to Him in prayer. (Phil 4:6)  God challenges anyone who believes in Him to ask and they shall receive, to seek and they shall find, to knock and it shall be opened to them (Matt7:7) Jn 16:24  says: “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”  He tells us to pray without ceasing  (1 Thess 5:17) Prayer symbolizes trust and total dependence on God. Dependence on God for help arises out of an awareness of human helplessness (Ps 18:6; Mk 4:28) God says in Jere 17:5; “Thus saith the LORD, cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”  The Bible says in Heb 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” God answers prayers because we have access through Jesus (Eph 3:12) and because Jesus Himself gave us that assurance in (Jn 15:16) All power in heaven and earth belongs to God.

PRAYER LINE: Ask God for 5 things you need Him to do for you, and trust Him to answer. (O. H) As you ask in faith, your requests will be answered, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. We await your amazing testimonies.

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Our desire to please God is our highest motive for obeying Him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 93                          MONDAY APRIL,3.                         2017

DIVINE PROMOTION                                         Ps 105:16-22

For promotion cometh neither from the east nor from the west, nor from the south… (vv6-7)

When God is on your side, you will succeed. In Gen 39:1-5, the Bible tells us about the experience of Joseph in Potiphar’s house: whatever he touched prospered because God was with him. If God says He is going to do a new thing in your life, He can pick You up from that valley and set you on top. He can take you from absolute darkness to light  (Jn 9:1-7)

No matter the opposition of the enemies, the plan and purpose of God will come to pass. God can make you grow daily in knowledge, understanding and in wisdom. Daniel’s promotion took the form of a meteoric rise to stardom. He was able to make progress in a strange land and the Lord blessed the labour of his hands. Throughout Daniel’s life, he moved from one level of promotion to the other. One key lesson that stands out clearly in the life of Daniel is seen in the decision he made unto the Lord (Dan 1:8) His action shows us that men who have strong convictions, unalloyed loyalty and real dedication to the Almighty are able to achieve exploits. Your heart must be fixed upon the Lord and on doing His will at all times, wherever you find yourself. Once your motives align with   God’s purpose, you will always be blessed and promoted by Him. You can also become great if you stay close to the Almighty, who is the source of all true greatness.

PRAYER LINE: Ponder – Align your motives with God’s will today, and you will experience divine promotion, In Jesus’ Name. Amen.(O. H)

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Divine promotion begins with resting in Him

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 94                          TUESDAY APRIL,4.                          2017

VULNERABILITY – A SERIOUS ISSUE                                   Jn 4:1-14

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will not thirst again, (v13)

Vulnerability? First, everyone longs for something.  On a human level we long for things such as a bit of peace and quiet, a better house, a long holiday and so on. Spiritually, too, we long for something to be loved, valued, and for our lives to have meaning and purpose. Second, everyone is controlled by what they long for. Our longings have such a powerful pull on us that we will work hard and go to the utmost lengths possible to satisfy them. We will therefore do whatever is necessary in order to meet the soul’s deepest needs – love, value and purpose – and thus will become a top priority in our lives. If, for example, we can’t find true love then we will manipulate others to get attention – the next best feeling to that of being loved, if we can’t find worth inside of us we will try to find it outside of us – owning possessions of great value, perhaps.

Third, to the degree that our deepest longings remain unsatisfied to that degree we will experience problems in our lives. As counsellor, friend and people helper, I have discovered that when you cut your way through all the psychological labels, such as obsessive – compulsive, depression, addictions and so on, what you find underneath is a person who is not experiencing fully enough what it means to be loved and valued and for their life to have purpose. If Jesus does not meet our deepest needs, we become vulnerable and will gravitate to all kinds, of addictions.

PRAYER LINE: Gracious Father, fill me with Your Spirit to overflowing, In Jesus’ Name. Amen. (EDWJ)

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God’s grace is infinite love expressing itself through infinite goodness.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 95                          WEDNESDAY APRIL,5.                             2017

THE POWER OF THE MIND                               Isa 55:6-13

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” declares the LORD (v8)

OUR THINKING. The text before us today tells us that not only can God think, but He has endowed us with that ability also. Our ability to think probably determines our personalities to a greater degree than anything else. By the way, when I talk about the mind I am referring to something beyond the brain. The brain is the organ, the mind the organist. The brain is the switchboard, the mind the operator. Jesus told a story recorded in the Bible about a man who was brain dead but whose mind was still functioning.  (Lk 16:19-31) We begin, then, with the first of three biblical facts about the mind. Fact No 1: the first sin that took place on planet Earth resulted from a wrong thought.  When Satan approached Eve in the Garden of Eden he didn’t come dragging chains behind him saying, “I have come to dawn your soul.” He talked theology, he questioned Eve’s understanding of what God  had said and encouraged a wrong thought  (Gen 3:1) That wrong thought, because it was not evaluated and challenged, led in turn to a wrong action and resulted in the whole world being dragged down into chaos.

PRAYER LINE: Father, I see that the mind is so important, so determinative, that I long above all things that my thoughts will always be in line with Your thoughts. Come and will and think in me, heavenly Father, In Jesus’ Name. (EDWJ)

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God’s strength is best seen in our weakness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 96                          THURSDAY APRIL,6.                       2017

THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL                                         2 Cor 4:1-6.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (v4)

The apostle Paul in 2 Cor 11:3 says “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpents cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ. The word “deceived” implies a mental exercise. Fact No 2: Our minds have been greatly affected by the fall. The text before us today makes clear that there is a dense darkness in the mind because of sin. Only the later light of the gospel can penetrate it. Whenever I preach the Gospel, I picture myself standing with a torch in my hand shining a light into the dark minds of those who  have never fully given themselves to Jesus. I once attempted to lead a very educated man to Jesus – a man who had three PhD degrees. As I presented the ABC of the gospel – Accept. Believe, Confess – he said repeatedly. Will you explain that to me once again please? He was a man who could run rings around me intellectually but who struggled to understand the basic facts of the gospel. A man or woman can have a high IQ. have gained many degrees and understand the most complex theories yet struggle to comprehend the truths of the faith. Our minds were empty territory from the time we came into this world and are one of Satan’s greatest stronghold. He rejoices in his power to fill the mind with darkness; but thankfully he is no match for the One who at creation said. “Let there be light, and there was light” (Gen 1:3)

PRAYER LINE: Gracious Father, how thankful I am that Your Spirit penetrated the darkness of my own mind and brought the light of the gospel into my life.

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Accept, Believe, Confess. (EDWJ)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 97                          FRIDAY APRIL, 7.                            2017

RENEWING THE MIND                                      Rom 12:1-8

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (v2) Fact No 3: to function correctly our minds must be renewed. Today’s text spells out that truth most clearly. Without the help of God provided through His Word, our minds won’t function the way He intended. There is an interesting verse in the book of Proverbs that says, “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him” (Prov 22:15) Because of the effect of Adam and Eve’s sin on the human mind, everyone arrives in this world with the foolish idea that the route to happiness is to have their own way in everything. A small child takes up this self-centered position as soon as hear she is able to think or talk: give me, fetch me, carry me, do this for me. This desire to have one’s own way needs adjusting as they grow, and this is why discipline is required. The whole purpose of discipline is to drive out foolishness and build in wisdom. It is important to recognize that when Proverbs talks about fools it is not referring to a person who does not have the intelligence to pass a simple age – appropriate examination, but someone who thinks they know where life is found but doesn’t. Left to ourselves, we are all foolish thinkers-no matter how educated or cognitively sophisticated we may be. In our unregenerated minds we think erroneously about where life is found. But sadly-even though redeemed, we also sometimes think erroneously about where life is found.

PRAYER LINE: Father, help me never forget that my mind needs feeding with much more than human wisdom. Give me an increasing appetite for Your Word I pray, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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God’s plans always lead to victory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 98                          SATURDAY APRIL, 8.                      2017

LEARN TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF (1)                  Matt 26:7

‘She poured it on His head’ (v7 NKJV)

Jesus allowed others to minister to him. ‘Do you? A woman … having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil… poured it on His head…But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? “…when Jesus was aware of it, He said… ‘She has done a good work” (vv 7-10) There’s an important lesson in this story. You must allow the care you pour on others, to be poured on you. Otherwise you’ll burn out. Jesus practiced this principle. So did the psalmist. ‘You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over (Ps 23:5 NKJV). In order for your cup of service to stay full, it must continually be refilled. And since people generally treat you according to how you treat yourself, you must learn to treat yourself right. It’s a good thing to take care of others, but sometimes we hide behind that in order to avoid having to take care of ourselves – or because we don’t know. The question is: How can we fulfill Christ’s command to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mk 12:31), if we haven’t learned how to love ourselves? Many of us become resentful of the demands people dump on us each day without over seeming to give anything back in return. When the world we live in makes endless withdrawals, you must learn to make deposits, otherwise you’ll end up with insufficient funds. And pretty soon those cheques will start bouncing everywhere – morally, emotionally, and spiritually. Who’ll give back to you if not you? So today pray:

PRAYER LINE: Lord give me the grace to allow the oil I pour on others to be poured on me.” In Jesus mighty Name. Amen (TWFT)

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A change in behaviour begins with Jesus changing our heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 99                          SUNDAY APRIL, 9.                          2017

LEARN TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF (2)                  Ps 23:5

‘You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (v5)

There are two kinds of people who’ll never understand your need to take care of yourself. (1) Legalists. They never stop trying to measure up to certain perfectionistic moral, ethical, and religious standards. (2) Serve –a-holics. They sacrifice themselves on the altar of endless church activity, believing it’s the only way to please God. Some of Jesus disciples did this.

When a woman poured expensive oil on His head they got upset. How come? Had they never read the words, ‘You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows? In Bible times oil was used for different purposes such as soothing, massaging, and refreshing the body after a long journey or a hard day’s work. ‘So God thinks it’s okay for me to take a break?’ You ask. Yes, but since serve-a-holics have a need to be needed, like the disciples they think, “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor’ (Matt 26:9) Their belief system is “others but not understand this: When you take care of others but not yourself, you (a) become spiritually and emotionally drained. (b) end up resentful because your needs go unrecognized and unmet. (c) Start looking for relief in the wrong places. That’s what drove Samson to Delilah’s house. She gave him a place to relax and let down his hair; then she exploited it for his destruction. When we look to the wrong people and things rather than learning to care for ourselves, we give a foothold to the enemy. Don’t let that happen to you. Start taking care of yourself spiritually, physically and emotionally. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Though weak and helpless in life’s fray, God’s mighty power shall be my stay; Without, within, He gives to me The strength to gain the victory – D. De Haan.

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God’s love cannot be explained – it can only be experienced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 100                       MONDAY APRIL, 10.                      2017

FULFILLING GOD’S PURPOSE?  (1)                            Jere  1:1-10

See, I have this day set thee over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down…(v10)

The Bible says “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him and for him…” (Col 1:16) Everything God does is purposeful and deliberate. He has everything to the minutest detail, precisely tied to time. Eccl 3:1 says “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.’ From Adam and Eve, to Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses and all the prophets and kings in the Bible, they all were precisely programmed to come and go according to God’s ultimate plan. Acts 15:18 says: “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” John the Baptist was selected by God to prepare the way for  the Lord by announcing His arrival, confronting the sinfulness and rebellion of that generation and by preaching repentance of sins. Jeremiah’s purpose as a prophet of God was clearly described in Jere 1:1-10 Immediately John the Baptist identified Christ, he made it public. Jeremiah was deliberately set up by God as the national prophet to the nation of Israel. He was set over the kingdom to root out, pull down. destroy, and throw down, He was permitted to build and plant. God has also set up each of us for His purpose in this generation.

PRAYER LINE: Father, please give me the wisdom to discharge my duties in this world without fear or favour in Jesus’ Name. (O. H)

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God gave you a message to share – don’t keep it to yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 101                       TUESDAY APRIL, 11.                       2017

FULFILLING GOD’S PURPOSE?  (2)                            Gen 1:26-26

And the Lord God took man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it (Gen 2:15)

At creation, the instruction given to humanity can be safely classified into three. Category One is to cultivate the land and to keep it.  Category Two is the institution of law with the purpose of teaching people to live under authority. The third Category is the institution of marriage to expose to the principle of love and teach people to live for someone other than themselves. He wants us to use everything we have to serve Him and humanity. This truth is evident in Gen 2:15-18 which says: “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it… And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him” The starting point of fulfilling God’s purpose for anyone therefore, is to be productive. Since we are discussing the very first set of instructions of humanity, obedience to God must necessarily start from here. A true believer is to provide for his near relatives and his immediate family at the same time. Failure to provide for one’s family is equal to denial of the faith see 1 Tim 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” A faithful Christian will soon find favour with God and man that will pull him or her out of such despicable situation.

PRAYER LINE: The Great Provider will transfer you from poverty to abundance today in Jesus’ Name. Father, please help me to fulfill my purpose in Jesus’ Name (O. H)

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With God as your navigator, you’re headed in the right direction.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 102                       WEDNESDAY APRIL, 12.                          2017

FULFILLING GOD’S PURPOSE?  (3)                            1 Sam 19:9-12

And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him (Gen 2:18)

Solitude and loneliness – Solitude as defined in the Bible (Exo 33:7,11; Lk 5:16; Mk 1:35; Lk6:12-13; Lk 22:41) Solitude could be a good thing. Loneliness is usually never desired. Prolonged loneliness may sometimes lead to depression. Being alone is the very first aspect of creation that met with God’s disapproval and His harsh judgment of not being good, and 1 Cor 1:25 says: “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men”

God decided to solve the problem of being alone by providing a “help meet for the man”. Fulfilling the purpose of God in life in general and marriage in particular depends largely on our understanding and total submission to the manufacturer’s instructions. A simple, direct, Holy Ghost inspired and time tested meaning of this passage is clear to all. Hosea 13:9 refers to God as Israel’s helper, also, Gen 2:18-25, describes how God provided the suitable helper for a man. The Bible says in Eph 5:22-25. “Wives, submit yourselves unto you own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church… and gave himself for it” Every child of God that is determined to fulfill God’s purpose must live according to the order of marriage ordained by the Almighty God.

PRAYER LINE: Father, I believe in the institution of marriage according to the Bible, please help me to build a strong, happy and joyful home in the mighty Name of Jesus. (O. H)

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The best preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 103                       THURSDAY APRIL, 13.                    2017

FULFILLING GOD’S PURPOSE?  (4)                            Gen 18:17-19

And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4)

Apostle Paul admonishes that fathers should handle authority over their children with care; they are to be careful not to provoke their children to wrath. Some fathers are guilty of using their authority unreasonably in ways that cause their children to harbor resentment. However, fathers have the responsibility to bring their children up in the way of the Lord. In many cultures today, parents have submitted and completely relinquished their God given responsibility to raise godly children to school teachers, Sunday School teachers, pastors, or governmental institutions. Every Christian parent should know that God will hold them responsible for the success or failure of their wards. Are there any particular reason (s) why parents, particularly father, are called by God to play such a crucial, God ordained role in the upbringing or discipleship of their children? Eph 6:1-4 says “Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honour thy Father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; …the nurture and … of the Lord.” Children naturally gravitate towards their parents, for the same reasons, children are more likely to learn the ways and manners of their parents by default. Children are to obey their parents while parents are to treat their children with respect.

PRAYER LINE: Father, please make me a successful parent; don’t let me fail You over my children. (O. H)

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In the midst of every trial, God is on our side.

 

 

 

DAY 104                       FRIDAY APRIL, 14.                          2017

I’M ALIVE                      (GOOD FRIDAY)                    Eph 2:1-10

You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses. And sins (v1)

Laura Brooks, a 52-year-old mother of two, didn’t know it but she was one of 14,000 people in 2011 whose name was incorrectly entered into the government database as dead. She wondered what was wrong when she stopped receiving disability checks, and her loan payments and her rent checks bounced. She went to the bank to clear up the issue, but the representative told her that her accounts had been closed because she was dead! Obviously, they were mistaken.

The  apostle Paul was not mistaken when he said that the Ephesian believers were at one point dead – spiritually dead. They were dead in the sense that they were separated from God, enslaved to sin (Eph 2:5), and condemned under the wrath of God. What at state of hopelessness.

Yet God in His goodness took action to reverse this condition for them and for us. The Living God “who gives life to the dead” (Rom 4:17) poured out His rich mercy and great love by sending His Son Jesus to this earth. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are made alive (Eph 2:4-5) When we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we go from death to life. Now we live to rejoice in His goodness – Marvin Williams.

PRAYER LINE: I know I’m a sinner and Christ is my need; His death is my ransom, no merit I plead. His work is sufficient, on Him I believe I have life eternal when Him I receive – Anon

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Accepting Jesus’ death gives me life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 105                       SATURDAY APRIL, 15.                    2017

FULFILLING GOD’S PURPOSE?  (5)                            Ps 127:3-5

A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother(Prov 15:20)

According to Proverbs, a destructive fate awaits the fool. This is especially so because of the rebellious attitude of fools. The Word of God also describes fools as arrogant, untrustworthy, argumentative, reckless, and impulsive. Fools usually refuse instructions to their own detriment. Prov 22:15 says: “Foolishness is bound in the heart if a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” Children are usually disobedient when they wrongly assume that they know better than their elders, especially their parents. Such attitude would naturally give birth to arrogance. It is this arrogant attitude that makes them impulsive, that is, they confidently speak and act without properly thinking through. The purpose of God for Christian children is to be wise sons and daughters.

Their wisdom is always expressed in their humility and simple obedience. The reward for their obedience and godliness is always evident in their success stories and testimonies. Obedient children are always at peace with God and man; they live in good health, and are usually free from any form of addiction. An obedient child is conscious of God’s purpose for his or her life, being fully aware that fulfilling it will make God happy.

PRAYER LINE: Father, please help me to be obedient in all things and help me to fulfill your purpose for my life in Jesus’ Name (O. H)

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It takes  the storm to prove the real shelter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 106                       SUNDAY APRIL, 16.                        2017

EASTER EVERY DAY     (EASTER SUNDAY)                Heb 10:11-18

He is not here; for He is risen, as He said (Matt 28:6)

A friend of mine, who is a pre-school teacher, overheard an animated conversation among her students. Little Maria threw out the question: “Who loves God?” All of them responded, ‘I do! I do.” Billy said, ‘I love Jesus.” Kelly protested, “But He died.” Billy said. “Yeah, but every Easter he rises from the dead!” Obviously, young Billy’s understanding of the meaning of Easter is still developing. We know that Jesus died once for all (Rom 6:10; Heb 10:12), and, of course, rose from the dead once. Three days after paying the penalty of our sins on the cross, the sinless Jesus conquered death by rising from the grave and breaking the power of sin. It was this final sacrifice of blood that opened the only way for us to have a relationship with God now and a home with Him forevermore.

“Christ died for our sins…He was buried and…He rose again the third day” (1 Cor 15:3-4) , He has promised that He is preparing a place for us (Jn 14:1-4), and He will someday return. One day we will be with our risen Saviour. That’s why every year at Eater time – in fact, every day of the year- we have reason to celebrate the resurrection of our Saviour. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps 34:1)

PRAYER LINE: Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me; Buried, He carried my sins far away; Rising, He justified freely forever; one day He’s coming – O glorious day! –Chapman

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Christ’s resurrection is cause for our celebration (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 107                       MONDAY APRIL, 17.                      2017

VICTORY OVER DEATH (EASTER MONDAY)                                 Jn 5:24-30

The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – (Jn 5:28-29)

An ancient painting I saw recently made a deep impression on me. It’s title, Anastasis, means “resurrection,” and it depicts the triumph of Christ’s victory over death in a stunning way. The Lord Jesus, newly emerged from the tomb, is pulling Adam and Eve out of their coffins to eternal life. What is so amazing about this artwork is the way it shows how spiritual and physical death, the result of the fall, were dramatically reversed by the risen Christ.

Prior to His death on the cross, the Lord Jesus predicted a future day when He will call believers into a new and glorified existence: “The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth” (Jn 5:28-29) Because of Christ’s victory over death, the grave is not final. We naturally will feel sorrow and grief when those we love die and we are separated from them in this life. But the believer does not grieve as one who has no hope (1 Thess 4:13) The witness of Jesus’ resurrection is that all Christians will one day be taken from their graves to be clothed with glorified resurrection bodies (1 Cor 15:42-44) And so “we shall always be with the Lord (1 Thess 4:17)  – Dennis Fisher.

PRAYER LINE: Dear Lord, thank You for sacrificing Your life for our sins so that we might live. We’re thankful that because You died and rose again, we can have assurance that one day we’ll be with You in a place of no more death.

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Because Christ is alive, we too shall live (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 108                       TUESDAY APRIL, 18.                       2017

A KING WHO GOT IT WRONG                                    1 Sam 15:10-26

Then Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned, I was afraid of the people so I gave in to them (v24)

There are three main streams of problem emotions that  run through the human heart: anger and resentment, anxiety and fear, and guilt and shame. These generally arise, because of a failure to reach a goal we perceive as essential to our wellbeing. This is illustrated all through the Scriptures. Take King Saul. A close examination of his life reveals him to be someone with a great deal of anger and resentment inside him. In 1 Sam 18:6-9 we see Saul ‘very angry’ because the people credited David with more honour than him. In 1 Sam 20:24-31 we again see him angry with David, and also his own son Jonathan. These and several other instances recorded in 1 Sam show that Saul was a man consumed with anger and resentment. What does anger and resentment say about us in terms of our goals? It suggests that a wrong goal is being pursued and that goal is being blocked. What was king Saul’s wrong goal-the goal he was pursuing because he believed that was where life was to be found? The answer is given in the words of the text at the top of this page. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. ‘Saul’s goal was the commendation and applause of the people. He was a people-pleaser-and was more interested in what the people thought about him than what God thought about him.

When you read in Scripture of someone being angry or resentful think to yourself –this often reveals there was a blocked goad.

PRAYER LINE: Father, help me remember next time I feel anger an resentment arising I may discover my wrong goal and what might be blocking it. In Jesus’ Name. Amen (EDWJ)

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Times of trouble are times for trust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 109                       WEDNESDAY APRIL, 19.                          2017

SURPRISE, SURPRISE                                                  Gen 32:1-21

‘In great fear and distress, Jacob divided the people who were with him into groups’ (v7)

Jacob was a deceiver, earlier he had tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright and blessing, and as a result Esau swore that he would kill him Gen 27:41), Jacob fled to Haran where he met up with Laban and worked seven years for his daughter Rachel. But on his wedding night – surprise, surprise – the deceiver was deceived.  Undaunted, however, he said he would work for another seven years for Rachel. Jacob actually served Laban for 20years and during that time devised a plan to increase his own flocks and herds at the expense of Laban. When Laban was away, he took off. Laban chased after him when he discovered how cunning Jacob had been. Just as Jacob fled from Esau so now he flees from Laban. But while running from Laban he found that he was running into Esau. The wrath of an angry father-in-law was as nothing compared to the anger of Esau, so he is filled with “fear and distress’ like an animal caught in a trap. What, I wonder, might have been his wrong goal – a goal that he was now unlikely to achieve? Was it the avoidance of the consequences of his previous action? He had a history of manipulating others. The dynamic of “when afraid-avoid’ is one that is very familiar to a heart in which anxiety and fear abide.

PRAYER LINE: Father, nothing in life happen by chance. Help me keep these insights in mind and apply them in my daily life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Worry is a burden for the unbeliever to bear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 110                       THURSDAY APRIL, 20.                    2017

PUTTING LOVE INTO ACTION                                    Matt 14:13-21

Jesus was moved with compassion toward them and he healed their sick (v14)

Let us look at some Scriptures to see how Jesus demonstrated and illustrated real love which results in good deeds (1) Matt 14:14 says When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. “When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick” (MSG) Matt 25:35 On the final judgment (the Sheep and the Goats (MSG) when the “Son of Man comes in his glory with all of his angels, he will sit on his royal throne. Verse 35 When I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.” Read vv31-46. “In telling you “Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you have failed to do it for me” Jesus said “These people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life. In Lk 10:30-35 The good Samaritan took loving action and helped. In Gal 6:10 the Bible says, let us do good (deed) unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. In 1 Jn 3:18  the Bible says, let us not love in word (only) but in deed and in truth. In 2 Jn:1:6 the Bible says, there is love, that we walk after his commandments.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, please use me as Your instrument to touch other’s lives. Help me not to be concerned about what title I hold but instead that my life might show others Your grace.

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God’s gifts to us are not for us but for others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 111                       FRIDAY APRIL, 21.                          2017

OTHERS WELFARE                                                       1 Cor 13:1-13

(Love) seeketh not her own.

Be concerned about others’ welfare: not just your own. The Bible says in 1 Cor 13:5 (Love) seeketh not her own. The following passage is instructive vv 3-10… Love never gives up, Love cares more for others than for self, Love doesn’t want what doesn’t have, Love doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always, “me first’ Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keeps score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grove, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.” (MSG) The Bible in Phil 2:4 says: Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (New International Version

 1 Thess 4:9 states: Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another (New American Standard)

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  (1 Jn 3:17) To him it is sin (Jas 4:17)

PRAYER LINE: Holy Spirit, we would hear Your inner promptings, soft and clear; And help us know Your still small voice So we may make God’s will our choice. D. De Haan

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We’re never without a helper, because we have the Spirit within.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 112                       SATURDAY APRIL, 22.                    2017

LOVE, FORGIVENESS AND MERCY                             Prov 10:12

Hatred stirs up strife; But love covers all sins (v12)

To love means to be forgiving. The Bible says in 1 Pet 4:8 Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins (forgives and disregards the offenses of others) – Prov 10:12 (Amplified) Love is defined in Num 14:18  to show that God is merciful to us “The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations’ (New American Standard) Verse 19 of Numbers says “In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now” Moses pleaded with God. The psalmist in Ps 103:8 says “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.  He went further in vv 10-11 He hath not dealth with us after our sins… great is his mercy toward them that fear him” Lamentations 3:22-23  – It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because his compassion fail not … new every morning. Isa 63:7 states: The great goodness… he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and … multitude of his loving-kindnesses. (Read 2 Sam 24:14; Ps 25:6;36:7;40:11;69:16;103:2-4;119:149; Isa 54:7-8; Jere 9:24.

PRAYER LINE: Thank You Lord, for Your Love and mercies on my life, family, ministry, nation and the world.

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Sow love today to harvest joy of the Lord tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 113                       SUNDAY APRIL, 23.                        2017

BE MERCIFUL AND FORGIVING (1)                           Mica h 6:8

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

A  We should forgive others as God has forgiven us: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? (Matt 18:33) Read the parable of the unforgiving Servant vv23-35. “Be ye… merciful, as your father is also merciful (Lk 6:36) Forgiving one another, even as God Hath forgiven you (Eph 4:32) Also, Col 3:13 says “fore -bearing one another, and forgiving one another… even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

B  Have longsuffering, mercy and keep forgiving. Even if it’s personal against you and repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, ‘I’m sorry, I won’t do it again,’ forgive him” Lk 17:4 (MSG) Peter asked the Lord, ‘how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? … Until seventy times seven (times) (Matt 18:21-22) Prov 17:9 reminds us “He that covereth (passes over) a transgression seeketh love.

C   Make mercy a rule in your heart: Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people (Prov 3:3-4 MSG) Let not mercy and truth forsake thee… write them upon the table of thine heart.

PRAYER LINE: Choose not a path that God can’t bless, For it will end in sure defeat; But choose God’s path of victory And with His plans you won’t complete – D. De Haan.

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God’s plans always lead to victory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 114                       MONDAY APRIL, 24.                      2017

BE MERCIFUL AND FORGIVING (2)                           Lev 19:17-18

Thou shalt not … bear any grudge… but thou shalt love

D Forgive sincerely; don’t harbor grudges or hatred Thou shall not hate thy brother in thine heart; thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; I am the LORD (vv 17-18) From your hearts forgive … everyone his brother (Matt 18:35) Christians are commanded to let the old way to go. The Bible says in Eph 4:31-32 “Make a clean break with all cutting, back-biting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you (The MSG) Heb 12:15 says “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (New International) Friends, don’t complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against  you, you know. The judge is standing just around the corner (Jas 5:9 The MSG)

E  God shows mercy to us if we are merciful and forgiving. You are always loyal to your loyal people, and you are faithful to the faithful (Ps 18:25) The Promise Bible) Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy (The Promise)

PRAYER LINE: Father, I know that I cannot hide my face from You for You know what’s in my heart. I confess them now to You. Cleanse me, forgive me, and help me to make a brand new start. Amen .

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Own up to your sin and experience the joy of confession

 

 

 

DAY 115                       TUESDAY APRIL, 25.                       2017

BE MERCIFUL AND FORGIVING (3)                           Matt 5:7   

Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.

PRAYER Matt 6:12-14. Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil. If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. (The Promise) The Message says –  “Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the World right: Do what’s best – as above, so below. Keep  us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forging others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re  ablaze in beauty! Yes, Yes. Yes. (The Message). The Bible in Mk 11:25 says: Forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father… may forgive you your trespasses. Also, Lk 6:37 commands Christians not to judge others that they may  not be judged. “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” This has been described as one of the four laws of justice (see Matt 7:1  – Judge – Do not find fault with anyone except self or you will expose your own criminal tendencies and disposition – (Dake)

PRAYER LINE: Give us the wisdom we need, Lord, to encourage others in their spiritual walk. We know we need Your Spirit’s power to do that. Use the gifts You have given us to help others along on their journey.

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May our words reflect the heart of God and His wisdom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 116                       WEDNESDAY APRIL, 26.                          2017

BE MERCIFUL AND FORGIVING (4)                           Matt 6:15

If you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will God forgive your trespasses (v15)

Christians are warned that unless they forgive those who trespass against them, the Almighty God will not also forgive them their trespasses. Also in Mk 11:26 the warning is reemphasized, thus “And when you assume the posture of prayer; remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive-only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.” (The Message) So… shall (God) do also unto you, if you… forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses (Matt 18:23-35). There is no escape route for         a Christian  who refuses to obey God’s command. Jas 2:L12-13 says, “Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time” (The Message) While Ps 18:25 shows mercy for the merciful, Matt 6:15 says woe to the unmerciful. The self – righteous feel they don’t sin and don’t need forgiveness. In Lk 15:25-30  (The faithful older brother was angry that his father forgave the penitent prodigal son) We must confess our sins in order to receive forgiveness Ps 32:5 says “I acknowledge my sin unto thou… and thou forgavest. Read Ps 86:5; Acts 3:19: 2 Cor 2:6-8; 1 Jn 1:9.

PRAYER LINE: O send The Spirit, Lord, now unto me That He may touch my eyes and make me see; show me the truth concealed within Thy Word, And in Thy Book revealed I see Thee, Lord – Latbiry

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All that I am I owe to Jesus Christ, revealed to me in His divine Book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 117                       THURSDAY APRIL, 27.                    2017

YOUR WALL OF PROTECTION                                    1 Cor 6:20

The bodies were created to exalt and honour God Almighty, “For you were bought at a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Cor 6:20)

The Power of Believing I firmly believe the Lord wants us to live in total health. It is time to believe, proclaim, and start living where you can say, “Sickness is not mine and I will not tolerate it under any circumstances.” “When that message begins to stir within your soul, sickness will have to flee. Four Simple Laws God’s four laws of healing are found in one powerful verse in Scripture. He says.”If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you” (Exo 15L26 ) Condition Number One: Heed  You must “hearken to the voice of the Lord. You must hear it, speak it, and confess it. Condition Number Two: Do The Lord demands that you do what is right in His sight. The Lord demands action on your part. And healing begins to happen as we obey the Word. Condition No Three: Give ear:  The meaning – “pounder” God requires commitment on your part to meditate upon His commandments. Condition No Four: Keep – To guard, protect, and preserve, His Word. This is a prerequisite to healing. A wall speaks of protection – The Word of the living God (Benny Hinn)

PRAYER LINE: When through life’s darkened maze I go And troubles overwhelm my soul, thank You are surely in control – DJD

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God’s grace shines brightest where sin is the darkest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 118                       FRIDAY APRIL, 28.                          2017

A HARVEST OF HEALING                                            Acts 10:38-43

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power…(v38)

(1) God’s law regarding sowing and reaping is clear. You will never celebrate the harvest unless you have carefully planted the seed and cared for the crop – This also applies to healing.

(2) If you sow seeds of doubt and unbelief, your crop will be a failure. That is why your mentality must change. God wants you to plant with faith, hope, and love. In the New Testament we read that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38) Again, the devil in this verse brings sickness,

(3) Instead of sowing seeds of doubt, look up to the Father and say “God in heaven, You promised that healing is mine if I obey You. Now Lord, You know that I am not perfect, but the Word says that through Christ I am righteous.” Your Word says that I am the righteousness of God, despite my shortcomings, and that sickness does not belong in my body.

(4) You see, the law could never be totally obeyed under the old covenant. It was impossible. Jesus took your disobedience and fulfilled the law. For that reason, you and I can obey the laws of God. Remember that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Don’t give up. Your miracle is on the way (Benny Hinn)

PRAYER LINE: Our prayers ascend to heaven’s throne Regardless of the forum we use; Our Father always hears His own Regardless of the words we choose – D. De Haan.

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God is always available to hear the prayers of His children.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 119                       SATURDAY APRIL, 29.                    2017

CROSSING THE LINE                                                    Lk 8:11-15

“The seed is the word of God” (v11)

When will you receive your healing? Today ? Tomorrow?  The most important fact to know is that you received the provision for your healing two thousand years ago. It happened on the cross. When you believe in your heart, soul, and mind that the atonement for your healing has already taken place, you have “crossed the line” You have entered the fertile ground where the seed can grow in good soul where God can produce a harvest. God wants you to eliminate the negative, faith – shattering thoughts Satan would have you believe-doubts he attempts to plant in your mind. He wants you to say, “I will not accept or tolerate sickness and disease. What kind of seed should you sow? Jesus said “The seed is the word of God” (Lk 8:11) Never forget the words found in Proverbs, “My son, give attention to my words

Incline your ear to my saying Do not let them depart from your eyes Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them,  And health to all their flesh” (Prov 4:20-22) Your healing comes through the Word. But it’s not always automatic. Scripture tells us sometimes we have to find it. – Three ways – First, by being attentive. Second, by having a steadfast look. And Third, by keeping the Word in your heart. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17) (Benny Hinn)

PRAYER LINE: Come to the Light, “It’s shining for thee! Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me; Once I was blind, but now I can see – The Light of the world is Jesus. – Bliss

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A world in darkness needs the light of Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 120                       SUNDAY APRIL, 30.                        2017

HE’S RIGHT ON TIME                                         I Thess 2:13-16

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities… we are healed…” (Isa 53:5)

Plant your seed and keep watering it. You will never enjoy the abundance of your healing if you allow your field to become parched and dry. Continue to water your faith with the Word and never give up.

Have you crossed the line? Are you in a position for God to perform a miracle in your life? Don’t give up on God. Some people like to pick up a favourite verse from Scripture and say, “If I’ll use that , God will heal me.” They quote again and again, “He was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement for peace was upon Him,  And by His stripes we are healed” (Isa 53:5) It is a powerful verse, but don’t try to base God’s healing power on just one Scripture. God says the Word must saturate you. Only then will health come to your flesh. The Word of God from Genesis to Revelation needs to permeate your life. Remember, you’ve got to hear it and keep hearing it. See it and keep seeing it. Love it and keep loving it. The Word has the power to bring the healing for which you have prayed so long. The Word works wonders. Paul said, “When you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcome it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thess 2:13) (Benny Hinn)

PRAYER LINE: Whenever life’s burdens oppress you And trials are too much to face, Remember God’s strength in your weakness; He‘ll give you His power and grace – Sper

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The increasing darkness of trials only makes the lamp of grace shine brighter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 121                       MONDAY MAY, 1.                          2017

ON LISTENING                                                             Exo 16:1-8

Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God (Eccl. 5:2)

God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason, the saying goes. The ability to listen is an essential life skill. Counsellors tell us to listen to each other. Spiritual leaders tell us to listen to God. But hardly anymore says, “Listen to yourself” I’m not suggesting that we have an inner voice that always knows the right thing to say. Nor am I saying we should listen to ourselves instead of to God and others. I’m suggesting that we need to listen to ourselves in order to learn how others might be receiving our words. The Israelites could have used this advice when Moses was leading them out of Egypt. Within days of their miraculous deliverance, they were complaining. (Exo 16:2). Although their need for food was legitimate their way of expressing the need was not. (v3)

Whenever we speak out of fear, anger, ignorance, or pride – even if what we say is true, those who listen will hear more than our words. They fear emotion. But they don’t know whether the emotion comes from love and concern or disdain and disrespect, so we risk misunderstanding. If we listen to ourselves before speaking out loud, we can judge our hearts before our careless words harm others or sadden our God –

PRAYER LINE: Lord, help me to think before I speak to check my heart. Help me to control my tongue and to express myself clearly so that I won’t cause dissension.  Set a guard on my lips.

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Words spoken rashly do more harm than good  – (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 122                       TUESDAY MAY, 2.                           2017

HELPERS NEEDED                                                        Rom 16:1-16

The Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things (Jn 14:26)

To some people, the term helper carries with it second-class connotation. Classroom helpers assist trained teachers in their classes. Helpers assist trained electricians, plumbers, and lawyers on the job. Because they aren’t as skilled in the profession, they might be viewed as having less value. But everyone is needed to accomplish the task. The apostle Paul had many helpers in his work of ministry. He listed them in his letter to Rome (Rom 16) He made special reference to Phoebe, who “has been a helper of many and of myself also (v2)  Priscilla and Aquila risked their own lives for Paul (vv 3-4).  And Mary, Paul said, “labored much for us” (v6)

Helping is a spiritual gift, according to (1 Cor 12:28), Paul listed it among the gifts from the Holy Spirit that are given to believers in Christ’s body the church. The gift of “helps” is just as needed as the others that are listed. Even the Holy Spirit is called a “Helper”. Jesus said, “The Helper, The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things. And bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (Jn 14:26)

In whatever ways the Holy Spirit, the Helper has gifted you, let Him use you for His honour.

PRAYER LINE: Dear Lord, thank You for the gifts You have given me so that I might serve the body of Christ. Help me to be faithful to use my gifts to bring You glory.

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You are a necessary part of the whole. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 123                       WEDNESDAY MAY, 3.                    2017

THE GREAT HELPER                                                     (Ps 121:1-8)

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth (v2)

It has been said that one of the common features of Christianity is the diverse conflict that is targeted at a child of God from the moment of conversion; it presents itself as a permanent companion in the journey of life, and appears to become more intense as you progress in the Christian race. These conflicts may come in the form of physical, emotional and spiritual attacks. They could sometimes be manifested as temptations, financial trouble, physical and health challenges, vocational problems, obstacles and obstructions, sickness or death of a loved one, stagnancy, discouragement, failure, depression, and family problems. Many of these may appear normal, but some are direct attacks and children of God, to hate, despise, persecute, oppress, blackmail, and even Kill them. Yet, in the face of such malicious attacks, many Christians have persevered and stood firm in their convictions, with great grace and in defiant faith. One of such could be found in Heb 13:5-6  that says: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have…and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” King David in his affliction said: “my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” (Ps 121:2) The promises of God are perfectly reliable because “God is not a man, that he should lie” (Num 23:19)

PRAYER LINE: Father, My confidence rests upon Your Holy Word, please be there for me always in Jesus’ Name. (O. H)

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With God’s strength behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 124                       THURSDAY MAY, 4.                        2017

TIME TO FIGHT (1)                                                      1 Tim 4:1-6

To everything is a season, and a time, to every purpose under the heaven; (Ecc 3:1)

Eccl 3:1&8 says “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… A time to love, and a time to hate; a time to war, and a time of peace”

Conflicts come in different categories. Though we have the right to self defense, Christians are not called to take up arms against their offensive or aggressive neighbours because your weapon is not physical. However, God is under attack in today’s world because His creative order, His principles and commandments are being maliciously attached by heretics. The Bible says in 1 Tim 6:12, “fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” Christians have no choice in this matter… we do not have the luxury of a personal decision on this one. In reality, the battle of the heretics and false prophets is raging right now and our commander in Chief, the Lord of hosts, has commanded us to fight, and we must fight. It is a good fight because it prevents the rapid spread of heretic teachings, and delivers people from ignorance and false doctrine. It is good because we are more than conquerors. Apostle Paul seems to have discovered this truth as reflected in his final declaration in 2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course; I have kept the faith.”

PRAYER LINE: Father, please let me finish well and be able to say that I have fought a good fight. (O. H).

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When we follow God, we blaze a trail for those who would follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 125                       FRIDAY MAY, 5.                    2017

TIME TO FIGHT (2)                                                      1 Tim 6:6-12

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth … which is idolatry (Col 3:5)

The devil is prowling around the world looking for Christians to destroy according to 1 Pet 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  The survival of a child of God therefore depends on his or her preparedness for battle and the ability to fight. We cannot afford to slumber or sleep, we are meant to be spiritual watchmen and scouts, constantly looking out for bands of approaching enemies that may try to take us by surprise. In Matt 16:18, the Lord Jesus declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. These gates are the access points that the enemy may use to penetrate our lives. To permanently keep these gates shut. Colossians 3:5 counsels us to subdue the flesh and its worldly desires through discipline. We must wage war against self to subdue, discipline, and put it under control. If we fail to discipline ourselves, then it becomes easy for pride, sexual immorality, inordinate ambition, covetousness, and other forms of indiscipline to creep into our lives, finally,  1 Jn 3:8b  says:”for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. I decree that every work of the devil in your life be destroyed now in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER LINE: Father, please help me to stand. Don’t let me ever fall for the devil in Jesus’ Name. (O. H).

