Rev. Denise Glavan Heath
“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!” (Psalm 4:1) Why do we pray? We pray for many reasons, including praising God, giving thanks, gratitude, guidance, comfort, forgiveness, hope, assurance, strength, wisdom, and sometimes we have no words we just pray because we do not know what to do. We even pray for others, lifting up their hurts and concerns. When we pray, we are in communication with God. We are telling God what is going on in our life. As we tell God our hurts and concerns, we begin to feel better, or angry, or even hurt because we do not know if He hears us. Then there are those who know that God is there and feel this powerful connection—trusting God will see them through. Prayer is our way of talking to God—even when we do not feel His presence. It is a way we express ourselves to the Lord God Almighty. Today, no matter what is going on in your life spend some time alone with God. Share your thoughts and concerns, your joys and your sorrows—praise God and give thanks. And whether or not you feel God know He is there, trust in that knowledge. God is with us always. God is moving in and through us in all situations and circumstance. God Bless. Amen.
When you are thankful, you are full of thanks. It is a word that expresses either a feeling or showing of gratitude. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; it is a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Sometimes in this life of ours we do not show gratitude or thankfulness. Today, let us do so. Let us be a light unto this world, by being thankful and showing gratitude in all things. As I look around me and I think of my husband, my children, my step-children, my daughters-in-law, my son-in-law, my grandchildren, my greatgrandchild, my siblings, my in-laws, my friends, my dog, the house I live in and the clothes I wear, the food I eat, the car I drive I am thankful. And I am thankful for my God. I am blessed. For I truly understand that I am a beloved child of God created in His image. I am loved unconditionally by God. I am forgiven by God. God always gives me grace and mercy. I give thanks to the LORD for He is good His steadfast love endures forever. I am so thankful for all the mighty things God has done in and through me. I give thanks with a grateful heart for my God is King of kings Lord of lords. For God gave us this day. Let us use it for good, not evil; kindness, not meanness; forgiving others as the Lord forgives us. Let us be a light unto this world, for once this day is gone, we can never get it back. So let us use it for good, being thankful for all we have. For this is the day that the LORD has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. God Bless. Amen.
To praise the Lord is to express thanks, honor, and admiration for God, recognizing His worth, power, mightiness and goodness, often through singing, prayer, or other expressions of gratitude, joy, and thanksgiving. To praise the Lord acknowledges God as the supreme Lord of your life. True praise originates from the heart, serving as an outward expression of your inward faith in God. Today, let us be in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Psalm 100 reads, “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before his presence with singing. Know that the LORD is God. It is he that has made us; and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Praise the LORD. For this is the day that the LORD has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. God Bless. Amen.
You may have given up on something or given up on a dream because it just doesn’t seem to be coming into fruition—it seems impossible to obtain. Then as time goes by, our dreams can change. But there are times the things we want, our dreams, our hopes and prayers we will never get. We become sad, frustrated, and we lose hope. Garth Brooks sing a song called Thank God for Unanswered Prayers. The Chorus goes like this: sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs that just because He doesn’t answer doesn’t mean He don’t care some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” And if that dream, that hope, that prayer does not come true what is important is to trust God. Because God is bigger than any situation. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Sometimes in life this is all we can do. Trust God. God Bless. Amen.
Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. It is a strong belief in God based on feelings and spiritual understandings, rather than proof. It is an expression of one’s convictions that drives a person to one’s faith in God. “We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) “Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Sometimes this is all we have to get through the moment we are in, our faith. Today, whatever you are experiencing put your trust in God and by your faith believe that God is working in and through the situation you are in. For God is with you always and forever. This is something we all need to remember. God Bless. Amen.
We all succumb to temptation, which can seem like a cynical or despairing viewpoint. But think about it, no one can consistently resist their desires or impulses. We all face and experiences temptation, and some of us give into our desires and our willpower fails us, causing us to sin. Temptation means the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise, thus sin occurs. This does not mean we are bad people. It means we are human. James 1:13 reads, “Let not one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” We are tempted by things, people, and our desires. What God wants us to do is pray, so that we can overcome our temptation. Jesus said to his disciples, “Pray that you do not come into temptation.” (Luke 22:40) Life is full of temptation. What God want us to do is follow His example. Pray, focus on God not yourself. And if you succumb to temptation, ask for forgiveness and try not to do it again. For God is merciful and forgiving, so to anger. God wants us to represent Him in all things and that sometimes is hard for us to do. But if we can keep our eyes fucus upon our Lord temptation is not so prevalent in our lives—God is. It is something to remember. God Bless. Amen.
Psalms 46:10-11 reads, “He (referring to God) says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Then Isaiah 54:10 says, “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 41:10 explains to us, “…fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” These scriptures remind us of how great our LORD is. That no matter what is transpiring in our life you can be assured that God is with us. All we must do is TRUST in our LORD and remember God is always with us. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Remember our God is not a magical God who comes in and fixes the situation the way we want it fixed. Our God is a mighty and awesome God. He is a God of compassion and strength, our God will not fail us nor forsake us, for our God loves us unconditionally. Because our God is with us always to see us through all situations and circumstances. So, trust in the Lord, be still, it will work out, it always does. For faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. God Bless. Amen.
When you get frustrated with someone, what do you do? When you want someone to understand what is going on—but that person does not listen to you, what do you do? When you are in a situation and you know what you are doing is right and true, yet the other person does not have the same standards, what do you do? In life, as believers in God, we are called to a different way of living—we are not to conform to the secular world, we are to be transformed. We are to stay true to what God has called us to do and to be and that sometimes means standing up not only for yourself but God and God’s values as well. Psalm 86:11 says, “Teach me your way, O LORD, I will walk in Your truth…” There is a quote that says, “What consumes your mind controls your life.” this is a true statement. So keep your eyes focus on our LORD—stay in His Word. Let God’s way led your life, not other people. For the only person’s actions you can control are your own! God Bless. Amen.
When life is hard and you have prayed and prayed, and you do not know what to do—pray some more. When you have prayed for healing, yet healing does not seem to come—pray some more. When you are afraid for a loved one, and you have prayed and prayed—pray some more. When you try to take care of yourself and you have prayed and prayed for the strength you need—pray some more. When you are depressed and you have done everything you know to do and you have prayed for help—pray some more. Prayer helps us by promoting mental and emotional well-being through connecting with God, increases hope, and a greater sense of purpose. Prayer provides a powerful coping mechanism during difficult times. It fosters resilience, improves your mood, and gives you hope and a sense of peace. It increases spiritual growth and an understanding that God is with you in all situations and circumstances, even when you do not like the outcome. You believe God will help you get through the situation you are in. Because God is your hope, a very presence in times of need. Philippians 4:6 reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” Jeremiah 29:12 tells us, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” So, when you are down and you feel like giving up pray and pray and pray. God is with you no matter what happens. He is our lifeline. Our all in all. God Bless. Amen.
We all have different perspectives on life. We believe that our view, our understanding of a situation, is usually the correct one. For It is our truth. We could also say what is true for you is not true for someone else. This occurs because you have different values, beliefs, and have experienced different things. Thus, you have a different perspective. We all look at life differently—because of past experiences and the way we were raised. Learning to be open to different possibilities is the key in life. A person once said to me, “So you have all the answers.” I said, “No, this is what I have experienced.” Wisdom comes from be open and willing to learn new things. Proverbs 1:7 reads, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Then Proverbs says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Sometimes we just need to listen before we speak and think about what another person is saying before we inject what we think is right and true. It is something to consider. God Bless. Amen.
Oh LORD our God we bow down before You and praise Your Holy Name. Thank you for all of our many blessings: thank you for our families and friends, thank you for our homes and the food that we eat, thank you for the clothes we wear and the cars we drive. Thank you. You O LORD are an awesome God full of mercy and kindness—loving us for who and what we are—forgiving us for the wrongs that we have committed. Where we find hatred let us share love, where we find meanness let us show kindness, and where there is pettiness let us show substance and consideration. Now be with us as we go forth into this day and may we be vessels of You in all that we do. These things we pray in Christ’s Name. God Bless. Amen.
What does it mean to wait, because we live in a world of instant gratification. Where if you want something, you just go get it. To wait means to stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something happens. It means to reframe from being eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen. From a Biblical standpoint it means to actively trust, hope, and patiently bide one’s time for God’s timing to be manifested. For as believers in God, we are bound to God and ready for His will to unfold. Scripture tells us, “…but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) “Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14) “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word do I hope.” (Psalms 130:5) Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we need to wait and trusts in the LORD, for it is not about our timing but God’s timing. Wait! God Bless. Amen.
“Be part of the solution, not the problem,” my father would say to me. This saying means actively working to improve a situation, rather than just contributing to it or being part of the problem. It is thinking before doing, acting or speaking. It is being accountable for your actions and not following along as a sheep is lead to slaughter. It is about making constructive contributions and taking responsibility for a positive change. It is understanding you can and will make a difference by what you say, do, and respond to each situation in your life. Ephesians 4:29 reads, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” James 1:19-20 tells us, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Just because, at times, it is easier to follow the crowd, being influenced by the world, movies, TV, gossip does not mean you should follow along with what you are being told. God gave each of us a mind to think with. A Bible to follow to show us right from wrong. For the Bible does not change just because someone tells us it is OK. Therefore, be part of the solution, not the problem. Stand up for what is right and true, for that never changes. God Bless. Amen.
Have you ever heard the saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover?” The Bible tells us judge not and you will not be judged. (Luke 6:37) To judge someone or something is to form an opinion or conclusion about the thing you are judging whether or not you have the facts to make an accurate judgment. Sometimes in life, we judge people on the way they look, act or even speak before we even know what the person is truly like. Maybe instead of judging others we need to be more tolerant, kinder, more understanding. In Matthew 7:5 it says, “You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.” It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
When you are mad at someone, do you yell at them, give them the cold shoulder, give them the silent treatment, write down your grievances and give it to them, or do you sit down and talk about the issue at hand? Do your pray in silent for God’s help? There are many ways in which a person can communicate their anger and frustration. Learning to do this in a healthy manner is the key. It is learning how to respond and not react when you are angry. Colossians 3:13 read, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the LORD forgave you.” This scripture tells us what to do when we are angry and have a grievance with someone. Proverbs 19:11 reads, “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” This is about learning how to be calm. Then James 1:19-20 reads, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” It is something to think about. It is something to strive for and learn how to do! For it is learning how to respond not to react to the situation, when you are mad. Don’t you think? God Bless. Amen.
Seasons come and seasons go—life has moments of joy that are accented by times of undeniable pain and heartache. Sometimes, life is good and sometimes it is bad, but no matter what is going on in our life it continues to ebb and flow. When life gets too overwhelming, we at times just want to say, “Wait a minute and let me catch my breath.” But life keeps moving forward so we must learn to make the most out of each situation we are in. During life’s struggles we can either make the best out of the situation we are in or we can feel sorry for our SELF and say how unfair life is! The choice is always ours to make. Today, what will you choose? Will you choose to trust God in the situation you are in, or will you lose sight of the LORD God Almighty and wallow in self-pity? Scripture reminds us what to do in Joshua 24:15 it reads, “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” When we choose to serve the LORD we wait, knowing that with God on our side we can get through any situation. “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” (Micah 7:7) It is something to remember. It is something to hold on to. God is with you always. Remember that for He is bigger than any situation. God Bless. Amen.
Today, may God bless you in all that you do. May you feel loved for indeed you are, for God loves you unconditionally always and forever. May, you know that you are forgiven, just go to the LORD and confess your sins. As the day unfolds remember whom you belong to and whom you serve—our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Act, say, and think as if Jesus was watching you, for He is always watching us. So be the person you know you should be. Know that God can and will give you that peace which passes all understanding every moment—just go to Him—He is there to calm your spirit. May this day be wonderful—filling you with joy and happiness. Remember this is the first day of the rest of your life so use it for good and not evil and be a blessing to those around you. God Bless. Amen.
Sometimes we are fearful of the future. Sometimes we worry about how a situation will turn out. Sometimes we fret over our children, spouses, parents, siblings, friend, at times even our job. We know that worrying, fretting, and being fearful do not help the situation in any way and yet we do it. Why is it because we cannot control the situation, therefore fear, anxiety and worry emerge. Isaiah 41:19 tells us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Today, turn all you cares over to God. Let go and let God. Pray and pray some more. Then trust God to see you through. If you think about it—it really is the only way, at times, to deal with life’s difficulties. God Bless. Amen.
A compromise is an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions. We make compromises all the time whether it is with a spouse, a child, a friend, or even at work. We make these concessions so that things will go smoothly. The one thing we should never do is make compromises in our belief in God. When we accept our LORD and believe in Him it occurs on our emotional level. Then as we learn more about the LORD God Almighty, we learn right from wrong. As we grow, we start reading the Bible and from the Bible we learn how to live out our lives. From the Bible we learn about the 10 Commandment which are found in Exodos 20. James 3 tells us not to gossip. Galatians 5:22 shows us how to act. The Golden Rule is found in Matthew 7:12 and the 2 Great Commandments are Matthew 22:36-40. Then if you read Numbers and Deuteronomy, found in the Old Testament, you find more requirements of how to live your life in accordance with God’s way. Nowhere in the readings of the Bible does it tell us to compromise or make concessions. Romans 12:2a reads, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...” Our God has shown us how to live out our lives. The question is, are we following God’s guidelines or are we making the guidelines fit to what we want and what we want to do? It is something to think about. God Bless.
What does it mean to you, to be a Christian? The definition of a Christian is a person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God and follows the way of Jesus, professing Christianity and its teachings. This belief involves accepting Jesus’s teachings, including his life, death, and resurrection, as central to their faith. A Christian strives to emulate Jesus’s example in their own lives, demonstrating love, compassion, and obedience to God’s word. A Christian knows they are not perfect. They know they have made mistakes and sinned, but they also know they are forgiven and loved. So, what type of Christian are you? The type that picks and chooses what rules to follow. Goes to church on Sunday portraying a Christian attitude but during the week you do what you want, and God takes a back seat. Are you a Christmas and Easter only Christian. Are you the type that only calls upon God when you need Him and every now and then you pray. Or are you the type that reads the Bible, prays and spends time with God? Do you live the life God wants you to live? When missionary E. Stanley Jones reportedly asked Mahatma Gandhi why he wasn’t a Christian, Gandhi’s response was summarized with the following, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. If I had read the Bible before I met a Christian, I would have been a Christian.” So, what type of Christian are you. It is something to think about. For actions always speak louder than words. God Bless. Amen.
Trust means the firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. At the core of trust is a confident belief in feeling secure and assured in another person’s intentions and actions, based on their past behavior and character. Who would you, or do you trust with your life? Who do you trust to take care of your child? To take care of your spouse or a loved one? Your finances? If we are honest there are only a few people whom we truly trust, for people can and will let us down at different times in our life. But not God. For when we put our trust in God, whether in our best efforts or our worst failures we can be assured that it is God who works in us and through us. Scripture reminds us of this—putting our trust in God. Proverbs 3:5 reads, “Trust in the LORD with all our heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Psalm 28:7 says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Sometimes we just need to be reminded of this. Trust in the Lord and life works out. God Bless. Amen.
What would you do for love? Anything, with no strings attached? Or do you have limitations with your love? When you give out your love are there strings attached and conditions? If you do have strings attached to your love, if someone does not live up to your expectations what do you do? Withhold your love, get mad and not speak to the person, disown the person? Or do you accept the person—knowing we all make mistakes and forgive that person. Do you kill them with kindness, because you really do not have strings attached to your love. You just accept the person for who and what they are. Can you imagine God having strings attached to His love for us? If we failed to live up to God’s expectations—that He would disown us and not have anything to do with us! No. God does not have conditions to His love. He loves us despite our failures, our sins, our unforgiving hearts. God loves us and does not give up on us. 2 Timothy 2:13 reads, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” Hebrew 13:5 tells us, “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’” God loves us unconditionally, always, and forever. Maybe we need to start acting more like God. It is something to think about. It is something we need to do. Don’t you think? God Bless. Amen.