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Our greatest strength may be our ability to stand still and trust God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 126                       SATURDAY MAY, 6.                        2017

THE POWER OF KINDNESS (1)                                   Rom 12:9-21

Be devoted to one another (v10)

Sometimes We think that in order to be successful we have to be tough, hard-nosed, and stoic in how we relate to others. Some folks even go so far as to interpret kindness as weakness and vulnerability. Nothing could be further from the truth. Kindness signals tremendous inner strength that others not only appreciate, but respect. Aesop wrote a fable in which the wind and the sun argued over who was the stronger. ‘Do you see that old man down there?” the wind asked. ‘I can make him take off his coat quicker than you can.’ The sun agreed to duck behind a cloud while the wind blew up a storm. But the harder the wind blew the more firmly the traveller wrapped his coat around him. Eventually the wind gave up and the sun reappeared, smiling kindly upon the old man. Before long he mopped his brow, shed his heavy coat and strolled away. The sun knew the secret: Warmth, friendliness, and a gentle touch are always more effective than force and fury. Jesus was hard on hypocrites and those who took advantage of others. But to everyone else, including society’s rejects, He showed great kindness. He came into an unkind, dog-eat-dog,  every-man-for-himself culture where there were no mental health institutions, hospitals, orphanages, or organizations of mercy. Yet He poured the milk of human kindness into every bowl of human suffering. And at the cross He demonstrated the ultimate cost of kindness – and in so doing, changed the world for all time. So, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves” (Rom 12:10) (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, please fill my heart with the joy of Christ, I desire that the abundant life I have found in Him might contagiously reach out to others around me.

If you know Christ, you always have a reason to celebrate.

DAY 127                       SUNDAY MAY, 7.                            2017

THE POWER OF KINDNESS (2)                                   1 Cor 13:1-8

Love is patient, love is kind (v4)

Truly great people understand the power of kindness. Once while Abraham Lincoln was dining in the White House one of his guests blew on his coffee, poured it into his saucer, and drank from it. As you might imagine, some of the refined ladies and gentlemen seated nearby were aghast, and for a moment the room was filled with an embarrassed silence. Then Lincoln took his coffee, poured it into his saucer, and for the rest of the evening drank directly from it. And you know what? Everyone else in the room followed suit. One small act of kindness saved a White House guest unbelievable embarrassment. And that simple but thoughtful gesture by one of America’s greatest presidents reminds us of the value of setting an example of kindness. Chances are you’ve never heard of Stephen Grellet, a French-born Quaker who died in 1855. He’d still be unknown to the world at large, except for a few immortal lines that will likely be remembered forever, ‘I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.’ Each day has one thing in common with the next. Both offer opportunities to show kindness, and when missed those opportunities leave you with unwanted regrets. Poet C. R. Gibson wrote,  ‘I have wept in the night for the shortness of sight, that to somebody’s need made me blind. But I never have yet had a twinge of regret, for being a little too kind. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: What freedom lies with all who choose To live for God each day! But chains of boundary shackle those who choose some other way – DJD

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You can worship your freedom of choice or you can choose the truth.

 DAY 128                      MONDAY MAY, 8.                          2017

WHAT GOD EXPECTS FROM YOU                              Lk 12:42-48

From the one who has been entrusted with much, much will be asked; (v48NIV)

Added blessing always brings added responsibility, so (1) Stop Complaining. Happiness doesn’t come from getting what you want; it comes from recognizing and enjoying what you have. So keep a positive attitude and be grateful every day. Rudyard Kipling said, ‘Don’t pay too much attention to fame, power, or money. Some day you’ll meet a person who cares for none of these, and then you’ll know how poor you are.’ (2) Stop assuming. When you see your neighbours buying new furniture, taking expensive holidays, and driving the latest car, does something stir inside you to do the same? Be careful, just because someone appears to be in similar circumstances to yours doesn’t mean anything. They might earn twice as much. On the other hand, they may be in debt up to their ears or three-quarters of the way to bankruptcy or a divorce court. Stop making assumptions and trying to be like somebody else. (3) Stop Withholding. Bruce Larson  said, ‘Money is another pair of hands to heal, feed, and bless the desperate families of the earth. In other words, money is my other self.’ But that’s only true if you’re willing to part with it. Money is like manure. If you let it pile up it stinks. If you spread it around it helps things grow. Money gives you options the less fortunate can only pray for. And one more very important thought. How you use your money will be one of the biggest issues you’ll face on Judgment Day. Instead, it’ll be a determining factor when it comes to your eternal reward. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Thank You Lord for the knowledge that You created me for a purpose. No more complaining, assuming or withhold giving. I will win souls for You.

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Everyone can do something to make the world better –we can let Christ shine through us.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 129                       TUESDAY MAY, 9.                           2017

IS IT GOD’S PLAN?                                                       Prov 3:6

“Listen for God’s voice… he’s the one who will keep you on track” (Prov 3:6 MSG)

After being anointed King of Israel, instead of immediately going to Jerusalem and claiming his throne, David was forced to spend years living like a fugitive and hiding in caves because Saul was out to take his life. More than once he must have asked himself, ‘What about the promise God gave me?’ Then an interesting thing happened. One of David’s soldiers found Saul asleep, he came to David, saying ‘God has delivered your enemy into your hand – let me strike him’ (1 Sam 26:8 NKJV) What an opportunity! Get rid of the man who wants to kill you, come out of hiding, and claim your throne. After all, you’re already anointed to be king! It all made sense, except for one thing- It wasn’t God’s plan. As much as David wanted to rule Israel, he knew that in order to succeed he must do it God’s way. This story should make you think twice, and pray before acting. When Abishai offered to kill Saul, he had David’s welfare at heart. So be careful, your friends can give you advice contrary to God’s will. That’s when it’s hard to go along with it, or defend your decision by rationalizing that the end justifies the means. Never let anyone, however well intentioned, persuade you to do what you know is wrong. Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything, on your own. Listen for God’s voice… he’s the One who will keep you on track” (Prov 3:5-6 MSG) (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Dear God, we pray for faith anew, For hope that never knows defeat, for victory at Thy mercy seat – Brandt

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With God, there is hope even in the most hopeless situation.

 

 

DAY 130                       WEDNESDAY MAY, 10.                            2017

 SEEK RECONCILIATION (1)                                        Matt 18:15-17

If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense (v15)

After explaining the commandment that says, ‘Honour thy father and thy mother (Exo 20:12 KJV) a Sunday school teacher asked her class of six-year-olds, ‘Can you think of a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?’ Without missing a beat, a little boy answered. ‘Thou shalt not kill’(v13) Seriously, why did Jesus make such a big deal out of being reconciled to our brothers and sisters in the faith instead of letting disputes between us fester? After all, He considered it important enough to give us a three-step plan for handling it. First , go to the person privately (2) Second, take two or three others with you so that what is said can be confirmed. (3) Third, if those two actions don’t bring reconciliation in the relationship, take it to the leaders of your church. However, if you read these Scriptures without reading the ones that follow, you’ll miss the whole point Jesus is making. He said, I also tell you this: if two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them’ (Matt 18:19-21 NLT) When we seek reconciliation and come into unity, two wonderful things happen: (a) We can pray with confidence and get the results we need (b) We enjoy a sense of God’s abiding peace and presence that’s not possible as long as the issue remain unresolved. So if you want to walk in God’s blessing today, seek reconciliation, (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Gracious God, thank You for new awareness and understanding on reconciliation, help me to help others to comprehend the truth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Seek reconciliation and walk in God’s blessing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 131                       THURSDAY MAY, 11.                     2017

 SEEK RECONCILIATION (2)                                        Matt 5:23-24

First… be reconciled …then offer your gift (v24)

Are you at odds with someone? Is it constantly on your heart, robbing you of peace and even affecting your job performance? Here’s what Jesus said you’re supposed to do: ‘If you are offering your gift at the altar and … remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there… First  go and be reconciled to your brother, Then come and offer your gift’ (vv 23-24 NIV) You say, I’m waiting for him to come to me.’ What if he doesn’t? Today Jesus is telling you, ‘Go and be reconciled.’ That’s humbling. And it’s risky, because you may not get the response you hope for. Why didn’t Jesus say ‘Wait a while and the situation might change? Because when you allow things to bottle up, you blow up! You end bringing out all the ammunition – everything that’s bothered you about the person for the last decade! On the other hand maybe  you’ve decided to ‘sleep on it’ for now. The Bible says, ‘Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. (Eph 4:26-27 NLT) The enemy wants to hurt both of you by driving a wedge between you – are you going to let him do that? What if you win the argument but the other person walks away wounded and upset? What’s more important, the point you’re trying to make or the relationship? For God’s sake, and for your own sake, forgive, overlook the offence, and get on with your life. What’s at stake here is your gift. If you want God to use and bless you – don’t wait, seek reconciliation (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Gracious Lord, thank You for the benefits from reconciliation. Let thy peace not elude us, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Seek reconciliation and be at peace with others.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 132                       FRIDAY MAY, 12.                            2017

DON’T LOOK BACK                                                      Lk 17:20-37

‘Remember Lot’s wife’ (v32)

Before God destroyed the city of Sodom, He sent two angels to rescue Lot and his family from it. Their instructions were clear. ‘Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed… But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” (Gen 19:17,26 NKJV) Jesus recalled this story in three words: ‘Remember Lot’s wife.’ Here are two lessons you should learn and remember: (1) Don’t look back with longing to your old sinful pleasures and pursuits. The promise sin made was false then, and it’s still false now. ‘Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.’ (Jas 1:14-16 NKJV) (2) Don’t look back with regret on the mistakes you’ve made. Lot’s two sons-in-law wouldn’t heed the message of the angels or the pleading of their father-in-law, so they stayed behind. Perhaps that’s why his wife looked back. But it was fatal now. Don’t wallow in the regrets of your past. Stop dwelling on the injuries inflicted on you by others. Get your eyes off the rear-view mirror and onto the road ahead. God has great things in store for you, that’s what the battle in your life is about. Jesus referred to Satan as a ‘thief’ (Jn10:10)  He has already stolen too much from you; don’t let him steal any more. Today commit your life to Christ, and watch His blessing begin (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, let me be resolute in my decision to follow You. No looking back, no matter what. Your promises are Ye and Amen.

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Jesus knows the way – follow Him.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 133                       SATURDAY MAY, 13.                     2017

BE TRUSTWORTHY IN LITTLE THINGS                       Lk 16:10

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much (v10)

Jesus said: ‘Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? (vv10-12) God won’t promote you beyond your current level of competence and commitment. Indeed, He’ll keep bringing you back to these two things until you get them right. As you walk with Him, He’ll increase your faith by testing you in settings that require only a little faith. And if you pass, He’ll expose you to circumstances that require more faith. Each time you prove your willingness to trust Him at a higher level, He will reveal a little more of Himself and entrust to you a greater measure of blessing. That’s how it works. Every small step of faith leads to a deeper, richer and more rewarding relationship with Him. When Michelangelo was painting the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel he spent endless hours lying on the scaffolding perfecting the details. It was a miserable job. A student, curious about why the renowned sculptor took such pains with details that could only be seen from a distance, asked, ‘Who will know whether or not it’s perfect?’ The master artist replied, ‘I will.’ And so will your Master – Jesus! What you’re doing today matters. It’s the determining factor in what God will call you to do tomorrow. So be trustworthy in little things.(TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, I see that the Christian Faith meets us where we are – in the flesh – and offers us redemption. That You for that reality, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

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We fall into temptation when we don’t stand against it.

 

 

 

 

DAY 134                       SUNDAY MAY, 14.                          2017

GOD’S CAUSE NEVER FAILS                                        Phil 1:6

‘being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (v6)

Dr. Martyn  Lloyd – Jones, the famous expositor who once occupied the pulpit of Westminster Chapel, London disliked the idea of Christians having favourite texts. However, on one occasion he confessed that if pressed to select one, the text before us today would be his choice. The thought that captivated Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and came out often in his preaching, was that the God who begins a good work in us will always carry it through to completion. Paul was free from the fear that God’s cause would fail. Coventry Patmore, a nineteeth-century poet said: “All realities sing-and nothing else will…’

The good work that God began in the lives of the Philippians might be their support for Paul and his ministry, but the mention of the day of Christ Jesus’ makes it more likely that it was the saving work of grace that began in their lives when they responded in repentant faith to the preaching of the gospel. Of course, the good work the Philippians were doing in supporting Paul’s mission was in itself evidence of the bigger work of grace in their lives.

Treasure this thought: God completes what he begins. The Almighty never grows weary of well doing. Remember that even in our times of waiting as well as our wandering, failures and stubbornness, He composes no unfinished symphonies. What He starts He completes.

PRAYER LINE: Father, it gives me encouragement to know that You never start anything unless You see it through. It means You will not give up on me. Thank You. Amen (EDWJ)

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When we put our problems in God’s hands He puts His peace in our hearts.

 

 

 

 

DAY 135                       MONDAY MAY, 15.                        2017

FAREWELL TO FEAR    (1)                                           Gen 15:1

Later the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision “Abram, don’t be afraid’ I will protect you and reward you greatly’ (v1 The Promise)

God does not promise that the road to your miracle will be smooth. The path is filled with roadblocks and detours of every description. Without question you will face one of hell’s most destructive forces. It came against the disciples and the followers of Jesus. And it will come against you. What will become your greatest challenge? Fear  – Satan’s greatest tool. The moment you begin living and acting on faith and on the Word, you will be a target for attack. Fear will come as surely as the sun will rise. You can count on it. The question is not whether it will come, but how you will deal with it. The devil has no intention of leaving you alone, especially when you walk by faith. He will try to strike at you with every once of his evil energy. The more you do for God the more Satan will attack you. “It’s Something You see”  He will come against you just as he harassed Abraham. God made Abraham a promise that he would be forever favoured. He said, “I will make you a great nation;

And you shall be a blessing… (Gen 12:2-3) Read (Gen 15:1). “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”    (Benny Hinn)

PRAYER LINE:  God will take care of you still to the end; O what a Father, Redeemer, and Friend! Jesus will answer whenever you call; He will take care of you – trust Him for all – Crosby

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If we depend on Christ for Everything. We can endure anything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 136                       TUESDAY MAY, 16.                        2017

FAREWELL TO FEAR    (2)                                           Gen 15:2-3

And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?  And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.  ’ (vv 2-3)

What was Abraham fearing? God promised Abraham that he would have children and be the father of many nations. Fear, like faith, is something you see. It’s a picture. Abraham saw himself childless and became frightened. That is why God corrected him.

Abraham was in his tent, gripped with anxiety and fear. God told him to get up and go outside. It was night and the Lord told him, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be” (Gen 15:5)

God wanted Abraham to start counting stars because faith is a picture. Then the Lord changed the picture for Abraham from stars to children. He was saying, “Stop seeing yourself with nothing, and see yourself with a multitude. See your offspring. See your future.

When Abraham wasn’t counting stars, he was counting grains of sand. God told him, “I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies” (Gen 22:17) (Benny HInn)

PRAYER LINE: I know not, but God knows; Oh, blessed rest from fear! All my unfolding days To Him are plain and clear – Flint.

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Faith in Christ will keep us steady in the stormy sea of change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 137                       WEDNESDAY MAY, 17.                            2017

FAREWELL TO FEAR    (3)                                           Prov 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keepeth the law, happy is he (v18)

God took away Abraham’s “fear picture” and commanded him to see a “faith picture.” He must have counted for a long, long time. For fourteen long years what do you think Abraham did? Because fear kept coming against him, clouding his vision. Prov 29:18 (KJV)  cautions us that where there is no vision the people perish. Fear does not run and hide, nor does the devil take a vacation.

Can you see Abraham as fear came upon him, counting “One, two, three, four, five’? He probably walked with a bucket full of sand. And at night he counted as he scanned the heavens. Without question, fear is the most destructive tool of Satan. Scripture tells us that hell will be crowed because of it. “But the fearful, and unbelieving – shall have their part in the lake  which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev 21:8 KJV) With fear being such a powerful force, it becomes easy to understand why more people do not receive their healing. A list of people’s apprehensions would fill volumes. Stop considering the barriers that surround you. Start believing the Word. Start seeing and counting the stars. (Benny Hinn)

PRAYER LINE: Ponder – Commit to pray and intercede. The batter’s strong and great’s the need. And this one truth can’t be ignored; Our only help comes from the Lord – Sper.

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Conquer fear trusting the Word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 138                       THURSDAY MAY, 18.                     2017

FAMILY FIRST                                                              Col. 3:12-21

The LORD… blessed the home of the just (Prov 3:33)

The nearest thing to heaven on this earth is the home where husband and wife, parents and children live in love and peace together for the Lord and for each other.

The nearest thing to hell on earth is an ungodly home, damaged by sin and iniquity, where parents quarrel and bicker, and children are abandoned to the devil and all the forces of wickedness.

In the wisdom of God, the family is the smallest complete unit of society on the earth. As  goes the family, so goes the nation, and civilization, and the world.

No nation has ever risen higher morally, intellectually, or spiritually than the families of which that nation was constituted. All efforts, therefore, at improving moral and spiritual standards in the world, combating crime, infidelity, and violence, must begin with the home and with the family. Attacking these problems anywhere else, anywhere farther down the line, can only be temporary. It can only restrain but never result in a cure.

Until the homes of our nation, and that means first of all the parents of our nation, go to faith  in the Lord Jesus Christ, our country will deteriorate  morally and spiritually – M.R. De Haan.

PRAYER LINE: O blest that house where faith you find And all within have set their mind To trust their God and serve Him still And do each His holy will – Anon.

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The home is the building block of society. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 139                       FRIDAY MAY, 19.                            2017

IN THE BELLY OF A FISH                                             Jonah 2.

‘Jonah prayed… from the fish’s belly. And he said, ‘I cried out of my affliction; and He answered me’ (vv1-2)

Jonah must have been very uncomfortable in the belly of the fish. Yet there are many people in this dark and suffocating world who seem to think that the place they find themselves is a pretty good place to be. They believe that the world needs only a few social and political improvements. And they also hold that people themselves possess the ability to make all the needed changes.

But this is not the testimony of the Word of God, for it says that the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 Jn 5:19). It certainly is not the testimony of the Spirit of truth, for He has come to “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment” (Jn 16:8) The primary mission of the church is not to introduce social and political changes into the world, but to proclaim salvation as the way out.

Jonah was not so foolish as to suppose that God would make him a little more comfortable in the fish’s belly, but he looked for deliverance out of it. He cried to the Lord, and the Lord heard him. We are not to look for perfection in this world but to look forward to the time when Christ will recreate the world and bring in everlasting righteousness.  –  M.R. De Haan

PRAYER LINE: I am a stranger here within a foreign land, My home is far away upon the golden strand; Ambassador to be of realms beyond the sea, I’m here on business for my King – Cassel.

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Our main business in this world is to lay up treasure in heaven. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 140                       SATURDAY MAY, 20.                     2017

NOT ABANDONED                                                       Isa 49:13-16

I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands (vv15-16)

Years ago, while my husband and I were visiting the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, we noticed a baby stroller by itself with no one nearby. We assumed that the parents had left it there because it was too bulky and were now carrying their child. But as we approached, we saw a sleeping baby inside. Where was a parent… a sibling… a babysitter? We hung around for quite some time before hailing a museum official. No one had shown up to claim that precious child! The last we saw of him, he was being wheeled away to a safe place. That experience made me think about what it’s like to be abandoned. It’s an overwhelming feeling that no one cares anything about you. It’s a real and excruciatingly painful feeling. But even though people may abandon us, God’s love and presence is assured. The Lord promises that He will never leave us (Deut 31:8). He will be with us wherever we go; “always, even to the end of the age (Matt 28:20)

The Lord will never falter in His commitment to His children. Even if we have been abandoned by others, we can find confidence in His promise that nothing will ever “separate us from (His) love” Rom 8:35-39) –Cindy Hess Kasper.

PRAYER LINE: Father, thank You for Your never failing presence, in every aspect of our lives, We count on Your promise never to abandon us. Please teach us to rest in that truth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

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Confidence in God’s presence is our comfort. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 141                       SUNDAY MAY, 21.                          2017

EVERY WORD MATTERS                                             Deut 4:10

You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God. (v2)

Kim Peek was a savant (a person with extraordinary memory) who memorized all of Shakespeare’s plays. During a performance of Twelfth Night,  Peek noticed that the actor had skipped a word from one of the lines. Peek suddenly stood up and shouted, “Stop!” The actor apologized and said he didn’t think anyone would mind. Peak replied, “Shakespeare would” Words matter. But especially when they are the very words of God. Moses warned Israel. “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God” (Deut 4:2) Moses often reminded Israel of God’s mercy and faithfulness to them in the past. But he also stressed the importance of obedience to God’s commands as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. He told them that obedience would result in blessings of life and a rich inheritance (vv39:40) Every command and regulation mattered to God. The value His people placed on God’s Word showed their view of Him. Today, when we value God’s Word, handle it with great care, and obey what it says, we give God the reverence He truly deserves – Marvin Williams

PRAYER LINE: The Bible stands, and it will forever When the world has passed away;  By inspiration it has been given All its precepts I will obey – Lillenas

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God’s Word needs no additions nor subtractions. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 142                       MONDAY MAY, 22.                        2017

CHOICES (1)  THE WILL  VS THE IMAGINATION                Isa 26:1-10

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you (v3)

First the will does not function in a vacuum. What I mean by that is that it does not operate independently. Behind our will is our whole nature.

The connection between the will and the rest of our nature can be understood better, for example, when we consider how the imagination and the will are linked. Some psychologists claim that the imagination, which is part of the mind, is a good deal more powerful than the will. My experience shows that to be true. If the will is set in one direction and the imagination is set in another, the imagination will ultimately win. This is why Christians maturity is not just a matter of exercising our willpower. Many Christians have fallen by the way because they set their will in one direction but allowed their minds to dwell on  a temptation found themselves giving in. They wondered why they had done so. After giving in to temptation I have heard many people say, “But thought I had such a strong will-so what happened? The answer is because the imagination became the scene of much infighting and so the battle was lost there, not in the will. When the will struggles to do what is right and yet allows the imagination to indulge itself by dwelling on the thing that is unhelpful, this can cause difficult consequences. (EDWJ)

PRAYER LINE: My God, since You made each part of me to function in correspondence with the others, help me see I am to grow not in one part of my personality but in all parts. Amen. (EDWJ)

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Life matters – make the most of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 143                       TUESDAY MAY, 23.                        2017

CHOICES (2)   SO RICH AND YET SO POOR               Matt 19:16-30

Why do you ask me about what is good? … Jesus replied “There is only One who is good.” (v 17)

Second  thing we need to learn about our choices is that when we make a choice it is always decided by a goal. That is to say, everything we do represents an effort to reach a goal. When Jesus was here on earth, He often responded to questions people put to Him by asking them a question. This made people think about the purpose of their question in other words, what their goal might be.

Consider Jesus’ question to the rich man in the story we have read today – “Why do you ask me about what is good? It made me think about  his hidden agenda. “Why do you ask me about how you can be good? There is only One in all the universe who is truly good. Do you realize what you are trying to do? There is no way this young man could achieve the goodness that God demands by self-effort. Yet his question to Jesus revealed that his goal was to be in control of everything, including achieving goodness. He failed to understand how impossible this was through his own efforts. As soon as Jesus touched on the matter of his possessions, and bid him part with them, it became clear where his true affections lay. It was indeed a sad situation – sad not only because of the way things were with him but sad also because he couldn’t see the true picture. (EDWJ)

PRAYER LINE: Father, I am tearing that behind all behavior lies a goal. Help me to bring my goals in line with Your goals for my life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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What we become is more important than where we are from.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 144                       WEDNESDAY MAY, 24.                            2017

CHOICES (3)  BAFFLING BEHAVIOUR                                 Ps 139:13-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me an know my anxious thoughts. (v23)

Many years ago a university student came to me because he kept failing his examinations. He couldn’t understand this because previously – even in his childhood – he had sailed through all the exams he took without any difficulty. He possessed a very high IQ and so there seemed no apparent reason for his failures. As we explored his past together, I discovered that his parents were highly educated (both had Ph D degrees) but very demanding and exacting perfections. When he was young they conveyed to him, “If you don’t pass your exams we won’t love .” He grew up, therefore, with the idea that love is conditional – something to be earned. When he became an adult, he realized how wronged and deprived he had been during his childhood, and he developed strong feelings of hatred and anger towards his parents. But as he had been taught it is wrong to be angry with one’s parents he repressed the emotions. However, you never bury emotion dead, you always bury them alive, and so the anger functioned at the unconscious level of his personality. As we talked about repentance and forgiveness he came to see that behind his behavior had been an unconscious attempt to retaliate against his parents by failing his exams – his own goal – he was succeeding.  (EDWJ)

PRAYER LINE: God, if it is true that all my behavior is governed by goals then may my goals always be ones that glorify You.

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Our love for Jesus is the key to spiritual passion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 145                       THURSDAY MAY, 25.                     2017

CHOICES (4)  THE LOSS OF FELT CHOICE                   Prov 20:1-12

The purpose of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out (v5)

We feel forces are driving us: If you go fishing on a lake you can see the bottom while you are still close to the shore, but as you go further out the bottom is no longer clearly visible. So it is with our personalities. We can see the obvious motives but it’s much harder to see the deeper underlying ones..Those with compulsive or obsessive traits argue that some inner force compels them to do things, but ultimately what they do is what they choose to do even though to them it doesn’t feel like a choice. I know that this insight can be very challenging to such people, but it is true nevertheless. There is always a choice. A certain man was taken to court because he had punched a neighbour on his nose. In his defense he claimed, ‘I had to do it. He insulted my wife.’ The court’s verdict: ‘No, you chose to do it. Pay the fine.”

Most of us operate much of the time with little awareness of our true purpose. Often this suits us as it means we are not forced to do anything about it so can avoid the responsibility God has given us freely choosing beings. Always remember that the loss of felt choice does not mean the loss of real choice. We choose to act as we do even when it doesn’t feel as if we are choosing our type of behaviour. (EDWJ)

PRAYER LINE: Father, teach me how to align myself to Your design and to function in the way You intended. I am so thankful. Amen.

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Man says seeing is believing, but God says that believing is seeing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 146                       FRIDAY MAY, 26.                            2017

CHOICES (5)  REPRESSED EMOTIONS                        Phil 1:1-11

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart (v7)

Area of our feelings – No exceptions. In the above text, apostle Paul talks about his personal feelings towards the Philippians and claims that the feelings of concern he had for them were right and prosper. All of us experience different feelings every hour of the day – sometimes positive, sometimes negative.

You will probably not go far into the day without feeling a variety of emotions. When it comes to the negative emotions, don’t you wish God had created you with an on-off switch? Then, when disturbing and distressing feeling arise, you could flick the switch and have serenity return. In a sense, people do this when they repress their feelings and do not allow themselves to face them or feel them.

Repressed feelings always cause problems because, as I have  already said, we never bury emotions dead, we bury them alive. They emerge in other ways. As I am sure you have found, expressed feelings can give you a pain in the neck – literally. Earlier we touched on the fact that occasionally ill health can be the result of an emotion that is not faced. Believe me, any emotion that is not faced and felt will inevitably result in compound problems later in our lives. (EDWJ)

PRAYER LINE: Father, there are many things in my life I am having to face right now. Please help me to be the person You made me to be and followed Your design. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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A heart in tune with God sings melodies of praise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 147                       SATURDAY MAY, 27.                     2017

THE ADVENTURE                                                Esther 4:13-17

Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (v14)

When I was about 7, I was in the car with my mum and two sisters when my mother pulled over to the side of the road to study the map.” Are we lost, mom?” I was worried. “Oh, no, she replied cheerfully, quickly folding up the map. “We’re on an adventure.” My sisters and I exchanged doubtful glances as one of them whispered knowingly. “We’re lost.” Adventures can be fun-and scary. They usually involve a bit of the unknown. As we walk in fellowship with God, it’s likely that our lives will have many unique adventures –opportunities to serve Him. If we’re reluctant or scared and we turn down an opportunity, we miss out.  Will God still get the job done? Of course. But someone else will receive the blessing.  In Esther 4, Mordecai encouraged the young queen Esther to help rescue her people. He cautioned. “If you remain completely silent… deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (v14) Esther was naturally frightened to take this assignment. But God  used her courage and faith to deliver her people. Trust God to show you the way. Adventure ahead! – Cindy Hess Kasper.

PRAYER LINE: For Life’s adventure, Ahead kept clean by the high desire, A conscience purged by holy fire – McDermand.

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Courage is fear that has said its prayers (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 148                       SUNDAY MAY, 28.                          2017

THE POWER OF SOFT ANSWERS                               Prov 15:1-4

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (v1)

My car broke down in a tunnel during a rush hour in down town Boston. Angry drivers expressed their frustration as they struggled past me. Eventually, the car was towed to a station for repairs. Later it broke down again, stranding me along the Inter-State at 2 a.m. Back in the shop it went. Unfortunately,  the repair also doubled as a parking lot during Red Sox baseball games. When I arrived after work the next day to pick up my car, it was hemmed in by 30 other vehicles!  Let’s just say I was less than Christ-like in my initial reaction. I ranted and raved, and then, realizing it was only making them less willing to help me at the close of their day, I decided to give up. I stormed toward the glass door and struggled to get them open. My anger increased when the station workers laughed at me. I had barely made it out when I realized how unlike Christ I’d been. Chastened, I rapped on the locked doors and mouthed ‘I’m sorry to the staff inside. They  were stunned! They let me back in and I meekly told them that Christians shouldn’t behave as I had. Minutes later, they were shifting cars to free up mine, I learned the truth that soft rather than harsh words can change circumstances (Prov 15:1) – Randy Kilgore.

PRAYER LINE: O may I find in anger’s grip. The strength to temper tongue and lip; But failing that, may God grant me The courage for apology – Kilgore

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A soft answer has often been the means of breaking a hard heart  (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 149                       MONDAY MAY, 29.                        2017

ALWAYS                                                              1 Thess 4:13-18

We shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words (vv 17-18)

I love the words always and never. They hold so much hope! I would like to think that I could always be happy and that life would never fail me. But reality says that I won’t always be happy and that the things I hope would never happen just might. So, as good as these words sound, they struggle to live up to their potential – unless you are thinking about the promise of Jesus’ feared facing life on their own Jesus said, ‘I am with you always” (Matt 28:20) The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper, I will not fear.” (Heb 13:5-6). And the apostle Paul assures believers that after death, ‘We shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess 4:17) How encouraging! No matter how scary our journey may feel today or how hopeless our future may look, the assurance of His never failing presence can provoke us with the courage and comfort to make it through. And best of all, when this short life is over, we will always be with Him. No wonder Paul encourages us to “comfort one another with these words (v18) – Joe Stowell.

PRAYER LINE: Jesus said He’s always with us, He will never leave our side, someday we’ll be in His presence where forever  we’ll abide – Sper

Confidence in God’s presence is our comfort. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 150                       TUESDAY MAY, 30.                        2017

COMMANDED TO REJOICE                                         Phil 4:1-7

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jere 29:11)

There is a rejoicing that is common to all men, it is a feeling of joy that depends on situations and circumstances around us and it is temporal and short-lived: this joy is unsubstantial and evanescent. However, there is a delight that comes with God’s presence, it is endless, an everlasting joy that brings down the presence of God into the hearts of men. Apostle Peter had this to say about this kind of rejoicing in 1 Peter 1:8: “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” What makes rejoicing in the Lord so important that God had to repeatedly command us to rejoice?  It is the very first miracle that happens to  a person when he becomes born again. The wisdom of God commanded it repeatedly in the Bible, and emphasized it in Philippians at least for two major reason. First, being born again is a spiritual walk with God, the joy of the Lord is the token of our connectedness to God, losing the joy therefore, is another token of disconnection from God. Secondly, God knows that a genuine conversion to Christianity would cause a forceful separation and disconnection from worldly system of thought and action. Phil 4:4 says: “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say Rejoice.” Rejoicing is founded on and derived through the Word of God.

PRAYER LINE: Father, please fill my heart with Your heavenly joy, that is all I need from You today. (ODB)

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God’s glory shines through His creation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 151                       WEDNESDAY MAY, 31.                            2017

WHO IS IN CHARGE?                                                   Jas 5:7-20

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective’ (v16)

Why present our petitions to God when He already knows what we need? If He is love then surely He will give us the things we need without us having to pray for them? It is true that because God loves us He orders and plans events for our lives that work for good whether we pray about them or not. But it is also clear from God’s Word that His purposes are brought about by our prayers when our will is in line with His. Though it may stagger you, the truth is that God has given us the freedom to affect the course of events in His universe through our prayers. C. S. Lewis once compared history to a play in which the play – Wright  has fixed the scene and general outline but lift certain details for the actors and actresses to decide so that they can improvise. We live says Lewis, in an open universe. Just as God has made certain things contingent upon the human will – things that will not be accomplished unless that human will decides to bring them about – so He has made certain things contingent on prayer. God instructs us to petition Him. That alone should be sufficient reason for doing so. If it had been God’s pleasure that we wiggle our ears we would be obliged to do it whether we see good reason in it or not” – Kenneth Elzinga. Petitioning God places us in the position of being dependent on Him.

PRAYER LINE: Gracious Father, help me to remember that I was created dependent on You and expect me to come to You with my requests (EDWJ)

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Petitioning God reminds us who is in charge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 152                       THURSDAY JUNE, 1.                       2017

OBEDIENCE – A KEY                                                    Heb 5:1-14

“he offered  up prayers and petitions – to the one who could save him from death (v7)

Reasons why we present  our petitions to God.

(1)  God’s purposes are accomplished through our prayers (2) God has said to us to make our request  Known to Him. We respond with obedience and do simply because God has told us to. This is the paradox of the Christian life – we discover that when we at in obedience we demonstrate  and develop trust and in turn become the beneficiaries. As we take these steps and open our lives to God He communicates more of His presence to us. (3) It keeps us dependent on Him and helps us to realize who is in charge. (4) When we come to God with our petitions He gets our attention and this gives Him an opportunity to guide us by answering or not answering our requests. One person has said: God answers every request that is put to Him. He says “Yes.”  “No.” “Wait” or “I will give you something better.” I certainly have been guided through God answering or not answering my prayers. The following lines put the matter extremely succinctly: Dr. Robert H. Schuller”

If the request isn’t right He answers ‘No.”

If the timing isn’t right His answer is “Slow.”

If you aren’t ready yet His answer is “Grow.”

When everything’s ready and right – His answer is “Go.”

If our requests were answered in the way we wished we’d have every reason to doubt the wisdom of God.

PRAYER LINE: Father, thank You for wanting to share my life. Nothing is too trivial for You. Help me to be more open, more dependent – and more prayerful. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (EDWJ)

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Obedience to God brings the desired answer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 153                       FRIDAY JUNE, 2.                    2017

THE LAST THING WE DO                                   Phil 4:1-13

Do not be anxious… but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God (v6)

We all want to stand firm in our faith (v1) We all want to be joyful as we go about our duties (v4) We all want to have a mind that dwells on everything that is positive and beneficial (v8) We all want to apply God’s principles so that our hearts are filled with His perfect peace (v9) We all want contentment and satisfaction (vv10-12) Problems mount up, cares increase, worries escalate, irritation creeps in – and what do we do? Often the last thing we do is to pray and ask God to help us. An elderly Christian, when asked what advice he would like to pass on to the next generation, said: ‘Make prayer the first thing you try, not the last.” The wording of today’s text as found in the Amplified Bible helps to bring out its meaning: “Do not-have any anxiety about anything, but-by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants know to God. And God’s peace (shall be yours…)’ We might paraphrase Paul’s message in this way: “All those irritations and worries that bother you so much and the struggles that make you anxious or fearful will be dissipated and replaced with God’s perfect peace, plus all the other qualities you want, if you will simply talk to God about them. Through prayer, inner turmoil can be turned into perfect peace. It is not the last resort. It is the first necessity.

PRAYER LINE: Father, help me to understand why the first thing I should do when I am troubled – pray. Impress upon me that wishing things were better is no substitute for prayer. In Jesus’ name I pray Amen. (EDWJ)

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Prayer gives you access to His presence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 154                       SATURDAY JUNE, 3.                       2017

FIRST THINGS FIRST                                                    Matt 6:25-34

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (v33)

Not all personal petitions are alike. Some requests pour out of our hearts in times of emergency, for instance when a loved one is desperately  ill or a serious disease is diagnosed. The problem may not be related to health but possibly to finance – perhaps  the realization that there is not sufficient money for something essential. When crises arise there is no time to think of worship, adoration or thanksgiving, and I do not think that God wants us to work through a pattern of prayer in moments such as these. Any theory of prayer that requires a person to express worship, adoration, praise and thanksgiving in a ritualistic way before bringing their request to God in a moment of desperation is to be avoided. Everything in me cries out against it. And in you, too, I am sure.

There are other requests that do not come under the category of crisis prayers – requests for God’s help in connection with family matters, personal issues, work, one’s church and so on. Petitions are not always made for material things or benefits; they can be made for spiritual matters as well- for the gifts of the Spirit, for instance. Nothing can be more advantageous to the world and the church than for Christians to avail themselves of the gifts and graces that God has in His Store house in readiness for the time when we will ask for them.

PRAYER LINE: Father, forgive me that so often my prayers are for material things rather than for spiritual things. Help me to get my priorities right, in Jesus’ name I ask. Amen. (EDWJ)

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God is always available to hear the prayers of His children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 155                       SUNDAY JUNE, 4.                           2017

EXPERIENCING THE MIRACULOUS                            Jn 2:1-11

“Do whatever he tells you” (v5)

Do you need a miracle? Reveal the story of Jesus turning water into wine. Notice what Mary said to the attendants at the wedding reception: “Do whatever (Jesus) tells you.” Do it even though: (1) You’re not in the right place. They were at a wedding, not a church, when Jesus performed this miracle. Some of  our greatest blessings will be at “other places” if we’ll just be sensitive and obedient to God. (2) You’ve got a lot of problems. They’d run out of wine for their guests. How embarrassing. Too often our problems drive us away from Jesus instead of to Him. Miracles begin when we focus on God’s power instead of problems. (3) You’re not being encouraged. When Mary turned to Jesus for help He tested her faith saying. “Dear woman, why do you involve me … My time has not yet come.” (Jn 2:4NIV). Instead of being discouraged Mary laid hold of the possibility of a miracle, believed God and received one. (4) You haven’t walked with Christ very long. The attendants who obeyed Jesus had just met Him. And His disciples had just started following Him. Yet they were all expected to obey Him. So are you. (5) You haven’t yet seen Him work miracles in your life. This was Jesus’ first miracle. They had to obey Him without the faith that comes from previous track record. (6) You don’t understand the process. Why pour water into empty containers? Answer: give Jesus what you’ve got and He’ll give you back what you need. That’s how to experience the miraculous! (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: We magnify our Father God With soap of thoughtful praise; As grateful Children we confess How perfect are His ways – Ball

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Children of the king find their significance in Christ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 156                       MONDAY JUNE, 5.                          2017

“OLDER BROTHER” ATTITUDE                                    Lk 15:25-35

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in” (v28)

There were two prodigals! The younger brother was guilty of the sins of the spirit (attitude) When Jesus’ parable closes it’s the older brother, the second prodigal, standing outside the father’s house. When we focus only on our own interest we become like the older brother. We nurture attitudes of jealousy and selfishness. Christians who possess no greater cause than themselves, are usually not as happy or fulfilled as those who don’t know Christ yet have a purpose greater than themselves. The older brother attitude has 3 possible results (1) It’s possible to be a son yet refuse to act a brother. Outwardly the older brother was correct, but look at the resentful attitude. A wrong relationship with your brother and sister in Christ always results in a strained relationship with your Heavenly Father. (2) It’s possible to serve God faithfully yet not be in sync with His will. The elder brother had no idea why their father would rejoice over a disobedient son’s return. Self-centered,  judgmental people never “get it” (3) It’s possible to be an heir to all your father’s possesses yet have less joy and liberty than one who possesses nothing. The hired servants were happier than the older brother. They ate, laughed and celebrated while he stood outside demanding his rights. The older brother attitude robbed him of the blessings of his father, the love of his brother, and the joy of the servants (TWFT)

PRAYER  LINE: Father, please do not allow an older brother attitude block the flow of Your blessing, I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Untamed anger is poisonous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 157                       TUESDAY JUNE, 6.                          2017

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR CALLING? (1)                   Exo 31:1-11

I have filled him with…. Skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts (v3)

“I have chosen Bezalel…and..filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…More over, I have appointed Oholiah … to help him” (Exo 31:2-6 NIV)  And there are other examples where God’s call was  not “religious” in a formal sense, like Nehemiah the wall builder. Daniel the government man in Babylon, Luke the first century physician. So, your job could be your calling! When you demonstrate Christian character there, and use your income to fulfill God’s purpose on earth, you are called as any minister.