I used to pray to be like Proverbs 31—a good woman—I went through a lot of tribulations. For me to become that type of woman, for some reason, I had to go through heartache and pain so that God can mold me into a Godly woman. Then I prayed the fruit of the Spirit—same thing occurred tribulation after tribulation, but love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control were being manifested in my life. Then I started praying to be a vessel of the LORD daily and for God to use me in all that I do. I had opportunity after opportunity to show others how great our God is. It doesn’t matter what you pray to be like, all I know is that God can and will use you to Glorify His Name if you let Him. Isaiah 65:24 reads, “It will come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Today, be open to our LORD so that He can use you. For God answers prayers in a mysterious and wonderous ways. You just be careful about how and what you pray for. It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life sometimes, we at times forget about God. In the good, the bad and the ugliness of life God is not always on our mind. We put God on hold. Have you found this to be true? Then suddenly, life changes, we cry out to our LORD asking for “Help!” We remember God! Our goal as believers in God is to be consistent with our relationship with the LORD God Almighty. To talk with Him daily no matter what is going on in our life, whether it is filled with joy or sorrow. Life is life. And if you let it, life will always get in the way. 1 Chronicles 16:8-9 reads, “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” Perhaps we need to be intentional about keeping our eyes focus upon God. Set aside a time each day to talk with God, read the Bible, pray, and meditate. For the more you are intentional about spending time with God, the more it will happen. It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
Do you ever feel sorry for yourself? As if your life is so unfair and it seems as if it is against you, nothing seems to go right for you! I think, if we are honest, we all have felt sorry for ourselves at one time or another. I have found that the more you feel sorry for yourself, the more you slide deeper into self-pity. The more you slide down the self-pity hole, the more you feel sorry for yourself! It becomes a vicious cycle. Self-pity means excessive, self-absorbed unhappiness over one’s own troubles. Feeling sorry for yourself and self-pity go hand-in-hand. The key to overcoming our self-pity is to focus upon the LORD God Almighty. Praise Him—read scripture—pray and keep your eyes upon the LORD. Listen to Christian music. And pray some more. As time goes by you become more focus on God than yourself. 1 John 5:4 reads, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” Faith is what’s going to overcome your circumstances, not self-pity. The hard part is learning to quit focusing on yourself. It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
Do you ever feel that you are all alone? You know that there is a God, yet He just doesn’t seem to answer you or your prayers. You call out to God saying, “Where are you? Oh, how I need you. I do not feel that you are there.” Then you wonder, can God really be real, as you cry out your pain and heartache, your frustration and hurt, sitting in the silence all alone. This you can believe, God is with you even in your darkest hour, even when you do not feel He is there, even when you doubt His existence. God is there! Joshua 1:9 reminds us of this it says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Even when you doubt, even when you wonder if God is there. He is! He is in the stillness of each moment. He is holding you up. Believe it! Even if you cannot feel it. God Bless. Amen.
Did you know, do you understand, that because of you, life is better, and your life is a result of making this world different. You matter. You make a difference. You change this world. Thus, because of you and the impact on this world it is important to let your light shine. Because of who you are, what you say, how you act, the people around you are forever changed. Matthew 5:16 reads, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” So today, make a good impact on this world and those around you. Open a door for another person? Buy someone coffee? Call a friend in need? Say “Hello” to a stranger? Let someone merge onto the highway? Be kind, be polite, and if you cannot say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. Because of you and what you say and how you act, your light, your being just might make another person’s day for the better. Sometimes the good deed we do may be what the other person needed! It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
Who have you told lately that you love them? Who have you told recently that you appreciate them? Who have you told of late that you are proud of them? We all need to hear those things—daily. For kind words make you feel good, appreciated, loved and encouraged. But we also need to tell the ones we love just how special they are—for life is too short and we do not know what tomorrow will bring. All we have is today, this very moment. Today, tell those around you how special they are. How much you love them and how you thank God that they are in your life. Be kind, praise others, encourage those around you. Focus on the good, appreciate them because one day they will not be around. So, I want to thank all of you for your support and encouraging words on my daily devotions. God is truly great that I can share His words with you daily. Thank you. God Bless. Amen.
Do you comprehend that you are a beloved child of God created in God’s image. You are loved. In fact, you have always been loved by God. God’s love for you is unconditional always and forever. God will always believe in you and hope that you will make good choices in your life. God is the one sure thing in this thing called life. Jeremiah 1:5a reads, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” The hardest part is learning to accept God’s love, then learning to love and accept our self as God does. This is something we all need to remember. God Bless and remember God loves you. Amen.
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” (Psalms 31:24) Life without hope brings bleakness, darkness, and desolation into your life. It is a feeling or state of despair. Hopelessness kills the spirit and creates despondency which makes you want to just quit. Life can trigger hopelessness when you feel as if there is no way out. When you put your hope and trust in the LORD things seem to move in a better direction. You know that no matter what you are going through, with God on your side you can face all your tomorrows. Today, if you need to reconnect with the LORD remember He is there—He can and will help you get through life’s difficulties! He gives you hope. For He inspires a positive future, a sense of possibility, especially during challenging times. God Bless. Amen.
Sin is anything that separates us from God. It is an immoral act considered to be a transgression against God. We as humans sin, we make mistakes, we say things that hurt others, we do things that we know are wrong and yet we do them anyway. We fall short of doing what we know is right. We sin. God knows that we do this, and He loves us anyway. That is why He sent His Son into this world for you and for me. Christ leads us to forgiveness. Christ teaches us to try to become more like Him. There was a saying a few years ago that really defines how we as “Christians” should act. Do you remember it? “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO” What will you do? Today, think about those words, before you say or do anything. Ask yourself “What Would Jesus Do” then base your decision on that answer. You will be amazed how differently you begin to live out your life. Peter 2:21 reads, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” God Bless. Amen.
Scripture reveals to us what a mighty and wonderful God we have. It helps us to understand and learn about the awesomeness of God. “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” (Psalms 40:5) “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.” (Deuteronomy 10:17) “For you are great and do wondrous deeds. You alone are God.” (Psalm 86:10) “O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt you, I will give thanks to Your name. For You have worked wonders. Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.” (Isaiah 25:1) Today, let us praise the LORD and give thanks for our God is an awesome God who redeems and restores us. Who is our all in all. Praise the LORD! God Bless. Amen.
Why do you believe in God? For me God has always been there. I was raised in the Church. I learned about God through church, my father and mother, and felt His presence with me daily ever since I can remember. I even played nuns with my next-door neighbor when we were in grade school. We believe in God for various reasons. Some people find belief though religion—through Sunday school, the Bible, and community functions at church. While others say they found God through a personal experience like an answered prayer or a feeling of God’s presence. Still others find God through a philosophical or cosmological or even based on science. Believe in God often stems from a combination of faith, reason, and personal experience. So why do you believe in God? John 6:29 says, “This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.” Hebrews 11:3 tells us, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Psalm 9:1 tells us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Whatever your reason, it is deeply personal and varied. The thing is, if you believe, do you share and act accordingly. Do your actions, your words, and your thoughts reveal your belief in God? It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
God loves you. God loves you unconditionally. God loves you always. When God created you, He saw that you were good, and His love poured out for you. In God’s eyes you are a beloved child, created in His image. God will never give up on you. God believes in you and wants the best for you. God is always there for you. All you need to do is turn to Him. Romans 8:39 reads, “…neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD.” God loves you. The problem is, do you love yourself? The key life is learning to love and accept ourself as God does. It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
We woke up to another beautiful day, but for some maybe not so beautiful. For a loved one might be sick or even you, or you may have financial problems, or your relationship may be on the rocks. Sometimes life can get downright hard. As people of faith, we have what others do not have and that is our God. So, when life comes at you in all different directions remember God is there. When life throws you lemons, remember God is there. God is with us through the good and the bad and the ugly. God is with us on good days and not so good days. God restores us when we are weary, when we are frustrated, when we are lost, when life is going in the wrong direction. God is with us. Isaiah 40:31 tells us, “…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” So, whatever you are going through remember God is there. He will hold you up. He will renew your strength. For God is with you always and forever. God Bless. Amen.