And your past doesn’t disqualify you. Paul wrote, “I was … a blasphemer… and a violent man” (1 Tim 1:13 NIV)

Happily, God doesn’t consult our past to determine our future. Furthermore, God will call you to a job that looks too big for you. So you’ll never forget where your strength and success come from. God speaks, He persistently nudges you. In Charious of fire,” Eric Liddell says, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.” All your human accolades and accomplishments will eventually leave you empty. Lasting pleasure the kind only God provides, comes from knowing you are doing what He’s told you to do. Your call can begin one place then take you to another, like Eric Liddel became a missionary. Whenever you know you’re doing what God has called you to do – you experience a lasting pleasure that simply can’t be found anywhere else. (TWFYT).

PRAYER  LINE: Gracious Lord, give me an ever-growing confidence in Your Word and let me have pleasure in doing Your plan and purpose in my life. Amen

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Now is the time to invest in eternity

 

 

 

 

DAY 158                       WEDNESDAY JUNE, 7.                    2017

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR CALLING? (2)                   Eph 2:8-10

We are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do (v10NIV)

When God calls  you to something, His call comes in several ways: (1) You feel “moved.” There’s a moment of certainty when God puts His hand upon you, nudging you toward a particular need, usually an unmet one. You know it in your “knower.” (2) Confirmed by others. People will discern God’s at work in your life. People who know you well, watch; they volunteer comments such as, “You’re at your best when you…” “You shine when you’re doing that” (3) You’ll be gifted to do it. There are times when a person starts off with seemingly no specific capacities at all, but this is rare. With a call comes giftedness-that special empowerment God gives to the “Callee.” When you’re in your calling you soar in spite of obstacles. And people tend to stand back in amazement. Ever see Joni Eareckson Tada speaking to an auditorium full of people in wheelchairs? The whole place comes alive when she rolls up to the microphone in her wheelchair (4) You’ll see results. You’ll change things, touch lives and glorify God. St Patrick had a dream in which the Irish people were saying, “We appeal to you, Holy Servant Boy, to come and walk among us.” And Patrick responded. He combed the Irish countryside preaching to chief, and kings. An entire nation began its journey toward Christianity. Now, you may not be called to that, but you’re called to do something for God. So, find your calling and fulfill it. (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Set us afire, Lord, stir us we pray! While the world perishes, we go our way; set us afire, Lord, stir us we pray! – Cushman

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Sharing the gospel is one person telling another is good news.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 159                       THURSDAY JUNE, 8.                       2017

KNOWING GOD INTIMATELY                           Phil 3:10

That I may know him (v10)

Luke gives us a fascinating description of a lady called Anna, who recognized the Christ-child when His parents first brought Him to the temple. “Anna the prophetess was also there…by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years and a widow for eight-four. She never left the Temple area, worshipping night and day… At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the (Christ) child to all” (Lk 2:36-37 TM) Anna never stopped searching for God! What a challenge to those whose spiritual life has never deepened with age. They slowly empty their tank of yesterday’s zeal, and now go through the motions of a faith that makes no sense and has no appeal on the streets of the real world. Oswald Chambers once made an entry in his journal that reads, “A great fear has been at work in my mind, and God has used it to arouse me to prayer. I came across a man I knew years ago, a mighty man of God. Now ten years have gone by and I met him again – garrulous and unenlivened. How many of us seem to become like that after forty years of age? Garrulous? It describes a person whose spirit is unexercised, undeepened,  and starved almost to the point of death. But it doesn’t have to be that way for you; the rest of your life can be the best of your life, if you dedicate it to one purpose – knowing God intimately (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: The Lord wants more than platitudes From those for whom He died; He longs for us to know His love, And in that love abide – D. De Haan

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Knowing about God may interest us, but knowing God will change us.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 160                       FRIDAY JUNE, 9.                    2017

JESUS THE SAVIOUR                                                   Jn 3:16-18

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS for he shall save his people from their  sins (Matt1:21)

The number-one treasure of the Church is Jesus Christ. Through Him, all things consist (Col 1:17) He is the Almighty who no one can make mightier, He is the richest one who can make richer. The earth and its fullness belong to Him. Every bit of what He says is always in our own best interest. Jesus teaches that there is nothing more valuable than the soul of a man (Matt 16:26) The salvation of your soul is worth more than all the treasures of this world. The devil is after this salvation because thieves only go after treasures. The devil would do anything within his power to inhabit our relationship with the Giver of salvation. Following Jesus will cost you a lot of things, just as it cost God the Father the price of Jesus His son to establish your salvation. Anyone who will follow Jesus the Saviour must be ready for a life of discipleship. This will be measured by the proof of your willingness to go the extra mile. You have to set a high bar of self-denial for yourself. If you want to follow Jesus, you must not allow anything to come between you and your loyalty to him. The greatest problem of man is nothing else but the issue of sin. This problem was what Jesus the savior came to solve. Every benefit we can derive from Jesus is tied to salvation. When you accept Jesus, you receive the power to become great (Jn 1:12) O.H

PRAYER LINE: Though oceans roar and mountains quake, And enemies deride, We do not have to be afraid- The Lord is by our side – Sper

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God’s help is only a prayer away!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 161                       SATURDAY JUNE, 10.                     2017

THE BENEFITS OF SALVATION (1)                             Isa 25:8-9

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you…(Jn 14:27)

Salvation is a package full of benefits cutting across the three spheres of human existence: the spirit, the soul and the body (1 Thess 5:23) When you experience salvation, the life force of God is released to you. You will begin to have a strong desire for holiness. Rather than condemnation, you will receive justification. Instead of punishment for sins committed, you will receive a credit of righteousness into your account. Through the miracle of salvation, the one who was a sinner yesterday becomes a saint today. With the assurance of full salvation, everywhere you go, goodness and mercy will follow you. If you abide in Christ, you will always flourish. It is time for believers to wake up. God does not want His children running from pillar to post. The mind of excellence is in you. You have the mind of the Son of God; therefore, enter into your inheritance. In every area of your life, there should be full evidence that God is in charge. The Abrahamic covenant has no limitations (Gen 13:14-15) We should be mobile signposts of signs and wonders. As a child of God, your salvation makes you a candidate for miracles. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is still very much alive. Be prepared to yield to what He says to you. He is willing to turn every hopeless and unpleasant situation in your life into a great testimony.

PRAYER LINE: Father, let me experience the full joy of salvation in every area of my life (O.H)

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We can expect God’s peace when we accept God’s grace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 162                       SUNDAY JUNE, 11.                         2017

THE BENEFITS OF SALVATION (2)                             Eze 36:24-30

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph 1:22-23)

As a child of God, it is part of your benefits to enjoy continuous spiritual victory over the kingdom of Satan. The devil is the last person that would like to see you saved. He is committed to anything that will pull you down from your new-found faith. You have to be aggressive in your response to him (1 Pet 5:8-9) Jesus with these words granted you authority as a believer in Lk 10:19 “Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” It is the authority that you use that will make demons to bow. You use the authority in Jesus to put challenging events and circumstances where they belong. It is the authority backing a policeman that makes him simply raise his hands to stop oncoming vehicles. As long as he is in that uniform, he will command obedience. If you are born-again, authority has been given to you. You are to make use of this authority to preach good tidings to the meek. You are to bind up the broken-hearted. You are to decree liberty to those who are captives and the opening of prisons to those that are bound. Your authority is to be used for commanding the devil and his activities out of your jurisdiction.

PRAYER LINE: Everything dead in my business is coming back to life, and the supreme power of God is swallowing up all the power of the enemy in my life. By the authority given to me by Jesus, I destroy everything limiting God’s benefits in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen (O. H)

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God can turn any difficulty into an opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 163                       MONDAY JUNE, 12.                       2017

THE PARTY IS IN PROGRESS (1)                                          Lk 15:11-15

Celebration is in order. Any time a man comes into his own, there needs to be  a celebration. There is a time to sow, and a time to water; there also is a time to wait, but now is the time to celebrate. God has called us out from under our childish shadows and into the brilliant sunlight of manhood.

Past mistakes and pitiful failures have no place in the light of our divine summons. The King is calling His sons. It is time for us to “come to ourselves,” repent, and return to our rightful place with our heavenly Father. Like the prodigal son who returned home to his father, we too must hurry home to receive robes, our rings, and our manhood. “And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me… And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country…” Lk 15:11-15.

This young man broke allegiance with his father and joined himself” to a citizen from a far country. God has purposes in our lives, but “far out friends” are dangerous most of the time they will have us doing the very things we hate and despise the most. Jesus told this story of the prodigal son to a Jewish audience that had been raised to carefully observe the dietary laws in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Swine were absolutely unclean and were not to be touched for any reason. So in the eyes of a devout Jew, being forced to live in a pigpen was a fate worse than death. (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Father, forgive my sins as I come back to Your family, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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Christ’s resurrection restores back to the Father a cause for celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 164                       TUESDAY JUNE, 13.                        2017

THE PARTY IS IN PROGRESS (2)                                          Lk 15:16-17

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him (v16)

Have you ever been manipulated into being something that ‘wasn’t you”? Have you ever found yourself in a relationship that made you feel ashamed, used, or outcast? Have you ever betrayed or belittle someone else – even while you felt his pain? All of us have spent a little time at the hogpen in one way or another. It is time to celebrate, but you may be tangled up by the crippling memories of your failures and excesses. Have you shared parts of your life with someone you shouldn’t have? Have you intimate thoughts or action with someone with whom you have no covenant? Women are always concerned about men being seduced into having affairs, but affairs don’t start in the flesh – they start in the mind. Like a brushfire in a windstorm, thoughts gradually engulf the passions and alter the judgments of their victims.

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many  hired servants of my father’s have breed enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger I … And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said to him, father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight…” (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Love divine, great and wondrous

Deep and mighty, pure, subline!

Coming from the heart of Jesus – Just the same through tests of time – Blom

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Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross of Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 165                       WEDNESDAY JUNE, 14.                           2017

THE PARTY IS IN PROGRESS (3)                                 Lk 15: 20-24

But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet (v22)

Influence is a powerful thing. Be careful whom you allow to influence you. The prodigal son was influenced by a citizen of a far country. We are told in Ps 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walked not in the counsel of the ungodly.” If you want to be blessed, be careful whom you allow to influence you. Many men allow themselves to be manipulated by godless men or by men of God operating with ungodly motives.

One of the greatest liberties you can have is the freedom of choice. You choose. God doesn’t even save you against your will. The Almighty God of the universe spoke through Joshua, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Wrong influences can dilute or pollute what God is doing in your life. You are not immune, you are human. Samson was destroyed because he allowed Delilah to influence him. At first he resisted, but gradually this ungodly woman polluted his wisdom. She seduced him by playing up to his secret, unaddressed weaknesses until, against his better judgment, he shared more with her than he should have. Immediately his doom was sealed. The last thing this man of God saw with his mortal eyes was the sight of the woman he loved receiving money from his tormentors for his betrayal (Judges 16:16-21) (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: God, guide our steps toward and not away from those who need You. Then guide our words and our actions so that we can be purposeful in our encounters with others.

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God’s good news is too good to keep to ourselves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 166                       THURDSDAY JUNE, 15.                            2017

WHEN THE YOKE ISN’T EASY                                               2 Sam 3::13-14

…Except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter (v13)

There are times when men find themselves struggling to maintain a dying relationship, one in which the flame of intensity has gone out and the thrill has left. The naked truth is that it becomes difficult to rekindle the old flame if you are at the point where you would rather “hunt in the yard than in the house.”

Like many men, you may become easily discouraged when you sense rejection or apathy in your mate. You may recent having to creatively and aggressively pursue your wife’s affections. The hunter and conqueror in you likely jumps at the chance to explore any aspiration you haven’t yet conquered. However, your enthusiasm probably dissipates when attention and effort are required to maintain something you feel you have already captured or achieved.

You may want to believe that once you have ignited the flame of your wife’s love, you can sit by that fire for years to come – but that just isn’t true. The cold winds of life often asphyxiate the flame that once danced in her eyes, leaving behind only smoldering embers that scarcely resemble the exciting relationship you once shared. God knows your nature. He wants you to continually woo and win your wife’s heart, just as He continually woos His bride. It is the continual chase for the prize that fans the flames of marital love. (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE:  When the yoke Isn’t easy – Sing praise to God who reigns above, The God of all creation, The God of power, the God of love, The God of our salvation –Schutz

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When God is in a marriage, there is a vertical relationship that binds the union together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 167                       FRIDAY JUNE, 16.                           2017

GET TO THE HEART                                                      2 Sam 6:20-23

“And Michal the daughter of Saul came to meet David… who uncovered himself…(v 20)

Beneath the angry placing of blame and the desperate press of tearful excuses, the underlying issue is simple. It defies intellectual treatment because it is a matter of the heart. David had changed but his driving motivation was still the same as it was the day he faced Goliath. He loved God and wanted to honour Him. Michal (His wife and Saul’s daughter) had changed also, but her change involved the deepest motivations and drives of her heart. Both spouses had been hurt, but while David chose to defy the circumstances and get better, Michal had yielded to circumstances and gotten bitter. The same woman who had saved David in his distress mocked him in his triumph.

The issue is this: “I played my music and you missed your cue.” The unspoken epilogue is, “What happened to you?” The tragedy comes to our marriages when we fail to discuss our discouragement rather than argue about guilt. Most of the time, we come to this point with so much emotionally charged baggage and heartache that we launch into heated argumentation, not discussion and meditation. There is a difference between discussion and argument. A discussion airs the issues, but an argument alleges charges and appoints blame. A visionary has to be able to communicate but most of the time, men are the most non communicative species on this planet. (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, teach us the secret of loving, The love You are asking today; Then help us to love one another; For this we most earnestly pray – Anon.

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“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ – Gal 6:2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 168                       SATURDAY JUNE, 17.                     2017

MARITAL MISSIONARIES (1)                                     Eph 5:22-33

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (v 31)

Fear spawns defense mechanisms, and most of our defense mechanisms are more dangerous and bizarre than the insecurities we avoid. The  greatest problems arise in our marriages when we decide to become “marital missionaries.”  A marital missionary is a man who think he is called to change his wife rather than to understand her. The secretly  insecure man thinks of himself as some great missionary with a message, while he views his wife as a simple-minded native in need of nurture and direction. We are so convinced that “our way is right” we fail to realize that in the marriage relationship between two individual adults, there is often neither a right way nor a wrong way just differing perspectives. Have you ever thought about the consequence of your confidence in “your way”? What kind of mess would you have on your hands if you actually succeeded in “evangelizing” and converting your wife to your way of doing things! Believe me, whatever you do, stay out of the missionary position. God doesn’t like it when you start changing His creations around.

In short, the unique female you married was never meant or designed to be a “product” that you could arrogantly “change into your image.” There is only one image worthy for all of us to conform to, and that is the image of Christ Jesus (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Help me Lord, to live my life Free from selfishness and strife So that others clearly see Changes You have made in me – Sper

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If we take a stand for Christ, we’re not likely to fall for the devil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 169                       SUNDAY JUNE, 18.                         2017

MARITAL MISSIONARIES (2)   (FATHER’S DAY)                Eph 5:22-33

This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church (v32)

Sometimes we wrestle with failure because we have a distorted definition of “success,” Anytime you enter into life with a partner whom you feel you need to personally change and alter to conform to your own “superior” standards, you are guaranteed to experience failure and frustration (and you probably deserve it). Your wife is virtually guaranteed to become a frustrated woman because even if she makes the changes you request, you are almost certain to change your requirements with the passage of time.

Is it any wonder our spouses feel resentful? We have trapped them in a “no win” situation. It is hard to be intimate with someone who makes you feel like you should be wearing a grass skirt and a bone in your nose. The citizens of every nation on earth deeply resent any foreign missionary who is foolish enough to disregard or disdain the local culture and ethnicity. Yet we blindly persist in our efforts to “reform and remake” our wives into our own image, even though we know they will resent it. Sometimes we try to rearrange others as a way of hiding out own deep discontentment. The spirit of blame takes over, and we begin to say and believe, “You are the reason I am not happy” Some men are miserable because they are not finding fulfillment in their relationships. (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Prayer brings us peace and gives us power To walk the Christian way; Prayer links us with the living God – Therefore we need to pray – Anon.

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Daily prayers are the best the remedy for daily cares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 170                       MONDAY JUNE, 19.                       2017

WONDERFULLY MADE                                                Ps 139:13-18

Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. (v14)

While getting an eye exam recently, my doctor hauled out a piece of equipment that I hadn’t seen before. I asked him what the device was, and he responded, ‘I’m using it to take a picture of the inside of the back of your eye.” I was impressed that someone had invented a camera that could do that. But I was even more impressed by what the doctor could learn from the picture. He said, “We can gather a lot of details about your current general health simply by looking at the back of your eye. My doctor’s comment amazed me. It is remarkable that a person’s over-all health can be measured by the health of the eye. What care the Lord has taken to place these details in the bodies He has created! It immediately brings to my mind the words of David, psalmist, who revealed in God’s creativity: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Ps 139:14) The enormous complexities of our bodies reflect the genius and wisdom of our great Creator. The wonder of His design is more than breathtaking – it gives us countless reasons to worship Him – Bill Crowder

PRAYER LINE: Lord, we are in awe of You! Thank You that You created us with such complexity and care and that You know us with each intimacy. We love You and Trust You with our lives.

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All life is created by God and bears His autograph. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 171                       TUESDAY JUNE, 20.                        2017

ONE BY ONE                                                       Acts 8:26-35

Philip… preached Jesus to him (v35)

Edward Payson was a famous preacher in a bygone era. One stormy Sunday, he had only one person in his audience. Some months later, his lone attendee called on him: “I was led to the Saviour through that service,” he said. “For whenever you talked about sin and salvation, I glanced around to see to whom you referred, but since there was no one there but me, I had no alternative but to lay every word to my own heart and conscience!”

God saves us one by one. If you have access to one, that is your mission field. “Every soul with Christ is a missionary; every soul without Christ is a mission field,” the slogan goes. One person cannot reach the entire world, but we can love our neighbour. “Who is my neighbour?” we ask. The next person we meet along the way. The Spirit brought Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the Scriptures and needed someone to explain them to him (Acts 8:26-35). The Spirit gave Philip the right words to say, and the eunuch confessed his faith in Christ (v.37).

Ask God to bring you to the one He has prepared. He’ll get you to the right place at the right time to speak to that individual. He will speak through your lips, work through your hands, and fulfill in you the great purpose of His will. – David Roper

PRAYER LINE: Father, we’ve been called to witness –

Called to speak of Your dear Son;

Holy Spirit, great discernment;

Lead us to some seeking one. – D. De Haan

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You are a success in God’s kingdom if you are faithful where He has placed you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 172                       WEDNESDAY JUNE, 21.                           2017

THE SILENT PEN                                                           Jas 3:1-12

The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (v18)

Former U.S. President Harry Truman, had a rule. Any letters written in anger had to sit on his desk 24 hours before they could be mailed. If at the end of that “cooling off” period, he still felt the same sentiments, he would send the letter. By the end of his life, Truman’s unmailed letters filled a large desk drawer.

How often in this age of immediate communication would even 24 minutes of wise restraint spare us embarrassment! In his epistle, James addressed a universal theme in human history when he wrote about the damage an uncontrolled tongue can bring “No man can tame the tongue,” he wrote. “It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (3:8)

When we’re gossiping or speaking in anger, we find ourselves outside the lines of what God desires. Our tongues, our pens and even our keyboards, should more often fall silent with thanks in our hearts for the restraint God provides. All too often, when we speak we remind everyone of our brokenness as human beings. When we want to surprise others with the difference Christ makes, we may need to look no further than restraining our tongue. Others can’t help but notice when we honour God with what we say – or don’t say – Randy Kilgore

PRAYER LINE: Help me, Lord, to use my words not to tear down others or build up my own reputation, but to seek the good of others first and in so doing to serve You and Your kingdom

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Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles, – Prov 21:23(ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 173                       THURSDAY JUNE, 22.                     2017

TRANSFORMED BY THE NEW CREATION                           Lk 8:1-3

And such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified… (1 Cor 6:11)

When a person who was demon-possessed suddenly becomes a vessel unto honour, what wonder can be greater than this? Such a person remains a wonder throughout his or her lifetime. This was the testimony of Mary Magdalene (Lk 8:2). It is wonderful for a demonic to become a financial backer of God’s kingdom Another example of a transformed life that became a wonder is the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well (Jn 4:28-30) From being a promiscuous person, she became a lady evangelist. The Bible in Jn 4:39 says this about her impact: “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.” Apostle Paul in 1 Co 6:11, after listing the evil characteristics of the old creation, testified to the transforming wonder of the new creation experience in some member of the church at Corinth. One of the most profound wonders you will find anywhere in the world is the wonder of a transformed life.

Have you experience this wonder? If not, today is the day of salvation for you. The Bible in 2 Cor 6:2 says “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation)” Let today be the day you experience the transforming wonder of the new creation, and all things, including your worn-out hope, will be renewed.

(O. H)

PRAYER LINE: Father, let me experience the transforming wonders of the new creation, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Christ the Living Bread satisfies our spiritual hunger through the Living Word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 174                       FRIDAY JUNE, 23.                           2017

POWER IN THE SPOKEN WORD                       Matt 8:8-13

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof…(v8)

There is power in the spoken Word of God, and this power produces unspeakable wonders. In fact, the entire universe was formed by the spoken Word of God (2 Pet 3:5): The Bible in 2 Chro 20:20 says “Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established, believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” How do you identify a word as being genuinely spoken by God through His servants? The written word, which is the Bible, authenticates and must align with the spoken word (Jn 16:13, Gal 1:8). After you have ascertained that the source of a spoken word is clean, and that the word is directly from God, it is your responsibility to believe it. Only then will you receive the miracle you so much desire from God as it is written in Ps 107:20: “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” Without controversy, there is power in the word of God as spoken by His genuine ministers. However, this power can have a positive or negative effect. The spoken word of God which came to the widow of Zarephath through through Elijah in 1 kgs 17:14 says “For thus saith the LORD … the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.” The spoken word, working positively in 1kgs 17:16. The spoken word, working negatively, Elijah in the shameful death of the wicked king Ahab in 1 kgs 21:19; 1 kgs 22:38.

PRAYER LINE: Father, grant me the grace to love my life in such a way that it will attract the positive wonders of Your spoken Word. (O.H)

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If we hold on to God’s truth, we won’t be trapped by Satan’s lies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 175                       SATURDAY JUNE, 24.                     2017

WHAT’S IN A NAME?                                                  Lk 1:30-35

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Lk 24:47)

God attaches great significance to names. It is unfortunate that many people don’t pay attention to the importance of the names they bear or names they give to their children. Africans, like Jews, consider the meaning of a name before they give it to their children or to someone else. The Name that the Almighty God chose to give to His only begotten Son is very significant. It is a wonder-working Name. in Matt 1:21, we are told the reason why the miracle child Mary would give birth to should bear the Name Jesus “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Salvation from sin is the wonder in the history of mankind because the Bible expressly declares sin as a plague affecting all men. Rom 3:23 says that: “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The Name Jesus therefore proclaims to the world thus “Behold the Man who came to achieve the greater wonder the world needs.” Evidence abounds as to how on the merit of this Name, souls have received and are receiving the forgiveness of sin, Not only that, the positive transformation that occurs in those who believe in this Name is indisputable proof of the wonders the Name of Jesus performs from generation to generation. (O.H)

PRAYER LINE: Sing this song. That wonderful Name, Jesus (3 times) there is no other name I know

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Eternity is in the moment, siege it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 176                       SUNDAY JUNE, 25.                         2017

A MAN’S BEST FRIEND                                               Jn 11:11-16

These things said he; and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep” (v11)

Lazarus was beyond sleep; he was dead! Jesus called him “friend” anyway. Some people only call you “friend” as long as they can use you or benefit from your presence. Jesus considered Lazarus His friend even though he seemed to be at a point of no return. Their relationship was stronger than the predicament that threatened to divide them. Our Savour keeps His commitment to men who have been discarded and buried by others. He has always befriended  the sick, the decomposing, and rotten. Jesus is the Friend of sinners. He comes when others have walked away, and His brilliance shines brightest when life seems darkest. He shouts a grave-shaking word of deliverance into the dismal, dark crypts of our lives. He is a God of relationships, and His creation can never escape its need for intimacy with its Creator. It is God Whom we must have. Nothing less will do. “Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God (Lk 3:38). God’s divine fingerprints are etched into every fiber of our beings, as they were with Adam. God knows us in ways more intimate than sex and more probing than surgery. Nothing is hidden from His view. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor 3:18) (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Lord Jesus, please make me Your best friend. Glory be to Your Name. Amen.

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You are one of a kind – designed to glorify God as only you can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 177                       MONDAY JUNE, 26.                       2017

ASKING AMISS                                                             Jas 4:1-10

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives” (v3)

One of the greatest problems in connection with petitioning prayer (crisis times apart) is that we can allow it to absorb all our moments of devotion. To me it is significant that those who have reached a stage of maturity in prayer say that the closer they get to God the less they are taken up with petitions. That is worth thinking about. Take care that your prayer time is not overloaded with petitions.

Another danger is that we make requests just for ourselves and forget the needs of others. It is quite astonishing  how selfishness can rule our hearts even when we are on our knees. There are many Christians who use their moments of petition to plead for things that will not necessarily benefit them – more money, more influence, more popularity more success. Surely it cannot be right to be filled with concern for our own needs and desires when there are those with much greater needs. God delights to bless us with material things, but He loves to give them to those who seek first His kingdom (Matt 6:33). And even then He gives according to our need than according to our wishes. The writer George MacDonald said, “There is a communion with God that asks for nothing, yet asks for everything – he who seeks the Father… is likely to have what he asks, for he is not likely to ask amiss. When we pray in His name, we receive what He knows it is right for us to receive.

PRAYER LINE: Lord Jesus, help me be clear that praying in Your name is not attaching Your name to what I want but seeking to discover what is right. Amen. (EDWJ)

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The secret of peace is to give every anxious care to God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 178                       TUESDAY JUNE, 27.                        2017

ASKING IN CHRIST’S NAME                                        Jn 14:1-14

“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (v14)

C.S Lewis once made this statement concerning prayer, “prayer is request. The essence of request, as distinct from compulsion is that it may or may not be granted whenever we bring our petitions to God we ought to ask ourselves: can I ask this in Jesus’ name? We need to be crystal clear on this: it does not mean we simply end our prayers with the words “In Jesus’ name,” because those words can be attached to the most selfish of prayers. Rather, praying in Jesus’ name means praying in harmony with His will. Can we be sure that what we pray for is what He wants? Are we certain that we can ask in the Saviour’s name for the course of action we want to take? Surely honesty compels us to admit that sometimes we pray for things that we are not certain God wants us to have. At such times it is wise to admit that uncertainty and say, as Jesus did ‘yet not my will but yours be done.’ (Lk 22:42) On the other hand, there are a multitude of things we know without any doubt that He wants to give us: health of soul, the mind of Christ, love, peace, joy and so on. It is God’s will to bless you – so receive that blessing. Remember, that God is more eager to give than you are to receive.

PRAYER LINE: Gracious Father, help me from now on when I pray to seek to discover if my requests are in harmony with your will rather than pushing for what I want. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen.(EDWJ)

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Whatever you ask in His Name, is settled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 179                       WEDNESDAY JUNE, 28.                           2017

STOP TALKING AND LISTEN                                                 Ps 85:1-13

“I will listen to what God the LORD will say” (v8)

Another element that ought to be present in our prayer time is listening to God. Many believers fill every moment of their devotions by talking, never stopping to hear what God might want to say to them. Their prayer times are sadly one –sided. Some Christians find it difficult to believe the great God of the universe is willing to speak to them and convey His thoughts to their minds. But over and over again Scripture emphasizes that although God is great enough to manage a vast universe He also takes a Father’s personal care of His children. The very hairs of our head are numbered, we are told (Matt 10:3), and that thought alone should lead us to conclude that every part of our lives is of the utmost concern to Him. John Scott says: “Unlike heathen idols which being dead are dumb, the living God has spoken and continues to speak – and since God speaks we must listen.’ God, of course, is able to do anything, but speaking audibly to men and women as He did to Samuel, Abraham or Saul of Tarsus is, I think, the exception rather than the rule. The main way God speaks to us is through Scripture. This is why reading the Bible should be an integral parts of our devotional times. Read a portion slowly, preferably out loud. Let it soak in, focus on it in meditation. Begin to listen. Ask; ‘Father, have You anything to say to me?

PRAYER LINE: Father, I recognize that I need help in this area of prayer also. Teach me to listen. Give me a relaxed heart and mind so that I don’t have to cover my anxiety with words. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.(EDWJ)

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Reassurance comes as we doubt our doubts and believe our beliefs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 180                       THURSDAY JUNE, 29.                     2017

HE STILL SPEAKS                                                          Heb. 4:12-16

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword” (v12)

One of the special ministries of the Holy Spirit is, as today’s text tells us, to make God’s written Word “living and active’ and ‘sharper than any double-edge sword” In an amazing way God is able to ‘quicken’ a verse or passage of Scripture to us so that, though the Scripture is a written text, it also becomes a living message. He has not simply spoken once through His Word, the Bible, but speaks through it still. If we do not hear God speaking to us  when we read His Word it is not because God is  dead or silent but because we have not learned to listen. To quote John Scott again: ‘If we are cut off during a telephone conversation we do not jump to the conclusion that the person on the other end has died. No, it is the line which was gone dead! We need to adopt the attitude if Samuel, who said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening’ (1 Sam 3:10), rather than ‘Listen, Lord, Your servant is speaking.’ George Muller of Bristol, the man who established a great ministry among orphaned children in that city told how beginning his prayer time by reading a portion of Scripture transformed his devotional life. Some like to begin and end by reading the Bible. This is the way I conduct my own prayer times. I find that after prayer my mind is more alert and ready to listen so that if I have missed anything of what God wanted to say to me at the beginning of my prayer time I am likely to hear it at the end.

PRAYER LINE: Father, whenever I read Your Word help me to see if I am reading without listening. Honesty compels me to admit that often it is so. Help me to be not just a reader of the Word but a listener also. In Jesus’ name Amen. (EDWJ)

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Read the Bible, meditate, pray listen, it is well.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 181                       FRIDAY JUNE, 30.                           2017

YOU NEED THE DIVINE TOUCH                                  Matt 9:20-22

For she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. (v21)

The entrance of sin into this world destroyed so many things about humanity. It provoked God to pronounce a curse on the ground and banish mankind to a life of sorrow and pain in Gen 3:16-17: “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;” the unifying theme of God’s pronouncements on Adam and Eve was sorrow. From that moment onwards, sorrow has been a heritage of humanity. But praise God, because whatever the Almighty God touches is bound to be good, irrespective of the initial condition. This is why every man born of a woman needs the divine touch of God. Only the regeneration of a man’s spirit through God’s divine touch can put an end to his heritage of sorrow. In today’s Bible reading, we see a woman in whom the heritage of sorrow manifested as an issue of blood for twelve years. In Lk 8:43, the Bible says she had spent all she had in seeking healing from physicians to no avail. Only a divine touch could put an end to her years of agony and sorrow. One day, she came across the Great physician, Jesus Christ. Her faith was so strong; she believed in her heart that all she needed was the divine touch. This  singular act of faith was commended by Jesus Himself. May the Lord touch you today as you yield to Him in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER LINE: Father, please touch me with Your mighty power of deliverance today in Jesus’ Name. (O.H)

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The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change hearts.

 

 

 

 

DAY 182                       SATURDAY JULY, 1.                        2017

CARING FOR THE NEEDY                                   Matt 25:34-40

For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.  (Deut 15:11)

Proverbs 22:9  says: “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor”

One of the quickest ways to be blessed by God is to care for the poor. The Almighty God said that the poor shall never cease out of the land, and it is His prerogative to take care of such poor people. Whoever acts on God’s behalf by caring for the needy and the poor will be bountifully blessed by Him. This is one of the secrets of divine blessing. God has commanded those who are blessed with resources to give to those who do not have.

Apart from blessings in this world for those who cater for the poor, our Lord Jesus Christ goes further to assure them of eternal blessings. He said that such people will be adequately rewarded in the kingdom of God.

Matt 23:34-35 says:- “Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty; and ye game me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:”

PRAYER LINE: Father, grant me the grace and the provision I need to care for the needy, in Jesus’ Name. (O. H)

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God’s blessings avail for those who care for the needy and the poor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 183                       SUNDAY JULY, 2.                            2017

THE BEST SEASON YET                                      Eph 5:15-21

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.   (vv15-16)

Life is a lot like the weather… it’s seasonal. It has a way of pushing us into the next season whether we like it or not. And when pushed into the next season we are often uncertain and even fearful of what it might hold for us. This is especially true of later seasons of life, when we are haunted by thoughts such as: Will I be left all alone? Will my health hold up? Will my money last? Will my mind stay fresh? As with every season of life, we have to make a choice to waste the season in fearful thoughts or, as Paul says, make “the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:16 ESV) Regardless of your season, you can count on God’s faithfulness. He says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say” “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear” (Heb 13:5-6) Because you have God’s presence and provision, you can make the most of your time in every season by following Jesus closely, spending time in His Word and prayer, loving and forgiving joy and generosity.

God has blessed us with our present season – make the most of it – Joe Stowell

PRAYER LINE: Lord, give me the grace to accept life right where it has put me; and help me to overcome the fear that would waste my days, Give me the wisdom and desire to make every day count for You

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Life matters – make the most of it (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 184                       MONDAY JULY, 3.                          2017

CALLING YOU                                                     1 Sam 3:1-10

And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.  (v6)

A couple of co-workers and I had just gone through airport security and were walking to our gate when I heard my name: “Paging Anne Cetas. Paging Anne Cetas.” It’s not a common name, so we knew it had to be mine. I assumed I had absent – mindedly left something at the check –in point. I checked with an airline agent, who told me to pick up a red phone, give my name, and ask why I was being paged. I searched for a phone and called, but the operator said, ‘No, we didn’t page you. “ I said, “It was definitely my name.” He replied twice, “No, we did not page you.” I never did find out why I had been called that day.

A young boy named Samuel heard his name being “paged,” long age (1 Sam 3:4), so the temple priest Eli had to help him understand who was calling him (vv 8-9).  God then revealed His plan for Samuel’s life. The Lord has a plan for us as well, and He calls to our hearts: “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). That’s His call to us to receive the gift of His salvation, rest, and peace. The Saviour is calling us to come to Him – Anne Cetas. (Will you answer the call. Do so today and you will never regret)

PRAYER LINE: Jesus calls me. – I must follow, Follow Him today.

When His tender voice is pleading, How can I delay? – Brown.

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Christ calls the restless ones to find their rest in Him. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 185                       TUESDAY JULY, 4.                           2017

TERRIFYING MOMENTS                                    Ps 23

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me – (v4)

When our first child was born, my wife, Marlene, was in labour for more than 30 hours, creating tremendous stress for both her and the baby. The doctor a fill-in for her regular physician, was unfamiliar with her and her pregnancy. As a result, he waited too long  to make the decision to perform an emergency Caesarean section, and the resulting trauma put our infant son in the neo-natal intensive care unit. There was nothing they could do to help baby to overcome his trauma – induced condition. By God’s grace, Matt recovered but I cannot remember any moment I stood by his crib on intensive care. Yet  I knew the Lord was near as I talked with Him through prayer.

In the terrifying moments of life (and all the other moments as well) nothing can bring comfort to the hurting heart like the reality of God’s presence and care. The psalmist David wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.’ (Ps 23:4) When fear is overwhelming, the Lord is there. His comforting presence will carry us through our deepest trials – Bill Crowder.

PRAYER LINE: When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll- Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” – Spafford

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Peace is the presence of God (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 186                       WEDNESDAY JULY, 5.                    2017

OVERCOMING BAD NEWS                                Ps 4

LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance up us. Ps 4:6

There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” (Ps 4:6) These words of David seem to describe the pessimistic outlook we so easily develop in our world today. The front page of news papers and the top stories on the Internet or television seem to focus on crime, accidents, politics, the economy, and prominent people behaving badly. Our conversation at work and home begin to discourage anyone.

Where can we turn for better news? In the midst of his troubles. David turned to the Lord, who relieve his distress (v1) and heard his prayer (v3), Instead of hoping for temporary good from altered circumstances, he found unceasing encouragement in God. “LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us” (v6) The result was a gladness of heart that surpassed any earthly prosperity or success (v7)

Throughout David’s life, before and after he became king of Israel, he was never without opposition. But at the end of the day, he could say, “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep: for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety”(v.8)

Pondering the fruits in Psalm 4 about God’s care for us is a good way to begin and end everyday – David McCasland.

PRAYER LINE:

In His care confiding

I will sweetly sleep,

For the Lord my Saviour

Will in safety keep – Psatter

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Christ calls the restless ones to find their rest in Him. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 187                       THURSDAY JULY, 6.                        2017

FANTASTIC OFFERS                                                     Pet 1:3-9

(God’s) abundant mercy has begotten us again for a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus (v3)

I am amazed at the unbelievable offers that flood my email box every day. Recently, I added up the offers of free money that came to me in a week, and my ‘take’ totaled $26Million. But each of those offers was a fraud. Every one – from a $1Million prize to a $7Million offer – was nothing but a lie sent by unscrupulous people to squeeze money from me. We’re all vulnerable to fantastic offers – to scams that in reality pay off with nothing but trouble. We are offered false hope that ends in dashed dreams.

There is one offer, however, that is genuine, though fantastic beyond belief. It’s the offer God makes to us – salvation through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”  (Acts 16:31), It is an offer that cost Him greatly – and we get the benefits. The book of Roman tells us, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Acts 4:25 NIV)

By saying yes to salvation, we can have hope (Titus 1:2) peace (Rom 5:1) forgiveness (Eph 1:7) incomparable riches (2:7) and redemption (4:30) This is the real deal Jesus’ death and resurrection guarantees it – Dave Branon.

PRAYER LINE: Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldest die for me? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God, shouldest  die for me? Wesley.

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Our salvation was infinitely costly to God, but it is absolutely free to us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 188                       FRIDAY JULY, 7.                    2017

ALL THAT IS PRECIOUS                                      1 Pet 2:1-10

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious (v4)

Throughout my life, I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff. I have boxes of things that at one time were important but over time have lost their intrigue realized that the thrill is in searching for and acquiring a new piece to add to the collection. Then my attention turns toward the hunt for the next item.

While we pile up many things that are important to us, very little of it is really precious. In fact, over time  I have learned that  the most precious things in life are not material items at all. Rather, it’s the people who have loved me and built into my life who are precious. When I find my heart saying, “I don’t know what I’d do without them.” I know that they are indeed precious to me.

So when Peter refers to Jesus as “a Chief Cornerstone, elect, precious” (1 Pet 2:6), it should resonate in our hearts that He is truly precious – our prized possession above everything and everyone else. Where would we be today without the constant unfailing companionship of His faithful presence, wise and perfect guidance, merciful patience, comfort, and transforming reproof? What would we do without Him? I can’t even imagine! – Joe Stowell.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, help us not to focus on fleeting treasures but on You, our most precious treasure. Teach us the joy of reveling in You and Your loving presence and provision in our lives.

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Of all that is precious Jesus tops the list. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 189                       SATURDAY JULY,8.                         2017

THE BIG COME BACK                                                   1 Jn 1

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (v9)

Chard Pennington is a former American football player who has suffered multiple career threatening injuries twice, his injuries forced him to endure surgery, months of physical therapy, and weeks of training to get back into the field. Yet, both times he not only returned to playing but he also excelled at such a high level that he was named Comeback Player of the Year in the National Football League. For Pennington, his efforts were an expression of his determination to return to football. Spiritually, when sin and failure break our relationship with God and sideline our service, determination alone is not what restores us to rightness with God and usefulness in His kingdom. When we are sidelined because of sin, the path to a comeback is confession as well. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9) For us to be able to recover from our spiritual failure, we are absolutely dependent on the One who gave Himself for us. And that gives us hope. Christ, who died for us, loves us with an everlasting love and will respond with grace as we confess our faults to Him. Through confession, we can find His gracious restoration – the greatest of all comebacks – Bill Crowder

PRAYER LINE: Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou biddlst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come – Elliott

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Confession is the path that leads to restoration. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 190                       SUNDAY JULY,9.                             2017

DETERMINIATION                                              Ruth 1:6,11-18; Lk 9:51-53

Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God – (Ruth 1:16)

During  a television news report on the plight of refugees  displaced from a war-torn country, I was struck by the words of a 10-year-old girl. Despite there being little possibility of returning to their home, she showed a resilient spirit: “When we go back I’m going to visit my neighbours; I’m going to play with my friends,’ she said with quite determination. “My father says we are going to fix it.” There is a place for tenants in life, especially when it is roofed in our faith in God and love for others. The book of Ruth begins with three women bound together by tragedy. After Naomi’s husband and two sons died, she decided to return to her home in Bethlehem and urged her widowed daughters –in-law  to stay in their country of Moab. Orphan remained but Ruth vowed to go with Naomi saying, “Your people shall be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16) When Naomi saw that Ruth “was determined to go with her” (c18) they began their journey together. Stubbornness  is sometimes rooted in pride, but commitment grows from love. When Jesus went to the cross, “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51) From His determination to die for us we find the resolve to live for Him. – David McCasland.

PRAYER LINE: My life, my love, I give to thee, Thou Lamb of God who died for me, Oh, may I ever faithful be, my Saviour and my God – Hudson

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Love calls for commitment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 191                       MONDAY JULY,10.                         2017

LIFE, A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT. (1)                    Ps 119:17-22

‘I am a stranger here in the earth, hide not thy commandments from me’ (v19)

The Bible is full of metaphors that teach about the brief, temporary, transient nature of life on earth. Life is described as a mist, a fast runner, a breath, and a wisp of smoke. The Bible says “for we were born but yesterday… our days on earth are as transient as a shadow” (Job 8:9)

To make the best use of life, you must never forget two truths: First, compared with eternity, life is extremely brief. Second, earth is only a temporary residence. You won’t be here long, so don’t get too attached. Ask God to help you see life on earth as he sees it. David prayed, “Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more” (Ps 39:4)

Repeatedly the Bible compares life on earth to temporarily living in a foreign country. This is not your permanent home or final destination. You’re just passing through, just visiting earth. The Bible use terms like alien, pilgrim, foreigner, stranger, visitor, and traveler to describe our brief stay on earth. David said, “I am but a foreigner here on earth.” (Ps 119:19) and Peter explained, ”If you call God your Father, live your time as temporary residents  on earth” (1 Pet 1:17) The fact that earth is not our ultimate home explains why, as followers of Jesus, we experience difficulty, sorrow, and rejection in this world (Jn 16:33, 16:20; 15:18-19) (Rick Warren)

PRAYER LINE: God has given life abundant – live it fully every day: Though our time on earth is fleeting. He goes with us all the way – Hess

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It’s not how long you live that counts, but how you live.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 192                       TUESDAY JULY,11.                          2017

LIFE, A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT. (2)                    2 Cor 4:16-18

The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow, But the things we can’t see now will last forever (v18)
The Bible says, “We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20) sadly, many Christians have foolishly concluded that because they live on earth,, it’s their home. It is not. The Bible is clear: “Friends, this world is not you home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul (1 Pet 2:11) God wants us not to get too attached to what’s around us because it is temporary. We’re told, “Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away” (1 Cor 7:31)

Compared with other centuries, life has never been easier for much of the Western World.  We are constantly entertained, amused, and catered to. With all the fascinating attractions, mesmerizing media, and enjoyable experiences available today, it’s easy to forget that the pursuit of happiness is not what life is about. Only as we remember that life is a rest, a trust, and a temporary assignment will the appeal of these things lose their grip on our lives. We are preparing for something even better. “The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever” (2 Cor 4:18b) The earth is not our final home, we were created for something much better (RICK Warren)

PRAYER LINE: The natural world that God has made. Must not be used at whim; We serve as stewards of His earth, Responsible to Him – D. De Haan

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Life on earth is a temporary assignment, live it well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 193                       WEDNESDAY JULY,12.                             2017

LIFE, A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT. (3)                    1 Pet 2:11-12

…I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul (v11)

A fish would never be happy living on land, because it was made for water. An eagle could never feel satisfied if it wasn’t allowed to fly. You will never feel completely satisfied on earth because you were made for more. You will be happy moments here, but nothing compared with what God has planned for you.

Realizing that life on earth is just a temporary assignment should radically alter your values.

Eternal values, not temporary ones should become the deciding factors for your decisions.  As C. S Lewis observed, “All that is not eternal is eternally useless.” The Bible says, “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor 4:18 NIV) Paul was faithful, yet he ended up in prison. John the Baptist was faithful, but he was beheaded. Millions of faithful people have been martyred,  have lost everything or have come to the end of life is not the end.

In God’s eyes, the greatest heroes of faith are not those who achieve prosperity, success, and power in this life but those who treat this life as a temporary assignment and serve faithfully,  experiencing their promised reward in eternity. (Rick Warren)

PRAYER LINE: When all my labours and trials are O’ver And I am safe on that beautiful shore,  Just to be near the dear Lord I adore will through the ages be glory for me – Gabriel

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No one is hopeless whose hope is in God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 194                       THURSDAY JULY,13.                       2017

IT’S ALL FOR HIM                                               Rom 11:36

Everything comes from God alone, Everything lives by his power and everything is for his glory (v 36)

The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God. It  is the reason for everything that exists, including you. God made it all for His glory. Without God’s glory, there would be nothing. What is the glory of God? It is who God is. It is the essence of His nature, the weight of His importance, the radiance of His splendor, the demonstration of His power, and the atmosphere of His presence. Where is the glory of God? Everything created by God reflects His glory in some way. From the smallest microscopic form of life to the vast milky Way, from sunsets and stars to storms and seasons. Creation reveals our Creator’s glory. In nature we learn that God is powerful, that He enjoys variety, loves beauty, is organized, and is wise and creative. The Bible says,  “The heavens declare the glory of God.” (Ps 91:1) Throughout history, God has revealed His glory to people in different settings. He revealed it first in the Garden of Eden, then to Moses, then in the tabernacle and the temple, then through Jesus, and now through the church. (Gen 3:8, 33:18-23, 40:33-38; 1kgs 7:51; 8:10-13; Jn 1:14) God’s glory is best seen in Jesus Christ. He, the light of the world, illuminates God’s nature. The Bible says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory (Heb 1:3) The Word became human and lived among us. We saw his glory… a glory full of grace and truth (Jn 1:14) We are commanded to recognize His glory, honour, declare, praise, reflect and live for His glory (Rick Warren)

PRAYER LINE: Unfailing is God’s matchless love, So kind, so pure, so true; And those who draw upon that love Show love in what they do – D. De Haan.

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Our love for Jesus is the Key to spiritual passion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 195                       FRIDAY JULY,14.                             2017

HOW CAN I BRING GLORY TO GOD?                        Jn 17:

I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do” (v4)

Jesus told the Father, “I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do (Jn 17:4) Jesus honoured God by fulfilling His purpose on earth. We honour God the same way. When anything in creation fulfills its purpose, it brings glory to God. Birds bring glory  to God by flying, chirping, nesting, and doing other bird-like activities that God intended. Even the lowly ant brings glory to God when it fulfills  the purpose it was created for. God made ants to be ants, and He made you to be you. (1) We bring God glory by worshiping Him. Worships is our first responsibility to God. C.S. Lewis said. “In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.” Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God. Use your whole body as a tool… to glorify God (Rom 6:13b) (2) We bring God glory by loving other believers. Our love for each other proves that we have gone from death to life (1 Jn 3:14) Read Jn 13:34-35 (3) We bring God glory by becoming like Christ (Phil 1:11, Jn 15:8. God gave you a new life,  and a new nature when you accepted Christ (4) We bring God glory by serving others with our gifts. “God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts… Then God will be given glory (1 Pet 4:10-11, 2 Cor 8:19b (5) We bring God glory by telling others about Him. As God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ… God will receive more and more glory (2 Cor 4:15) (Rick Warren)

PRAYER LINE: My Father, I am glad that You do not despise anything You made. You made us for a purpose. To give You glory. I am so thankful. Amen

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When we trust the power of God, His peace keeps us from panic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 196                       SATURDAY JULY,15.                       2017

WHAT WILL YOU LIVE FOR?                                      Jn 12:27-28

My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, Father, save Me from this hour? (vv 27-28)

Living the rest of your life for the glory of God will require  a change in your priorities, your schedule, your relationships and everything else. It will sometimes mean choosing a difficult path instead of an easy one. Will you live for your own goals, comfort, and pleasure, or will you live the rest of your life for God’s glory, knowing that He has promised eternal reward? “Anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go… you’ll have it forever, real and eternal” (Jn 12:25 (MSG)

Who are you going to live for – yourself or God? You may hesitate, wondering whether you will have strength to live for God. Don’t worry. God will give you what you need if you will just make the choice to live for Him. The Bible says: “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God (2 Pet 1:3 (MSG) The Bible promises: “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (Jn 1:12) Will you accept God’s offer? First, believe. Believe God loves you and made you for His purposes. Believe you are not an accident. Believe you were made to last forever (2) Second, receive. Receive Jesus into your life as your Lord and Saviour. Receive His forgiveness for your sins. Receive  His Spirit, who will give you the power to fulfill your life purpose. Read Jn 3:36a (Rick Warren)

PRAYER LINE: Dear Lord Jesus, let the realization of a new birth, sink deep into my soul that You alone have the power to hold me to You. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

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Challenges for a believer are building blocks to higher realm.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 197                       SUNDAY JULY,16.                           2017

FAITH EXPECTS THE BEST                                  1 Sam 27:1-4

And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul…(v1)

In order to walk in God’s victory plan for your life, you’re going to have to expect the best. You can’t wallow around in doubt and unbelief, expecting the worst for your life and then go on and win great battles in God. But it seems that human nature expects the worst. And even in the Word of God, there were people who expected the worst. For example, David was a man of great faith.

But we can see at least one time in his life when David experienced a lapse in his faith. He had been trusting God to deliver him from Saul, but at one point he got discouraged because Saul had been chasing him for so long, trying to kill him. Finally, David got so discouraged, he started confessing negative things over his life. And what’s worse, he believed them in his heart (1 Sam 21:1) If you’ve studied the story of Saul and David, you remember that Saul got jealous of David, and for many years, Saul sought to kill David. Saul had never been able to catch up to David to kill him. But twice David crept unnoticed into Saul’s camp. Both times David could have taken Saul’s life, but he didn’t (1 Sam 24:1-12) Even though it had been prophesied years before that David would be king and rule over Israel (1 Sam 16:1, 12-13) for a long time it didn’t look like that was ever going to come to pass. (His faith saw him through) (Kenneth Hagin Jnr.)

PRAYER LINE: Father, please help me to have faith that will keep me on course no matter the obstacles along the way. Thank You for answering my prayer.

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Faith demands trust in the power of God to overcome trials.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 198                       MONDAY JULY,17.                         2017

WHAT’S YOUR EXPECTATION?                                  Ps 103:1-4

Then Saul sought to smite David to the wall with the spear but he slipped away from Saul’s presence … and escaped that night (1 Sam 19 :10)

 Sometimes we allow ourselves to be tormented by thinking about what could happen. And so many times the worst that we expect never actually materializes. This is exactly where David was in his faith.

Tormented by thoughts that Saul would eventually kill him, he anticipated the worst. But did David forget about God? Did he forget that God had promised that he would rule over Israel? One time Saul stood right in the same room with David and threw spear at David, but he couldn’t hit him. (1 Sam 19:10)  God was taking care of David. God had a plan for David’s life, and He wasn’t about to let the enemy kill him. God had shown David His delivering power time after time. David wrote Ps 103:1-4 David knew the delivering power of God. But  just for a moment, David forgot that God always plans for victory, so he fled in fear. He later recovered his faith in God and held fast to it. When we focus our eyes on the difficult circumstances instead of trusting in God, fear shuts down faith. We should know that God has already provided a victory plan for us – a way of escape out of every difficulty. All God’s promises are yea and amen in Christ. So even though we’ve all failed in our faith from time to time, we can still go onto victory. We, too, can accomplish everything that God has for us (Kenneth Hagin Jnr)

PRAYER LINE: I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby; Temptation lose their power when Thou art nigh; I need Thee, O I need Thee, every hour I need Thee, O bless me now my Saviour I come to Thee – Hanks

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Satan uses temptations to tear down; God uses trials to build you up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 199                       TUESDAY JULY,18.                          2017

DANIEL’S LION’S DEN (1)                                  Dan 6:5-17

Wherefore King Darius signed the writing and the decree (v9)

The great prophet Daniel had been taken into captivity by the Babylonians as a young man. But even in captivity in a heathen nation, Daniel went to his window everyday and prayed to God. Daniel’s enemies had tricked the Babylonian king, Darius, into signing a decree that said, “Whoever prays to any god except the king will be thrown to the lions” (Daniel 6:5-10) When Daniel’s enemies caught him praying, they went  to the king and said, “Well, this Daniel you like so much hasn’t paid any attention to your decree. He is still praying three times a day. The king realized he’d made a mistake. But once the king had decreed a law, there was nothing he could do to change it – so Daniel was thrown to the lion’s den (Dan 6:16-17) Bible says, Darius had a restless night. He anticipated the worst because he didn’t know God. He couldn’t sleep because he was worried about Daniel (Dan 6:18) While Darius stayed up all night worrying about Daniel, Daniel slept fine. With the first light of the morning, king Darius ran down to the lion’s den, and cried, “Daniel was your God able to save you? Daniel answered, “Never fear, O King! I’m here, and everything is fine my God has taken care of me.” (Dan 6:19-23) Faith rests, but unbelief wallows in restlessness and fear. Darius expected the worst. But Daniel lived by faith (Kenneth Hagin Jnr.)

PRAYER LINE: Your mercy, Lord, how great it is To overrule our sin I so help us know Your righteousness And choose to walk therein  – D. De Haan

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God always plans for victory faith always expects the best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 200                       WEDNESDAY JULY,19.                             2017

DANIEL’S LION’S DEN (2)                                           Danl 6:18-23

Then was the king exceeding glad for him… and no manner of hurt was found upon him because he believed in his God (v23)

Dan 6:19-23 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.  And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?  Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.  My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.  Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.  

You see, Daniel knew the delivering power of God. He trusted in God’s victory plan – even when he was thrown into a pack of hungry lions. He stayed calm and peaceful through the whole ordeal. I can just imagine Daniel herding all those lions together in that den, so he could use one of them for a pillow and the rest of them to stay warm (Kenneth Hagin Jnr) Note: The message is clear. The pray-ers are essential agents in the final victory over evil, suffering and death – Philip Yancey.

PRAYER LINE: Ponder – Not ours to know the reason why unanswered is our prayer, But ours to wait for God’s own time To lift the cross we bear. – Anon.

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God’s work is done by those who pray.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 201                       THURSDAY JULY,20.                       2017

DON’T FAINT IN YOUR FAITH (1)                              Phil 4:10-20

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.  (v13)

Satan is always trying to get believers to think thoughts of doubt and unbelief, dread and fear. Stripped of their faith in God, the devil can get believers to think the worst. Then they begin to doubt God’s victory plan for their lives.

Once they get into debt, believers may never be able to walk in that supernatural realm of faith that brings God’s victory on the scene-even though victory already belongs to them. That’s why you cannot afford to think negatively when you are believing God for something. If you’ve been standing strong in faith, but then waver and begin to get into doubt and fear, you can nullify your faith.

When we hear bad news, it’s easy to let our natural mind immediately begin to anticipate the bombarding our natural senses. But if we really know how to believe God and we know the word, we can’t afford to allow outside pressures to bombard our ears, our eyes, and our minds. Don’t let the world’s negativity affect you. Expect the best from God. Expect that which God said to you will come to pass. God said He will supply our needs (Phil 4:19) It is not your responsibility to figure out how God will fulfill His own promises. That is God’s business. Remember what the Bible says “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for me?”  (Jer 32:27)

PRAYER LINE: When strong temptations would allure, Tell Jesus to come near; Your confidence in Him make sure, And He your voice will hear – white

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To withstand temptation, stand with Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 202                       FRIDAY JULY,21.                             2017

DON’T FAINT IN YOUR FAITH (2)                              Matt 22:15-22

…Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s (v 21)

Someone once asked me what I was going to do about our rising cost of living. I answered, ‘I’m  going to do what the Bible says. The Bible says, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what belongs to God” (Matt 22:21). So  I’m going to render to the government what belongs to it, and I’m going to render to God what belongs to Him. “Then I’m going to do what the Word of God says. The Word of God says that whatever I believe that’s in line with the Word, I can receive.” It doesn’t help anyone to get in turmoil over what’s going on in our world today. We need to constantly be aware that no matter what happens around us, God is still the same. He can take care of us because down through the ages, His plan for victory  has never changed. Remember that Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word will never pass away” (Matt 24:35) That means that since God promised us victory in every situation – then if we’ll do our part and believe Him – victory will be ours in every circumstance. God said, I believe it. And that settles it. In (Mk 16:1-4) some people expected the worst it was Easter morning. The women were worried as to who will roll away the stone from the tomb. Maybe you’ve got some stones and boulders of hindrance that are blocking your way. That’s not hard for God. (Kenneth Hagin Jnr)

As a user of this Prayer Diary, I stand in agreement with you, God’s plan and purpose in your life will come to pass. Send your testimony.

PRAYER LINE: Father, I am in agreemesnt with Osagima Reconciliation Ministry, that Your plan and purpose in my life will come to pass, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Victory is the fruit of dedication and discipline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 203                       SATURDAY JULY,22.                       2017

LIGHT UP THE DARKNESS                                           Matt 5:11-16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father (16)

I was visiting some believers in eastern Russia when I heard a speaker talk about salt and light. A friend was translating for me. I knew a little about the speaker’s life. She had trusted Christ as Saviour while teaching at a University. Soon the school began to pressure her. Many of her fellow faculty members were a vowed communists and atheists, and they turned against her. She was ridiculed, oppressed, and finally forced to resign her faculty position. It was a difficult time.

I was not surprised, therefore, when she linked Matt 5:13 and 14 about salt and light with vv11-12 which talk specifically about persecution. She told the group, “To whom are we to be salt and light if not our oppressors? They are the ones who need it the most.” She knew from experience what she was talking about. She went on to make this point; The harsher the conditions and darker the surroundings, the deeper the need for the preserving salt and shining light of Christian witness. We too can stand firmly for Christ even though we are surrounded by spiritual decay and people who are walking in darkness. Whatever our circumstances, we can trust Him for the courage to light up the darkness – DCE.

PRAYER LINE: As You have loved me, let me love Lost souls in darkness dwelling; To draw the needy one to You, Lord, give a zeal compelling! – Bosch.

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God’s grace shines brightest where sin is the darkest. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 204                       SUNDAY JULY,23.                           2017

YOU MUST FORGIVE THEM                                        Mk 11:25-26

If you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you (v25)

When asked which emotions contribute to physical illness, a group of eminent doctors said, “Anger and unforgiveness. That’s because over time they release deadly toxins into your body. One doctor said, it’s not what you’re eating but what’s eating you that threatens your health. When someone hurts you, there are four things you should do (1) Talk to them. Now, there’s a right time, a right place, and a right way to do it. Before you say anything, ask God to guide your thought and words. Then say what’s in your heart in a lovely low-key, non-judgmental way. After that, leave the rest with God. He can do a better job of changing things than you can (2) Don’t retaliate. When you’re tempted to lash out at someone, stop and remember the price Jesus paid to take away the sins you commit. Seeing your offender through God’s eyes will help you to forgive just about anybody. (3) Let it go. As long as you dwell on the issue it’ll keep hurting you. You may let someone off your hook, but that doesn’t mean they’re off God’s hook. He will deal with them, the right way and bring about the right result, which is something you can’t do. (4) Ask God to bless them. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill treat you” (Lk 6:27-28) And when Jesus tells you do to something, He gives you the grace to do it (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: If we embrace adversity Accepting every pain, Then we will learn what we should know; our grief will turn to gain – Sper.

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God chooses what we go through; we choose how we go through it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 205                       MONDAY JULY,24.                         2017

I AM ALWAYS WITH YOU                                           Jere 33:3-11

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know (v3)

Ignatius of Loyola  is best remembered for his prayer: Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and to heed the wounds; to toll and not seek for rest; to labour and not ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do your will.

I am Always with You ‘(Ivan) shuddered, remembering the nightmare progression of cells; the cubicle with icy water pouring from the ceiling, and after that, the refrigerated cell, and then the agony of the pressure suit. “Jesus Christ is going into battle.” As the words turned over and over in his mind an overwhelming sense of presence jarred him alert. Joy spread gently through him, warning, burning, bringing him to his knees in the water. “For me you are to do battle. But be of good cheer. I am  with you. I have overcome the world “…Tears soaked Ivan’s face. He bowed as low as he could in the cramped space, and wept and worshipped. (Paul Estabrooks)

These words written by Myrna Grant in her moving biography of Russian martyr Ivan Moiseyeu graphically portray the experiences of many Christians in many parts of the world today. Are you in a similar situation? Be of good cheer. Like Paul & Silas, the Lord will intervene on your behalf.

PRAYER LINE: Ponder and meditate on the prayer by Ignatius of Loyola above. Every obstacle will be a stepping stone for you, in Jesus’ Name . Amen

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There is treasure in darkness for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 206                       TUESDAY JULY,25.                          2017

MISTAKEN IDENTITY                                         Matt 16:13-20

“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (v15)

My youngest brother, Scott, was born when I was a senior in high school. This age difference made for an interesting situation when he grew to college age. On his first trip to his college campus, I went along with him and our mom. When we arrived, people thought we were Scott Crowder and his dad and his grandmom. Eventually, we gave up correcting them. No matter what we said or did, our actual relationships were overridden by this humorous case of mistaken identity. Jesus questioned the Pharisees  about His identity: “What do you think about the Christ?” The Son of David (Matt 22:42). The identity of Messiah was critical, and their answer was correct but incomplete. The Scriptures had affirmed that Messiah would come and reign on the throne of His father David. But Jesus reminded them that  though David would be Christ’s ancestor, He would also be more – David referred to Him as “Lord.” Faced with a similar question, Peter rightly answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matt 16:16). Still today, the question of Jesus’ identity rises above the rest in significance – and it is eternally important that we make no mistake in understanding who He is – Bill Crowder.

PRAYER LINE: Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail, Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend – Grant

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No mistake is more dangerous than mistaking the identity of Jesus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 207                       WEDNESDAY JULY,26.                             2017

CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD                                         Prov 3:26

For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (v26)

Be thy confidence, and shall all keep thy foot from being taken.”

Having the Lord as your confidence will keep your foot from stumbling. In other words, when you trust Him, you’ll be able to stand in the midst of adversity. You’ll be able to walk securely on your path in life knowing that God is backing you up.

When you’re standing immovable on God’s Word, you’re in a position to receive great blessings. The devil will try to move you from your stance; however, when you make the Lord your confidence, you can be assured that your foot will remain firm. When you’re fighting the good fight of faith, it is crucial that you have sufficient strength for the battle. Spiritual strength can mean the difference between prosperity and poverty, deliverance and oppression, sickness and health, even life and death. According to Isa 30:15, you gain spiritual strength through confidence: ”For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest shall ye be saved. In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…” The strength that comes through confidence will get you into the word, get you up for fellowship with God, go to church to be fed the Word. Confidence is the strength of your faith (Dr. Creflo A. Dollar)

PRAYER LINE: Song

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand – Williams

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For time and eternity, Jesus is all we need.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 208                       THURSDAY JULY,27.                       2017

PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE                                           1 Jn 5:14-15.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (v14)

Prayer doesn’t accomplish much until it’s energized by the force of confidence. There is nothing quite as powerful as a prayer that you know is going to come to pass. How does that kind of faith come about? It’s simple. First, it comes through confidence that God hears you when you pray: 1 Jn 5:14-15 NIV) says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us, And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” Second, you must be confident that you’re praying in accordance with the will of God: you do that by praying the Word. Faith comes when the will of God is known and God’s Word is His will. Find a promise in the Bible that speaks about your particular situation, and then pray it and stand on it. You’ll know that you’re praying God’s will because you’re praying His word. Third, as a result of doing the first two steps, you must have confidence that you have that for which you pray. When you pray with confidence, things happen (Dr. Creflo A. Dollar)

PRAYER LINE:

I know not by what methods rare

The Lord provides for me;

I only know that all my needs

He meets so graciously – Adams

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We’re never without a helper, because we have the Spirit within.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 209                       FRIDAY JULY,28.                             2017

YOU CAN WALK IN CONFIDENCE                                        Acts 4:13-20

“And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (v13)

Confidence, the kind of boldness that puts your faith into motion, is really not a complicated thing to develop. You don’t have to be extremely intelligent, sophisticated or refined to have it.

No matter who you are, you have mountain – moving confidence. How? You receive it the same way a couple of simple fishermen from Galilee did: Acts 4:13-20 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.  And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.  But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,  Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard”.   Peter and John had boldness that could not only be heard, but could also be seen! How do you get confidence like that? By spending time with Jesus. Spend time with Him in prayer. Fellowship with Him in worship. Get to know Him in His Word. Show me a person who is fully persuaded, and I’ll show you a person who has been with Jesus. (Dr. Creflo A. Dollar)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, teach us to use our strengths in cooperation with the strengths of others. Help us to serve as one so that we might know the joy of the power of our togetherness for Your name’s sake and the advance of Your Kingdom

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We can accomplish more together than we can alone.

 

 

 

DAY 210                       SATURDAY JULY,29.                       2017

WALKING IN THE CONFIDENCE OF GOD         (1)     Isa 40:31

…They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint (v31)

In order to understand the significance of this promise, we need to understand some things about eagles’ wings. First, it’s important to note that the wings of an eagle are specifically designed to enable the bird to cruise at high altitudes. At 80,000 feet, eagles cruise about twice as high as jet air – craft normally fly. Second, the eagles wings are designed to lock down in position to gain altitude so that if the eagle is caught in a storm, it can rise above it. No amount of turbulence can overcome the locked down position of an eagle’s wings. The eagle with locked down wing rises higher until it is eventually out of the storm and flying above the turbulence. Instead of being subject to the storm, the eagle soars above it. (3) Likewise, according to God’s promise in Isa 40:31,  we can put on eagle’s wings by waiting on the Lord and focusing on His promises.  Then, in times of trouble, our eagle’s wings will lock down and take us to higher altitudes. When life gets a little rough, we will rise above the problems. (4) No matter how high the storm or how thick the clouds, God has equipped you with eagle’s wings so that you can come up, out, and rise above your circumstances. (Dr. Creflo A. Dollar)

PRAYER LINE:  You shall mount up with wings as eagles; you shall run and not be weary; you shall walk and not faint – all because of what you do in the middle of your problems

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Intercede for others in prayer; God’s throne is always accessible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 211                       SUNDAY JULY,30.                           2017

WALKING IN THE CONFIDENCE OF GOD         (2)     Phil 4:19

God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (v19)

Do you remember the story about the widow in, 1 kgs 17? In the middle of a drought, she said, “I’m going to use up the last of my flour and oil to make some bread for me and my boy. Then we’re going to die.” However, her trouble and fear did not stop God. He stretched her resources. “For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the middle of financial difficulty, you can rest on this promise. “God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19) When the Almighty is responsible for getting you to your proper destination, you will get there – as long as you keep yourself set. Just as a pilot has to properly set his or her instrument to guide a plan toward its destination, so must you properly set your spirit to head toward the promises God has given you. You do that by setting your attention and affection on God and His Word. Up in the air everything looks the same. Therefore, the pilot has to rely on the instruments being properly set. Circumstances can’t guide us, because they are always subject to change. You are going to be all right when you walk in the confidence of God.

PRAYER LINE: Command – Get out of here devil. You are not in control. God is in control. Nobody but Jesus sits on the throne of my life, therefore, I will have peace I will have the joy of the Holy Spirit. I bind principalities and powers and wicked spirits in heavenly places, and God is perfecting that which concerns me, in Jesus Name. Amen. (Dr. Creflow A. Dollar)

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Our prospects are as bright as the promises of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 212                       MONDAY JULY,31.                         2017

LIVING OFF THE SURFACE                                          Jere 17:1-10

“blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD… He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream (vv7-8)

Billy Graham has said: “If you are too busy to spend a little time with God each day in personal prayer and the reading of His Word, then you are busier than God intends you to be.” In Dr. E. Stanley Jones’ “The Way.” A diver too busy to think about getting his line for air in working order before he descends to the depths would be no more foolish than the man or woman who descends into the stifling atmosphere of today’s world without getting their breathing apparatus of prayer connected with the pure air of the kingdom of God above. Consider for a moment the Japanese art of bonsai whereby trees are dwarfed and grow no higher than a couple of feet. This is accomplished by tying up the taproot so that the tree lives off the surface roots: it thus remains a stunted thing. Don’t do that in your Christian life- live off what is superficial. Surface roots draw from such things as the cultural, the educational, the social, the economic, the political or perhaps even the thin religious life of some churches. They draw sustenance from these things but the consequence is a life that is stunted spiritually. Only as our taproot goes deep down into God and draws sustenance from Him do we truly live. And a regular time with God is the best means to ensure this happens.

PRAYER LINE: Heavenly God, help me send my taproot down into Your resources and draw my energy, life and strength not from the surface but from the depths. In Jesus’ name. Amen (EDWJ)

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The light that shines farthest, shines brightest at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 213                       TUESDAY AUGUST ,1.                    2017

GOD’S OBLIGATION                                                    Isa 55:1-13

“So is my word that goes from my mouth: It will not return  to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire (v11)

What can we do during our time with God? Let’s look at the lives of men and women – both living and dead – noted for their devotional lives

• First, they began their times of devotion by opening up the Bible and sometimes reading several chapters at other times just a single verse. George Muller: had a rich devotional life and yet he said that for years he came to his daily quiet time with the sense of “This is what I should do as a Christian, but I will be glad when it is over.” Then someone asked him how he organized his quiet time. He said: “I have a prayer list with me and begin to pray first for my friends and family, then for my own needs. Try starting your quiet time by opening up the Scriptures and reading a few passages his friend suggested, ‘and see what happens.’ George Muller followed this advice and later admitted: ‘It was one of the greatest secrets that had ever been imparted to me – it changed the whole atmosphere of my quiet time and brought a richness into it that is impossible to describe’ The reading of Scripture primes your spiritual pump, so to speak, and moves the soul towards God. Some need to be encouraged into thought by a help such as Every Day with Jesus, but it is important to remember that my comments are secondary, and not a substitute for first-hand contact with the word of God.

PRAYER  LINE: Lord God, help me saturate my inner being with Your mind so that I will not be able to tell where my mind ends and Your mind begins. In Jesus’ name. Amen (EDWJ)

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Live as if Christ is coming back today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 214                       WEDNESDAY AUGUST ,2.                       2017

“SPEAK, LORD”                                                            Ps 119:105-112

Your statutes are my heritage for ever, they are the joy of my heart (v111)

Be silent before God. Pray this prayer: “Father, have You anything to say to me? Sometimes He will impress a thought on your mind of some act of kindness that is needed, or some insights from His Word. Or He may highlight something in your own life or behavior that needs attention. If this happens, don’t ignore it.  Face the issue, ask God for His forgiveness and if restoration of an apology is necessary, then do what you know is right. When you establish a quiet time and you become receptive in the way I have indicated then you will soon find that God will come close to you to guide, direct and develop your spirituality. He will take advantage of your receptivity to make you the best you can be. It is always helpful to have a notebook and pen with you during your times with God so that you can write anything that occurs to you or that He may say to you. The notebook and pen are signs of faith since they show that you expect some message to come to you. Once you have read the Word you will find your thinking and aspirations start moving in the right direction. And you will then pray prayers that are in harmony with the will of God.

PRAYER LINE: Father God, amid all the hustle of life, help me to be silent. And in the silence speak words that will release me, heal me and make me more like Your Son. Reveal Yourself to me and cleanse me to the depths. Amen (EDWJ)

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Waiting for God is never a waste of time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 215                       THURSDAY AUGUST, 3.                           2017

THE POWER OF PAUSE                                                         Ps 37:1-17

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him” (v7)

Note. First (1), spend time reading God’s Word. After reading, stay relaxed and receptive and ask God: “Father, have you anything to say to me? Learn to listen. (2) Write, down any message that comes. If you do not write down the inspiration or word of guidance it may fade as you go out and become immersed in the business of the day. “The faintest ink,” said Confucius, ‘is better than the strongest memory.’ The final part of your quiet time could be taken up with the things that you want to say to God, (3) Express your adoration of God. This is, after all, how the Lord taught us to pray: “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name” (Lk 11:2) God delights to be worshipped and adored. Always start there. Be ready also to thank God for the answers to prayer. He has already given you. “Yes”, ‘No,’ Not just now or ‘I will give you something better.’ Remember, too, that prayer is not a monologue but a dialogue, so be alert for anything the Lord may say to you concerning your petitions (4) Another piece of good advice is build pauses into your petitions. Don’t do all the talking. Pause to see if God wants to speak to you. That piece of advice has transformed my prayer life. Try it: it may do the same for you. Out of daily time with God comes quiet strength. People who walk through life with something inside so ‘strong’ are people, who have cultivated quiet moments with God.

PRAYER LINE: Father, in the midst of today’s world I realize I must take time to be quiet alone with You. Please help me put what I have learned into practice. In Jesus’ name. Amen (EDWJ)

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Be still before the Lord, yield to His response.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 216                       FRIDAY AUGUST, 4.                       2017

ADJUSTING TO CHANGE                                             Rev 22:1-6

“On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month (v2)

Accept the fact of change, and allow God to make out of every phase of life something beautiful and good. Some people find it hard to adjust setting for immaturity refusing to grow older gracefully rather longing to be young again. We all look back at times – but when longing becomes an obsession it is a recipe for problems. On this subject, Dr. E. Stanley Jones is particularly thought provoking. This is what he said: “Every stage of life through which we pass has something peculiar to itself in possibility; each stage of life is crammed with possibilities of achievement and beauty.”

The “tree of life” in the here and now-our natural life-youth, middle age, and old age – yields something beautiful and good. Shakespeare talked about the seven stages of man – the infant crying in the nurse’s arms, the boy creeping like a snail unwillingly to school and so on. Someone once said that there are really only three stages: youth, middle age and “you’re looking very well” Whatever our age, we can always do something to make the time process beautiful. And it adds greatly to our spiritual inner strength and maturity if we know how to do so.

PRAYER LINE: Father God, give me the insight and imagination I need to make each phase of my life distinctive and beautiful. Help me adjust to all life’s changes and enjoy the hours, months and years as they come and go.  in Jesus’ name. Amen (EDWJ)

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God’s Word is the compass that keeps us on course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 217                       SATURDAY AUGUST, 5.                           2017

GO, SELL, GIVE                                                             Mattt 19:16-30

“Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor” (v21)

“Go, Sell-and give.” Perhaps Jesus has a similar message for us today. (1) “Go” be willing to identify the things in your life that are preventing you being the man or woman God wants you to be. As you finish reading this, make a list of the things hindering your spiritual life. No problem can be resolved until it is faced; then you can move on. (2) Sell; get rid of whatever is preventing Jesus being center of your life and delete websites or social media that draw you away from the things of God. Take time to develop your spiritual life through prayer, reading God’s Word, spending time and sharing your life with other Christians. (3) Give: Change the orientation of your life so that you no longer are at the centre: instead put others before yourself. God designed us as other-centred, not self-centred. You will function best when you are more concerned about others than you are about yourself. Don’t be impatient if you can’t change the world overnight.

However; if you can’t do everything don’t be tempted to do nothing. Do what is before you. Learn to serve others before striving for a position of leadership. Jesus’ timing is always perfect. Remember to be faithful in the small things and God will build upon these. ‘You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things’ (Matt 25:21)

PRAYER LINE:  Father, help me be faithful in the small things so that I am trusted with the bigger ones. Build into my life good and godly values, I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen (EDWJ)

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God gives us all we need, so we can give to others in their need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 218                       SUNDAY AUGUST,6.                      2017

CAST ALL YOUR CARE                                                 1 Pet 5:L6-7

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (v7)

The Bible in 1 Pet 5:6 tells us “Humble yourselves …that he may exalt you. Once we have learned to humble ourselves, we can take the next step and walk in the confidence of God. Notice we are to give up all our cares. We are to cast our family cares, our job cares – all of our cares on God. When a fisherman casts his line out, it goes far from him to another place. That is what we are supposed to do with our cares. We are to cast them far from us to another place – right into God’s hands. Then, we are to let go of them. God wants to get rid of them, and He can’t do that until we do. You are not supposed to be walking around full of care.

God is saying to you, “Cast your cares on Me. I’m equipped to handle your cares. I know what to do with them. I know how to destroy them. If you’ll just let Me, I will demonstrate that I know what I’m doing.” Actually, it is an act of rebellion to maintain cares, trying to figure out what to do and how to fix a problem alone. We need to stop ourselves right there. We are supposed to get rid of it. That care is not our problem. It is not our responsibility. We grieve the Spirit of God when we hold on to our cares, because we stop Him from doing what He desires to do with them (Dr. Creflo A. Dollar)

PRAYER LINE: Father, open my eyes to see my failings, open my heart to receive Your discipline, and open my will to embrace Your loving purposes. When I fall, I pray that You will make me whole and restore my joy in You.

God’s hand of discipline is a hand of love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 219                       MONDAY AUGUST,7.                     2017

SUPERNATURAL SURVEILLANCE                               Matt 6:1-6, 16-18

Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly (v18)

Not far from my house, authorities have rigged a camera to snap pictures of drivers who race through red lights. The offenders later received in the mail a ticket along with a ‘red-light photo.” Which is visual proof of their traffic violation.

Sometimes I think of God in the same way I think of that camera – He’s up there, just waiting to catch me doing the wrong thing. While God does see our sin (Heb 4:13), He sees and takes interest in our good deeds as well. Due to His supernatural surveillance, God sees the size of our sacrifice when we give money to the church or to those in need (Mk 12:41-44). He hears our private prayers (Matt 6:6). And when we fast, we can carry on as usual being assured that our “Father…sees in secret” (v18) knowing that God sees everything frees us from thinking about the watchful eyes of others when we do what is right, we do not need to worry about our reputation once we settle the issue with God and anyone we’ve harmed. We can rest knowing that “the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those heart is loyal to Him (2 Chron 16:9) – Jennifer Benson Schuldt.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, thank You for Your all seeing nature-You know everything I think and do. Help me to value Your approval and live according to Your standards, no matter what anyone else may think.

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Others see what we do, but God sees why we do it. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 220                       TUESDAY AUGUST,8.                     2017

A PLEA FOR PRAYER                                          2 Thess 3:1-5

Brethren, pray for us (v1)

A missionary recently visited the Bible study I was attending. She described what it had been like to pack up her household, part with friends, and relocate to a distant country. When she and her family arrived, they were greeted with a flourishing drug trade and hazardous roadways. The language barrier brought on bouts of loneliness. They contracted four different stomach viruses. And her oldest daughter narrowly escaped death after falling through a railing on an unsafe stair – well. They needed prayer.

The apostle Paul experienced danger and hardship as a missionary. He was imprisoned, shipwrecked, and beaten. It’s no surprise that his letters contained pleas for prayer. He asked the believers in Thessalonica to pray for success in spreading the gospel – that God’s Word would “run swiftly and be glorified” (2 Thess 3:1) and that God would deliver him from “unreasonable and wicked men’ (v2). Paul knew he would need to “Open (his) Mouth  boldly” and declare the gospel (Eph 6:19), which was yet another prayer request. Do you know people who need supernatural help as they spread the good news of Christ? Remember Paul’s appeal “Brethren pray for us” (2 Thess 3:1),  and intercede for them before the throne of our powerful God – Jennifer Benson Schuldt)

PRAYER LINE: Commit to pray and intercede The battle’s strong and great’s the need; And this one truth can’t be ignored; Our only help comes from the Lord – Sper

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Intercede for others in prayer; God’s throne is always accessible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 221                       WEDNESDAY AUGUST,9.                        2017

STAND FIRM                                                                Col 1:19-27

Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (I Cor 15:58)

As our final project for a high school earth science class, a friend and I built a stream table. With extensive help from my father, we built a long plywood box with a hinge in the middle. Then we lined it with plastic and filled it with sand. At one end we attached a hose. At the other end was a drainage hole. After assembling all of it, we raised one end of the stream table, turned on the water and watched as it created a path directly to the hole at the other end. The next part  of the experiment was to place a rock in the stream and watch how it changed the path of the water.

This project taught me as much about life as it did about science. I learned that I can’t change the direction things are going if I’m on the bank of  the river. I have to step into the stream of life and stand there to divert the flow. That’s what Jesus did. The Bible refers to salvation as a rock (2 Sam 22:47) Ps 62:2, 6-7), and apostle Paul clarifies that Christ is that Rock ( 1 Cor 10:4). God placed Jesus in the stream of history to change its course. When we remain steadfast in Christ, abounding in the work of the Lord, God uses us to change the course of history through acts of obedience that turn others to Him – Julie Ackerman Link.

PRAYER LINE: The Master is seeking a harvest In lives He’s redeemed by His blood; He seeks for the fruit of the Spirit And works that will glorify God – Lehman.

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Be sure to put your feet in the right place then stand firm – Abraham Lincoln.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 222                       THURSDAY AUGUST,10.                          2017

THE WINDING ROAD                                                            Ps 121

He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber (v3)

In his book A Sweet and Bitter Providence. John Piper offers these thoughts about God’s providence and guidance: “Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road… God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory  of Jesus Christ.”

The Jews journeying to Jerusalem for the annual feasts (Deut 16:16) had the assurance of knowing that the Lord was plotting their course and managing the winding and troubled roads for them. They expressed this assurance in Ps 121, a pilgrim song. The question, “from whence comes my help?” did not express doubt but affirmation in the Lord who rules supreme (vv1-2). Unlike a guard who sometimes slumbered, or the god Baal who needed to be rusted out of his stupor (1 kgs 18:27) the Lord is fully alert and secured the journey of His people with providential care (vv 3-4).  The Lord, who rescued Israel, would continue to help, preserve, and walk with His people. Life is a winding road with unknown perils and troubles, but we can be certain of God’s providence, security and care – Marvin Williams.

PRAYER LINE: Dear Lord, sometimes life seems to be full of perilous and winding road, Thank You for giving us the assurance that You have our course plotted and are watching over our every step.