When you hear the word discipline you think of the practice of training people to obey rules, using punishment to correct disobedience or one’s inappropriate behavior. We discipline our children so that they do not grow up to be out of control, rude, impolite adults. We discipline people who break the law, or rape or murder with a punishment that is enforced because of the crime they have committed. There are consequences to our actions. Deuteronomy 8:5 reads, “So you are to know in your heart that the Lord your God was discipling you just as a man disciplines his son.” Hebrew 12:6 says, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” In the Christian faith, God’s discipline refers to the loving guidance and training that God, as a Father, provides to his children (believers) to help them grow in righteousness and holiness. It’s not about punishment as some would have us believe or think but about turning away from sin and inappropriate behavior. No matter whether it is the secular understanding of discipline or discipline of believers in God, both involves consequences for one’s actions. For the Christian discipline is about shaping character and fostering a closer relationship with God, through love and guidance. Sometimes we misunderstand God’s discipline for us and associate it with pain and meanness. God’s discipline is never manifested that way. It is aways through love and guidance. It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
Prayer is a powerful thing. It can move mountains when nothing else can. My prayer for you today is that you find joy and laughter in the midst of the crazy and boring part of the day. May you receive blessings and happiness throughout the day. May you know you are loved and forgiven and that God believes in you and will never give up on you. As you go forth into this day of our LORD do all things in kindness, treating others as you wish to be treated. For this is the first day of the rest of your life, use it for good, do not waste it. For once this day is gone you can never have a re-do. It is what it is, so make the most out of it. Smile, dance, sing, laugh, enjoy! God Bless. Amen.
There are many ways to deal with life when you get overwhelmed, frustrated and irritated and you know not what to do. Some of us talk it over with loved ones or friends. Some might see a doctor, a counselor, or a minister, to seek the help they need. There are those that seek out the scriptures to find the guidance to get through rough times. Romans 15:4 reads, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” There are those who cry out to God asking for help and yes hope. All the while praying and praying and praying. No matter how you seek the help you need, remember God is always there for you. For faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrew 11:1) And with hope we can keep putting one foot in front of the other. Because God gives us hope when nothing else will. Remember God is with you always and forever. God Bless. Amen.
What do you need the LORD to do in your life? When you need something, it is because it is essential or very important. What needs to be manifested today? They say pray and it will be done! Psalms 118:24 reads, “The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” Here is the thing, we live in a world where bad things happen to good people, where sickness occurs along with good health, where we are born and we die and everything in between. Life happens. What God does for us is to walk with us down whatever journey we are going on, giving us the strength, courage and yes hope to face each moment—step by step. The sad thing about life is sometime life just sucks. So, turn to God—pray and then hold on to Him with all your might. For God is with you, always, no matter what life throws your way! God Bless. Amen.
Sometimes, in our life, someone or something that we have relied on is no longer there. Whether it is a spouse, a parent, a job, a pet or something that seems quite stable is now gone. Where depending upon this person or thing is no longer a part of our life. When this occurs, we feel lost all alone and at times afraid. The one sure thing that will never shift on us is God. Psalm 62:8 tells us, “Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” Exodus 15:2 reads, “The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Isaiah 26:4 says, “Rely upon the Lord forever. For in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” At times, God is the only thing that keeps us going—so hold on to Him. He will see you through, step by step, moment by moment. For other things will leave you but God never does! God Bless. Amen.
What is your purpose in life? Your purpose in life means having a sense of direction and meaning, where your actions take you in a certain direction both personally, spiritually and physically. It is about finding what motivates and fulfills you and aligning your life with that. I believe, God gave each and everyone of us a purpose. So, what is yours? Is it to be a parent? A help-mate? A care-giver? A rescue person? A law enforcement person? A writer? A singer? A preacher of the word? A person who creates things? A person who plays music or paints or creates beauty? A gardener? A pilot? What is your purpose in life? When you have found your purpose in life it changes your demeanor and how you act and feel about yourself. It gives you confidence. Jeremiah 29:11 reads, “I know the plans I have for you; says the LROD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Philippians 2:13 tells us, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Finding God’s purpose for you in your life is key! If you haven’t found it yet, maybe it is time for you to start your journey. God Bless. Amen
Compassionate is a feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others. Are you a compassionate person? Do you show kindness, mercy and compassion toward others? Or do you get irritated with other—getting frustrated and angry? When driving in a car if someone is driving recklessly and out of control how do you respond? When walking down a crowded street. Where people are cutting in front of you and pushing you out of the way, how do you respond? When waiting in line and someone cuts in front of you how do you respond? When you are in a grocery store and someone is eating the fruit before paying for it do you confront them? Colossians 3:12 reads, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Sometimes in life we get into situations where we want to say and do things that can and will hurt another person. Just because you think of something does not give you the right to voice your opinion nor act upon it. Because sometimes things are not what you think they are. A person driving fast and reckless could be on the way to the ER. A person walking in a crowded street could be lost. A person who cuts in front of you might not have known you were waiting in line. A person eating fruit in a grocery store could be poor and in need of food. Sometimes things are not what they seem. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2) It is something to remember. God Bless. Amen.
My prayer for you today is that you find peace, that peace which passes all understanding throughout your day. May laughter and joy fill your spirit and wherever you go may others see the happiness in your life. May you know how much God loves, accepts, and cherishes you. For you are the apple of God’s eye, made in His image. May you forgive yourself as God forgives you and may you forgive others as God forgives you. Now as a beloved child of God go out into the day remembering whom you belong to and whom you serve. Peace, I give you. Go in peace. Amen. God bless.
Our God is an awesome God. He reigns throughout our land. He is with us in all situations and circumstances. Our God is King of kings and LORD of lords mighty and majestic is He. Psalm 73:26 reads, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” This scripture tells us that God is our strength. Which means one finds courage, resilience, and the ability to face life’s challenges through one’s faith and beliefs. It also implies that God provides a source of power and support, especially during times of trouble, acting as a refuge and an ever-present help. The Lord is my portion means that God is the believer’s ultimate inheritance, source of happiness, and security. It signifies that God’s presence, power, and provisions are sufficient and preferable to any earthly possessions or comforts. It also expresses contentment and trust in God as the greatest treasure. All we have to do is turn to Him—trust in Him and believe. Knowing that He will never fail you nor forsake us. So, hold on to Him. He will see you through whatever it is you are going through. But remember be still for it is God’s timing not yours. God Bless. Amen.
On this day of the Lord, let us give thanks, for we woke up to a new day full of all sorts of possibilities. A day that we will never be experienced again. May we use this day for good and not waste it. May there be laughter, beauty and joy. And if by chance, you experience pain and heartache, remember God will help you get though the situation and that He is always with you no matter what happens in your life. Also don’t forget God loves you unconditionally. Remember He is will always love you no matter you do—that is why He sent His only begotten son into this world. So, remember God’s love today. I pray for Jesus’ blood of protection upon you and bind all evil from you. May you feel secure in every moment of your life because our God walks with us in all of life’s moments. May you find peace and happiness throughout the day—remembering that this is the day that the LORD has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. Be at peace. God is with you. God Bless. Amen
What type of person are you? Take it a step further, how do other people view you? Do they see you as a kind, caring, loving, nice, patient, respectful, trustworthy, honest, hard-working person? Or do they see you as a frustrated, angry, hateful, mean, rude, unreliable, lazy, selfish, inappropriate person? Does the way others see you and the way you see yourself coincide? Sometimes, always, or does it depend on your attitude and the mood you are in? Does your behavior represent God? As believers in God, we are called to act in a God like way all the time. How others see us and how we see ourselves should be the same. We are to represent God in all that we do. Matthew 5:14-16 reads, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Remember you never know who is watching you! God Bless. Amen.
Why do we get down-casted—unhappy, not confident, lack of hope? Why do we become weary—so tired of our situation? Why do we just want to stop and saying enough—let me just sit here for a while! Because life can become frustrating and difficult. Psalms 42:11 says, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” God is the answer to all our “why’s”—to the hard times of life. God is the one sure thing in this thing called life and sometimes when life becomes unfair and painful the only thing that will help is God. He is there. He will help. He will give you the courage, the strength, and the hope you need. So turn to Him. Hold on to Him. He will see you through! God Bless. Amen.
What do you hope for? Good health? More money? A new job? A new car? A good relationship? A loved one to be healed? To hope means a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. What do you hope for? Romans 8:24-25 tells us, “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Hebrew 11:1 reads, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” Today, try not to lose hope in the future. Trust God in every situation you are in and remember God is with you always. You just have to believe and trust that He is bigger than what you are hoping for. God Bless. Amen.
We are told that the great commandment is for us to, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31) The question for today is “Do you?” Most of us would say, “Yes I do!” The problem with our relationship with God is finding the time for Him, because life gets in the way. Here is the thing actions always speak louder than words—so what are your actions saying about your relationship with God? It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
Last month when I was getting my eye shot for my wet macular degeneration (AMD) the doctor said, “Be real still and don’t talk.” I said, “I will be good.” For the past month I have been thinking about me saying “I will be good.” I realized I must have said that a lot as a child. I must have given my parents endless days of getting into things and asking questions. Because the statement “I will be good” implies you are not being good. You are causing problems. Can you imagine God saying to us, “Be good!” But you know God does tell us to be good, to do the right thing, to walk the walk, to be the type of person God has called you to be. To be good means acting in ways that are morally right, virtuous, and beneficial to others. It encompasses qualities like kindness, honesty, fairness, and a desire to contribute positively to the world. It is seeing the good in others, not demeaning them or gossiping about them. Being good is avoiding bad actions. Galatians 6:9-10 reads, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Today, let us focus on being good! God Bless. Amen.
Psalms 5:2 reads, “Hearken to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to thee do I pray.” For to you, do I pray. To pray means to express joy, happiness, thankfulness, sorrow, pain, heartache to God. Prayer is our communication to God, often involving expressing gratitude, seeking guidance, or finding comfort. We pray when we want to talk to God. For God is our lifeline. He is our all in all. Today, let us pray for our loved ones: our spouse, our children, our grandchildren, our parents, our siblings, our friends and yes our pets. Let us also pray for our country, our military, our police force, our fire fighter, our government officials, our president. Let us give thanks to our God and all the wonderful things He has done. Let us rejoice, for this is the day that the LORD has made. Praise be to God. God Bless. Amen.
Sometimes life just gets really hard and overwhelming. You want to say, “Can I just sit down for a minute and catch my breath without something else happening?” But that is not life! Sometimes life throws so many lemons your way you just run out of sugar to make lemonade. It is during these hard and frustrating times that the only thing that can help you is the LORD God Almighty, but here is the catch! You might not feel God’s presence, because you feel so alone and lost. Wondering all the while, where is God, in the midst of all this? Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble times…” God is with us even when we do not feel it. Then in Psalms 130:5 it shows us what to do when we feel lost and all alone, “I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.” And that my friends is all any of us really have…hope in the LORD. He will see you through. God Bless. Amen.
Is Jesus the Christ LORD of your life? Does He reign in your life? Is He your all in all? Do you do all things with Him? Or is He someone you call on in times of trouble? When we accept that Jesus is the Christ, our lives are forever changed. We are to follow God’s guidelines in all that we do! The problem is we pick and choose which guidelines to follow and which to ignore. Following in God’s way is hard to do because life get in our way. We get so busy being busy that we lose sight of our LORD. Today try to keep your eyes focused on our LORD. Try to do all things with Him in mind and like the saying goes ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” If he wouldn’t do it, neither should you! Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” God Bless. Amen.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 says, “Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.” Ephesians 4:29 tells us, “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.” Exodus 23:1 reminds us, “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.” These scriptures remind us how we are to speak when sharing our thoughts. The sad thing about gossip, meanness, and malice is that those who are saying those things want to hurt another person or people. There is never a reason to intentionally hurt another person. When you say things out of meanness and malice it shows others what type of person you really are. Abraham Lincoln said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” It is better not to speak than to speak and make a fool of yourself. As people of God, we are to be kind and gracious to all people. People see who you really are by your actions and your words. Today, be the person God has called you to be. For there is never a reason to be mean nor spiteful. God bless. Amen.
Scripture reveals to us our understanding of our Lord. In Revelation 4:8b it tells us that our LORD is holy. It says, “’Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” In Hebrews 13:8a it says our LORD is the same yesterday, today and forever. Isaiah 40:28 states, “Have you never heard? Have you never understood: The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.” He is our all in all. Think of these things, for no matter what is going on in your life, God is with you. God is there—hold on to Him and realize “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) Isaiah 40:29 tells us, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Psalm 31:24 says, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” God is with you. He is always there. Believe it. Hold on to it. Trust in Him and He will give you the strength and courage you need. God Bless. Amen.
Sometimes life is so hard! Sometimes life is OK. Other times joy fills the air, and you are on cloud 9, life seems wonderful. So how is your day going? Will your day be a good day or not so good? Will this day be the best day ever! Today is the first day of the rest of your life. How do you think it will turn out? Because today you can feel sorry for yourself? Or will you can make the most out of this day, even in the ups and downs? We choose how our day will turn out. We choose to be happy, mad, sad, or glad. Psalm 5:3 reads, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” This scripture emphasizes the practice of early morning prayer and presenting one’s needs to God. I have found when you wake up with God your day goes so much better. So, start your day with God. Tell Him good morning, give thanks, praise Him. And remember this is the day that the LORD has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. Praise God. God Bless. Amen.
We all make choices; these choices affect those around us. Sometimes the choice we have made is good and positive. Other times, the choice we have made not only hurts us but others as well. In Matthew 1:19-21, 24 it says, “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her (referring to Mary) to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,” because he will save his people from their sins…When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the LORD commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” Joseph had a choice—he chose to marry “Mary” and not disgrace her. This story would have ended very differently if Joseph would have divorced Mary. Our lives would be different, our understanding of the birth story and our relationship with God would be different. Joseph’s choice made a profound impact on this world. We all have made choices in life—good ones, bad ones, and even downright horrible choices. We have all hurt people because of our choices in life and have blessed others from our choices. Here is something to think about, the choices you have made, have made you into the person you are today and that is good. Don’t you think! God Bless. Amen.
When you are young you are invincible, you look at life believing there will be a tomorrow. God seems like a magical God; it is a time of learning about Him—questioning and wondering. When you are in your 20’s you are trying new things and figuring out what being an adult means. God is more personal and your relationship with Him is developing and getting stronger. In your 30’s and 40’s you want to accomplish things and accumulate things. You worry about today more than what the future will bring. And for some your relationship with God is strong, for others you are too busy for God even though you still believe in Him. But for some life has not been very kind and your relationship with God grows weaker. In your 50’s and 60’s you know your life span is getting shorter. Your focus is more on relationships and God. It is a time for making amends with your past. In your 70’s and for the rest of your life you enjoy what time you have left—you don’t worry so much about tomorrow—you try to enjoy the day you are in. For some God is a constant friend. For others, anger at the unfairness of life emerges and you blame God for it. In life no matter your age God is with you--always. I believe and I have found that with God you can face each day whether it is a good day or not so good day, for you know God will give you the strength and courage you need to face whatever happens. Today, whatever is going on, whatever your age is remember God is with you. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” God is with you—always and forever. God Bless. Amen.
So how is your day going? Is it a good day? An ok day? A frustrating day? What kind of day are you having? What makes it a good day, or an ok day, or a frustrating day? Is it our attitude? Does our attitude define our day? I believe it does. Life is life we have moments of unbelievable happiness that are accented by moments of pain and frustration but if your attitude is good then you can make it through any situation you are in. Philippians 4:8 reads, “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Proverbs 17:22 tells us, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Philippians 2:14a says, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing…” Our attitude does not have to go hand in hand with what has been occurring throughout the day. Our attitude is a way of thinking or feeling about someone or something. Our attitude is controlled by our thoughts and is expressed by our words and actions. So how is your attitude, because life gets rough and it is our attitude that sees us through. Life is 10%, attitude is 90%. (Charles Swendoll) Does your attitude need an adjustment? God Bless. Amen.
They say actions speak louder than words. I have found this statement to be true. For what a person does is a more reliable indicator of their true intentions, beliefs, or character than what they say. For our actions are more meaningful and carry more weight than mere words. This statement is about judging someone by their behavior rather than their words. Because our behavior reveals who and what we truly are. For example, you say, “I am going to quit cussing, but you never do.” You talk about it, but you never try or quit cussing. Or you say, “I am going to read the Bible daily, but you get so busy you never make time to read the Bible.” Or you tell others, “I going to be a better spouse, but you never work on the issue to make you a better spouse.” Or you tell your boss, “I will work harder and be on the top of my game, but you never put the time in for this to occur.” James 2:17 reads, “So also faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, it dead.” 1 John 3:18 says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Titus 1:16a tells us, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.” Today, let us not live by empty words let our actions coincide with our words. God Bless. Amen.