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Troubles are unknown; God’s providence is certain (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 223                       FRIDAY AUGUST,11.                      2017

LIVING TESTAMENT                                                    2 Tim 2:1-10

Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel (v8)

Watchman Nee was arrested for his faith in Christ in 1952, and he spent the rest of his life in prison. He died in his jail cell on May 30, 1972.

When his niece came to collect his few possessions, she was given a scrap of paper that a guard had found by his bed. On it was written his life’s testimony: “Christ is the Son of God who died for the redemption of sinners and was resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ-Watchman Nee.”

Tradition says that the apostle Paul also was martyred for his faith in Christ. In a letter written shortly before his death, Paul exhorted his readers: “Remember that Jesus Christ, the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble… but the Word of God is not chained (2 Tim 2:8-9).

We may not be called upon to be martyred as witnesses to the reality of Christ – as millions of His followers through the centuries have been – but we are all called to be a living testament of Jesus’ work on our behalf. No matter the outcome, from a heart of gratitude for God’s gracious gift we can tell others what Jesus has done for us – Dennis Fisher.

PRAYER LINE: The Christ of God to glorify, His grace in us to magnify;

His Word of life to all make known –  Be this our work, and this alone – whittle

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Let your life as well as your lips speak for Christ. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 224                       SATURDAY AUGUST,12.                          2017

JESUS’ EYES                                                                  Mk 5:1-20

(Jesus) was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and, scattered like sheep having no shepherd (Matt 9:36)

We were in line at the ice cream store when I notice him. His face bore the marks of too many fights – a crooked nose and some scars. His clothes were rumpled, though clean. I stepped between him and my children, using my back to erect a wall.

The first time he spoke, I didn’t hear him clearly and so just nodded to acknowledge him. I scarcely made eye contact with him. Because my wife wasn’t with me, he thought I was a single parent and gently said, “It’s hard raising them alone, isn’t it?” something in his tone made me turn to look at him. Only then did I notice his children, and I listened to him tell me how long his wife had been gone. His soft words  contrasted with his hard exterior. I was duly chastened. Once again I had failed to see beyond outward appearances. Jesus encountered people whose outward appearances could have turned Him away, including the demon – possessed man in our reading for today (Mk 5:1-20). Yet He saw the heart needs and met them. Jesus never fails to see us with love, even though we have scars of sin and a rumpled nature that shows we have step faithfulness. May God help us to replace our haughtiness with Jesus’ heart of love – Randy Kilgore

PRAYER LINE: Father, may the focus of our lives never disrupt our  ability to see others with the same eyes that Jesus sees them. Grant us Your heart. May we yearn to introduce others to You.

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If you look through the eyes of Jesus, you’ll see a needy world (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 225                       SUNDAY AUGUST,13.                    2017

THAT’S JESUS                                                                         Isa 53:4-12

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  (v5)

As a Jewish kid growing up in New York, Michael Brown had no interest in spiritual things, His life revolved around being a drummer for a band, and he got mixed up with drugs. But then some friends invited him to church, where he found the love and prayers of the people to be irresistible. After a short spiritual struggle, Michael trusted Jesus as Saviour. This was a monumental change for a wayward Jewish teen. One day he told his dad he had heard about Old Testament texts describing Jesus. His dad, incredulous, asked, “Where?” When Michael opened his Bible; it fell to Isa 53. They read it, and Michael exclaimed, “That’s Him! That’s Jesus!” indeed, it is Jesus. Through the help of Christians and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Brown (today a Bible scholar and an author) came to recognize the Messiah of Isaiah 53. He expressed the salvation that changes lives, forgives sin, and gives abundant life to all who trust the “Man of sorrow” (v3). Jesus is the One who was “wounded for our transgressions” and who died for us on the cross (v5)

The Bible reveals Jesus, who alone has the power to change lives – Dave Branon.

PRAYER LINE: God, I struggle with this idea Jesus as Saviour. I know He’s a good man, but I need to see that He is more than that. Please show me – through others or through the Bible – how I can know for sure who Jesus is.

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The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change hearts (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 226                       MONDAY AUGUST,14.                            2017

WHEN THE CLOTHES DON’T FIT (1)                                    Jn 11:38-44

“And he that was dead came forth… Loose him, and let him go” (v44)

Lazarus could not loose himself from the bandages. There are areas in your life where you too will have to wait and rely on others. To lose you. Although your struggle to survive is over, theirs has just begun. They may face a struggle just to trust you again. Their struggle may be to understand the darkest and most corrupt part of you and love you anyway. When they first see you come forth out of your pit, they may be tempted to leave you the way they found you. “And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” (Jn 11:44)

Lazarus was raised from the dead, but he was only halfway home to freedom. Now he had to wait for his shocked loved ones to hear the Master’s call. He was at the mercy of his mourners. If you are raised from a grave of failure or weakness, you will still be tangled up with soiled bandages, tender scars,  jangled emotions, and unsavory affairs that must be loosed by other people. If you have been through a radical change or  moral recovery, then be patient. The very people who encouraged you are probably leery of you. Your only hope for healing is honest communication filled with compassion (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Gracious Father, let everything good in my life that is dead resurrect for Your glory in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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He took the punishment, and that made us whole – Isa 53:5 (MSG)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 227                       TUESDAY AUGUST,15.                             2017

WHEN THE CLOTHES DON’T FIT (2)                           Jn 11:38-44

“Take away the stone”… for he has been dead four days” (v39)

If you have just come through major struggles or failures, then you face other battles with the after-effects or fall-out from your crisis. Your struggles probably challenged everyone in your family, and it may have made victims of your wife and children! Sin, compulsion weakness, and pride can inflict so much pain on those who depend on you that even after you have changed, they just can’t seem to trust you as they once did. Once trust has been damaged, the drive to survive makes it hard for people to gain trust anyone who hurt them.

Wives who have ridden an emotional roller coaster to survive a husband’s adulterous affair or an addiction to cocaine, alcohol, or gambling are usually in a state of emotional shock. They have fought the devil and won, and now they have their husbands back but unfortunately, the struggle can leave them devastated and wary. To heal fully, these wives need time and prayer. This interval amounts to a  “probation period” than can be viewed as an insult to a man who has used all his strength to come back home to a reception that is less than what he thought it would be! (T. D. Jakes) Are you at the cross-road of life. The Bible says: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess 5:18)

PRAYER LINE: Meditate on Isa 41:10 Father, please comfort us – wife-children-family to overcome every challenge we face. In Jesus’ Name

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I the LORD, your God will hold your right hand … Fear not  – Isa 41:13.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 228                       WEDNEDAY AUGUST,16.                        2017

WHEN THE CLOTHES DON’T FIT (3)                           Jn 11:38-44

…That they may believe that You sent me” (v42)

Men often expect to be given understanding and patience but don’t know how to give them! If you have been through an affair and your marriage is being recycled, go slowly! A lot of damage is on the inside, like a hemorrhage. Your companion may be suffering from a blow to her self-esteem, and your children may be wrestling with the pain of embarrassment.

You lasted this long; surely you can survive a while longer. Just don’t look for shortcuts. This healing calls for patience and wisdom. This ‘after-the-fact’ tragedy is amplified because it is unexpected. You have made the hard choices and the changes to overcome a problem for the sake of your family and yourself. Surely you’ll be greeted with a massive celebration when you get home! Instead, you come home to tension, and your exciting news of deliverance wins only a suspicious non-committal response that leaves you confused.

Your original “problem “ is no longer the primary one. You have come through that challenge somehow and have returned to take your place once again as a responsible male. Now you face the side effects of your original problem – can the situation possibly be worse? Take heart. The same God Who gave you the grace to survive and revive will also help you work through these residual problems, tests, challenges, and rewards. You are a survivor. You are destined to triumph (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Father, please give me the grace and patience to overcome the challenges in my life Amen.

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Clothing ourselves with Jesus’ attitudes and actions shows His presence in our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 229              THURSDAY AUGUST,17.                          2017

WHEN THE CLOTHES DON’T FIT (3)                           Rom 8:3

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” (v3)

Many good men have not resolved bad issues that traumatized them early in life. They have buried their pain deep inside and consider it a weakness. We watch them drink too much, get angry too quickly, or withdraw in silence bitterness, and we are quick to scold them for the symptoms of their secret pain. We need to heal the cause of the pain. A symptom announces to the body that something is wrong. The symptoms of residual sins clinging to the lives of our sons are signs that “Lazarus may be raised, but he is definitely not loosed.” Some physicians will not give pain-killers when treating certain injuries because they do not want to camouflage the symptoms that help them more accurately diagnose the source of the pain. The church has been satisfied to camouflage problems by depressing the symptoms. Caution: This was the problem with the law; it only treated the symptoms and let the terminal affliction persist. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” (Rom 8:3) Our men are tied up and entangled in some pretty stinky stuff. When Jesus wanted to raise Lazarus, his sister warned – “By this time he stinketh” (Jn 11:39) (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: We have a friend who sticks by us; Who’s closer than a brother; And even though He knows our faults, His love is like no other. – Sper

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Christ is the truest Friend you can have.

 

 

 

 

DAY 2230            FRIDAY AUGUST,18.                      2017

WHEN THE CLOTHES DON’T FIT (4)                 Heb 12:1-2

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… and has sat down at the right-hand of the throne of God (v2)

If you find yourself in Lazarus’ position, you will have to know one thing for yourself: God would not have awakened you from your sleep if He didn’t have a plan for your life! He is the Author and Finisher of your faith. (Heb 12:2) What  He starts He finishes. He is Alpha and Omega, First and Last, Beginning and End (Rev 1:8) He will complete what He started in you (Phil 1:6)  Many areas of your life will need God’s touch and care. Remember that the greater your injury, the more length your recovery will be. It may take a while, but it can be done. Jesus says, “Loose that man, and let him go.” If you are the wife of a man who has been through a highly addictive situation that traumatized you both, then I understand your pain, your fear, and your reluctance to trust again. If you really want to see the glory of God raise him up completely, then you must be courageous enough to release him. The greatest gift you can give him as well as yourself is the gift of forgiveness. Take the handcuffs off him and allow God to heal – or unforgiveness will imprison both of you. If you can’t trust him, then trust God. Mature trust says, “God, I believe nothing will challenge me that You and I cannot handle.” That’s devil – chasing faith, and if you believe it, hell is in trouble. (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: To walk in fellowship with Christ And sense his love so deep and true Brings to the soul its highest joy As nothing in this world can do – D. De Haan

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The closer you walk with God, the less room for anything to come between.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 231              SATURDAY AUGUST,19.                          2017

TRAPPED BEHIND THE BANDAGES (1)                      Matt 5:13-16

“Neither do men light a candle… and it giveth light unto all that are in the house” (v15)

“Where are our men?” Children and wives are asking. Single ladies are asking the same thing. Even God Himself wants to know. “Adam, where are you?”  They are trapped behind the pain of unresolved issues, bitter divorces, and court decisions that no longer allow them to see their own children.

They are trapped behind the “macho myth” and the empty symbols of worldly success. They are trapped behind drugs, in prison within and without. They are trapped in dungeons of unforgiveness because someone will not release them, and they are powerless to release themselves. These are the next pastors, poets, artists, and presidential candidates. But we will never hear their message, listen to their song, or benefit from their leadership because we don’t have the courage to lose them and let them go!

If we are going to hear the new ballads, or admire the latest painting, we must lose them.  If we are going to feel their arms around our children and hear their tenor in the choir, we had better get the scissors and cut them loose. Satan trembles at the growing sound I hear in my ears – the sound of tearing bandages. Why do we allow the bandage to survive but leave the man behind to die? We need to wake up shouting in the morning. It is time for us men to awake out of our sleep. We are not dead – we are alive (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: God’s unseen presence comforts me, I know He’s always near, And when life’s storms besiege our soul, He says, “My child, I’m here.” – D. De Haan

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The storms of our life prove the strength of our anchor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 232              SUNDAY AUGUST,20.                    2017

TRAPPED BHINED THE BANDAGES (2)                      Matt 5:15

“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house” (v15)

We may be bleeding, but we are alive. We may have to reach our children with long arms to bridge the distance between us; we may have to wipe our own tears or sing to ourselves in the morning light. No matter what it takes, let the record show that this Lazarus is not dead. He has problems and pains with even more struggles and tests ahead, but he is definitely not dead.

Sisters, you’ve been praying for us and we thank you, but we are back. We have been in hell, and we smell like smoke. We are strong but week, right but wrong, masculine but feminine. We are dominant yet passive. We are Clark Kent and Superman; we are a touch of all things. We are many lives.

We have no image left to protect. We have already disappointed ourselves, our friends, and our families, but we are no longer ashamed. We are too grateful to be embarrassed. We were supposed to be dead, but like Lazarus, our life has been returned as a favour, a gift from God. A gain, He has given the gift of life to men who were dead. We can never be who we were then. We are being transformed constantly, and we will change colours before your eyes. There is no bandage so tight, no tragedy so overwhelming that you cannot unravel yourself and go on (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Be not be weary in your serving; Do your best for those in need. Kindnesses will be rewarded By the Lord who prompts the deed – Anon.

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Christians stand strong when they stand together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 233              MONDAY AUGUST,21.                            2017

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYER (1)                             Eph 6:10-20

“Pray…with all (manner of) prayer: (v18 AMP)

In Scripture there are many different kinds of prayer. (1) The prayer of surrender. When Paul met Christ on the Damascus Road he prayed, ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? (Acts 9:6 KJV) That’s like signing your name to a blank cheque and saying, “Here I am, Lord, do with me as You please; I hope I like what You choose, but even if I don’t, I’ll do it anyway; You will be done, not mine.’ You’re deciding to voluntarily follow God rather than trying to get Him to follow you. As a result He will do the work that needs to be done in you, so that He can do the work He desires to do through you. (2) The prayer of commitment. The Bible says, ‘Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and all on Him’ (1 Pet 5:7 AMP)  As long as you keep trying to control everything, your stress level will keep mounting. But once you learn to hand things over to God, you’ll wonder why you spent even a single day worrying. (3) The prayer of intercession. The prophet Ezekiel writes, ‘I looked for someone…. Who would … stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land’ (Eze 22::30 NIV 2011 Edition) “The gap” is the distance between what is – and what can be. And when there is a ‘gap’ in someone’s relationship with God due to a particular sin, as a believer you have the privilege (and responsibility) of placing yourself in that gap and praying for them. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: What a Friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer – Scriven

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Turn your cares into prayers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 234              TUESDAY AUGUST,22.                             2017

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYER (2)                             Eph 6:10-20

“Pray … with all (manner of ) prayer (v18 AMP)

Here are three more types of prayer (1) The prayer of petition. You must learn to be confident in asking God to meet your needs. Jesus promised, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mk 11:24 KJV). If we’d stop trying to impress God, we’d  a lot better off. Length, loudness, or eloquence isn’t the issue; it’s the sincerity of our heart, the faith that’s in our heart, and the assurance that we’re praying according to God’s will that gets results. (2) The prayer of agreement. Jesus said, “If two of you … agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father’ (Matt 18:29 NIV)  When you’re up against something too big to handle alone, find a prayer partner and get into agreement with them. This isn’t for people who constantly live in strife, then decide to agree because they’re desperate. God honours the prayer of those who pay the price to live together in harmony (Ps 133:1) (3) The prayer of thanksgiving. When your prayer out number your praises, it says something about your character. Self-centered people ask, but rarely appreciate. God won’t release us into the fullness of all He was planned for us until we become thankful for what we’ve already received. Petition avails much; praise avails much more! ‘in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving; present your requests to God’ (Phil 4:6)  Powerful living comes through thanksgiving.

PRAYER LINE: Meditate on We can “pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17) by being thankful all day long, praising God for His favour, mercy, loving kindness, grace, longsuffering, and goodness (TWFT)

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The law of sowing and reaping has never been repealed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 235              WEDNESDAY AUGUST,23.                      2017

REMEMBER TO SAY THANK YOU                     Titus 3:1-8

“God’s people should be big hearted and courteous (v2 MSG)

Gratitude comes from a host of benefits.  It improves your heart rhythm, reduces stress, and helps you heal physically and think more clearly under pressure. It floods your body and brain with endorphins that strengthen … and rejuvenate you. And like any muscle, the more you exercise it the stronger it grows. It doesn’t have to be complicated; just take a walk and think about your blessings and it will set the tone for your day. The psalmist said, ‘Praise the LORD and do not forget all his kindness’ (Ps 103:2 NCV).  God’s blessings operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Try this: When you sit down to eat, have everyone at the table name something they’re thankful for. There’s always something. An elderly lady at a nursing home said, “I thank you, Lord, for two good teeth, one upper and one lower. And I thank you that they meet!” Psychologist Martin Seligman suggests sending a letter or email of gratitude to somebody, then visiting that person and reading it to them. People who say ‘thank you’ are measurably happier and less depressed. The CEO of Campbell Soup wrote over sixteen thousand thank you notes to his employees, and energized the entire company in the process. Go ahead, encourage your friends and co-workers by letting them now you appreciate what they do. “You have it in your power to increase the sum total of the world’s happiness by giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who’s lonely or discouraged.

PRAYER LINE: Perhaps you’ll forget the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them for a life time (TWFT)

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What do you think? God bless you as you do likewise. When fear knocks at the door, let faith open it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 236              THURSDAY AUGUST,24.                          2017

WHEN YOU BELITTLE, YOU BECOME LITTLE                      1 Thes. 5:11

“Encourage…and build up one another (v11 NASB)

Here are four questions you  need to be able to answer (1) Do people feel better about themselves after spending time with you? (2) Are your expectations so high that you focus on people’s shortcomings, instead of their strengths? (3) When somebody speaks well of a person you don’t particularly like, do you feel the need to inject a disparaging remark? (4) Are you so insecure and lacking in self-worth that you only feel good about yourself by putting others down?  Well, how did you do on the test? If you’re not four-for-four, it’s time to spend time with God in prayer and ask Him to help you change your attitude and what comes out of your mouth. Paul says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Eph 4:29 NIV) Words are like hammers: they can be used to break down or build up. It all depends on the person swinging the hammer. It’s just  as easy to be part of the construction crew as it is to be a member of the wrecking crew. Make a habit of encouraging your family and your friends. Let your wife know she’s the only woman in the world for you. Express appreciation for your husband’s care and sense of responsibility. Applaud your teenager for avoiding drugs and alcohol. Thank your friends for keeping your secrets. Accept people as they are, and resist the temptation to constantly ‘fix’ something about them. Remember, you only have them for a short time. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Humility’s a slippery prize That seldom can be won; We’re only humble in God’s eyes When  serving like His Son – Gustafson

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To learn to walk humbly, start out on your knees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 237              FRIDAY AUGUST,25.                      2017

CONTROL YOUR ANGER                                   Eph 4:25-32

Don’t sin by letting anger control you (v 26 NLT)

Uncontrolled  anger is like jumping into your car, revving  the engine, and discovering too late that the brakes don’t work. The Bible says, ‘Don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life’ (vv 26-27 MSG). Did you get that? Uncontrolled anger opens the door to Satan – and it’s all downhill from there. So before you say something you’ll regret and can’t take back, ask yourself: (1) Is the relief I’ll get from venting worth the aftermath? The Bible says, ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Prov 15:1 NIV) By sounding off, you run the risk of making  the finest speech you’ll ever regret. By its very nature anger encourages exaggeration, and makes you say things you can’t retract. Long after you’ve moved on, harsh words maintain their power to wound and divide (2) Is it really worth dragging other people into it? Anger inevitably affects those around you because it’s human to want to take sides, even if you’ve no dog in the fight.’ Involving other people is usually a way to feed your ego and justify bad behavior. Don’t do it. (3) Is my anger appropriate?  Anger over ignorance and injustice has always led to progress. But it’s easy to let small stuff like thoughtless comment and cranky kids make you overreact. For anger to have a healthy result it needs to be measured and constructive. Paul says, (The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace’ (Rom 8;6)  It comes down to a control issue, and a controlled  response is a Christ like response. It always wins (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, be in my head and in my understanding, be in my eyes and in my seeing, in my ears and in my hearing, in my mouth and in my speaking, in my heart and in my thinking, at my end and at my departing, Amen.

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Ego anger, bad, holy anger good.

 

 

 

 

DAY 238              SATURDAY AUGUST,26.                          2017

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY                                       Prov 24:11

“Don’t try to disclaim responsibility (v11)

A woman went shopping one day and came home with a very expensive dress. Her budget-conscious husband was very upset and demanding to know what on earth possessed her. “The devil made me do it,’ she replied sweetly. He asked, “Well, why didn’t you say, “Get thee behind me, Satan?’ “I did,” she replied. But he said it looked great from the back as well-do I had to buy it.” Satan is an expert at distorting the truth by getting us to blame circumstances and other people for our mistakes; that way we never have to take responsibility. But as Albert Ellis observed, “The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You don’t blame them on your mother, the ecology or the government. You realize you control your own destiny.’ Florence Nightingale, hero-nurse of the Crimean War, said, ‘I attribute my success to one thing I never gave or took an excuse. “ When a winner messes up, they admit they were wrong and ask for forgiveness. When a loser makes a mistake, they immediately look for somebody or something to blame. The Bible says, ‘Don’t try to disclaim responsibility by saying you didn’t know… God…knows you knew! And He will reward … according to (your) deeds: David constantly prayed about his shortcomings, and his honesty helped make him ‘a man after (God’s) own heart’ (1 Sam 13:14 KJV) Instead of denying and defending your mistakes, take responsibility, learn from them and move on. That’s how you grow! (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, let Your Word minister to me to take responsibilities for my failings and trust You to overcome my challenges, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

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We can expect God’s faithfulness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 239              SUNDAY AUGUST,27.                    2017

TODAY, SPEAK WORDS THAT ENCOURAGE                       Job 4:3

“You…have…spoken words, that… encourage those who were about to quit.’

The Bible says, Help others with encouraging words (Rom 14:19 MSG) When Job was in trouble, his friend Eliphaz reminded him how in the past Job’s words had ‘encouraged those who were about to quit.’ Words can hurt or heal, bless or blister, destroy or deliver, tear down or build up. “The tongue has the power of life and death’ (Prov 18:21) Jon Walker writes: ‘You …the one with Jesus in your heart are capable of murder. And so am I. we have the power to speak with our words, and…the power to speak life. Perhaps you’ve been on the receiving end of a message meant to murder, “you’re not smart enough…thin enough…fast enough …good enough…a real Christian wouldn’t think such things.” In a world where people are beaten up and put down, God gives you super hero power to punch through the negativity. You speak life when you say, “You matter to me. I like you just the way you are… Your life counts. You were created for a purpose. God loves you, and you’re incredibly valuable to Him.” You can become the voice of God’s grace in the lives of others, supporting, loving, helping and encouraging them with the words that flow through your mouth.’ God wants us to encourage each other, but that doesn’t mean flattering or buttering people up. It means speaking words that help them to stay on their feet and keep going. What you say can give fresh hope to a friend, a relative, or a neighbour or a co-worker who’s about to collapse. What a gift. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Holy Spirit, we would hear Your inner promptings. Soft and clear; And help us know Your still small voice So we may make God’s will “know and to comfort others” – D. De Haan

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We’re never without a helper, because we have the Spirit within.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 240              MONDAY AUGUST,28.                            2017

DON’T ARGUE, JUST PRAISE GOD.                                      Lk 13:10-17

She was made straight, and glorified God (v13 NKJV)

One day Jesus healed a woman in the synagogue who’d been crippled for 18 years. As a result, two things happened. First, she rejoiced like anybody would who’d been set free from an 18 year illness. Second, some church folks condemned Jesus for healing her on the Sabbath day. What a scene. While she was glorifying God over here, they were arguing the fine points of doctrine over there. So what did she do? She just kept praising God. She didn’t stop to explain or try to convince her critics, because she knew their minds were already made up and weren’t open to change. You don’t have to defend yourself because the Lord is your defender. Plus, when you’ve been through difficult times you can’t afford to mess around with people’s moods and attitudes. If you do, your defensiveness can make you vulnerable to the enemy. This woman protected herself by entering into defensive praise, and you must do that too. Don’t get pulled into arguments. When you quit defending yourself, you open a door for the Lord to fight for you. This woman built a wall of protection around herself. She could easily have fallen into negative thinking, but she didn’t. Can you imagine what would have happened if she’d stopped rejoicing and started debating? If argument had gotten through the door: this whole scene would have ended in a fight. But instead she decided to just keep praising God – and you should too. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE:  Be still, my soul – the Lord is on thy side!

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide-

In every change He faithful will remain – Von Schlegel

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In the midst of every trial, God is on our side. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 241              TUESNDAY AUGUST,29.                          2017

GOD CAN TURN YOUR FAILURE TO SUCCESS                   Lk 5:1-11

Because you say so, I will (v5)

“(Jesus) said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything, But because you say so, I will….” When they had do so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break’ (4-6 NIV)  Note two principles in this story, (1) God will use failure to get your attention. Peter was tired, empty-handed and disappointed  when Jesus spoke to him. And He will speak to you through a rocky marriage, a child you’re about to give up on , or a job that seems too hard. He doesn’t want you to run from your problem. He wants you to learn from them; to discover the difference He can make in your situation when you invite Him into it. (2) God can take you back to the place of failure and give you success. We assume that because we weren’t successful at something, it wasn’t God’s will. But often the truth is that we failed because we relied on our own strength instead of His. When Jesus spoke, the fish responded. The Bible says, ‘…They caught such a large number of fish that their nests began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink’ (vv. 6-7 NIV). God is not limited by your circumstances. He’s only limited by your unbelief. When you obey Him, you’ll discover He has a level of abundance in mind that will exceed all your expectations. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Do a deed of simple kindness, Though its end you may not see; It may reach, like widening ripples, Down a long eternity – Norris

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Make an excellent choice and watch the ripple effect of blessing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 242              WEDNESDAY AUGUST,30.                      2017

THE FEAR OF FALLING                                                Ps 46

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deut 33:27)

Have you ever dreamed that you were falling out of bed or from some great height and you awoke in freight? I remember that as a boy I would often be awakened by such a terrifying feeling. I heard about a man who had this sensation as soon as he shipped into sleep. He was so rudely awakened by his sense of falling that he was afraid to go back to sleep. He feared he would die, and he imagined he was falling into a bottomless pit. Then one evening as he was strolling through a cemetery, he saw this phrase engraved on a tombstone:

UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS

These words reminded him that when believers die, they are safely carried by the Lord to their home in heaven. He recalled the assurance of the psalmist, “Yea, though I walk …ear no evil; for You are with me” (Ps 23:4) The once-fearful man realized that in life and in death –and even in sleep –the “everlasting arms” of our loving Lord are there to catch and hold us. That night he was able to sing what he was taught in childhood. “Teach me to live that I may dread the grave as little as my bed!” At last he could fall asleep without fear. – M.R.D. Haan.

PRAYER LINE: I can trust my loving Saviour When I fear the world’s alarms; There’s no safer place of resting  Than His everlasting arms – Hess.

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You can trust God in the dark as well as in the light. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 243              THURSDAY AUGUST,31.                          2017

RESCUED                                                             Col 1:12-23

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love (v13)

A south African man surprised nine men robbing his home. Seven of the robbers ran away, but the home-owner managed to shove two into his backyard pool.

After realizing that one of the robbers couldn’t swim, the homeowner jumped in to save him. The Cape Times reports that once out of the pool, the wet thief called to his friends to come back. Then he pulled a knife and threatened the man who had just rescued him. The homeowner said, “We we still standing near the pool, and when I saw the knife I just threw him back in. But he was gasping for air and was drowning. So I rescued him again.”

In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul wrote of another rescue God the Father had saved them from the domain of darkness. This rescue occurred at the death of Christ, but also at the Colossian’s conversion. The imagery Paul used (Col 1:12-13)  suggest that believers have been rescued from the dark reign of Satan by being transferred as free people into the peaceable rule of Christ. By Jesus’ death, believers become free citizens in the kingdom of light. The appropriate response to such amazing grace is to show joyous gratitude by offering God acceptable service with reverence and awe (Heb 12:28)  – Marvin William

PRAYER LINE: Your love, O God, would spare no pain

To conquer death and win;

You sent Your only Son to die

To rescue us from sin – M Gustafson

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Through the cross, Jesus rescued and redeemed the rebellious

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 244              FRIDAY SEPTEMBER,1.                            2017

OUR RELATIONSHIP THE LORED – LOVE:                 Deut 6:5-9

…but to fear the Lord your God… and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul (Deut 10:12)

• We are to love the Lord with all. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with al thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might (Deut 6:5) what doth the Lord… require of thee, but …to love him…with all thy heart and with all thy soul (Deut 6:5) . Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment (Matt 22:37-38) (B) Our souls should thirst for God. As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God (Ps 42:1-2) My soul thirsteth for thee… a dry and thirsty land (Ps 63:1 see 143:6) (C) We should greatly desire Him: One thing have I desired… that will I seek after; that I may… behold the beauty of the Lord (Ps 27:4) I have set the Lord always before me… at my right hand (Ps 16:8; Read Ps 63:8, 84:2, Isa 26:9) (D) We are to desire Him above all else. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee (Ps 73:25) The desire of our soul is to thy name (Isa 26:8) (E) We are to worship Jesus as we worship God. All men should honour the Son, even as…the Father (Jn 5:23; Phil 2:9-11; Col 1:18; 1Jn 5:1) (F) Why we love and worship Jesus. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he (Jesus) laid down his life for us (1 Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 4:19; Rev 5:8-13) (Bible Basics)

PRAYER LINE: What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms: O how bright the path, grows day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms – Hottman

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With God’s love behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 245              SATURDAY SEPTEMBER,2.                      2017

HOW WE SHOW OUR LOVE FOR THE LORD (1)               

He that (keepeth) my commandments… he it is that loveth me (Jn 14:21)

• By loving and obeying His Word. He that (keepeth) my commandments… he it is that loveth me (Jn 14:21) Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his… statute, and his …statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments always (Deut 11:1) I have esteemed (God’s) words… more than my necessary food (Job 23:12) My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments (word) at all times (Ps 119:20,40,131) We keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight (1 Jn 3:22) This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments (1Jn 3:22, 1 Jn5:3) This is love, that we walk after his commandments (2 Jn 6. See Ps 119:47-48, 97,133,127,159,163) (B) By Worshipping Him in prayer. I will love thee, O Lord…I will call upon the Lord (Ps 18:1,3) Thou art my God; early will I seek thee… to see thy power and thy glory. (Ps 63:1-4) Because he hath set his love upon me…he shall call upon me, and I will answer him (Ps 91:14-15) I love the Lord … therefore will I call upon him (Ps 116:1-2) (C) By loving one another. In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matt 25:40) Read 1 Jn 4:20-21) (D) By listening to His Voice. If he call thee … say “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth (1 Sam 3:9-10) Cause me to hear thy loving kindness (Ps 143:8, Isa 50:5) Bible Basics.

PRAYER LINE: The need for my heart is revival, More trusting in God’s precious Word, More grace as I show forth His praises, And serve my adorable Lord – Richie

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Duty can be drudgery, but duty with love for God is delight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 246              SUNDAY SEPTEMBER,3.                          2017

HOW WE SHOW OUR LOVE FOR THE LORD (2)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”  (Jn 10:27)

(E) By obeying, following, and serving Him: – Follow me; where I am; there shall also my servant be (Jn 12:26) read Jn 15:10) What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to …serve (Him)… keep the commandments of the Lord (Deut 10:12-13) Fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and truth (Josh 24:14), 1 Sam 12:24) Doing services as to the Lord, and not to men. (Eph 6:7) Serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Heb 12:28) (F) By self-sacrifice and giving our lives in love. He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Matt 10:38) My father (doth) love me because I lay down my life (Jn 10:17) I die daily (1 Cor 15:31 see 2 Cor 11:22-28) read Gal 2:20. I count all things but loss …that I may win Christ (Phil 3:7-8) Rev 12:11. Says They counted not their lives unto the death.(G) By honouring and obeying Him more than men: We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29) Acts 4:19 says: “But Peter and John answered and said… whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye’ (H) Be giving to Him and supporting His work. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: (Prov 3:9). Bible Basics

PRAYER LINE:  Lord, help us always realize, And may we ever put You first In everything we plan to do – Sper.

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You’re in trouble when the things you own begin to own you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 247              MONDAY SEPTEMBER,4.                         2017

WE ARE TO LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL ELSE                   Matt 22:37

Love…God with all thy heart… soul and … mind (Matt 22:37)

• We are not to lobe – or put – anything before Him. Thou shall have no other gods before me (Exo 20:3; Ps 96:4) (B) God is jealous of your love for Him; don’t provoke Him: Thou shalt not… serve (other gods) for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God (see Exo 34:14, Deut 32:16, 21; Isa 42:8; 1 Cor10:22) (C) We are not even to love our loved ones more than God. Now I know that thou fears God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son; thine only son from me. (Gen 22:12; Matt 10:37) (D) We are not even to seek our physical needs above God. Not live by bread alone, but by every word… of God (Matt 4:4) No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other…Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matt 6:24, 33; Ps 84:10-11; Matt 6:25-32) (E) Seek heavenly things; don’t be overly attached to earthly things: Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matt 6:20-21) A man’s life consisteth not in abundance of things (Lk 12:15) Read (Col 3:1-2; Heb 10:34) (F) Don’t even put God’s service above loving God. Ye tithe…(but) pass over judgment and the love of God (Lk 11:42) Lk 10:38-42 – Is the story of Martha busy serving while Mary listened to Jesus- Read Rev 2:3-5 (Bible Basics)

PRAYER LINE: Father, You know how inadequate I am, Please equip me through the Spirit to show love and respect in my life so that others will see through me and see You. In Jesus name I ask it. Amen

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A Christian is a living sermon whether or not he preaches a word.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 248              TUESDAY SEPTEMBER,5.                         2017

WE ARE TO FEAR AND REVERENCE THE LORD        Deut 10:12

What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God (Deut 10:12)

(A)  Fearing God: The Lord…him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship (2 kgs 17:35-36) Fear God, and keep his commandments (Eccl 12:13) Let (God) be your fear, and let him be your dread (Isa 8:12-13) Be not afraid of (men) … yea,  I say, Fear him (Lk 12:4-5 also Matt 10:28) (B) Fearing (reverencing) God is healthy: The fear of the Lord is clean (Ps 19:9 compare with Prov 29:25) (C) The benefits of fearing God: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111:10 see Prov 9:10) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov 1:7) In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence (Prov 14:26 read v27) By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. (Prov 16:6) (D) God’s blessings on us for fearing Him: He that feareth the Lord, him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose (Ps 25:12) Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou has laid up for them that fear thee; to which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee… before the sons of men (Ps 31:19) The Lord pitieth (has compassion on) them that fear him (Ps 103:13) His mercy is on them that fear him (Lk 1:20) He that feareth him… is accepted with him (Acts 10:35) (Bible Basics)

PRAYER LINE: O Lord, I now admit my guilt, And I accept Your grace;

Transform my life and help me grow Until I see Your face – Hess

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When God forgives, He removes the sin and restores the soul.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 249              WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER,6.                            2017

RESTING IN THE LORD                                                Ps 37:7)

(A) The Bible instructs us to “rest in the Lord.” Resting in the Lord, and wait patiently for him (Ps 37:7) We which have believed do enter into rest  (Heb 4:3 read v9) (B) Take time to sit at Jesus’ feet. Mary …sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered… serving Mary hath chosen the good part. (C) Cast your burdens and worries on the Lord: Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee (Ps 55:22) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavey laden, and I will give you rest… unto your souls (Matt 11:28-30) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7) (D) Quietly meditate on God’s power: Isaac when out to meditate in the field at the eventide (Gen 24:63) Standstill, and consider the wondrous works of God (Job 37:L14) Be still, and know that I am God (Ps 46:10) And that ye study to be quiet, and to do …as we commanded you (1 Thess 4:11) (E) Be humble before Him: (King Solomon prayed to God) I am but a little child (1 kgs 3:7) The high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity… I dwell… with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit (Isa 57:15) (Bible Basics)

PRAYER LINE: When you communicate, use words That heal and nourish life Instead of hurling angry words That wound and stir up strife – Sper.

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In prayer God hears more than words – He listens to your heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 250              THURSDAY SEPTEMBER,7.                      2017

RESTING IN THE “SECRET PLACE”                    Ps 91:1-4

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (v1)

(A) The “Secret place” of God’s presence. Let us Labour…to enter into that rest (Heb 4:11) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. (Jas 4:8) Hide me under the shadow of thy wings (Ps 17:8) Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear the; which thou has  wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man…from the strife of tongues (Ps 31:19-20 read Ps 61:4) (B) Rest in “the shadow of His wings: – As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them beareth them on her wings, so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him (Deut 32:11-12) (Jesus longs to gather us to Him) even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings (Matt 23:37 see Lk 13:34) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust (Ps 91:4) My soul trusteth in thee … in the shadow of thy wings (Ps 57:1) How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings (Ps 36:7 Read Ps 63:7; Ruth 2:12 says The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel…Come to trust. (Bible Basics)

PRAYER LINE: Song- My hope is built on nothing lee

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But Jesus wholly lean on Jesus’ name- Mote.

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We have nothing to fear it we stay close to the Rock of Ages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 251              FRIDAY SEPTEMBER,8.                            2017

BENEFITS OF QUIET TIME WITH THE LORD (1)                 Ps 23:2-3

He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul (Ps 23:2-3)

(A) God heals and restores our souls: Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness (Jesus) arise with healing in his wings (Mal 4:2) We faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16 see Eph 4:23)

B He gives us joy: Let them also that love thy name be joyful in the. (Ps 5:11) In thy presence is fullness of joy (Ps 16:1)Let all those that seek thee rejoice and Be glad in thee (Ps 51:12) Read Nehemiah 8J:10; 1 Peter 1:8) ©  He gives us spiritual strength: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…and not be weary (Isa 40:31) Keep silence before me… renew their strength  (Isa 41:1)  Their strength is to sit still (Isa 30:7 read v 15) The people that do know their God shall be strong (Dan 11:32) Let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his sight (Judg 5:31 read Eph 3:16, Col 1:9,11) (D) He gives us rest in the Spirit. My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest (Exo 33:14 Read 1kgs 8:56; Matt 11:28-30 (Bible Basics)

PRAYER LINE: There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God . a place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God – Mc Afee

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Time spent with the Lord is always time well spent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 252              SATURDAY SEPTEMBER,9.                      2017

BENEFITS OF QUIET TIME WITH THE LORD (2)        Matt 11:28-30

Come unto me… I will give you rest..unto your souls (vv 28-30)

(E) When we take time to love Him, He loves us: I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me. (Prov 8:17) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him (Jn 14:21 read v23) The Father …loveth you, because ye have loved me (Jn 16:27) (F) Other benefits of loving the Lord: Love the Lord…walk in his ways…that thou mayest live…and the Lord shall bless thee (Deut 30:16) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name (Ps 91:14) Be merciful … unto those that love thy name (Ps 119:132) The Lord preserveth all them that love him (Ps 45:20) I may cause those that love me to inherit substance (Prov 8:21) Grace be with them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity (Eph 6:24) If any man love God, the same is known of him (1 Cor 8:3) The crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love them (Jas 1:12) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (2 Tim 4:8 read Deut 11:13-15; 22; Ps 26:10 (Bible Basics)

PRAYER LINE: My heart is stirred when e’er I think of Jesus. That blessed Name that sets the captive free; The only Name through which I find salvation; No name on earth has meant so much to me – Eliason.

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The joy of living comes from a heart of thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 253             SUNDAY SEPTEMBER,10.                        2017

YOU ARE NOT ALONE                                       Isa 66:5-12

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.(v13) 

I remember when our car broke down. It didn’t have too far to break down because it already was at death’s door. The only way to fix that car was to commit the body to the ground and give the engine to the Lord. As at the time, though, I needed to get up down to ask the electric company not to cut off the only utility I had left. I caught the bus to town.  I walked into the office prepared to beg, but not prepared to pay. I pleaded with the young lady; I promised her money; Nothing seemed to move her, and she cut it off anyway.  I was crushed. I had been laid off my job; and my church was so poor it couldn’t even pay attention. I was in trouble. I walked out of the utility office and burst into tears. God said absolutely nothing. He waited until I had gained some slight level of composure and then spoke. I will never forget the sweet sound of His voice beneath the broken breathing of my fearful frustration. He said: “I will not suffer thy foot to be moved.” That was all He said, but It was how He said it that caused worship to flush the pain out of my heart. Suddenly, the light, the gas, and the money didn’t matter. What mattered was I knew I was not alone. He sat down beside me and we rode home smiling in each other’s face (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, I need spiritual and physical rest. Help me to deliberately take the time to spend with You. Please remove any obstacle that keeps me from having a more balanced rhythm to my life.

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Living for God begins with resting in Him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 254              MONDAY SEPTEMBER,11.                      2017

YOU ARE A SURVIVOR                                                Ps 69:16-19

Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. (v19)

The chosen people had become a great empire. Israel was at its zenith under the leadership of a godly king named David. There can be no argument that David frequently allowed his passions to lead him into moral failure.