Our God is an awesome God. He is always with us no matter what is going on in our lives. He is and was and will always be. He is LORD of our lives, majestic, and wonder. He is our all in all. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Today, as you go forth remember whom you belong to—remember your identity and connection is to God, so represent Him in all that you. As you go about your business know that with God all things are possible and with God on our side how can we fail? (Psalm 108:13) Thus, be sure to represent God in all situations, have fun, laugh, dance, sing at the top of your lungs, smile, do random acts of kindness and remember this is the first day of the rest of your life. Make today a great day. It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
As believers in God, our relationship is manifest in our belief in the LORD God Almighty. Some of us talk to Him daily, others speak with God now and then, some visit with Him only at church, and then there are others who talk to God when they need something, then there are some who had a relationship with Him when they were younger and that seem good enough for them. The wonderful thing about God is He is always there for you no matter how often you visit with Him, for God is the one sure thing in this life of ours. He never gives up on you nor will He leave you. Sometimes we just forget about God and He takes a back seat in our lives. Deuteronomy 31:8 reads, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Today, no matter what is going on in your life—whether you acknowledge God or not remember God is there, God is with you. He will give you the strength and courage you need all you need to do is turn to Him. Today might be a good day for doing that. God Bless. Amen.
To be mean is to act in a way that is intentionally hurtful or unkind to someone, often involving malicious or selfish behavior. To be rude means being offensively impolite or ill-mannered. To be hurtful means causing distress to someone’s feelings. Have you ever said something mean, rude or hurtful to someone, to someone you love? Of course you have we all have. The problem with the words we speak once said you can never erase them from being spoken. You can never take them back. Words hurt! My mother used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.” Period. Today think before you speak, because words are powerful, they can either build up or they can hurt and damage another person. Proverbs 18:21a reminds us of this, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...” It is something to think about. Amen.
Has anyone one ever wronged you? Has anyone ever hurt your feelings? Have you ever wanted a re-do on a situation that haunts you? If we are honest, we all have been hurt, wronged and want a re-do if we could. But re-dos are not possible and trying to change the outcome of a situation is nearly impossible. The Good News is Jesus came to offer us all forgiveness, to heal our hurts and to calm our raging spirits. All we must do is to turn to Him, ask for forgiveness and then forgive those who have wronged us. It sounds so simple but learning to do this can at times be hard to do. Something to remember if you want to be forgiven of your wrongs, forgive others of the wrongs they have done unto you. To forgive means stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for an offense, flaw, or mistake. Colossians 3:13 reads, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone, forgive as the LORD forgave you.” Matthew 6:14-15 tells us, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Finally, Ephesians 4:31-32 reads, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” It is something to think about. They say to err is human, to forgive is divine. Forgiveness is a virtuous act! It is something to try. God Bless. Amen.
A stronghold is a place that has been fortified to protect against attacks. It is a place of security or survival. Psalms 27:1 reads, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Sometimes, in life we forget this. Sometimes, we feel all alone, not knowing where to turn or whom to turn to! When we rely on God to be our stronghold it is a place we go for safety, protection, or refuge on days when we feel forsaken and desolate. During these moments—moments of fear and anxiety, unbelief and doubt, pride and arrogance, unforgiveness and bitterness, selfishness and self-centeredness, lust and sexual immorality, greed and materialism, anger and unforgiving spirit, is when we cry out to the LORD, asking for help! This scripture reminds us that in all things our God is with us. He is the stronghold of our life. So, hold onto Him. He will see you through whatever you are going through. God Bless. Amen.
We have all sinned. We have all made mistakes. We have all wronged someone. And when we sin, we want to be forgiven. We also do not want others to know our sin nor do we want to get caught in our sin! As Christians, we know that through Jesus we are forgiven. God forgives. In John 8 it reads, “The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, (him referring to Jesus) “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such a women…Jesus said to them, “You who are without sin be the first to cast a stone. One by one from the eldest to the youngest they departed…and Jesus said to her, “Has anyone condemned you? She said, “No my LORD.” Jesus said, neither do I, go and sin no more.” Powerful words! So, is it only we get caught in our sin, that we confess our sin? Think about it. My prayer is that we learn to forgive as our LORD forgives us, for wouldn’t it be sad if we didn’t extend forgiveness as our LORD does, not only to ourselves but to others as well. It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
We are each unique individuals and each of us have gifts that God has given unto us. Some of our gifts are singing, drawing, painting, gardening, care-giver, creator of things, the gift to teach or preach, the gift of listening or the gift of laughter, joy, and encouragement to name just a few. What is sad is when an individual does not use the gifts God has given us. James 1:17 reads, “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” 1 Peter 4:10 tells us, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” You are special and have gifts that God has blessed you with and because of you and your gifts this world is forever changed. You have influenced all those whom you have come in contact with. You are important. It is something to think about and remember. God Bless. Amen.
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him…” (Lamentations 3:25) God is good in so many ways: He is kind and generous, He guides us and sustains us, He loves us unconditionally always and forever. He continues to show us love, grace, mercy, and favor even when we do not deserve it. God’s goodness is all powerful, all mighty, He was and is and will always be. For the LORD is good, His steadfast love endures forever and ever. Sometimes we forget how good our God is. So let us give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 107:1) Doesn’t this realization make you want to praise God and give thanks? God Bless. Amen.
When you look back over your life what kind of life have you led so far? A life of integrity and honesty, a life of selfishness and self-centeredness, a life filled with joy and happiness. Do you think your life has been unfair, where you are the victim? Is your life filled with unhappiness and frustration? Or is your life a good life, filled with adventure, excitement, joy and love? Life is life. Everyone experiences good things, bad things and not so good things. Your attitude is what is essential as to how you view your life. So how do you view your life? Nehemiah 8:10 reads, “The joy of the LORD is my strength.” God gives us strength when we are weak. God give us hope when we doubt. God gives us forbearance when we are impatient and irritated. God calms our raging spirit. God changes our attitude to see our life in a better way. Because when you have God, you see life differently. You understand that God is with you in all situations and circumstances. Remember when God is a part of your daily life—life goes so much better. And you look back over your life, and you say, “Life is good. I am blessed.” God Bless. Amen.
This is the day of our LORD. It is the first day of the rest of your life. How are you going to use this day? For once this day is gone you will never get a re-do on it! Are you going to use it for good or waste the day away? Are you going to be selfish or put others before you? Will you choose to be happy, mad, sad, or glad? For this day, is the only day you will ever have like it! You do not know what the future will bring, so use this day wisely. Psalm 37:4 reads, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” It is something to strive for. Make this day the best day ever! God Bless. Amen.
When we were very young, we all believed in a magical God, a God who did things for us. We believed this God did everything we wanted when we wanted. Then as we grew older, we began to understand who and what God is and is about. As our understanding of God grew. We found that God is a God of relationship. Thus, as our relationship grew, we understood God more. We wanted to spend more time with Him, and this is manifested through prayer. Yes, God answers prayers, but He is not a magical God. The one sure thing you learn is that God is with you in all situations and circumstance. And sometime what you ask for occurs in God’s way, not our way, in God’s time not our time. And sometimes an unanswered prayer is the right answer. Today, whatever it is you want God to do—remember God works on God’s time and God is never late. 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” God Bless. Amen.
I was upset the other day. I had the house all to myself. I had been praying and praying to God, talking about the situation I was dealing with. I turned on Christian music listening to it, praying, and cleaning. I clean when I am upset. Pretty soon I was no longer thinking about myself but focusing on God. The problem seemed to have dissipated. John 3:30 reads, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” When you pray, when you listen to Christian music, when you read the Bible, when you meditate it gets your eyes off of yourself and helps you to keep your focus upon God. When we keep our eyes upon God our day will go much smoother. God Bless. Amen.
To be thankful is to express gratitude and relief. It is being, pleased with an outcome. It is being, joyful and happy because things are good. It shows appreciation toward something or someone. So, what are you thankful for? Your spouse, your children, stepchildren, your daughters-in-law, your sons-in-law, your in-laws, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren, your parents, your siblings, your friends, your pets, the house you live in, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the vehicles you drive, how about GOD? For our God is King of kings, Lord of lords, mighty and wonderful is He. He is our sustainer, redeemer, comforter, and provider. He is our source of unfailing love and our strength. He is holy, merciful, and good. God’s unwavering faithfulness keeps us going and gives us hope. Being thankful of God, is recognizing all the things He does for us, whether big or small. Hebrews 12:28 reminds us, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Psalms 107:1 tells us, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.” Then Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Today, let us give thanks for all that we have and let us praise His Holy Name, for our God is an awesome God He reigns. Praise God for this is the day that the LORD has made let us rejoice and be glad in it, for the joy of the LORD is our strength. God Bless. Amen.
Do you wish your life was easier? Do you wish that things were different? Do you wish that you could just get a break? Life is life. Sometimes our life is easy and going our way then in a moment life changes, and it seems as if you can barely put one foot in front of the other. God never promised us that life would be easy and smooth sailing. What God promised is that He would be with us in all situations and circumstances. That He would give us the strength and courage we need to handle anything that comes our way. Psalm 46:1 reads, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble.” Habakkuk 3:19 tells us, “The Sovereign LORD is my strength, He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go onto higher grounds.” Joshua 1:9 reminds us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” On the other hand, we can blame God because we feel life is so unfair. The choice is ours, but here is the thing, did our LORD ever say that life would be easy or fair? No, He said He would be with us. It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
Praise the Lord. Give thanks. For our God is an awesome God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is our all in all and when troubles occur our God is with us to see us through whatever is transpiring in our life. Our God is mighty and wonderful. He is our sustainer at every moment of our day. He gives us hope when we feel like we are lost and know not what to do. He gives us peace when life is out of control. He calms our raging spirit. Isaiah 41:13 reads, “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.” This is all we really need to remember in life. God is with us! God Bless. Amen.
Do you like yourself? Do you love yourself? Are you proud of what you have accomplished in your life? See, we are who we are from our past experiences—the good—the bad and yes, the ugly and because of those experiences you are who you are. Therefore, we can say each experience in life builds upon the other and no matter what happens in your life you can use those experiences to glorify God. Today, try embracing all of you. Try to see yourself through God’s eyes, that you are a beloved child of God created in His image, that you are loved and accepted just as you are—all of you, even the ugly parts of your life. Psalm 36:7 reads, “Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” Jeremiah 31:3 says, “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.” God loves you. Always! He will never give up on you. Our quest is to learn to love ourselves as God does! God Bless. Amen.
To give praise is to express warm approval or admiration for someone or something. In the Bible, praise is a conscious act of expressing admiration, gratitude, and reverence for God, acknowledging His sovereignty, goodness, and mercy. It is a way of proclaiming God’s worth and love for Him. Often through vocal expressions like singing and declarations of His greatness. Praising God can also be done in the stillness of the moment through prayer. “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” (Psalm 145:1-3) “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:3) “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy Name.” (Psalm 103:1) Today, let us praise the LORD; for His steadfast love endures forever. Great is our LORD and worthy is His name! God Bless. Amen.
Do you worry? Some people worry more than others, while others just let things go and are not worriers. But most people worry. Some people worry about their finances, others a relationship, still others about what affects them daily. When you worry you forget about God and focus upon yourself. When you worry you focus on yourself not God! See, the thing to remember is no matter what is going on in life worrying will not change it. Scripture tells us, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life…and which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life…therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Matthew 6:25, 28, 34) We need to learn to trust God to see us through. We just must learn to let go and let God, because worrying will not change the outcome! It is something for us remember. God Bless. Amen.
Life is life. It is filled with tribulations, heartache, and pain. Life is also filled with moments of undeniable joy, laughter, and fun. In life we experience many things, sometimes good things and sometimes not so good things, but through it all no matter what happens our LORD is there. So, whether things are going good or things are going bad should we not give things to our Lord for He is the one sure thing in this life of ours. Scripture tells us this. In Habakkuk 3:17-18 it reads, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Today, no matter what is transpiring in your life remember God, give thanks, and praise His Holy Name. For no matter what is happening our God is with us in all situations and circumstances always and forever. And that is why we should always give thanks. God Bless. Amen.
The 2 Great Commandments are, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) These two commandments tell us of the importance of love and extending love towards others, but also of loving oneself. Love is an intense feeling of deep affection that you share with others. Love of self is an appreciation of your worth and well-being, encompassing actions that support your growth and happiness. It involves accepting yourself, treating yourself with kindness and respect. See, how when you learn to love yourself you are better able to extend love toward others. That is why the 2 Great Commandments include learning to love yourself a God does is so important. Today, try to do all things in love. Tell God how much you love Him, love yourself and be kind to yourself, share that love with others. Maybe, just maybe, because of how you are treating those around you, their lives will be better for it. God Bless. Amen.
We all sin. We all make mistakes and fall short of God’s Glory. Sometimes, in life, we do not even care when we are doing something wrong. Other times, we just are oblivious to the sin we are committing. Then there are times, when we say things like, “I will just do this one more time and then I will quit.” Regardless of how or when we commit a sin—sin is sin, and it is wrong. Today, if you know you have committed a sin confess your sin to the LORD God Almighty. Then stop doing the very thing you know you should not do. Romans 3:23 says, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Psalm 119:133 reads, “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Then Psalm 51:1-2 says, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen
My prayer for you today is that you know that God loves you unconditionally. And remember He is with you always—in all situations and circumstances. I pray for Jesus’ blood of protection upon you and bind all evil from you. May you feel secure in every moment of your life because our God walks with us in all of life’s moments. May you find peace and happiness throughout the day—remembering that this is the day that the LORD has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. God Bless. Amen.
Sometimes we just need a refuge to go to, a place where we feel safe and secure, a place where you are not judge nor demean. Refuge is a condition of being safe or something providing shelter from pursuit, danger, or trouble. This is what God does for us—for God is our refuge in times of trouble. For God provides a place for us when we are afraid or in trouble. God is a source of strength and help when we need it. Psalms 119:114 reads, “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” Then Psalms 91:1-2 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’” Today, no matter what you are going through know that the LORD God Almighty is with you—hold on to Him for He is your refuge. Nahum 1:7 reads, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him…” God Bless. Amen.
Our God is an amazing God. He is with you in times of trouble. He will sustain you when nothing else will. He will guide you in all things, giving you the wisdom you need to get through life’s difficulties. He will forgive you and love you no matter what. He will give you the peace you need and will calm you raging spirit. He is our all in all. “He guards our hearts and minds and leads us into paths of righteousness.” (Psalm 23:3) “He gives us confidence when we’re uncertain and satisfies our longing souls.” (Philippians 1:6) Today, no matter what is going on in your life know that God is there. He is the one sure thing in this thing called life. So, hold onto Him and together you will get through the situation you are in. God Bless. Amen.
Isaiah 41:13 states, “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.” Sometimes in life we just need to hear that! Today, whatever you are going through remember God is there. That God is the one sure thing in your life. He is our lifeline. He is our all in all. For God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He turns our darkest hours into hope and hope does not disappoint us. So, trust, believe, and know that God is bigger than any situation! Now Hold on to Him, He will see you through the situation you are in. And remember this too will pass. God Bless. Amen.
Does it matter what other people think of you? Let’s be honest “YES” it sort of does. Why, because we want others to approve of us—we have wanted this since we were young. So, when someone doesn’t approve of us or doesn’t like us it bothers us. The other side to this is if we are doing the right thing, if we are honest and do all things with integrity and if we truly live the Christian life then we need not worry what others think. All we need to do is answer to God. For the only approval we really need is from God. Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?” 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, “Do your best to present yourself to God for his approval; be a worker who is not ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” Proverbs 11:3 reads, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” So, whose approval do you seek? It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that something or someone is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat to our wellbeing. When we are fearful, we tend to react to a situation—instead of responding to the situation at hand. Fear can also stop us in our tracks, keeping us from thinking clearly. When we are in a state of fear it is hard to be reasoned with let alone trying to calm down our fearful spirit. Lamentations 3:57 reads, “You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” Psalm 34:4 tells us, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Hebrews 13:6 says, “The LORD is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?” Today, if you are struggling with fear go to a safe place, pray (say the Lord’s prayer over and over), read the Bible, listen to Christian music, be still, know that the LORD is God, He is there with you. God gave you coping skills, no matter what life throws your way—even fear. God can and will give you the peace and clarity of mind you need to face the situation at hand. Remember fear that controls or limits your life can rob you of the moment you are in and God’s amazing grace. God’s word offers us solutions to our problems and assurance from a loving God. God Bless. Amen.