However, he was man who recognized his failures and repented. He was a man who sought God’s heart. Although David longed to follow God, some of his passions and lost were inherited by his children. Maybe they learned negative things from their father’s failures. That is a tendency we must detest. We ought not repeat the failure of our fathers. We are most vulnerable, however, to our father’s weaknesses. And it came to pass after this, that Absolom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin… He took hold of her … being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her (2 Sam. 13:1-2, 11-14) The name Tamar means “palm tree” Tamar is a survivor. She stands in summer and spring. Tamar is a survivor. You are a survivor. Through hard times God has granted you the tenacity to endure stresses and strains (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Father God, please grant me the tenacity to endure stresses and strains through hard times. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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In uncertain times, our security is in God alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 255              TUESDAY SEPTEMBER,12.                       2017

THE PURPOSE OF CALAMITY                                     Ps 18:17-19

…He delivered me because He delighted in me (19)

There is a deep-seated need in all of us to sense purpose-even out of calamity. Out of this thirst for meaning is born the simplistic yet crucial prayer why? Many times, we want to know and understand. It is part of our superior creative ability. It separates us from lower forms of life that tend to accept events as they come. There is within us this insatiable need to understand. On the other hand, we seem to draw some degree of solace from our very quest to know why. No matter how painful the quest, we will still search through the rubbish of broken dreams, broken promises, and twisted childhood issues looking for clues. We ambitiously pursue these clues because we believe there is a reward for the discovery. This emotional autopsy often takes us through the bowels of human attitudes and dysfunctional behaviour. We don’t have to necessarily erase the cause of our pain; we mainly just want to find some reason or justification for the pain and discomfort. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day (Gen 32:24) Like Jacob, all of us know what it means to be left alone. Whether through death, desertion, or even disagreement, we have all been left alone at times. We are sometimes disillusioned when we find out how easily people leave us. (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby; Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh; I need Thee, O I need Thee, every hour I need Thee! O bless me now, my Saviour- I come to Thee! Hanks

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Satan uses temptations to tear you down; God use trials to build you up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 256              WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER,13.                          2017

THE VICTIM SURVIVES                                                          Ps 140:8-13

I know the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor (v12)

Many women feel guilty about things they had no control over. They feel guilty about being victimized. Often their original intention was to help another, but in the process they are damaged. Tamar was the king’s daughter. She was a virgin. She was a ‘good girl”. She didn’t do anything immoral. It is amazing that her own brother would be so filled with desire that he would go to such lengths to destroy his sister. He thought he was in love. It wasn’t love. It was lust. He craved her so intensely that he lost his appetite for food. He was visibly distorted with passion. Love is a giving force, while lust is a selfish compulsion centralized on gratification.

So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight; … and Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her…( 2 Sam 13:6, 10:11)

It is frightening to think about the night, that he plotted and conjured her destruction. The intensity of  his passion for her was awesome. So much so, that even his father and cousin recognized that something had altered his behaviour. He was filled with lustful passion for her (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: O stir me, O stir me, Lord, till all my heart Is filled with compassion for those who are lost, Until Your compelling love drives me to pray And follow Your leading, not to count the cost – Anon.

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Victory is the fruit of dedication and discipline

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 257              THURSDAY SEPTEMBER,14.                    2017

SURVIVAL PRODUCES PEACE                                              Jas 1:2-3

Consider it pure joy; my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance (vv 2-3)

Like a child who has fallen from his bicycle needs to find a place out of the view of his peers where he can honestly say, ‘Ouch! That hurt more than I showed in front of other people,” we too need a private place of honesty. We need to be honest with ourselves. We need a place where we can sit down, reflect, and mourn. However, we must be careful not to mourn over the past longer than necessary. After the funeral, there is always burial. The burial separates the survivor from the deceased, and it is as far as we can go. So you must come to a place of separation and decide to live on.  And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long will thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill thine horn with oil, and go. I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons ( 1 Samuel 16:1) In spite of the pain and distaste of adversity, it is impossible not to notice that each adverse event leaves sweet nectar behind, which, in turn, can produce its own rich honey in the character of the survivor. It is this bittersweet honey that allows us to enrich the lives of others through our experiences and testimonies . (T.D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: Tell me the story, slowly, that I may take it – That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin, Tell me the story often, for  I forget so soon; The early dew of morning the story that because of His great love God sent His one and only Son to this earth.

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It is not too late to make a fresh start with God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 258              FRIDAY SEPTEMBER,15.                          2017

THE VOID FILLER                                                          Rom 15:7-13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost (v13)

Some have been abused, misused and victimized. Some played a part in their own demise. There are those who lived in fear and pain because of the immoral relationship that took place in the home. If you know this kind of pain, the Lord wants to heal you. Those who have a desperate need for male attention have usually come from a situation where there has been an absence of positive male role models in the home. Perhaps you didn’t get enough nurturing as a girl. Therefore, it becomes easy to compromise and do anything to find male acceptance and love. The Lord is calling the hurting to Him. He will fill that void in your life. He wants to be that heavenly Father who will mend your heart with a positive role model. Through the Spirit, He wants to hold and nurture you. Millions have longed for a positive hug and nurturing embrace from fathers without ever receiving what they longed for. There is away to fill that emptiness inside. It is through a relationship with God. Men, God is healing us so we can recognize that a woman who is not our wife is to be treated as our sister. Woman must learn that they can have a platonic relationship with men. A brotherly and sisterly love does not include sexual intimacy. It does not include self-gratification (T. D. Jakes)

PRAYER LINE: In each trial God would prove you, He would bring you forth more bright, But He’ll never cease to love you – You are precious in His sight – Anon.

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A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without adversity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 259              SATURDAY SEPTEMBER,16.                    2017

BOUNCING BACK                                                        1 Jn 1:5-22

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (v9)

On January 18, 2012, the longest winning streak in US intercollegiate varsity sports history – 252 consecutive victories –ended when Trinity College lost a squash match to Yale. The morning after the team’s first loss in 14 years. Trinity’s coach, Paul Assaiante, received an email from a friend; a prominent professional football coach, who wrote. “Well, now you get to bounce back.” Ten days later, that football coach’s team lost in one of the most widely seen athletic events- the NFL. Super Bowl. All of us must cope with defeat. The feeling of failure after an athletic loss mirrors our greater self-condemnation following a spiritual collapse. How can we recover from grieving God and others, along with disappointing ourselves? The apostle John wrote, ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”  (1Jn 1:8-9)  God forgives us because Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins (2:2) God’s pardon sets us free to begin again and focus on today’s opportunity rather than yesterday’s defeat. His faithful cleansing allows us to start over a pure heart. Today, God invites and enables us to bounce back – David McCasland.

PRAYER LINE: When you’ve trusted Jesus and walked His way; When you’ve felt His hand lead you day by day; But your steps now take you another way, Smart over – Knoll

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Instead of living in the shadows of yesterday, walk in the light of today and the hope of tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 260              SUNDAY SEPTEMBER,17.                        2017

GET OUT, GIVE UP, AND SEE THE PROMISE                       Gen 12:1-3

The Lord had said to Abram; “Get out of your country,  from your family, And from your father’s house, To a land I will show you. (v1)

First came the command in v1, then the promise in v2. “I will make you a great nation” (Gen 12:2 NKJV).  God gave Abram a proposition. “If you do this, I will do this.” If he would leave his country, his family, and his father’s house, God would show him a land. Look closely at Gen 12:1.  God did not say He would give Abram something He said that He would show him something. You need faith to break camp without the promise of everything else. You need to be deep in love with God to do what He tells you without knowing for sure that you will be rewarded. Now, do not confuse faith with mercy. Most of the time you do not have faith enough to get the job done, rather, God simply has mercy on you. Abram, though, moved in such a dynamic level of faith that God compensated him for the loss of his country. That is why God said He would make Abram great nation.

My friend, the blessing of God always make up for the cost of the things you leave behind to obey Him. The real question is this, would you leave them even without any promise?

PRAYER LINE: Thank You, Lord, for all the things You have done and for all the things You have promised to do. Above all, thank You for being You – the Almighty God who was, and is, and always shall be. You are worthy of praise, worship, honour, and obedience simply because You are the only God. I bless You in Jesus’ name. Amen. (CTC)

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Our work is to cast care; God’s work is to take care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 261              MONDAY SEPTEMBER,18.                      2017

ESTABLISH A DIVIDING LINE                            Gen 12:1,  Matt 12:46-50

The Lord had said to Abram, Get out of your country, from your family, from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you (v1)

The first requirement for the walk of faith is separation from the world and from the human nature of your family. This is picture of the way the church must join with her Husband, Jesus Christ. God does not call us literally to hate our family members, rather we are to put them into proper perspective and priority. It is part of growing up spiritually. Some of us have not separated from our kinfolk. A lack of separation will hinder your “marriage” to the king of the kingdom. Newly married couples that fail to establish a dividing line around their marriage usually suffer from the intrusion of well meaning family members. Sometimes the family and friends you love most can contaminate the pureness of the word God gave you on holy ground. They have known you from birth, and they often become the “hometown naysayers”  who doubt your ability to do a supernatural task at God’s command. On the day His mother and brothers showed up at one of His meetings, Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matt 12:15 NKJV) Before God makes a major move in your life, He will separate you from the old so you can receive the new. He called Abram to leave his family as well as his country. God will not do any less with you.

PRAYER LINE: I love my family and thank You for them, but I must not allow them to turn my heart away from the things You said to me in the secret place. The best thing I can do for You, for myself, and for them, is to put You first. Then  we all will be blessed through my obedience. – (CTC)

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Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 262              TUESDAY SEPTEMBER,19.                       2017

VICTORY OR DEFEAT? (1)                                           Exo 14:9-14

Moses said to the people, fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord(v13)

Victory or defeat – it’s your choice! Did you know that victory or defeat in life is up to you? Why? Because Jesus Christ already purchased your freedom in every area of life. Now it’s up to you to walk in the victory that Jesus purchased for you.  “Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD. …The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exo 14:13-14) In studying a particular passage in Scripture, we can gain a lot of valuable insight if we understand the setting in which certain things were spoken. When you first read the Scriptures above, you get the impression that Moses was speaking very calmly and quietly to the children of Israel. But if you look at the circumstances the Israelites were in, you find out that the situation was anything but a calm one. When Moses said “Fear not, stand still, ..Salvation of the Lord,” the Israelites were standing on the banks of the Red Sea. There was no way of escape from the Egyptians army. As the Egyptians got closer and closer, the Israelites could hear the voices of the soldiers rise to a mighty crescendo out in that desert. The Egyptians were probably prepared to kill every single Israelite (Kenneth Hagin Jnr)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, I need spiritual and physical rest, Help me to deliberately take the time to spend with You. Please remove any obstacle that keeps me from having a more balanced rhythm to my life

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Lives rooted in God’s unchanging grace can never be uprooted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 263              WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER,20.                          2017

VICTORY OR DEFEAT? (2)                                                    Exo 14:10-12

And they said to Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?…(v11)

Facing such frightening circumstances, the children of Israel turned against Moses. And when Pharaoh drew nigh the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt… Is not this the word we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians… than that we should die in the wilderness (vvv10-11)

The people were only looking at the physical circumstances. They were looking at the natural. The Israelites forgot to look at the God of the impossible! But Moses outlook on impossible situations was different than the other Israelites. His attitude was different too. His eyes were not fixed on the circumstances that spelled only defeat. Why was Moses outlook entirely different? Because he had been in desperate situation before and God had delivered  him. Moses had stood with his brother Aaron in Pharoah’s court when Aaron threw his rod on the floor and it turned into a serpent. Moses was trying to perform mighty feats for God, and the devil starts matching him stride for stride. But that wasn’t the end of the story (Kenneth Hagin Jnr.)

 

PRAYER LINE: He who to the wind and wave commanded “Peace, be still” stands with arms outstretched to save And keep you in His will – Stairs

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When we get to the place where there’s nothing but God, we find that God is all we need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 264              THURSDAY SEPTEMBER,21.                    2017

VICTORY OR DEFEAT? (3)                        Exo 7:8-12

That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee” (Exo 4:5)

Even in that desperate situation, Moses listened to God (so must you) He didn’t get all upset and fainted in his faith. He remembered God’s Word to him. God had told Moses that He would do wonders in Paraoah’s court “That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee” (Exo 4:5) So without fear or wavering, Moses just stood fast on God’s word to him. And he and Aaron watched as their rod turned into a serpent and swallowed up the magician’s serpents. Then Moses reached out and grabbed that serpent by the tail, and it turned back into a rod (Exo 7:8-12) Pharoah’s magicians were confounded and put to shame. So, Moses had been in desperate situation before and had watched God work His mighty victory plan. Therefore, he knew his only hope was in God. Not only had Moses talked to God, but he had also been an eyewitness to the unlimited, omnipotent power of God that is available to those who will believe. Moses was overcome with thoughts of victory not defeat. He may have thought, I am responsible for these people. I know I’ve heard from God. Therefore, God has a plan. And God’s plans only lead to victory. (Kenneth Hagin Jnr)

PRAYER LINE: What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer – Scriven.

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Turn your cares into prayers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 265              FRIDAY SEPTEMBER,22.                          2017

YOUR TRIUMPH IS IN THE WORD (1)                       Exo 14:8-12

But the Egyptians pursued after them…(v9)

If you are going to enter fully into God’s victory plan, you’re going to have to stand your ground on God’s Word. The Word is the only thing that’s going to turn your situation around. It’s the only thing that can hold you up when circumstances seem to be closing in all around you. You need to know that all the victory you will ever need in life is contained in the promises in God’s Word. In fact because of God’s promises to you in His Word, you can always triumph in Christ. But you’ll have to feed your faith on the Word of God. As you put the Word first before the circumstances, the Word will overcome those circumstances. You will look around for the impossibilities, and you won’t be able to find them. Our victory comes in relying on the Word. It’s God’s strength that will put us over in the situation. Why rely on our strength when we’ve got the strength of Almighty God behind us! Moses knew that his responsibility was to lead the children of Israel, and not to personally protect them and provide for them. All God told Moses to do was “Go”! Lead My people out of the bondage of Egypt into the freedom of the Promised Land. When you get hold of how to work with God so He can bring about His victory plan, you can lie down and go to sleep at night in the midst of all the turmoil and cares of life and sleep like a baby. (Kenneth Hagin Jnr.)

PRAYER LINE: Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me – All His wonderful passion and purity! O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine; Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me – Orsborn

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The beauty of Jesus may come from the most unlikely sources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 266              SATURDAY SEPTEMBER,23.                    2017

YOUR TRIUMPH IS IN THE WORD (2)                       Exo 14:12-14

And Moses said unto the people, fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD… for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever (v13)

But too many of us walk the floor in the middle of the night, wringing our hands, crying, “Oh, God! What am I going to do?” Instead of lying down and sleeping in the sweetness of the Holy Spirit. We can sleep in perfect peace when our full trust is in God!

All your worrying and fretting won’t help you anyway. In fact, it just makes things worse because it gets you out of faith. Besides worrying and fretting do not give God anything to work with on your behalf because it’s fear at work- not faith! If you would ignore the devil’s worry and start speaking the promises of God, you’d put Satan to flight. It’s very hard for someone to pester you if you had older brothers or sisters who continually pestered you when you were a kid, when they found out that you wouldn’t let them annoy you anymore, they’d quit. That’s how you need to get with Satan. If you would rest in the Holy Spirit when the devil tries to bring his worry to your mind, it would have a mighty discouraging effect on him. Don’t talk what the devil is doing. Talk about Jesus Christ and His victory plan for your life. (Kenneth Hagin Jnr)

PRAYER LINE: To stretch our faith, to take the risk, God says we will succeed if we but ask Him for the strength And grace that we will need – D. De Haan

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Our faith is stretched by exchanging our weakness for God’s strength

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 267              SUNDAY SEPTEMBER,24.                        2017

YOUR TRIUMPH IS IN THE WORD (3)                       Exo 14:12-14

The LORD shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace (v14)

When Moses was confronted with that impossibility at the Red Sea, he didn’t waste his time talking about the enemy-about Pharoah’s vast army approaching them. He realized that it was only God’s power that could deliver them from Pharoah’s army, so he focused only on God. He had learned a principle that was later to be recorded in the Bible: “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zech 4:6) Think about Moses’ plight  for a moment. Just imagine how many ships and equipment you’d need to transport two million people across the Red Sea, plus their livestock and belongings. That’s a lot of people. It was in the midst of these desperate circumstances that Moses spoke the word of the Lord to the people. He said, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today… “ (Exo 14:13) That’s faith. Don’t you know God is never taken by surprise? He always has a plan to bring victory, not defeat. The word “defeat “ is not even in His vocabulary. God cares about you, so just stay in faith, and watch Him work. God already has His victory plan all figured out. You may be facing a circumstance as impossible as crossing the Red Sea. But if God could deliver the Israelites, don’t you think He can deliver you? (Kenneth Hagin Jnr)

PRAYER LINE: Our strength and hope is in the Lord – We rest secure in His sure Word; And though we’re tempted to despair We know we’re kept within His care. – D. De Haan

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Hope for the Christian is a certainty – because its basis is Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 268              MONDAY SEPTEMBER,25.                      2017

PRAYING WONDER-WORKING PRAYERS                 Jn 11:41-44

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (Lk 6:12)

When Jesus got to the tomb of Lazarus, the first thing He did was to give thanks to His Father for two wonderful reasons: that the Father had heard Him, even before praying, and that the Father always hears Him! Moreover, that is common in many so called elitist Christian organizations. The Bible in Jn 11:43 says: “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.”  God will listen to the one who cries aloud to Him for help before He listens to those who whisper their requests. Among all those following Jesus on His way out of Jericho, only the one who cried out (Bartimaeus) got his need met. (Mk 10:47-52) Also, in the prayer of our Lord at the tomb of Lazarus, we can see Him expressing His faith in what His Father is capable of doing. We can also perceive the cordial relationship between the Son and the Father in this prayer. This relationship gave the Son the confidence to ask the Father what He knew would glorify the Father. Jesus would not ask for anything that did not bring glory to His Father The Bible gives one reason why we do not receive answers to our prayers in Jas 4:3; Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.’ Another reason is that a life of sin robs us of the confidence we need to ask God in faith.

PRAYER  LINE: Father, grant me the grace to maintain a cordial relationship with You, so that my prayers to You may continue to produce wonders to the glory of Your Name (O. H)

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If we obey God’s calling, He will provide the needed strength.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 269              TUESDAY SEPTEMBER,26.                       2017

ENGAGE IN WONDER-WORKING PRAISE                 Acts 16:25-26

But thou at holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (Ps 22:3)

Praise directed towards God is a lethal weapon of spiritual warfare. This is so because God inhabits the praises of His people. You need to catch the revelation of what the Psalmist is saying in Ps 22:3: ”But thou art holy, O thou that inabitest the praises of Israel.” In other words, God, the wonder-working Father, dwells in the praises of His people. In the inhabitation of the Almighty, wonder-working power is present and breakthrough is common place. Although Paul and Silas were kept in prison, they did something unusual of people in trouble. Even when people know that they are the architect of their own problem, they still try to justify themselves by raining curses on their tormentors. This was not the attitude of Paul and Silas. Their case was different because they were apprehended for preaching the gospel. They were thoroughly beaten and cast into prison. While they sang praises, the Almighty God came to inhabit their praises. This should not be surprising, because the promises of God are yea and Amen. It is written: ”Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Paul and Silas  engaged in wonder-working praise and they experienced wonders in their ministries. I pray that as you engage in the praise of the Almighty God, you shall receive the wonders of a life-time in Jesus’ Name. (O.H)

PRAYER LINE: Father, please grant me the grace to render wonder-working praise to You and not be weary, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Do all things to the glory of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 270              WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER,27.                          2017

THE ESSENCE OF FORGIVENESS                                          Mk 11:25-26

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (v25)

Just as God has extended His unconditional forgiveness to us through the Blood of Jesus Christ (Eph 17), He expects us to extend the same to our neighbours. We like to enjoy God’s benevolence, but we find it difficult to extend the same to others. The gravity of this negative attitude is found in the parable of Jesus about the unforgiving servant (Matt 18:23-35) Although the king forgave this servant a debt he could not afford to pay, when his fellow servant who also owed him begged him to be patient with him, he refused. He cast this fellow servant into prison. The king was angry and handed him over to the tormentors and charged them to torment him until he was able to pay his debt. Note what Jesus said in Matt 18:35: “So likewise shall my heavenly Father, do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brothers their trespasses” The virtue for forgiveness proceeds from the offended, and it is carried out by the offended also. There is every reason to be vengeful when you are offended, but when you cast your mind back to remember how you have been forgiven yourself, you will have no choice as a child of God but to forgive. Those who easily forgive others who offend them are likely to be favourites of God because they share the nature of God in the area of forgiveness.

 PRAYER LINE: Ponder on – Look out for those who have offended you, declare and demonstrate to them that you have forgiven them. Pray – Father, please give me a forgiving heart and the patience to lean on the Word. (O.H)

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Love is God’s will in action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 271              THURSDAY SEPTEMBER,28.                    2017

FOUR LEVELS OF BLESSING                                                 Lk 6:38

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  (Ps 23:5)

The level of God’s blessings on a person comes in different categories Four levels of blessing outlined in Lk 6:38. The First level is the level of being blessed in good measure. Good measure connotes just enough. The level the Israelites experienced in the wilderness (Exo 16:16-18)

The next level of blessing goes beyond good measure. At this level, blessings are compacted by being pressed down to make room for more. This type of blessing is described in Mal 3:10. The next level of blessing goes beyond the level of denseness achieved by pressing down. At this level, blessing is made denser by shaking it together after it has been pressed down. This creates the capacity to have and hold more blessings at any given time. The next and final level is level where maximally dense blessings keep coming as a study stream, such that all capacity to store and hold them is overwhelmed. At this level, blessings begin to run over. There is a key for accessing any of the levels of blessing we have described. This key is found in 2 Cor 9:6: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. We must give before we receive, because the law of harvest cannot be broken. The quantity and quality of your sowing will determine the level of blessing you experience.

PRAYER LINE: Father, please give me seed to sow for bountiful harvests in Jesus’ Name. (O. H)

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God provides the armor, but we must put it on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 272              FRIDAY SEPTEMBER,29.                          2017

THE GREAT GAIN                                                         1 Tim 6:6-10

But godliness with contentment is great gain (v6)

“The end justifies the means” has become the driving principle of many. Why would the church allow herself be robbed of a virtue the Bible describes as great gain? The answer can be found in the parable of Jesus on the wheat and tares in Matt 13:27-30: “An enemy has done this.” The enemy of the cross is responsible for this development, and the church must do something about it as a body and as individuals. Every child of God must personally endeavor not to be caught in the web of worldliness and insatiable appetite for material things like Esau, Gehazi and Judas Iscariot. We must learn to live modestly in this world. The Bible in Heb 12:16-17 admonishes us: “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that after…it carefully with tears.”

Collectively, let us avoid what happened at kibroth-hattavah among the congregation of the children of Israel when their appetite for the delicacies of Egypt caused them to murmur against the Lord and His servant; Moses and Aaron (Num 11:4-6) Read 1 Tim 6:7 Although the Lord had been feeding the children of Israel with the food of angels free (Ps 78:24-25) they were not content with it. This brought leanness to their soul (Ps 106:14-15) If there is anything you must seek and find today, it should be godliness with contentment. (Heb 13:5)

PRAYER LINE: Father, cause Your fear to rule my heart in contentment in Jesus’ Name (O. H)

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Come to Jesus for the refreshing power of His living water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 273              SATURDAY SEPTEMBER,30.                    2017

HAUNTED BY YOUR PAST?                                                  Rom 8:1-3

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. “ (1 Cor 6:11)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, is an example of someone who did not allow his past to haunt him or prevent him from fulfilling his destiny. He gave the following testimony about himself in Gal 1:15-17: “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostle before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.” One noticeable reason why the past haunts some children of God is their lack of knowledge and understanding of the word of God. As revealed in our Bible reading, an individual who is born-again is free from every form of condemnation of past sins. Before you can escape the evils of your past life, the first thing you should ascertain is whether or not you are indeed in Christ, because some people are in Christ but not in Christ. The evidence of a life in Christ is outlined in 2 Cor 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This new life is not by our power but by the power in the Blood and Spirit of Jesus Christ. The Bible says the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom 8:16) Demolish the bridge that links you with the past and be free. (O. H)

PRAYER LINE: Let us go forth, as called of God, Redeemed by Jesus’ precious blood; His love to show, His life to live, His message speak, His mercy give – Whittle

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When you share the gospel, make sure you live the gospel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 274              SUNDAY OCTOBER,1.                     2017

WHAT’S EATING YOU?                                               Job 5:1-13

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple (v2)

A missionary who returned home because of a mysterious illness which his doctor could not diagnose told me that the cause of the illness was hidden resentment. “What my doctor did not know,” he said, ‘was that I was harbouring a deep resentment against a colleague on the mission field. I came to a point where I knew I could not go on like this – the resentment was killing me. So I surrendered it to God and within days I was well again.’ His doctor, on seeing the difference in him, said laughingly, ‘I don’t know what has happened to you, but it seems you are well enough now to go and dig trenches.’

Sometimes, however, the resentment we carry is not against peoplebut against situations which we find disagreeable. One woman found herself in a job she did not like. Every time she want to work she fumed inwardly until she developed serious stomach trouble. Though she was given all kinds of treatment nothing helped. Then, one morning, while reading Every Day with Jesus,  she came across this statement: “It may be not what you are eating but what is eating you that is the problem.’ She got down on her knees, surrendered her resentment to God and immediately felt better. I wonder, am I speaking to someone today; somewhere in the world, who is chewing on resentment, which in turn is contributing to your ill health? Decide to have done with it – now. As one doctor has said, “You chew on your own tongue when you chew on resentment (EDWJ)

PRAYER LINE: Help me, my Father, to be a truly forgiving person. Amen.

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God feeds us through His Word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 275              MONDAY OCTOBER,2.                             2017

SING                                                                    1 Cor 16:23-27

Sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works (v9)

Our home in Boise is next to a park where I walk most morning. An elderly woman walks there at the same time. She walks clockwise and I walk counter –clockwise, which means that we meet twice each lap.

She has the most lovely, crinkly eyes and wrinkled face that wrinkles even more when she smiles. When she smiles, her whole face smiles. She has Alzheimer’s. The first time we met she asks, “Have I sung my song? I say, “No, ma’ am” And she sings a little song about the sun; “Good morning Mr. Sunshine…” Then she smiles, raises her hands in a kind of blessing, and moves on.

So we go our separate ways – 180 degrees around the circle – until we meet again. She asks, “Have I sung my song?” I say, “sing it again.” And she does. I can’t get her delightful song out of my mind. She has become a parable of the kind of person I want to be – making the way through the world, singing and making melody in my heart, singing of the Sun of Righteousness who has risen with healing in His wings (Mal 4:2) leaving behind a lingering memory of His love. May His song be on your heart and lips this day. And may many hear and put their trust in the Lord. – David Roper.

PRAYER LINE:

There’s within my heart a melody,

Jesus whispers sweet and low,

Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still.

In all of life’s ebb and flow – Bridgers

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A song in your heart puts a smile on your face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 276              TUESDAY OCTOBER,3.                             2017

FIGHT FOR YOUR  MARRIAGE (1)                             Ps 127:1

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it (1v)

It’s easy to remember where and when you got married but sometimes what escapes you is why. God created Eve because He knew Adam was lonely and incomplete – So if the purpose of marriage is closeness, the enemy of marriage is distance. But problems arise when you expect your spouse to meet every need you’ve got.

Only God can do that! A man asked his friend, “How come you never got married?’ He replied, ‘Because I was looking for the ideal woman.’ And you never found her? ‘ His friend asked. ‘Yes, of course, but  just my luck – she was looking for the ideal man’ Hello! The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Eph 5:25 NKJV). Can a marriage ever be perfect? No, but when two people make up their minds to give themselves fully to one another, they can come pretty close. In a survey of thousands of married couples, here are ten reasons why people say they were unhappy. (1) They don’t think alike in many areas. (2) They had little insight into each other’s feelings (3) They said hurtful things to one another. (4) They felt unloved. (5) They felt taken for granted. (6) They lacked someone to confide in (7) Each spouse felt he or she was giving more than the other. (8) They rarely complemented each other (9) They desired more affection (10) They couldn’t talk to each other. Now, since God performed the first marriage talking to Him about yours would be a good place to start. (TWFT)

PRAYER  LINE:  Father, let Your Word minister the lessons from above to my marriage, my family and to those who have challenges in their marriages, I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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A sermon isn’t complete until it’s put into practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 277              WEDNESDAY OCTOBER,4.                       2017

FIGHT FOR YOUR  MARRIAGE (2)                             Prov 21:20

The wise have wealth and luxury (v20 NLT)

One of the most common issues that cause marriages to fail is finances. There’s a nice story about an usher who passed the collection plate at a church wedding. When one of the guests objected, he said, ‘I understand how you feel, but the father of the bride needs the money.’ Seriously, the number one reason for divorce these days is money. That’s interesting, because we have more money today than at any time in the past. So what’s the problem? In a nutshell, it’s our lifestyle. The more we have, the more we want, and the more we’re willing to go into debt to get it. When times are good that philosophy works, but in the last fifty years we’ve lived through ten recessions. For example, people who bought a home for £100,000 planning to sell it for £200,000 within a year or two, ended up losing everything because the housing market crashed. Imagine the stress that puts on a marriage. The strong endure, the weak don’t. We recently became re acquainted with a mostly forgotten word – frugality. It means buying only what you can afford. The Bible says, ‘In the house of the wise are stores …but a foolish man devours all he has’ (Prov 21:20). Financial experts now recommend keeping a minimum of six month’s living expenses in a “rainy-day.” Account. In the last decade we’ve gone through a major and painful correction. It taught us that the secret of happiness in marriage isn’t spending all you’ve got but saving and taking time to enjoy what you have (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Holy Spirit, instill in my heart, the wisdom of saving for the “rainy day” and help me to share the lesson with others. Halleluyah.

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It is wise to get your spouse in the saving culture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 278              THURSDAY OCTOBER,5.                          2017

FIGHT FOR YOUR  MARRIAGE (3)                             Heb 13:1-6

Marriage should be honoured…for God will judge the adulterer and … the …immoral (v4 NIV)

Clara Null says: “My Sunday school class was learning the Ten Commandments. When we got to “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” I wondered if I’d have to explain it. Sure enough, a seven-year-old girl raised her hand and asked, “What does commit mean?” Seriously, if you live by impulse instead of commitment, your marriage will suffer. The word “commitment” is best described in your wedding vows. Remember those? Will you have this woman (or man) to be your lawful wedded wife (or husband)… to live together in God’s holy ordinance of marriage… to be faithful in good times and bad, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful to her (or him)?” That’s what you said before God. A big hotel displayed this sign on its bulletin board for passing motorists to read: “Have your next affair with us!” That’s not so funny when you consider the ramifications. A prominent psychiatrist said, I’ve counselled thousands of couples, and I’ve yet to meet my first happy adulterer.’ The results are always the same: shame, fear, loses, loneliness and depression. When you violate your own integrity, it’s hard to live in your own skin. Don’t be deceived by celebrities who hop from bed to bed. The secret to happiness in marriage isn’t finding the right person, it’s becoming the right person. The Bible says you’re supposed to care about the spiritual, emotional, material and sexual needs of your spouse. So start discussing those things. And if you find it difficult to talk about them get help- your marriage is worth fighting for! (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE:  Father, I know when You’re in a marriage, there is a vertical relationship to the horizontal relationship. It difficult to break.

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Trust God to your Proverb 31 woman

 

 

 

 

DAY 279              FRIDAY OCTOBER,6.                       2017

FIGHT FOR YOUR  MARRIAGE (4)                             1 Pet 3:1-2

They will be won over by observing your…lives (1 Pet 3:1-2 NLT)

A shared faith is the glue that will hold your marriage together in times of trouble. But when one spouse is an unbeliever, it can be difficult for the other. Concerning marriage, Jesus said, “What…God joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt 19:6 KJV). Notice the words, “What God hath joined together.” Any relationship God puts together can go the distance. Speaking about a wife whose husband has died, Paul writes, ‘She is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord” (1 Cor 7:39 NLT).  When your spouse doesn’t share your faith, you can find yourselves tugging on opposite ends of the rope. Paul asks, ‘How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? (1 Cor 6:15 NLT). The old country preacher put it bluntly,’ “Any time a child of God marries a child of the devil, they’re going to have trouble with their father-in-law’ Now, that doesn’t mean you should love your unbelieving partner less. Actually, it means you should love them more! Speaking of unbelieving spouses, Peter writes, ‘Even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your…lives.’ There’s preventive medicine and there’s corrective medicine. When Paul says not to marry an unbeliever, he’s using preventive medicine. When Peter speaks about living with an unbeliever and wining them to Christ through your love and your lifestyle, he’s using corrective medicine. At the end of the day, there’s only one thing that’s guaranteed to work.  ‘Love never fails’ (1 Cor 13:8) So fight for your marriage (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Lord,  teach us to run to You in the midst of trials and troubles in marriage. Lead us to the peace of trusting Your wisdom in handling our marriage issues.

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Make Jesus your first option when storms threaten us.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 280              SATURDAY OCTOBER,7.                          2017

FIGHT FOR YOUR  MARRIAGE (5)                    Song of Solomon 8:7

‘Many water cannot quench love’ (v7)

You quickly discover that the greatest threat to marriage-selfishness. A  mother was trying to explain to her little son the benefits of unselfishness. She concluded her talk by saying, ‘We’re in this world to help others.’ After due consideration the boy asked, ‘Well then, what are others here for?’ When two people put their own individual needs, and wants first, they’re on a collision course. Let’s look at some examples of selfishness in marriage (a) In-laws. It’s a sign of selfishness and immaturity when you constantly harp about what your parents said, and how they did things. It’s unfair to your spouse and it’ll hurt your relationship (b) Pornography. The Psalmist wrote, ‘I refuse… to look at corruptive people and degrading things’ (Ps 101:3TM) Pornography is as addictive as heroin and untold numbers of marriages are shipwrecked by it. Not only does it leave you feeling ashamed, it can devastate your partner’s self-worth. (C) Disagreement. Don’t be like the woman who told her friend, ‘We’ve been married for twenty years and never quarreled once. If a difference of opinion arises and I’m right, my husband gives in.’ Her friend asked, ‘And what if he’s right? Without hesitation she replied, ‘That has never happened!’ (d) Prayerlessness. Ninety percent of Christian couples don’t read the Bible and pray together. Do you? If Christ is the most important thing in  your lives, He should be the thing you most enjoy sharing. When passion and physical beauty fade, your shared love for Christ will sustain you through the storms of life. So fight for your marriage (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, let the study of Your Word, meditation and prayers unite us in our relationship with You through Jesus Christ. Amen

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Learn to fight for your marriage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 281              SUNDAY OCTOBER,8.                     2017

CREATING YOUR LIFE                                                 Mk 10:35-45

Whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all (v44)

The advice that I read in a self-help book sounded good. Do only what you’re great at because that’s when you’ll feel most fulfilled. The author was trying to help readers create the kind of life they wanted. I don’t know about you, but if I did only what I was great at, I wouldn’t accomplish much. In Mk 10, we read about two disciples, James and John, who had some plans for the kind of life they wanted for themselves someday. They asked to be at Jesus’ right and left hand in His kingdom (v37) The other 10 disciples were “greatly displeased with them for asking (v41) (Possibly because that was the kind of position they wanted for themselves) But Jesus used the opportunity to teach His followers about another kind of life-one of serving others. He said, “Whoever desires to become great among you should be your servant. And whoever of you desire to be first shall be last of all” (vv43-44) It appears that service for others is God’s design for us. Even Jesus, the Son of God,  “did not come to be served but to serve”  (v45) As we look at Christ’s example and depend on the Holy Spirit’s help, we too can be servants and will create a fulfilling life-Anne Cetas.

PRAYER LINE: I admit, Lord, that my eyes do get focused on myself. But I really do want to live from a heart of love for You. Teach me to be a servant and to look for my fulfillment in You.

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Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 282              MONDAY OCTOBER,9.                             2017

DON’T FORGET                                                   Deut 8:7-18

Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God (v11)

I don’t agree with those who rail against material things and say that owning stuff is intently evil. And I have to admit that I’m a consumer – often tempted to pad my pile of treasures with items I think I need. But I do recognize that one of the dangers of owning a lot of stuff is that it can lead to spiritual loss. The more we have and the more we feed as if we have all we need, the more prone we are to forget our need for God and even our desire for Him. Yet, ironically, everything we have comes ultimately from God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim 6:17) Sadly, our enjoyment of God’s provisions might just mean that we end up loving the gift and forgetting the Giver. This is why, when God was getting ready to give His people a life full of bounty in the Promise Land of good and plenty, He warned, “Be ware that you do not forget the LORD your God (Deut 8:11) If God has allowed you to enjoy material abundance, remind yourself where it came from. In fact, all of us, whether rich in this world’s goods or not, have much to be thankful for. Let’s heed the warning not to forget the Lord and praise Him for His abundant goodness. – Joe Stowell.

PRAYER LINE:

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today – Miller.

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Love the Giver more than the gifts (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 283              TUESDAY OCTOBER,10.                           2017

GOD HAD OTHER PLANS                                            1 Pet 1:1-9

A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps (Prov 16:9)

My friend Linda grew up planning to become medical missionary. She loves the Lord and wanted to serve Him as a doctor by taking the gospel to sick people in parts of the world where medical care is hard to find. But God had other plans. Linda has indeed become a medical missionary, but not the way she expected. At age 14, Linda developed a chronic health problem that required her to be hospitalized for major surgery several times a year. She survived bacterial meningitis that left her in a coma for 2 weeks and blind for 6 months. She once celebrated two birthdays in a row in the hospital – without going home in between. She has had several experiences when she was not expected to live. But yet Linda is the most vibrant grateful and cheerful person you will ever meet. She once told me that her mission field, as she hoped and planned, is the hospital. But instead of serving God as a doctor, she serves Him as a patient. No matter how sick she is, the light of the Lord radiates from her.

Linda exemplifies the teaching of the apostle Peter. Despite her trials, she rejoices, and the genuineness  of her faith brings “praise, honour, and glory” to Jesus Christ.. (1 Pet 1:6-7)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, I’m so thankful that no matter where we are, we can serve You. Help me to reflect Your image in my current situation, even if it’s not where I hoped I would be

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Write your plans in pencil and remember that God has the eraser. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 284              WEDNESDAY OCTOBER,11.                    2017

I’M INVISIBLE                                                               Isa 40:25-31

(The Lord) gives power to the weak (v29)

My friend Jane said something at work meeting and no one responded. So she repeated it and again no one responded; her co-workers just ignored her. She realized that her opinion didn’t matter much.

She felt disregarded and invisible. You may know what that’s like as well. The people of God felt that way as a nation (Isa 40) Only they believed it was God Himself who didn’t see or understand their daily struggle to survive. The southern kingdom had been carried away captive into Babylon, and the exiled nation complained: “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my just claim is passed over by my God” (v27) While Isaiah agreed that compared to God “the nations are as a drop in a bucket and are counted as the small dust on the scales” (v15), he also wanted the people to know that God gives power to the weak and strength to those who need it. (v29) If they waited on the Lord, Isaiah said, He would renew their strength. They would mount up wings like eagles; they would run and not be weary (v31) When you’re feeling invisible or disregarded, remember that God does see you and He cares. Wait on Him, and He’ll give you renewed strength. – Anne Cetas.

PRAYER LINE: Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,

In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail,

Thy mercies how tender! How firm to the end!

Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend – Grant.

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Even when we don’t sense God’s presence, His loving care is all around us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 285              THURSDAY OCTOBER,12.                        2017

FACING OUR PAST                                             Acts 9:20-30

He tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple (v26)

Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, spent 40 years helping people of Jesus Christ. When he died in April 2012, one newspaper article carried the headline, “Charles Colson, Nixon’s dirty tricks’ man dies at 80.” It seemed surprising that a man so transformed by faith should be identified with things he did as a politically ruthless presidential aide decades earlier before he knew the Saviour.

The apostle Paul’s conversion and his early Christian witness were greeted with skepticism and fear. When he began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God, people said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose?” (Acts 9:12) Later when Paul went to Jerusalem and tried to join the disciples, they were afraid of him (v 26) In years to come, Paul never ignored his past, but spoke of it as evidence of the mercy of God (1 Tim 1:13-14) Like Paul, we don’t need to parade our failures or pretend they didn’t happen. Instead, we can thank the Lord that through His grace and power, our past is forgiven, our present is changed, and our future is bright with hope for all He has prepared for us – David McCasland.

PRAYER LINE

Transformed by grace divine

The glory shall be Thine;

To Thy most holy will, O Lord,

We now our all design – Burroughs

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Only Jesus can transform our life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 286              FRIDAY OCTOBER,13.                    2017

HE WILL MAKE YOU GLAD                                Ps 92

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name. O Most High… For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work. I will triumph in the works of Your hands (vv1,4)

It all comes down to this: the devil messes with you so that you will not create glory. It is in his best interests to keep you tired, weary, worm, and sad. The reason is simple: if you create glory, then God manifests His power. The enemy knows that sad, beat –up saints who cannot say “holy” or praise and bless God will not produce any glory. Thus there is no power of God revealed in the church. This is the reason for change, transformation, and the restoration of glory and manifested power to the church. In difficult times, focus your attention on the “work” Jesus Christ did on the cross. Consider the “work” God did for  Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and the apostles. Remember the “work” He did in your life when He saved and set you free. Like the psalmist before you, your song will be “Lord, You made me glad through Your work!” I tell you, He is holy. He is worthy to be praised.

PRAYER LINE: Lord Jesus, no matter how bad things may seem in my life today, I know everything is going to be all right because I am going Your way. It may be cloudy, gloomy, and sad where I stand at the moment, but glory and light still flow from Your throne on high, and that is where I am seated with You. You are holy and worthy to be praised. I give You glory and honour today (CTC)

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When we reflect on the power of God’s creation, we see the power of His care for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 287              SATURDAY OCTOBER,14.                        2017

A CIVIL WAR WITHIN                                                  Mk 5:1-20

Jesus asked him, “What is your name? “My name is Legion” he replied, “for we are many” (v9)

In 2 Chro we read: Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God” (2 Chro 27:6) But of Amaziah it was said: “He did what was right in the eyes of the Eternal, but not with an undivided mind’ (2 Chro 25:2 Moffart) This inner division was his undoing: ‘Amaziah – brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods; bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them’ (2 Chro 25:14) Then later we read: ‘From the time that Amaziah turned away from following the LORD, they conspired against him’ (2 Chro 25:27) Here are the steps: (1) Outwardly correct but inwardly divided; (2) inner division shows itself in outer disloyalty. (3) Downfall. Madame Pastorelli, a once famous singer and musician, once admitted to a confidant: “Below the surface I am a veritable battlefield.’ Nothing can be worse than to live with a civil war within-and yet this is the state in which so many people live. One person remarked: I’ve read little history, but I understand that history is largely a description of battles. If that is true then I’ve had enough battles to fill ten history books!  United within, we can stand anything that happens; dividend within, the smallest circumstance bowls us over. Often the root of mental health issues and difficulties is inner conflict. The nerves and the body in general can cope with almost anything providing there is inner harmony, but no one confirmation well for long when they are at war within.

PRAYER LINE: Father, help me to live a life for You. I long to be a whole person – consistent and united. Amen (EDWJ)

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You’ll never get a busy signal on the prayer line to heaven

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 288              SUNDAY OCTOBER,15.                            2017

WHY ME?                                                                     Job 1:13-22

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. (v21)

Many have commented on the uncanny way that difficulties and problems have of coming together.

Shakespeare, in his play Hamlet, put it thus: When sorrows come, they come not single spies, But in battalions, For a while everything seems to go pleasantly. There is no serious sickness in the family, income matches expenditure, the children develop in a promising way, the harmony of the home is not seriously disturbed and one has a feeling that life is going along pretty well. Then suddenly the skies darken as the sun is hidden by a thick and threatening cloud. And not just one cloud-but many. Soon, the clouds grow blacker and a storm hits one with such force and fury that one cries out. Why me? Though so many observers of human nature have noticed, as Shakespeare did that troubles tend to come together, nobody can fully explain why. Perhaps you are experiencing a spate of personal difficulties at the moment and are crying out, as thousands have done before you: “Why me? Who can help in such an hour? I know of no one who can compare with Jesus. He outlives all other forms of inspiration and consolation. At these times we can discover God as the all-sufficient One, aware of our circumstances and present to sustain and strengthen us. As Lam 3:22  reminds us “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail”

PRAYER LINE : God, since the need for confidence and consolation lies deep within me and is therefore inescapable, I will not deny it. help me, however to depend fully on You for the meeting of my heart’s needs. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen

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In a skeptical world you can trust God’s reliable word.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 289              MONDAY OCTOBER,16.                          2017

STEWARDSHIP             (1)                                           Lk 16:1-13

Give an account of your stewardship (v2 NKJV)

The issue of ‘ownership’ is a key point in understanding biblical stewardship. A steward doesn’t own the property he manages, so he needs to handle things with an eye to pleasing his boss, the owner. Today that rubs us the wrong way. We think, ‘My time is my own. My abilities are mine to use in the advancement of my career because I’m the one who worked hard to develop them. This is my stuff, bought and paid for. The Bible says…. What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Cor 4:7 NKJV) Every good thing you have is a gift from God; try to keep that in mind! Like a wise investor, a good steward does three things  He: (1) Looks to the future He refuses to be influenced or side tracked by those who are “blowing’ everything they have on immediate pleasures, living just for the moment (2) is disciplined and patient. He remains steady through the highs and lows of life, understanding that…in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Gal 6:L9 NKJV)

(3) Takes risks for the benefit of his boss. Not foolish risks, but prayed-over and carefully thought-out risks. No investor can be totally sure his financial future won’t come crashing down if something drastic happens. But here’s the difference. When we follow God’s plan for our lives, even if we lose some of it on earth, we can still gain much more in heaven (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Give me the wisdom I need, Lord, to encourage me in my stewardship to You and to encourage others in their journey to eternity.

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We can live in the world without letting the world live in us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 290              TUESDAY OCTOBER,17.                           2017

STEWARDSHIP             (2)                                           Matt 25:14-30

The Lord of those servants….settled accounts (v19)

In His famous parable of the talents, Jesus points out two things about our stewardship to God.

• …he gave…to each according o his own ability…” (Matt 25:15 NKJV)

God knows what you can handle and He won’t give you more, so don’t ask Him to. He knows what He’s called you to do. The master didn’t burden the on-talent guy with a five – talent responsibility, or vice versa. Now we’re not saying that those who have lots of stuff are the best stewards, or that those who have less must be poor stewards but God knows each of us intimately, and He deals with us according to that knowledge. So, you won’t have to answer for what God didn’t give you, or gave someone else. You’re only responsible for yourself. Whatever God’s entrusted to you to manage He’s done so knowing you’re capable of handing it.

• After a long time the Lord of those stewards came and settled accounts with them. It may seem like ‘a long time,’ but Jesus is coming again! He hasn’t changed His mind or His plan. The first time He came to save, the next time He comes to reign-and reward His stewards… “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household… Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (Lk 12:42-43 NKJV) Don’t get weary or sidetracked. Keep your eyes on the prize. Imagine the Master saying to you, “Well done! That’s what you want to hear, isn’t it? (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, You are the One who is high and hefty. I give myself today to the purpose of pointing others to You, for who You are and what You do, You deserve all praise

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We are nothing without Jesus. So give Him the credit

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 291              WEDNESDAY OCTOBER,18.                    2017

STEWARDSHIP             (3)                                           Matt 25:14-30

Well done, good and faithful servant (v21NKJV)

In Jesus’ parable of the talents, the first two stewards were rewarded for multiplying what was entrusted to them.

The first steward said ‘…I have gained’…(Matt 25:20 NKJV) Now, when God entrusts something to us He doesn’t sit up in heaven pulling all the strings, controlling how we handle our stewardship. We have a choice. We’ve the freedom to mess up His affairs, or maximize them. The first two stewards did with their master’s money what he expected of them. God gives it to us – but we must handle it. God’s not going to handle it for us. That’s obvious from the fate of the third steward who said’ … “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man … And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.” …(Matt 25:24 NKJV) He was like those who say, ‘God’s standards are too high. I’m afraid if I say yes to Him, He’ll demand too much of me. I’ll just stay here on the sidelines where it’s safe.’ That’s bad stewardship and even worse theology. Don’t let everyone convince you that you can’t do what God expects of you. By His grace, you can. The first two stewards knew their master’s expectations; that’s what being a good steward is all about. We know what God requires of us, because He’s put  it in His Word for us to read. The reason the master’s commendation meant something, is because the stewards’ work meant something. They had authentic responsibility and they carried it out faithfully. So where do you rank on the faithfulness charts today? If you’re not sure, examine yourself. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, pride, that fearful enemy, So quickly takes control; I plead this day Your pardoning grace To cleanse my heart and soul – DJD

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Pride is the mother of all sins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 292              THURSDAY OCTOBER,19.                        2017

STEWARDSHIP             (4)                                           2 Thess 3:6-15

…If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat… (v10)

The story is told of a guy who came to church looking very sad. “What’s up? His pastor asked, “Well, two weeks ago my uncle died and left me N75,000. Then a week ago my aunt died and left me N50, 000.’ His pastor asked, “Then why are you so sad? The guy answered, “Because nobody died this week.’ Cute story; only one problem, the Bible says this man ought to’…labour, working with his hands…that he may have something to give him who has  need (Eph 4:28) The first job God gave Adam was to take care of the garden and be productive. Even in a perfect environment, Adam had work to do. If you want to be a good steward, taking you r master’s resources and increasing them you must engage in productive work. To have ‘something to give,’ you need to have ‘something left over.’ That’s what’s wrong with gambling: you can’t substitute luck for labour. Now, you’re not supposed to help people who don’t want to work. Tony Evans writes “Instead of wondering when he is going to get a slice of a handout pie, a good steward is busy baking pies, enjoying the results, and shaving what he has with others.” Some people question investing because it doesn’t fit their idea of harvest. Ever since the fall we’ve been inventing ways to avoid honest, productive labour. Your job is part of your stewardship. Are you performing it as if God were your employer? He is. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE:  Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise – Robinson

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Those who know God’s grace show God’s grace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 293              FRIDAY OCTOBER,20.                    2017

RECOVERING FROM LOSS                                          Ps 62:8

…Pour out your heart before Him (Ps 62:8 NKJV)

Here are five keys to recovering from loss:

• Process your grief. Emotions like fear, anger, worry, depression, resentment, helplessness and grief are normal. It’s no good to suppress them or deny they exist. God created us to feel. He doesn’t expect us to act happy when we’re grieving. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt 5:4 NIV) Be honest with God. ‘Pour out your heart before Him.” (Ps 62:8) and He will comfort you. (2) Accept help. It’s a mistake to isolate yourself in the aftermath of a tragedy. We’ll all need the encouragement and the support of others. We’re called to carry one another’s burdens. ‘Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2 NKJV) (3) Choose the right response When you choose bitterness, you hurt yourself and shut the door on happiness because you can’t be happy and bitter at the same time. During some recent California wildfires there were victims who said, ‘We’ve lost everything and we’re sad, but we’ll work together as a family and rebuild – Others said, ‘My life’s over! I can’t go on… I’ll never recover.’ You can choose to believe you’re on your own, or that God’s with you and bounce back. (4) Know your joy comes from God. There’s no correlation between your circumstances and your joy. Joy comes from within; it’s based on whom you trust not what you see or feel.(5) Concentrate on what you have left, not on what you’ve lost. Make a list of the good things in your life and thank God for what you still have. It’s impossible to be grateful and hopeless at the same time. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: We have an anchor that keeps the soul, Steadfast and sure while the billows roll, fastened to the Rock which cannot move. Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love – Owens.

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Our anchor is the Rock, Jesus Christ.  

 

 

 

 

DAY 294              SATURDAY OCTOBER,21.                        2017

HOW TO HANDLE CRITICISM                                     Nehe 6:1-14

…I cannot come down… (v3 NKJV)

Nehemiah teaches us three important truths about handling criticisms. (1) Expect it. when spectators watch a race, where do they focus their attention? On the front runners! Someone said, ‘Criticism is something you can avoid easily, by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing. But those three options don’t work. So Nehemiah answered his critics, ‘…I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down…(Neh 6:3 NKJV) Don’t step-down to the level of your critics. (2) Evaluate it. “Sanballat … sent  to me, saying, ‘Come, let us meet…” But they thought to do me harm (Neh 6:2) When people say, I’m going to tell you something for your own good’  often they’ve nothing good to tell you when you’re criticized, ask yourself (a) Who criticized me? Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful (Prov 27:6) Has this person earned the right to speak into your life? (b) Why was this criticism given? Out of a personal hurt, or for my benefit? Hurting people hurt people, so maintain the right attitude looking for the grain of truth, making the necessary changes, and taking the high road. (3) Outlive it. When Nehemiah’s friends told him to run and hide, he replied, ‘…I will not” …So the wall was finished …in fifty…two days…when all our enemies heard of it …they perceived the work was done by our God” (Neh 6:11:16) Sometimes you’re in more danger from the counsel of your friends  than you are from the criticism of your enemies. That’s when you must know who you are, what God’s called you to do, and outlive the criticism (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Thank You Lord, for Your wisdom which availeth much. May we harvest the blessings in Your Word. Amen

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…surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 295              SUNDAY OCTOBER,22.                            2017

WHO PUT THAT RIVER THERE?                                  Gen 12:1-3

I will make you a great nation, I will bless you And make  your name great, And you shall be a blessing (v2)

God commanded Abram to “get out” in Gen 12:1. God’s commands rarely come with reasons, but they always include promises. After the command, the Lord told Abram that He would make him a great nation and bless him so he could become a blessing. Even God’s promise to Abram would ultimately test his faith because the Lord revealed only the first and the last step in the process. The rest of the way could be called “the journey of faith” Go back to the “holy ground experience” in which God spoke directly to your heart. He did not give a reason, did He? Yet there was some promise spoken or understood. Everything in His command and promise to you is calculated to test your faith – not your saving faith but your stretching faith. God’s call always stretches you in new dimensions because He reveals Himself “from faith to faith.” He gives you enough to come after Him, and then He gives you enough for you to catch up to Him again for the next piece of the puzzle. Through it all, you grow and are “conformed to the image” of Christ (Rom 8:29 NKJV) God speaks to us in part, not in whole. He gives us just enough to get to Point B. but He rarely tells us in advance that the river Jordan separates Point A from Point B. The Jordan represents a death experience we must go through, a risk that we must take, a gamble that we go for. Faith reveals God. It allows us to move in a greater dimension and allows us to see God in a different way. (CTC)

PRAYER LINE: Father, I trust You to heal me through and over every obstacle between where I was and where You want me to be Blessed be Your name forever, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Every challenge is an open door for miracles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 296              MONDAY OCTOBER,23.                          2017

GOD IS AT WORK IN YOU                                           Phil 2:12-16

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and do for His good pleasure (vv12-13)

Do you realize that there are two kinds of faith? One faith you are awarded as a gift of God. (1) That is called “saving faith.” The Bible describes it. “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom 12:3 NKJV). Most churches today work only on saving faith. That secures their eternal destination but little else. That is why most Christians are spiritually sick and not seeing any fruit in their lives. They never move on in their faith. (2) The second kind of faith has the capacity to grow. This is the faith God gets excited about when we demonstrate it in our lives. I call this “stretching faith.” God says that without faith it is impossible to please Him (Heb 11:6) It takes more faith to please Him after you enter the kingdom through the cross than it does to enter the kingdom. Jesus did everything for you then. Now that you are a Christian, He expects you to “work out your own salvation.” This verse is not talking about “working” your way to heaven: it is talking about “walking out” your salvation on earth as an ambassador of God’s kingdom. That requires you to walk in a greater dimension of faith. Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, (2 Tim 4:7 NKJV)

PRAYER LINE: Father, I am ready to walk in a greater dimension of faith and to stretch out to do Your will. I trust You to get me where I must be and to help me do what I must do in Your kingdom. I put all my trust in You-in Your strength, wisdom, power and faithful provision. In Jesus’ Name. Amen (CTC)

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God never tires of our asking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 297              TUESDAY OCTOBER,24.                           2017

LIFE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT                             Lk 4:14-15, 18-19

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee…. And He taught in their synagogues (vv14-15)

In this present age, you and I are living in the time of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. God the Father works through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ works through the Holy Spirit in us. Therefore without working through the Holy Spirit, neither the Father nor the Son works in us today. Without being born again of water and the Holy Spirit no one can enter the kingdom of God nor see it. Also without the Holy Spirit no one can call God, Father, nor call Jesus Christ, Saviour and Lord. Today is the age of the Holy Spirit. Another reason for us to know the Holy Spirit is because only the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of creation. Genesis 1:2 says, And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” The earth being without form, void and dark is a despairing situation. As a solution, the Spirit of God came and moved upon the face of the waters and creation began. In today’s scripture too, Jesus was told to return in the power of the Holy Spirit to Galilee. The first verse he read in the synagogue in Nazareth said the Holy Spirit came as a solution to problems at hand. Preaching the gospel to the poor, recovering the sight of the blind, delivering the captives, setting free those who are bruised, preaching the acceptable year of the Lord; all those were taking place because the Holy Spirit had come upon Jesus (Yonggi Cho)

PRAYER LINE:  Father, let the Holy Spirit reawaken me to rededicate myself to Your service, to win souls for Your Kingdom.

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The Holy Spirit lives in us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 298              WEDNESDAY OCTOBER,25.                    2017

LEARN TO BE CONTENT (1)                                        Phil 4:11

I have learned to be content (v4)

The average person is bombarded with about  300 advertisements a day, promising everything from whiter teeth to faster cars. It’s a mega-billion-dollar industry designed to make us want what they’re selling. But there’s a subtle message being conveyed. In a word, it’s discontent, and it eats away at us by creating a desire for bigger, better more. The Bible says, “We …brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out… If we have food and covering…be content” (1 Tim 6:7-8 NAS) Sounds simple enough food too eat, clothes to wear, a place to sleep. But how we live doesn’t bear it out. When Rockefeller was asked, “How much does it take to satisfy a man?” with rare insight he replied, ‘A little more than he has now.”

So does contentment mean not setting goals or aiming higher? Does it mean not enjoying nice things? No, it just means not letting all those nice things “own” you. Learning to be satisfied is a process. That’s why Paul said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am …to get along with humble means …to live in prosperity…I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry… of having abundance and suffering need” Paul mastered the art of enjoying whatever came along by learning to say, ‘That’s no essential. I can have without it. His focus was right on target. He held every earthly ‘thing’ loosely. So should you. (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Thank You, God, for being our Father, Shepherd, Guardian, and Guide. We will never outgrow our need for Your love and care. We want to seek You with all our heart that we might know You intimately.

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The heavenly Father’s arms  never tire of holding His children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 299              THURSDAY OCTOBER,26.                        2017

LEARN TO BE CONTENT (2)                                        Eccl 5:

The abundance of a rich man permits him to sleep (v12)

In a recent magazine article Jane Hammerslough  tells how her family moved into a sparely furnished rental house while their home was being renovated. Instead of missing what they’d left behind, surprisingly, they were liberated. Upon returning home they we overwhelmed by the utter excess of stuff, and gave much of it away. She concludes, “When enough’s always just a little more…you don’t have room for the truly great things in life.” The message isn’t new: Solomon said, “The abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep”

But freedom from anxiety is more than just uncluttered closets. It’s a firm conviction that what you do have is gift from God (Eccl 5:19), and that it’s meant to be shared with others. Contentment simply frees you to enjoy what He’s provided. So with that in mind keep the following principles before you: buy things for their usefulness not their status. Beware of anything that produces an addiction in you.

Make a habit of giving things away. Don’t be lured by advertising and glitz. Learn to enjoy things without having to own them, or be owned by them. Be wary of ‘Buy now, pay later’ schemes. Steer clear of anything that prevents you from putting God first in your life. He says He’ll “give you all you need…if you let Him and make the kingdom of God your primary concern” (Matt 6:33 NLT) When your contentment is based on status or possessions, it can be taken away in an instant. But when its based on your relationship with Jesus, nothing absolutely nothing can rob you of it! (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Thank You Lord for Your promises and provisions.

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The God who promised is able to fulfill His promise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 300              FRIDAY OCTOBER,27.                    2017

“BE THERE”                                                         2 Cor 1:4

We can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (v4)

The most loving thing we can do when someone is in pain is to share the pain – to “be there” even when we’ve – nothing to offer except our presence, even when being there is painful to ourselves. Paul says that God “comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” One of the fastest and surest routes to spiritual health, is taking the focus off ourselves and helping others.

In fact we were born with a natural empathy for those who are hurting. Ever notice that babies in a nursery start crying when other infants cry? Compassion, which literally means, ‘to suffer with’ is the ability to be moved by the trouble of others. When we reach out  from our own pain to help others it comes back to us in healing, fulfillment and a sense of worth. Jack Canfield says, ‘You take it all in. You let the pain touch your heart and you turn it into compassion. What a splendid way to go through life bringing blessings to all we touch.” One cancer patient said, “What help me most is just to have somebody try and understand what I’m feeling.” Another said, “Just sit here and let me hold your hand. It helps when someone’s close.” Today ask God to make you more sensitive to the needs and hurts of those around you. And when He answers your prayer and puts someone into your path, don’t be too busy to care. In other words, “be there” (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Give as it was given to you in your need, Love as the Master loved you; Be to the helpless a helper indeed, Unto your mission be true – Wilson

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To be a channel of blessing, let Christ’s love flow through you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 301              SATURDAY OCTOBER,28.                        2017

LIVING UNSELFISHLY (2)                                            Lk 6:35

Give without expecting a return (v35TM)

If you’re serious about becoming like Jesus, pay careful attention to His Words: ‘Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them…give without expecting a return. ‘You’ll never – I promise-regret it’ (Lk 6:31-35 TM). Love, expecting nothing in return. Give, though they’ll never say thanks. Forgive, even though they won’t forgive you. Come clearly, stay late, invest everything you’ve got even though nobody notices. Paul calls this “the high calling” (Phil 3:14) And there’s a reason none of us would set such a standard for ourselves! If you think some people are just naturally more loving than others, think again. Love is a choice – one that costs. You can’t love others while you’re staring into a mirror or give to others while you’re clinging to what you’ve got. Love will cost you your time, your money, and your pre-occupation with self. If you think you’ll just go to church some Sunday morning, read a book or attend a 7-step seminar and turn into the kind of person we’re talking about – good luck. There are no pre-packaged saints- no. “add – and – stir” formular that makes God’s love gush forth. To be loving you’ve got to take up your cross, deny yourself and make others your priority. Remember, the woman caught in adultery? Jesus stooped down to reach her, stood by her under attack, then sent her home redeemed and refocused. Do you want to be like Him? Go and find people who are hurting, hopeless and even wrong. When you do, minister to them until they’re redeemed, restored and right that’s living unselfishly. (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, help me to live a life, like Christ to stand by hurting people until they’re redeemed.

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Let the love of Christ make you unselfish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 302              SUNDAY OCTOBER,29.                            2017

STARVING BAKERS                                                      Jn 6:35

He who comes to me will never go hungry (v35NIV)

Imagine finding a new bakery. You love going there because the baker creates new recipes, better than any you’ve ever tasted. Soon word gets out and crowds start coming. The baker doesn’t have enough help and ends up trying to serve all the customers himself. Gradually you see a change. He’s getting thin. Very thin. What’s up? You decide to sit and observe. Suddenly the problem becomes obvious. He’s busy serving everyone else but never stops long enough to feed himself. With food all around him he’s starving. Can you relate? A lot of us, particularly leaders, fail to take care of ourselves spiritually, emotionally and intellectually, and eventually we end up being unable to take care of others. And when we do read our Bible or listen to CDS, it’s always for others. And what’s the result? We end up busy but barren, going through the motions without taking time to feed our souls on the bread of life. And we keep promising ourselves to do better. “When the kids are raised…when I go on vacation…when things slow down … when I refuse.”  Solomon wrote: “They made me caretaker of the vineyards, but I have not taken care of my own” (Songs of Solomon 1:6 NAS) The only way things are going to change – is if you change them. Otherwise you’ll simply exchange one set of demands for another. Learn to walk away. Jesus did, “After He had dismissed the multitude, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray” (Matt 14:23 AMP) Start doing what Jesus did, otherwise you’ll end up like the starving baker (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Each day we learn from yesterday of God’s great love and care And every burden we must face he’ll surely help us bear – D. De Haan

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Recognizing  our own smallness can cause us to embrace God’s greatness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 303              MONDAY OCTOBER,30.                          2017

YOUR GROWTH – GOD’S GLORY                               2 Pet 3:

“To him be glory” (v18NIV)

After writing, ‘Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord,” Peter adds: “To him be glory.” Your biggest reason for wanting to grow spiritually should not be to “get it right,” or look good personally. No, it should be that God may be glorified in our living. Paul writes, “Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit” (1 Cor 6:20)

Why should we keep our flesh in check, or watch out attitudes? To glorify God before others. The problem is, our emphasis is on what we are doing instead of focusing on God and His glory. The word glory refers to something or someone of great worth. So what are we supposed to do? Draw attention to God. Promote Him. God wants to go public. Since He’s invisible, He’s created people whose full time job is to make Him visible so that the world might be drawn to Him. A company intent on promoting itself doesn’t settle for a small ad buried in the yellow pages. It may start that way, but the idea is to grow into something bigger so that more people will be reached. We are billboards advertising God’s grace to  a lost world. He wants us to grow so that we can display Him more. In fact, God has entrusted His public image to us. Glorifying Him is our most awesome privilege and responsibility. Unless you think this is overstating the case. Paul writes, “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31 NIV) God is passionate about His glory. “Why grow? You ask: Because spiritual growth increases your capacity to bring God glory. (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, please help me to value Your approval and live according to Your standards no matter what anyone else may think.

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Others see what we do, but God sees why we do it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 304              TUESDAY OCTOBER,31.                           2017

DO YOU PRACTICE HUMILITY?                                  Mk 10:43

But it is not this way among you (v43NAS)

It would be wonderful if just being around humble people automatically made us humble. The disciples proved it didn’t. Mark describes an incident involving James and John, two brothers. The story makes most parents nod and smile. It took place before John grew into maturity still a disciple, still young, and still looking out for John. “James and John…came up to Jesus, saying…” Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” Jesus replied: “You do not know what You are asking” (Mk 10:35-38 NAS) Then He called the disciples together and said, “Those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you” (Mk 10:42-43 NAS) Our modern world is run by chain of command. In the military, generals command colonels, who command majors, who command captains, all the way to the lowly private on the end of a mop handle. Jesus barely took a breath after contrasting the kingdoms, then added, “But it is not so among you” In God’s kingdom there’s no privileged rank. The lowly don’t pamper the privileged – quite the opposite. Once He got their attention, Jesus spelled it out, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” (Mk 10:43 NAS) Genuinely humble people have one thing in common – they don’t think of themselves as humble. As a matter of fact, they rarely think of themselves at all. They’re too occupied with God’s purposes and the well-being of others. So, do you practice humility? (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, let the lesson of Jesus’ lesson on humility be a guiding principle of my daily living. Amen.

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God cares for you – care for others

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 305              WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER ,1.                           2017

FOCUS ON THE NEW, NOT THE OLD                         2 Cor 5:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  (v17NKJV)

Too many of us are busy trying to repair our old nature and make it look good, when God’s in the business of throwing out the old and crafting something brand new. When your car’s been declared a loss in an accident, if you’re insured you receive a new car.

But if it isn’t totaled, you get it repaired and hope it runs well. God has declared our old nature a total loss. He wants you to concentrate on the new nature, He has given you. If you’ve spent years trying to fix up what God says cannot be fixed up, allow the truth of God’s Word to liberate you from a very frustrating way of life. To understand this, think of caterpillars and butter flies. Caterpillars are not very pretty. But once they break free from the cocoon of their old nature and become butterflies, the transformation is incredible. What was once ugly is now beautiful. A creature that could only crawl can now soar. But this transformation requires a growth process, and it isn’t always easy. There’s a lot of struggle involved. But the result is worth the effort. A butterfly is not just a fixed up caterpillar, but a new creature with a new capacity for life. And the good news is, we don’t become butterflies in our own strength. From God’s perspective, willpower is no power. Paul writes, ‘For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose’ (Phil 2:13 NIV) Our job is just to draw close to, submit to, and cooperate with God in this work (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE: The seeds of aging sprouts in youth, As weeds or grain they’re sure to grow, But if we sow with love and truth, A golden harvest we can know – D. De Haan.

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Don’t just grow older – grow better as a follower of Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 306              THURSDAY NOVEMBER ,2.                     2017

STAY SHARP                                                                 Eccl 10:

If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength (v10 NAS)

Did you hear about the 2 lumberjacks who challenged each other to see which one could cut down more trees in a day? At day break the first one began furiously chopping down trees. He worked up a sweet and by noon he had cut down 16 trees. Meanwhile the other lumberjack had only cut down 4, because he took the first 2 hours to sharpen his axe. As he sharpened it his challenger laughed at him thinking he was doomed to lose the bet because of all that wasted time. That’s when things got interesting. By early afternoon, the first lumberjack was slowing down. It took him almost an hour to cut down one tree, while his friend was picking up speed. How could this be? Certainly he was as strong as his friend. Unfortunately, strength had little to do with it. it was all about whose axe was sharper. The sharper the axe-the quicker the trees came down. By late afternoon the second lumberjack, who’d sharpened his axe, had passed his friend by several trees  and won easily. There’s an important lesson there for you. Your ceaseless activity may feed your ego and satisfy your need to be needed, but eventually: (a) it will leave you dull spiritually, emotionally and mentally (b) the people who need and applaud you now, will discover it and go looking for someone sharper, hearing  you feeling “used” and unappreciated, (c) because you’ve lost your edge you’ll be unprepared for what God has for you next. So, stay harp. (TWFYT)

PRAYER LINE:  God has a purpose for your life, So what you have to do Is follow Him, believing that He’ll keep directing you – Sper.

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Keep your eyes on the Lord and you won’t lose sight of life’s purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 307              FRIDAY NOVEMBER ,3.                           2017

TWO RULES TO LIVE BY                                              Matt 22:34-40

On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets (v40)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by rules and expectations? Think of how the Jewish people must have felt as they tried to keep up with more than 600 rules from the Old Testament and many more that had been imposed on them by the religious leaders of their day. And imagine their surprise when Jesus simplified the pursuit of righteousness by narrowing the list down to just two – “love the LORD your God” (Matt 22:37) and “love your neighbour as yourself” (v29) In essence, Jesus is telling us that the way God knows we love Him is by how we treat people. All  of them. let’s face it- loving our neighbour can be a challenge.

But when we do it to express our love to God, we unleash a powerful motivation that loves whether the person deserves it or not. And as we love God and our neighbour, everything else falls into place. If I love my neighbour, I won’t bear false witness against him, covet his wealth or his wife, or steal from him. Loving others for God’s sake even provides the grace and strength to forgive those who have heaped injustice upon us. Who needs to see God’s love today through you? The more unlovable the person, the greater the statement about how much you love God- Joe Stowell

PRAYER LINE: To love your God with all your heart,

Your soul, your strength, your mind,

Enables you to love someone

Who’s hurtful and unkind – Sper.

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Loving God is the key to loving others (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 308              SATURDAY NOVEMBER ,4.                     2017

NEVER ALONE                                                    Heb 13:1-8

Let your conduct be without covetousness, be content with such things as you have, For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (v5)

Having played intercollegiate soccer, I’ve never lost my love for “The Beautiful Game” I especially enjoy watching the English Premier League. One reason is the skill and speed with which the game is played there. Also, I love the way the fans sing in support of their beloved “sides.” For instance, Liverpool has for years had “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as its theme. How moving to hear 50,000 fans rise as one to sing the lyrics of that old standard. It’s an encouragement to players and fans alike that together they will see each other through to the end. Walk alone? Never. This sentiment has meaning for everyone. Because each of us is made for community, Isolation and loneliness are among the most painful of human experiences.

During painful times, our faith is vital. The child of God never needs to fear abandonment. Even if people turn on us, friends forsake us, or circumstances separate us from loved ones, we are never alone. God has said,  ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5) This is not just a nice tune or clever lyrics offering an empty sentiment. It is the promise of God Himself to those who are the objects of His love. He is there-and He isn’t going away. With Christ, you will never walk alone – Bill Crowder

PRAYER LINE:

God’s unseen presence comforts me,

I know He’s always near;

And when life’s storms besiege my soul,

He says, “My child, don’t fear – D. De Haan

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God’s presence with us is one of His greatest presents to us. (O.D.B)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 309              SUNDAY NOVEMBER ,5.                         2017

HE CALLS ME FRIEND                                        Jn 15:9-17

All things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you… that you should go and bear fruit (vv 15-16)

Someone has defined friendship as “knowing the heart of another and sharing our hearts with those we trust, and trust those who care about us. We confide in our friends because we have confidence that they will use the information to help us, not harm us. They in turn confide in us for the same reason. We often refer to Jesus as our friend because we know that He wants what is best for us. We confide in Him because we trust him. But have you ever considered that Jesus confides in His people? Jesus began calling His disciples friends rather than servants because He had entrusted them with everything He had heard from His Father ( Jn 15:15) Jesus trusted the disciples to use the information for the good of His Father’s kingdom. Although we know that Jesus is our Friend, can we say that we are His friends? Do we listen to Him? Or do we only want Him to listen to us? Do we want to know what’s on His Heart? Or do we only want to tell Him what’s on ours? To be a friend of Jesus, we need to listen to what He wants us to know and then use the information to bring others into friendship with Him – Julie Ackerman Link.

PRAYER LINE:

Sweet thought! We have a friend above,

Our weary, faltering steps to guide,

Who follows with His eye of love

The precious Child for whom He died – Anon

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Christ’s friendship calls for our faithfulness (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 310              MONDAY NOVEMBER ,6.                        2017

YOU’RE HERE FOR A REASON                                    Gen 32:22-32

‘….I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared” (v30 NLT)

The Bible says Satan works ‘day and night’ building a case against you (Rev 12:10) But with God’s Word…in your mouth and heart…” (Rom 10:8NCV)  you can overcome him. When satan says give up, God says stay the course (Matt 5:11-12) When satan tells you to look out for number one, God says, put the other guy first (Phil 2:3-4) When satan tells you to take all the credit, God says glorify Jesus (Jn 17:5) When satan says clean up the outside and people won’t notice the inside, God says He looks at your heart (1 Sam 16:7) When satan says you’re ugly, God says you’re ‘…wonderfully made…(Ps 139:14) When satan says you’re alone and nobody understands you: God says He’ll never leave you and that He has plans for your life (Deut 31:6; Jere 29:11) David said, ‘I know you are pleased with me…you have not let my enemies triumph over me. You have preserved my life…(Ps 41:11-12 NLT) The devil will play the race card, and if that doesn’t work he’ll try the childhood memories card, or he’ll dredge up your past sins and remind you of all the broken promises and dreams. Jacob said, ‘I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.’ Bottom line: God has a plan for your life, otherwise you wouldn’t be here (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE:

Lord, thank You for doing immeasurably more in our lives than we could ever imagine, I am so thankful that You are able and often do make impossible situations possible.

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Gods power to restore is stronger than satan’s power to destroy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 311              TUESDAY NOVEMBER ,7.                        2017

PAST LANDMARKS                                                      Phil 3:13-14

“Forgetting what is behind and staring towards what is ahead (vv13-14)

It is certainly true that we need not linger on regrets or memories or failures or limited education or hindrances of life to stop us pressing forward with Jesus. But it is unlikely that Paul is referring to previous deprivations or even to his pre-Christian past, which he recently rehearsed. When Paul uses the athletic imagery elsewhere it is usually with reference to his apostolic ministry. So the likely point at issue here is Paul’s refusal to rest on past successes in his determination to press on towards the goal. He wants to do this without distractions. We need to keep the race metaphor simple. Whatever else you do, don’t look back. “Keep on keeping on” was a motto popular with Christians in the first half of the twentieth century. Sporting enthusiasts of a certain age will never forget that memorable mile race at the Empire Games held in Vancouver in August 1954 when John Landy, the Australian Champion, looked back over his left shoulder where Roger Bannister was, only to have Bannister pass him on his right. J.B. Light foot, a great ninetieth-century scholar, paraphrased Paul’s words in this way: ‘Do not mistake me, I hold the language of hope, not of assurance forgetting the landmarks already passed and straining every nerve and muscle in the onward race. I press forward toward the goal.’ Landmarks tell you where you are and where you have come from. Signposts point to the way ahead. Don’t double at the landmarks: follow the signposts. (EDWJ)

PRAYER LINE: Father, forgive me if I prefer to look back to the past rather than ahead to the future. I accept the challenge of focusing more on signposts than the landmarks. Amen.

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Faith was never intended as a substitute for intelligence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 312              WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER ,8.                           2017

‘A JUBILANT PINING’                                                            Phil 3:15

All of us who are mature should take such a view of this’ (v15)

There are at least six characteristics of a person who has a person who has a mature view of things. (1) An unwavering commitment to knowing Jesus Christ. Douglas Webster: a Christian commentator, has said: Knowing Jesus involves a personal encounter, an exclusive relationship, a permanent union, and a transformed life.’ That’s enough for two lifetimes (2) A realistic appraisal of our own progress. ‘Not that I have already obtained all this’ (v12) Discerning the New Testament’s creative tension between what we have now and what we hope for but do not yet have is the beginning of spiritual wisdom. (3) An unsentimental attitude to the past. We learn to forget, not failing to recall God’s mercies however they have come; but in the sense of not being paralyzed by the memory of failures or nostalgia for past securities (4) An undiminished desire for God. What the hymn writer H.W faber called ‘ajubilant pining and longing for God: (5) An undistracted focus on the things that really matter so that we do fewer things better. And (6) an unabashed tendency to be forward looking. Paul’s eyes always on the coming day and coming Saviour, on the end, the prize, the goal. He was not anchored to the past, but drawn irresistibly  onwards by the magnet of God’s future. Reflect now on these six characteristics at the same time asking yourself: How mature am I? if you are like me you will probably say: “There’s room for improvement. “But press on’ don’t stop now.

PRAYER LINE: Father, may I become a more mature person. Help me to see that spiritual development is not so much my responsibility as my development is not so much my responsibility as my response to Your ability. Enable me to grow. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. (EDWJ)

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God is always available to hear the prayers of His children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 313              THURSDAY NOVEMBER ,9.                     2017

BECAUSE HE LIVES                                                      Phil 3:20-21

And we eagerly await a Saviour from (heaven), the Lord Jesus Christ” (v20)

Let’s look at the first words form two verses today: “And we eagerly await a Saviour from (heaven), the Lord Jesus Christ.’ The Caesars and other significant benefactors in the ancient world were in Paul’s day appropriating the title ‘Saviour’ for their own self-glory. But, as Christians, Paul reminds us that we are awaiting the return of the true Saviour, the only One who has broken the bonds of death. Take next the words. “who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body: Just think of it: the body you now have, which is weak, prone to disease and perhaps at this moment wracked with pain or infirm through old age, is one day going to be changed into a body does Jesus Christ’s body. And what kind of a body does Jesus have? Paul says a “glorious’ body. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection this is the sure and certain hope for all who die to themselves in Jesus. Again, the match with Philippians 2:5-11 assures us that the Father’s glory, which Jesus went through death to share. He will share with us, in turn, in resurrection. Our first creation body may be troubled by age and disease and give way to death, but our new creation body is guaranteed to be resplendent with glory – a body like Jesus’ glorious body. Because He lives we shall for ever .

PRAYER LINE: Lord Jesus, one day I am going to be clothed with a body just like Your glorious body. Thank You dear Saviour. Amen. (EDWJ)

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Praise to God comes naturally when you count your blessings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 314              FRIDAY NOVEMBER ,10.                         2017

HE IS THERE                                                                  Ps 139:1-12

He will not leave you nor forsake you – (Deut 31:6)

Tanya’s fiancé David was lying in the intensive care unit after a delicate procedure to repair a brain aneurysm.  David’s eyes focused on Tanya, who had hardly left his side in several days. In wonder, he said, “Every time I look up, you’re here. I love that. Every time I think of you, I open my eyes and you are there.” That young man’s appreciation for the woman he loves reminds me of the way we should feel about God’s presence in our lives. He is always there. The Lord’s presence gives us comfort and security. He has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5) Who knows us more completely? Who loves us more fully? Who cares for us so well?

In Psalm 139, we read what king David thought of God’s precious presence. He wrote, ‘O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up…and are acquainted with all my ways… If I ascend, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1) Open your eyes and your heart, He is there – Cindy Hess Kasper.

PRAYER LINE:

When we are walking through the green pastures, Or over mountains rugged and bare;

Precious the thought and sweet the assurance

Jesus is always there – B Lillenas

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We can face any fear when we know the Lord is near. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 315              SATURDAY NOVEMBER ,11.                             2017

FULL POCKETS                                                              Eph 1:3-14

God….has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (v3)

Every man needs pockets large enough to carry all the important things in life: wallet, keys, breath mints. By looking at my wife’s purse, it seems she has a whole universe of resources, but at least men have the essentials! With just a quick reach into a pocket, I have access to cash, credit cards, and the exclusive privileges that a set of keys offers.

And children know that if they ask Mom or Dad to search their pocket or purse for a piece of gum, a mint, a comb, a tissue, or a dollar –whatever it is they think will meet their need at the moment – they will receive it!

It’s not unlike our privilege as God’s children. At salvation, we are placed “in Christ” and granted full access to all the valuable resources God offers us. Resources such as His wisdom: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 199:105). Forgiveness and grace: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph 1:7). New perspectives that bring hope and confidence even in the toughest of times (Eph 1:18), material provision (Matt. 6:30-31), and peace (Eph 2:14) are also ours in Him. God lavishes His resources on us “according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). Dig in! – Joe Stowell

PRAYER LINE: I know not by what methods rare

The Lord provides for me;

I only know that all my needs

He meets so graciously:

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The children of the King have no reason to live like paupers. – (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 316              SUNDAY NOVEMBER ,12.                       2017

HEALING YOUR EMOTIONAL WOUNDS                             Jere 30:15

Why do you cry out over your wound? (v15 NIV)

God asks His people, “Why do you cry out over your wound; your pain that has no cure? Then He answers, ‘But will restore you to health and heal your wounds (v17 NIV) 2011 Edition) there’s anything more insidious than the rage, ‘frustration, and other negative things that come out of us and wreck our relationships, it’s the inner source from which they originate. Festering wounds from past relationships are dangerous wounds. You say, ‘But you don’t know how badly this person hurt me: The point is they’re still hurting you, so how can you cleanse and heal the wound? God’s way is to tell it like it is! He doesn’t put a bandage on an infected wound. He demands that the broken places in our lives; all He requires of us is to expose where those places are. Only Jesus can walk us through the barrier of time and into our wounded past. Certainly one of the most important steps to healing is to forgive from the heart – to acknowledge the wound and the anger, and then let it go. And it can be tough to do, but there can be no freedom or healing without forgiveness. Bitterness will eat you alive if you don’t forgive. It’ll wreck havoc on your present –day relationships. God will give you the grace to forgive and let it go, but you must make the choice to be cleansed of resentment by forgiving the offender. There is no other way to peace and freedom (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE:  In each trial God would prove you

He would bring you forth more bright,

But He’ll never cease to love you –

You are precious in His sight – Anon.

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A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without adversity.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 317              MONDAY NOVEMBER ,13.                      2017

UNHEALTHY COMPARISON (1)                                 1 Sam 18:6-9

“…Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands,’ (v7)

Unhealthy comparison is a sign of spiritual immaturity. Here’s what Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly – mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, “I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere men? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour” (vv1-8) Understanding your gifts and your God-given purpose frees you from the need to measure yourself by the runner in the next lane, or someone playing a different position on the team. When you understand this, your sense of inadequacy will be healed and you’ll be able to enjoy and complement others. You’ll also be able to help liberate your children from sibling rivalry and show them that success is not about being like somebody else, but about being the best you can be, and all God made you to be (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Although I may not understand The path You’ve laid for me Complete surrender to Your will – Lord, this my prayer shall be – Sherbert.

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We become who God meant us to be by giving ourselves completely to Him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 318              TUESDAY NOVEMBER ,14.                      2017

UNHEALTHY COMPARISON (2)                                 1 Cor 10:12-18

‘…They measure themselves by themselves (v12)

A certain level of competitiveness is good. You need it. when children enter a spelling contest they study harder and learn more because they’re going to compete. They know their academic prowess is about to be challenged and they get ready for it because we like to win. But when your competitiveness makes you feel ‘less than,’ or ‘better than,’ another person, it’s gone too far. Paul writes, ‘…When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however will not boast beyond limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God has assigned to us’ (vv12-13 NIV)  To evaluate your success accurately you must first understand your God-given purpose. When you play on a team your position determines your purpose…Attackers and defenders have different skills, but to win, the team needs both. The defender who keeps the opposing team from scoring is just as valuable as the attacker who scores. One may get more applause than the other, but victory belongs to them all. When you keep comparing yourself with others you’re denied a sense of accomplishment, because you’re made the bench man to be like somebody else. No, they are playing a different position. They have a different purpose. They have a different set designed to fulfill the role God has given them. God gives you everything you need for the position you play and the purpose you have. What a liberating truth! And you learn to focus on Him, not them. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Ponder on We need God’s guidance from above, His daily leading and His love; As we trust Him for direction, To our course He’ll give correction – Fitzhugh

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To stay on course, trust the compass of God’s Word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 319              WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER ,15.                         2017

UNHEALTHY COMPARISON (3)                                 1 Cor 3:5-17

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow (v6)

Instead of celebrating David’s victory over Goliah with those who sang “David (has slain) his ten thousands’ Saul became jealous. As a result, he opened himself to ‘an evil spirit (1 Sam 18:10 NIV) (1) Those who help you today may hurt you tomorrow. So what should you do? When Saul threw spears, David refused to throw them back. Instead he forgave, prayed for Saul, and positioned himself to be promoted. It’s not easy, but it’s a winning strategy. ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘I love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I tell you; love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:43-45) (2) Those who love you today, may loathe you tomorrow. God says… ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love…(Jere 31:3 NIV) All other sources of love are subject to change. You can marry someone who resents you for being what you are, and you end up thinking, ‘You chose me because I’m outspoken, now you don’t like me because I speak out,’ or ‘You liked’ me because I was quiet, now you say I’m boring (3) While others speak well of you, some will resent you. Notice, David didn’t sing, ‘Saul killed a thousand but I killed ten thousand? You can understand why that would irritate others. But David didn’t boast about his success. Sometimes those who congratulate you can create enemies for you. That’s because some folk can’t celebrate anyone other than themselves. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Thank You Father, for Your Word. Only You can be trusted and reliable. We need Your grace to remain focused on Your plans and purposes for our lives

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Each person is a unique expression of God’s loving design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 320              THURSDAY NOVEMBER,16.                    2017

UNHEALTHY COMPARISON (4)                                 1 Cor 12:1-11

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit’ (v4 NIV)

No matter how good you are, you’ll be good at being somebody else. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to live up to the reputation of another person. The new husband says to his wife, ‘”My mother makes better fried chicken than this.’ The wife’s retorts, “Then tell your mother to come over here and cook you some.” If you want your wife to shine in the kitchen, compliment her. Don’t compare her with somebody else. Unhealthy comparisons hurt relationship. The Psalmist writes about the successful person who is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season…(Ps 1:3 NIV) A wise fruit grower understands three things about his trees. (1) Apple trees are only capable of producing apples. (2) It is a mistake to pick your apples too early. When the daughter of a well-known preacher was introduced on a Christian television network, she received invitations from several churches to come and speak. But her father said, No, leave her alone. I won’t allow the system to eat her up and begin to compare her unfavourably with her father or mother or somebody else she can never be. I want her to be herself , what great counsel and insight. Paul writes: That we…might be for the praise of his glory (Eph 1:12 NIV) When you understand who you are and what God created you to be-being yourself brings glory to God. You can say, “Lord, I’m thankful for who You made me: I’ve finished complaining or wishing I could be somebody else’ (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, I thank You for being my God. I thank You for who I am and who You created me to be. Please reveal Your plans and purposes for my life. Glory be to Your Name. Amen.

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Praise the LORD! Praise Him according to His excellent greatness – Ps 150:1-2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 321              FRIDAY NOVEMBER,17.                          2017

UNHEALTHY COMPARISONS (5)                               1 Tim 6:3-10

…Godliness with contentment is great gain (v6)

Paul writes, ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain’ This word ‘gain’ doesn’t mean increase, but profit. There’s a difference. Profit is what you have left when the transaction is over. Paul meant that when everything is said and done,  you must feel good about being yourself. You must be able to say, ‘I would rather be a great sergeant than a poor general. Only when you’ve followed well, can you lead well. If you’re praying for a certain position or promotion, check your motives. Sometimes what we call faith is really just ambition, because we haven’t come to the place where we’re comfortable with the role God has given us. King Saul’s undoing was his ego. He couldn’t stand somebody else doing it better than he did. Many of us have a wrong concept of what being ‘blessed’ looks like. We have seen God’s blessing in someone else’s life, so we think that to be like them is to be blessed. And no matter what God gives us, we are never happy because we’re not like them. We are asking God for something but we don’t know what it is. What it looks like, or when we have it. and if you don’t know you have it, you won’t know when you lose it. When you keep comparing yourself to somebody else you make that person an idol in your life. Tear that idol down. Ask God for a dream of your own. Stand on your own two feet. Be who God created you to be. Even though God has more in store for you, praise Him for what He’s given you right now. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, I thank You for being my God. I thank You for who I am and who You created me to be. Please reveal Your plans and purposes for my life. Glory be to Your Name. Amen.

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Praise the LORD! Praise Him according to His excellent greatness – Ps 150:1-2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 322              SATURDAY NOVEMBER,18.                    2017

UNHEALTHY COMPARISONS (6)                               Phil 3:12-16

‘… I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (v12NIV)

Paul didn’t measure his progress by the pace of the runner in the lane next to him. He said, in essence, I’m running according to the drumbeat I hear on the inside, not the outside.  I will support and encourage you, but I will never compete with you. My goal is to recognize and maximize what God has put within me. I’m not chasing you. I’m chasing me.’ When the crowd started singing, ‘Saul has killed his thousand, but David has killed his ten thousands.’ Saul couldn’t handle it and he lashed out at David. There will always be somebody who has more education than you, preaches better than you, or makes more money than you. So shake it off and be yourself! The Bible says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise. (Prov 13:20 NKJV) Your future success is predicated on your ability and willingness to walk in the company of greatness and be inspired by it rather than frustration by it. Saul’s competitiveness ultimately destroyed him, and it will destroy you too. Faced with his successor David, Saul tried to kill him. Faced with his successor, Timothy, Paul did all he could to build him up. Listen to Paul, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands’ (2 Tim 1:6 NKJV) Does Paul sound jealous? No. Do you know why? He tells us, ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (2 Tim 4:7 KJV) The only course you can run and win is the course God has given you (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, please help me to run the race You have set for me that I can declare like Paul, ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

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He who walks with wise men will be wise … Prov 13:20

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 323              SUNDAY NOVEMBER,19.                        2017

UNHEALTHY COMPARISONS (7)                               1 Cor 2:6-16

‘But God has revealed (it) to us by his Spirit’ (v10)

Paul writes, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard…no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him’ (v9NIV) You say, ‘But that’s all in the future. “But God has revealed (it) to us by his Spirit.’ Others may inspire and instruct you, but you must go to God in order to find out what He’s called you to be and then align yourself with it. God told the prophet Habakkuk ‘…Write the vision and make it plain…that he may run who reads it.’ (Hab 2:2 NKJV) It’s okay to admire somebody else’s vision and be inspired by them, but you must receive your own vision from God according to what He has shown you, not what somebody else says. Stop taking your cues from people. Go to God. Some of us are forty, or fifty, or sixty years old and we’re still not happy with what we are. We’re frustrated and frantic because we’ve never found that feeling of contentment. The problem is we’ve made it our goal to become something God never meant us to be. You must go to God, like a house to a builder, and say, ‘Lord, what building materials have you put within me? How much weight can I bear? What is the purpose? Who should I be? Show me Your plan at every age and every stage.’ You are the question, God is the answer. And as long as you know who is who, you’ll always make progress in the journey of life. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise – Robinson

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Those who know God’s grace show God’s grace to others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 324              MONDAY NOVEMBER,20.                       2017

I’M SORRY, MAN                                               Matt 5:21-26

Be reconciled to your brother (Matt 5:24)

When my son-in-law Ewing and I attended a sporting event we enjoyed watching both the game and the people around us.

One of those people showed both the bad and good side of humanity. This man had apparently lost track of his seat. As he was looking for it, he stood squarely between us and the field.  A man sitting in front of us also had his view blocked, so he told the guy, could you move? We can’t see’ The lost man responded sarcastically, “Too bad,” A second request got a similar but more heated response. Finally the man moved on. Later came a surprise. He returned and told the man he had blocked. Hey, I’m sorry man, I was upset that I couldn’t find my seat. They shook hands and the incident ended well.

That interaction made me think. As we go through life striving to find our way, situations may frustrate us and cause us to respond to others in an un-Christ-like way. If so, we must ask God to give us the courage to apologize to those we have offended. Our worship, according to Jesus depends on it (Matt 5:23-24)

We honour God when we make reconciliation with others a priority. After we have been reconciled, we can then fully enjoy communion with our heavenly Father – Dave Branson.

PRAYER LINE: It’s not easy, Lord, to swallow our pride and ask others to forgive us. But You want us to seek reconciliation before worship can take place, Help us to seek forgiveness when necessary.

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Confession of sin is the soil in which forgiveness flourishes. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 325              TUESDAY NOVEMBER,21.                       2017

GOD’S STRONG ARM                                                  Exo 6:1-8

I will redeem you with an outstretched arm (v6)

My friend Joann had a strong desire to become a concert pianist and to travel and perform as either a socialist or as a piano accompanist. While majoring in piano performance in College, she developed tendinitis in her right arm, and it became too weak to perform the solo recital that was required. She graduated with a degree in music, history and literature instead. She knew Jesus as her Saviour, but she had been rebelling against Him for several years. Then through further difficult circumstances, she sensed the Lord reaching out to her, and she turned back at Him. Eventually her arm grew stronger, and her dream of travelling and performing came about. She says, “Now I could play to God’s glory instead of my own. His outstretched arm restored my spiritual life and the strength in my arm to enable me to serve Him with the gift He gave me. The Lord promised Moses that His outstretched arm would rescue the Israelites from bondage in Egypt (Exo 6:6) He kept that promise even though His often rebellions people doubled (Exo 14:30-31) God’s mighty arm is outstretched for us as well. No matter the outcome of our situation, He can be trusted to bring about His will for each of His Children. We can depend on God’s strong arm – Anne Cetas.

PRAYER LINE: What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms; O how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms – Hoffman.

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With God’s strength behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 326              WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER,22.                          2017

A SURE SALVATION                                                    Rom 10:8-15

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (v9)

A story is told that Queen Victoria of the UK was deeply moved during a church service. Afterward, she asked her chaplain, ‘Can one be absolutely sure in this life of eternal safety? He did not have an answer. But an evangelist named John Towsend heard about the Queen’s question, and after much prayer he sent her a note: “With trembling hands, but heartfelt love, and because I know that we can be absolutely sure now of our eternal life in the Home that Jesus went to prepare, may I, ask your Most Gracious Majesty to read the following passages of Scripture; (Jn 31:16; Rom 10:9-10?  “Two weeks later, the evangelist received this letter,” …I have carefully and prayerfully read the portions of Scripture referred to, I believe in the finished work of Christ for me, and trust by God’s grace to meet you in that Home of which He said “I go to prepare a place for you – Victoria Guelph.’

Towsend was  confident that in this life we can have assurance of eternal safety (v9) and he had a concern for others as well. Consider what Jn 3:16; and Rom 10:9-10 mean for your eternal destiny. God desires to give you the confidence that your sin is forgiven and that after death you’ll be with Him forever-Brent Hackett

PRAYER LINE: Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood – Crossby

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Lives rooted in God’s unchanging grace can never be uprooted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 327              THURSDAY NOVEMBER,23.                    2017

TO BE CONTINUED                                                      Acts 1:1-11

Ye shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (v8)

The fifth book of the New Testament the Acts of the Apostles, records the beginnings of the Christian church under the leadership of the people Jesus had appointed. Some scholars have suggested that this book could also be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit, because the Spirit’s power supplied courage for the apostles in the face of every hardship. Just before Jesus was taken up into heaven, He told the ones He had chosen: ”You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Sameria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) With those words, one chapter in the story of God’s work on earth ended, and a new one began. We are a part of that ongoing story.

The book of Acts describes the faithful witness of Peter, John, Barnabas, Paul, Dorcas, Lydia, and many others during the early days of the church. These ordinary people depended on God to give them strength as they spread His Word and demonstrate His love.

That story continues through us. As we trust God and obey His direction to make Jesus known, He writes through us new pages in His story of redemption – David McCasland.

PRAYER LINE: Gracious Spirit, use my words to help and heal,

Use my actions, bold and meek, to speak for You. May You be pleased to reveal Your life to others through mine.

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People know true faith stories when they see them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 328              FRIDAY NOVEMBER,24.                          2017

NAVIGATING THE STORM                                 Ps 107:23-32

He recommends and raises the stormy wind… and He brings them out of their distresses (v25,28)

The ancient people of the nation of Axium (located on the Red Sea in modern Ethiopia) discovered that the stormy winds of the monsoon season could be harnessed by sail for speeding navigation. Rather than dreading the high winds and rains, they learned how to navigate their way through the storm. Ps 107 provides a wonderful word picture of how God allows storms to come our way, and then provides help for us to navigate through them. “He commands and raises the stormy wind…and He brings them out of their distresses” ( Ps 107:25,28) Trusting God for guidance in troubled times is a biblical theme. Hebrews 11 lists many who used their problems as an opportunity to exercise faith and to experience God’s grace, provision and deliverance “who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire escaped the edge of the sword, (and) out of weakness were made strong’ (vv33-34) Stormy circumstances are inevitable. Although our first reaction may be to run from the problem, we can instead ask God to teach us how to trust Him to navigate us through the storm – Dennis Fisher.

PRAYER LINE: When life feels like a storm-tossed sea

With crashing waves of rain and grief,

Turn to the Lord and trust in Him,

He’ll give you peace and bring relief-Sper.

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Better to go through the storm with Christ than to have smooth sailing without Him. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 329              SATURDAY NOVEMBER,25.                    2017

HOPE BEYONG HOPE                                                  Jere 17:1-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose hope is the LORD (v7)

The English poet Alexander Pope wrote, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast. “But where does man turn when hope dries up? The director of a medical clinic told of a terminally ill young man who came in for his usual treatment. A new doctor who was on duty said to him casually and cruelly, “You know, don’t you, that you won’t live out the year?’ As the young man left, he stopped by the director’s desk and wept. “That man took away my hope.” He blurted out. “I guess he did,” replied the director, “Maybe it’s time to find a new one.” Commenting on this incident, Lewis Smedes wrote, ‘Is there a hope when hope is taken away? Is there hope when the situation is hopeless? That question leads us to Christian hope, for in the Bible, hope is no longer a passion for the possible. It becomes a passion for the promise.”

When our expectation is rooted in God and in His Son Jesus Christ as our Saviour from sin and death, the blessing that Alexander Pope says we are always looking for becomes a present reality. Because God is the God of hope (Rom 15:13) He alone keeps hope flowing when its springs dry up in the human breast – DJD.

PRAYER LINE:

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name – Mote

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The secret of coping is hoping in God. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 330              SUNDAY NOVEMBER,26.                        2017

THANKS FOR INCONVENIENCE                                  Lk 2:1-7

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good (Ps 118:29)

Thanking God for the good things He has given us comes pretty easy. But thanking Him for an enduring “inconvenience” can be difficult.

Moira Maclachhlan  (a pen name) experienced a shattering, life-altering event when she was raped and became pregnant. Because of her decision to raise the child, there would be a daily reminder of this violent disruption of life.

Moira cautiously likens her situation to Mary’s unexpected pregnancy. She writes, “This world considers any disruption of its thoroughly detailed preparation for a life of convenience a rational excuse for unbridled anguish and rebellion. To ( the world) the thankful prayer I raise to God for the radical explosion that took place in my life is akin to insanity. The disruptions in the plans of Mary and me served to bring us both to the same conclusion: Sometimes God’s purpose in shattering the peace in our lives is to remind us that He has a purpose for everything. Moira thanks God for her beautiful child, and concludes “Don’t pray for a life of convenience, you might get it and wouldn’t that be too bad?”

If you’re enduring a long-term “inconvenience,” consider thanking God for what He has taught you through it – DCE.

PRAYER LINE: I thank You, Lord, for bitter things,

They’ve been a friend of grace;

They’ve driven me from paths of ease

To seek the Father’s face – Anon.

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Make friends with your trials, and you will learn from them. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 331              MONDAY NOVEMBER,27.                       2017

A BAD PRAYER THAT’S GOOD                                   1kgs 19:1-18

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth (Ps 145:18)

Have you ever prayed a bad prayer? I have. As a youngster I often selfishly asked the Lord to help me win when I was in a contest. He didn’t always grant me my request, but neither did He punish me. The prophet Elijah gives us a striking illustration of God’s way of answering a bad prayer. Elijah had experienced a spiritual high in seeing God send fire from heaven. (1kgs 18:30-40)  Then God had answered his prayer by sending rain after a 3-year draught (vv 41-45) But when Queen Jezebel sent a messenger  to threaten Elijah’s life, his elation was quickly squelched (19:2)  Instead of trusting God, Elijah fled into the wilderness. There he prayed a bad prayer. He asked to die (vv3-4) What God’s response? He showed amazing grace. Knowing that His servant needed food and rest, He provided them. Then He gave the prophet a message of encouragement and assigned him new duties to perform (vv5-18) We all pray bad prayers sometimes. But even a bad prayer contains some good if it acknowledges God and expresses our dependence on Him. So it’s talk to God no matter what our feelings. If we pray honestly, even a bad prayer can open the door for Him to work in our lives.

PRAYER LINE: God does not always answer yes

To every prayer I pray;

Sometimes He answers, “No, My child,

I have a better way.” – Sherhert.

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In prayer, God hears more than words – He listens to your heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 332              TUESDAY NOVEMBER,28.                       2017

WAITING                                                                      Ps 130

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Rom 12:12)

Day after day for years Harry shared with the Lord his concern for his son-in-law John who had turned away from God. But then Harry died. A few months later, John turned back to God. When his mother-in-law Marsha told him that Harry had been praying for him every day; John replied, “I waited too long.” But Marsha Joyfully shared: “The Lord is still answering the prayer Harry prayed during his earthly life.

Harry’s story is an encouragement to us who pray and wait. He continued  “steadfastly in prayer” and waited patiently (Rom 12:12)

The author of Ps 130 experienced waiting in prayer. He said, ‘I wait for the LORD, my soul waits” (v5) He found hope in God because he knew that “with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption (v7) Author Samuel Enyia wrote about God’s timing: “God does not depend on our time. Our time is chronological and linear but God…is timeless. He will act at the fullness of His time. Our prayer…may not necessarily rush God into action, but, …places us before Him in fellowship.”

What a privilege we have to fellowship with God in prayer and to wait for the answer in the fullness of His time – Anne Cetas.

PRAYER LINE: Pray on! Pray on! Cease not to pray,

And should the answer tarry wait

Thy God will come, will surely come

He can never come too late – Chisholm

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God may delay our request, but He will never disappoint our trust. (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 333              WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER,29.                          2017

ACTS OF KINDNESS                                                     Acts 4:1-13

By the name of Jesus… whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole(v10)

I was traveling with some men when we spotted a family stranded alongside the road. My friends immediately pulled over to help. They got the car running, talked with the father and mother of the family and gave them some money for gasoline. When the mother thanked them over and over, they replied, ‘We’re glad to help out, and we do it in Jesus’ name. As we drove away, I thought  how natural it was for those friends to help people in need and acknowledge the Lord as the source of their generosity.

Peter and John exhibited that same joyful generosity when they healed a lame man who was begging outside the temple in Jerusalem (Acts 3:1-10) This led to their arrest and appearance before the authorities who asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this? Peter replied, “If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man… let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole (Acts 4:7-10) Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) and a powerful context in which to genuinely speak to others about the Lord. – David MacCasland.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, help me to love with both words and deeds,

To reach out to others and meet their needs,

Lord, burden my heart for those lost in sin,

With mercy and love that flows from within – Fitzuff

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One act of kindness may teach more about the love of God than many sermons

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 334              THURSDAY NOVEMBER,30.                    2017

SHOUT HALLELUJAH                                          1 Cor 15:50-58

O Death, where is your sting (v55)

A few days ago, I spied my old friend Bob vigorously pedaling  a bike at our neigbourhood gym and staring down at a blood pressure monitor on his finger – “What are you doing?” I asked. “Looking to see if I’m alive,’ he grunted. “What would you do if you saw you were dead?” I countered. “Shout hallelujah” he replied with a radiant smile.

Over the years I’ve caught glimpses of great inner strength in Bob: patient endurance in the face of physical decline and discomfort, and faith and hope as he approaches the end of his life journey. Indeed he has found not only hope, but death has lost its power to tyrannize him.

Who can find peace and hope – and even joy-in dying? Only those who are joined by faith to the God of eternity and who know that they have eternal life (1 Cor 15:52-54) For those who have this assurance, like my friend Bob, death has lost its terror. They can speak with colossal of seeing Christ face to face.

Why be afraid of death? Why not rejoice? As the poet John Donne (1572-1631) wrote, “One short sleep past, we wake eternally” – David Roper

PRAYER LINE:

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,

When with our Saviour heaven is begun,

Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning;

Beyond the sunset, when day is gone – Brock

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For the Christian, dying is the last shadow of earth’s night before heaven’s dawn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 335              FRIDAY DECEMBER,1.                    2017

NEVER LET DOWN                                                       Lam 3:13-26

(The Lord’s compassions fail not. They are new every morning (vv22-23)

When I was a child, one of my favourite pastimes was playing on the teeter-totter in the nearby park. A kid would sit on each end of the board and bounce each other up and down.

Sometimes the one who was down would stay there and leave his play mate stuck up in the air yelling to be let down. But the cruets of all tricks was getting off the teeter totter and running away when your friend was up in the air-he would come down to the ground with a painful bump.

Sometimes we may feel that Jesus does that to us. We trust Him to be there with us through the ups and downs of life. However, when life takes a turn and leaves us with bumps and bruises, it may feel as if He has walked away leaving our lives to come painfully crushing down. But Lamentations 3 reminds us that “the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end” (v22ESV),  and that God is faithful to the end even when everything seems to be falling apart. This means that in the midst of our pain, even though we may be lonely, we are not alone. And though we may not feel His presence. He is there as our trusted companion who will never walk away and let us down – Joe Stowell.

PRAYER LINE: Thank You, Lord, that we can trust in Your faithful presence even when we feel alone. Help us to wait patiently for You to manifest Your steadfast loving presence.

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When everyone else fails, Jesus is your most trusted friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 336              SATURDAY DECEMBER,2.                       2017

THE GOD OF PEACE                                                     Phil 4:

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or  seen in me – put it into practice (v9)

Paul was apostle, spiritual father, friend and mentor to the Philippians. He wrote this letter straight from the heart. It was written out of love for them and to promote their spiritual progress. He has just urged them to fill their minds with good things, now wants to remind them to do as well as think, good things. It was a lifestyle achievable because they had seen it lived out by Paul. What the Philippians had learned from Paul was the skills of how to walk and talk as disciples of Jesus. The great apostle was without doubt one of the greatest (if not the greatest) exhibitors of Christian belief and practice the world has ever seen. The Philippians converts had witnessed in Paul’s way of life conduct that was perhaps as close to that of Jesus as it is possible to get. “Men return again and again to the few who have mastered the spiritual secret, whose life has been hid with Christ in God.” So wrote Robert Murray McCheyne who, himself, well merits his place in that saintly category. If the Philippians practice what they have heard preached by Paul and seen exemplified in him and in others then the God of peace, says the apostle, will be with them. and so it will be also with us. An old hymn put it well: When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey!

PRAYER LINE: Gracious God, I know You will do Your part, help me to do mine. Take my obedience and work into Your excellent harmonies, in Jesus’ name. Amen. – (EDWJ)

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You are a necessary part of the whole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 337              SUNDAY DECEMBER,3.                            2017

DON’T USE PROFANITY                                              Lk 6:

Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech (v45)

When you resort to profanity it proves the truth of God’s Word. ‘No man tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God…and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God’ (Jas 3:8-9).  Profane language is unbecoming to a redeemed child of God. So why do we do it? first: We lack the adequate vocabulary to express ourselves and feel we must swear in order for our words to have impact. Second: We resort to profanity to release our frustration with the situation. Either way. We’ve developed an ungodly pattern of expressing our displeasure, and we need to restrain ourselves. Jesus said: “A good person produces good deeds from a good heart. And an evil (person) produces evil deeds from his hidden wickedness. Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech.’ Acknowledging that profanity resides in your heart will help you reject the idea that a swear word just ‘slipped’ out of your mouth. The fact is it slipped out of your heart if you’re ‘profanity-prone,’ spending more time with God and ask Him to purify your heart and  your mouth (Read 2 Cor 10:5) James writes, ‘Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so, (Jas 3:10 NKJV) (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, thank You for the warnings in Your Word that are intended to protect and preserve my life. Help me to heed Your reproofs and instruction that I may live a life that is pleasing to You.

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God gives us loving warnings in His Word to protect and preserve us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 338              MONDAY DECEMBER,4.                          2017

IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY TIME                                 Isa 8

Here am I and the children …the LORD has given me (v18)

You don’t have to spend huge amounts of money to have meaningful family life. Children love the most simple, repetitive kinds of activities. They want to be read the same stories hundreds of times, and hear the same jokes long after they’ve heard the punch events. Dr James Dobson says: ‘A friend of mine once asked his grown children what they remembered most fondly from their childhood. Was it the vacations they took together or trips to Disney World or the zoo? No, they told him, it was when he would get down on the floor and wrestle with the four of them. They would gang-tackle the “old man’ and laugh until their sides hurt. That’s the way children think. The most meaningful activities within families are often those that focus on that which is spontaneous and personal. Busy and exhausted mothers and fathers, especially those who are affluent, sometimes attempt to “pay off” their kids with toys, cars, and expensive experiences. It rarely works. What girls and boys want most is time spent with their parents-building things in the garage or singing in the car or hiking to an old fishing pond. No toy to be played with alone, can ever compete with the enjoyment of such moments. And those moments will be remembered for a lifetime. ‘You say, ‘But I’m so busy.’ If you’re too busy to get involved in the lives of your children, you’re too busy! Remember your priorities and start making some changes. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Too busy to have time for the family? – Sing – When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our Way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey – Sammis.

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It’s no small thing to trust and obey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 339              TUESDAY DECEMBER,5.                          2017

DISCERNING THOSE WHO ABUSE OTHERS                        2 Sam 13:

Since he was stronger than she; he raped her (v14)

One of the things that make many woman particularly vulnerable to different kinds of abuse and manipulation is their God-given material instinct. Women are nurturers reaching out to needy people t o nurture, love, and provide them with inner strength. For example, mothers love to take care of helpless babies. But all too often, these healthy desires are taken advantage of by those who want to fulfill their own lusts. Sometimes it seems that the more helpless a man acts, the more material some women become. And wicked men capitalize on this in order to have their way with them. that’s why the gift of discernment, ‘the ability to discern’ (1 Cor 12:10NLT), is so important. There are many wonderful men out there. But be warned, there are also men who cut from the same bolt of cloth as David’s son Amnon. Second 2 Sam 13 gives us a tragic example of this principle when Amnon took advantage of his step-sister Tamar. Amnon was dangerous, and there are other men just like him. Violence in relationships and marriages is growing at an alarming rate. The abuse includes physical assault, rape, molestation, psychological threats, stalking, and financial coercion. At the heart of abuse lies a desire to gain and maintain control over another person. And as a woman it’s particularly important never to allow loneliness or your nurturing instinct to coerce you into a position of vulnerability with another Amnon. If you find yourself in that kind of situation, ‘blow the whistle’ immediately, expose the offender, and seek help. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, let Your word nurture me to always do that which will glorify Your Name.

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We invite defeat when we remember that we should forget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 340              WEDNESDAY DECEMBER,6.                    2017

IF YOU DON’T TELL THEM WHO WILL?                              2 kgs 7:

 This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent(v9 NKJV)

The Syrian army had surrounded the city of Samaria and nothing could get in or out. It was a desperate situation. Eventually the inhabitants began starving to death. Four lepers who’d been quarantined and forced to live outside the city walls decided to go into the Syrian camp hoping to find mercy, and maybe food and water. But when they got there they discovered an army of angels had scattered the Syrians, who fled leaving behind food, water, clothing, and treasure. These four men couldn’t believe their good fortune! They ate, drank, exchanged their rags for fine clothing, gathered treasure and hid it where they could find it later. Then they remembered that in Samaria their own people were hungry, thirsty, needy, sick, and dying. And they were faced with the dilemma: Do we keep this all to ourselves, or share it with those who need it, as much as we do? Then they said to one another, ‘We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent, if we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household.” Today you will meet someone who’s spiritually hungry and what they need is Jesus. So what are you going to do about it? if you don’t tell them, who will? If you don’t share the good news they may die spiritually. You say, “But I’m timid.” God used four social outcasts to bring good news of deliverance. And if you let Him, today He will use you too (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Lord, help me make my witness clear, And labour fruitfully; So friends and neighbours turn to Christ Through what they hear from me – Anon.

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A word well chosen can open a heart to God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 341              THURSDAY DECEMBER,7.                       2017

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE                                          Ps 102:7

‘I am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop’ (Ps 102:7)

Do you feel unqualified for the job God has given you? Do you think He picked the wrong person? Many scriptural heroes felt the same. David, whose psalms encourage millions, ‘a man after (God’s) own heart,’ lamented, ‘I… am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop.’ It’s hard to imagine a less significant bird, yet Jesus said, ‘Not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing (Matt 10:29 NLT) One author writes: ‘In our impersonal world it’s easy to underestimate the significance of one. With so many who seem more capable, gifted, prosperous, and important, who am I to think my part amount to much? Aren’t you glad Martin Luther King Jr. Wait Disney, Wilson Churchill, Irving Berlin, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Wesley, (and Mother Teresa) didn’t think that way? … How many people did it take to help the victim on the Jericho road? How many were chosen to confront Pharoah and lead the Exodus? How many lost sheep were of concern to the Shepherd? How many did God use to prepare the way for the Messiah? Just one. Centuries ago a woman name Esther thought there was nothing she could do. She was the Jewish wife of a Persian king, about to be tricked into making a disastrous decision that would exterminate the Jews…Like everyone who stands in the gap, Esther was willing to get involved to the point of sacrifice, and say, “If’ Perish, I perish (Est 4:16) Ask yourself what should I be doing?: You can make a difference (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE:  Father, show me Your plan and purpose in my life, and use me to make a difference to Your glory.

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Our works and words should say the same thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 342              FRIDAY DECEMBER,8.                    2017

THE PERSON GOD MEANT                                2 Cor 3:7-18

“And we… are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory…(v18)

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) said:

Could’st thou in vision see Thyself the man God meant, Thou never more could’st be the man thou art, content.

How does the Holy Spirit enable us to see the man or woman God meant? He can only do it as we have said, when we get close to Him or allow Him to get close to us. No counsellor is effective unless he or she has the confidence, trust and attention of the person being counselled. Charles Swindoll, when talking to a group of preachers and Bible teachers, said: “As theologians and teachers of the Word we study the Holy Spirit from a safe doctrinal distance: we are loath to enter into any of the realms of His supernatural workings or even to tolerate the possibility of such. Explaining the Holy Spirit is one thing; experiencing Him another.’

I believe with all my heart that the Holy Spirit yearns to transform us in the same way that Christ yearned to transform Simon Peter. But it requires confidence and trust from us. It means taking time to develop our relationship with Him. Once we do that, however, He goes to work, in faming, enlightening, guiding, enticing and moving us on until the difference in us is so marked that we need a new name. To you now, as to one bag ago, the Spirit says: You are…But you shall be …”

PRAYER LINE: Loving Father, burn into me by Your Holy Spirit the truth that unless we travel together – You, me and the other members of the Trinity – I shall never be the person You see that I can be. Today put my hand in Yours. Lead me on . Amen. (EDWJ)

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We can’t all play the same part in God’s band of service, but we should all play in harmony.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 343              SATURDAY DECEMBER,9.                       2017

“WE’LL ROARS THE STORM                                        Jn 16:16-33

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world.’ (v33)

Jesus gave satisfying solution and resolution to the problems we face today. (1) First, He makes it clear that not all difficulties and tragedies are due to personal or parental sin (Jn 9:3) This is extremely important for many see their personal problems as being the punishment of God. I cannot stress too strongly that personal struggles and problems are not necessarily the sign of God’s anger. (2) Second, He encourages us to acknowledge our problems and not to pretend they do not exist and are merely figments of our imagination. After spending time with His Father and offering up the prayer recorded in John Chapter 17 our Lord ‘went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley’ (Jn 18:1 RSV). He went forth’ to what? To the Garden of Gethsemane where He would be betrayed. There was no dodging the issue, no short cut. Jesus was always willing to face reality – and He enables us, His followers, to do the same, (3) Third, He provides us with a strong spirit that enables us to rise above our calamities. When a storm strikes an eagle it sets its wings in such a way that it rises. The words of Tennyson come to mind as I write: “Well roars the storm to those that hear a deeper voice across the storm ‘And what does that voice say? This: ‘Come up here’ (Rev 4:1)  No one can match Jesus in the hour of struggles and storms for He, and He alone, is the only One who has truly overcome the world. (EDWJ)

PRAYER LINE: Jesus You overcame all; impart to me Your Spirit so that when struggles and storms come my way they will serve only to bring me closer to Yourself. Help me to be equal to anything- by Your power. Amen (EDWJ)

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They witness best who witness with their lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 344              SUNDAY DECEMBER,10.                         2017

CHRIST IN THE STORM                                                Mk 4:33-41

Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? (v40)

At the age of 27, Rembrandt painted the seascape Christ in the storm on the Sea of Galilee based on the story in Mk 4. With its distinctive contrast of ‘light and shadow Rembrandt’s painting shows a small boat threatened with destruction in a furious storm. As the disciples struggle against the wind and waves, Jesus is undisturbed. The most unusual aspect, however, is the presence in the boat of a 13^th disciple whom art experts say resembles Rembrandt himself.

Mark’s gospel describes the disciples’ vivid lesson about who Jesus is and what He can do. While they were frantically trying to save a sinking boat. Jesus was asleep. Didn’t He care that they were all about to die? (v38) After Jesus calmed the storm (v19), He asked the penetrating question. “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? (v40) Then they were even more afraid, exclaiming to each other, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? (v41) We could also put ourselves in this story and discover, just as Jesus’ disciples did, that to each person who trusts in Jesus Christ, He reveals His presence, compassion, and control in every storm of life – David McCasland.

PRAYER LINE:

Be still, my heart; for faithful is thy Lord,

And pure and true and tried His holy Word;

Though stormy flood which rageth as the sea.

His promises thy stepping-stones shall be – Anon.

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God is a safe dwelling place in life’s storm (ODB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 345              MONDAY DECEMBER,11.                        2017

THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE                                          Phil 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God’ (v6)

Anxiety is the consequence of holding matters in our own hands and trying nervously to bring them together, depending only on our own resources. Forethought is good, anxiety is bad. One doctor analysed his patients’ anxieties in this way: 40 percent were anxious over things that had simply never happened, 30 percent were anxious about past events now totally outside their control, 12 percent were unduly anxious about their health although their only illness, he said, was a diseased imagination. Ten percent were concerned for their families although in most cases their qualms were groundless. Only in 8 percent of the cases did the worries have a basis in conditions that could be treated.

Paul’s suggestion for anxiety is this: prayer and thanksgiving. The thanksgiving is the element that saves prayer from becoming anxious prayer. But how can we pray with thanksgiving when faced with situations that provoke anxiety such as serious financial difficulties or health problems? We can thank God because at the heart of even the must desolating trouble there is a mercy, since worship is not easy. The writer to the Hebrews refers to a sacrifice of praise (Heb 13:15) – praise that almost has blood upon it, believing in defiance of the God-denying look of things. The sacrifice is indeed precious in God’s sight. (EDWJ)

PRAYER LINE: Father, I have been focusing only on my troubles, forgetting that You will never depart from me or forsake me. Help me to remember that-no matter what troubles me – and give thanks. I do so today, in Jesus name. Amen.

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Faith is believing that God is present when all we hear is silence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 346              TUESDAY DECEMBER,12.                        2017

BRINGING PEOPLE TO JESUS (1)                               Lk 5:17

The power of the Lord was present to heal them (v17)

One day when Jesus was preaching in a certain house, four men brought their paralysed friend so He could heal him. When they couldn’t get through the crowd they climbed up onto the roof, created an opening, lowered the man down to Jesus, and He healed him. The Bible says, “The power of the Lord was present to heal them.” The Pharisees were sitting nearby, and the power of God was present to heal them too, yet they received nothing. It’s amazing, but true, you can be in the presence of Jesus and leave unchanged. Why? Because your attitude and approach determine your results! Pride and preconceived notions – thinking you have God all figured out-can  stop you from receiving what you need. Paul says, ‘For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them, but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it’ (Heb 4:2 NKJV). These religious leaders had no ‘faith.’ They were interested in enjoying Jesus in theological arguments, not in seeing the power of God demonstrated and this sick man healed. So you can have a head full of theology and a heart filled with doubt, and receive nothing from the Lord. Lk5 records: When (Jesus) saw their faith, He said to him…”arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up… and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God…saying, “We have seen strange things today” (vv20-26 NKJV) (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Living for Jesus a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me – Chisholm

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Bringing people to Jesus is the duty of the believers

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 347              WEDNESDAY DECEMBER,13.                           2017

BRINGING PEOPLE TO JESUS (2)                               Lk 5:3

“They came… bringing a paralytic… carried by four’ (v3)

Some people have to be “carried” to Jesus because they can’t get to Him by themselves. Like the man in the story they are paralysed. “Paralysed by what? “ You ask. Paralysed by an out-of-control behaviour. Paralysed by a belief system that tells you you’re too sinful for God for God to ever love and redeem you. Paralysed by the memory of something that happened in your childhood and now you’re afraid to talk about it. Paralysed by an addiction to illegal substances, prescription drugs, gambling, pornography, alcohol, work, or money. Whatever your addiction-one thing is for sure it’s paralyzing. You can be paralysed by fear, anxiety, depression, a bottomed-out sense of self-worth, or a nightmarish childhood of neglect and abuse. On the other hand, you can be a self-made man or woman paralysed by success, materialism, greed, self-absorption-not acknowledging any need in your life for God. Is any of this hitting close to home? Jesus begins His ministry with these words: “The spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captive and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD’ (Lk 4:18-19 NKJV).Here is the good news! Life may not always have been good to you, but God’s grace and smile of favour can change all of that-starting today (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Thank You Father, for the knowledge that there are many out there that are paralysed for a number of reasons. Empower us to bring them to Jesus for their salvation.

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For hope today, remember the end of the story eternity with God.

 

 

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