What does it mean to judge someone? It means to form an opinion, often a negative one, about a person’s character, actions, or behavior. As you judge the person you evaluate the person and make a decision about their worthiness or faultiness, which can be based on subjective feelings, personal biases, a lack of understanding, or even non-truths. This is what our society has become. All you have to do is listen to people and their bias comes out. How has this happened? Scripture tells us “Judge not and you will not be judged…Take the log out of your own eye before you take the speck out of someone else’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1, 4) Are we no longer afraid of God’s judgment upon us? For we all judge others by the way a person thinks, looks, acts, talks or even eats. I wonder what would happen if we all stopped judging and instead focus on our issues, our flaws, our shortcomings. And worry about how God views us? It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
When you die what do you want others to remember about you? Your good looks. The money you made. Your anger? Your meanness. Your compassion and kindness. Your love of life. Your relationship with God. Your ability to sing. Your ability to paint. The way you write. Your cooking. That you were grumpy. Or what a sweetheart you were. What will you be remembered for? Think about it, what do you want people to remember you by? Because of your words, actions, and behavior people will remember you by something when you are gone. Life is short, how we act and what we do does have an impact on others. “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” (Maximus Declimus Meridius) Romans 14:12-13 reads, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Try to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something that he thinks is wrong.” Today, take an inventory of how you act and the words you speak maybe you need to reassess how you are acting and the words you are speaking. It is something to think about! God Bless. Amen.
To give thanks means to express gratitude or appreciation, typically for something good or kind that has been done or for someone’s kindness. It can also refer to the act of being grateful or the feeling of thankfulness. The Bible tells us to be thankful in all situations and circumstances. Psalms 107:1 reads, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5”18) “Give thanks to the God of heaven. For His lovingkindness, graciousness, mercy, compassion endures forever.” (Psalms 106:1) “The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.” (Psalm 28:7) Today, let us give thanks to the LORD God Almighty, for He is King of kings and LORD of lords. He is our all in all. Therefore let us rejoice and be glad in it. Praise the LORD! Give thanks! Rejoice! God Bless. Amen.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. It is a strong belief in God based on the unexplained rather than proof. Our faith is what helps us get through our daily lives, our struggles, and yes, those moments where we know not what to do. So, we can say that our faith does not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:5) Today, whatever it is you are going through rest assured that God is with you giving you hope. For hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen—a feeling of trust. So, trust in the LORD and remember this too with pass. God Bless. Amen.
Prayer is a form of communication with God. A prayer request is asking God for something. It can be as insignificant as asking for a parking place close to the front door or a big as a miracle to heal a loved one. Philippians 4:6 reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believer that you have received it, and it will be yours.” 1 John 5:14 tells us, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” From these scriptures we find that it doesn’t matter how big or how small the prayer request is—God listens to us and hears our prayers. All we have to do is ask but remember we do not know or understand why all our prayer request are not answered the way we want them to be answered. We just have to trust that God is bigger than the situation we are in. So ask, pray and know that God is listening and trust in the LORD. He will see you through whatever it is you are going through. He hears you. God Bless. Amen.
1Thessalonians 5:15 reads, “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” Wrong means not correct or true; incorrect—unjust, dishonest, illegal, or immoral. Let me ask you this: If you are wronged, do you become a tit-for-tat kind of person? For example, when driving in your car and you get cut off by a person, do you show them the finger—honk—scream at the person? Or do you just waive and say, “I’m sorry!” How do you handle the situation? Is road rage a part of how you respond? Or you respond with goodness and politeness? Where you kill people with kindness and you do what is right? Maybe we all might need to take inventory on this one. How we respond to frustrating situations! God Bless. Amen.
Have you ever been told, “It is not your problem.” Sometime, in life, we see a loved one or someone close to us who is not making good choices. We see this person has a problem, or an issue and we want to step in and fix it for that person. We reason in our mind that we are helping the other person. That we can change the person for the better. All the while this person has not asked for our help, nor asked for us to fix the problem. See, out of our love we want to help a person get through those difficult times—but we can’t save anyone. Only the person, with God’s help, can save him or herself—not us. Learning to let go and let God is one of the hardest things to learn in life. Because we know what can happen to this person. We know how dangerous drugs are, alcohol is, gambling is, uncontrolled spending, overeating, bad relationship are. Psalm 46:19 reads, “Be still, and know that I am God.” So, we pray and pray. Setting limits and boundaries. All the while letting this person know we are there for them. Sometimes that is all we can do! God Bless. Amen.
What do you need to turn over to God and trust Him to see you through? Trust means the firm belief in the reliability, the truth, the ability, or the strength of someone or something. That said, can you or better yet, will you trust God in this circumstance? Trusting and believing that God is bigger than the situation you are in. Jeremiah 17:7 reads, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD whose confidence is in Him.” Psalm 31:14 says, “But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.”” Then Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trust! Trust in the LORD! He will see you through this situation. God Bless. Amen.
In a time where life has become topsy turvy—where things are confusing and disordered, evil and wrong seem right, and where things seem so upside down. We need to revisit God’s goodness and God in our lives. Goodness is the quality of being morally good or virtuous. It is knowing and understanding right from wrong. It is the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil and chooses to follow in God’s ways and understanding. For God’s ways are always good The goodness of God refers to His benevolent and positive attributes, encompassing everything He is, does, or will ever do. It includes many things: His love, mercy, justice, grace, forgiveness, and the overall impact He has on all things. God’s goodness comes through God’s actions and character because God is righteous, holy, and benevolent. This implies that God is the ultimate standard of goodness and that all His ways are worthy. God wants us to strive to be good people. So, when someone is rude, respond in kindness. When someone is hateful, respond in love. When someone wants to do wrong, respond in strength and virtue. When someone is mean, respond in forgiveness. When others are following society’s ways, respond in God’s ways. Be a follower of God not society. It is something to think about. God Bless. Amen.
There are situations in our life that can cause us pain and heartache. These situations can bring the worse out in us. Because when we are in pain, it seems as if we want others to be in pain too. In fact, there are times when we want to scream and shout at the unfairness of life. But that really does not get us anywhere nor solve the problem. As believers in God, we know that God is our source of strength. Even when life gets difficult and hard, we must remember life is life, there are moments of joy that are accented by times of undeniable pain and heartache. What God promises is that He will be with us in all situations and circumstance. Psalm 125:2 reads, “As mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forevermore.” God is our shield and guards us with his providential hand, God does not leave us nor forsake us but guides us in all our ways. When you’re worried you can remember that God is surrounding you on all sides! And that is all we really need to know in life! For life will always get in the way. And for that reason, we must always strive to make the most out of every situation we are in. While holding on to God to see us through! God Bless. Amen.
Does your life feel a little shaky—out of control? Are you worried about something? Maybe fretting about a situation, you are in? Are you fearful of the future and what the future will bring? Sometimes, in life, the darkness of life becomes so overwhelming, you wonder how in the world will I ever get through this situation. But remember it is always the darkest before the light emerges. Soon things will change, soon things will get better for it always does. When life is dark and overwhelming, we need to remember to place our trust in the LORD God Almighty. And realize, that He is with us in all situations and circumstances. He is the one sure thing in this life of uncertainty. Take a deep breath, pray, trust and settle yourself down, place your hope in the LORD. Psalm 33:20-22 tells us, “We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.” Remember this, when things are getting a little too shaky. God Bless. Amen.
What do you like most about yourself? Not just your looks, but what is inside you. What is it that you offer to others? Are you a kind, caring, loving, generous, gracious person? Are you a person with integrity, honest and trustworthy? Are you a hard-working person who always does their best and never gives up? Or are you self-center, conceited, proud, arrogant or pompous person. Are you dishonest, mean, angry or hateful. Or are you rude and saying mean things about others? How would you describe yourself? Some of these qualities are good, some not so good, and others are just wrong. We choose how we will respond to life. We choose the type of person we will be. So, what type of person are you? Did you know that God is capable of using anyone and everything for His good but what He wants are people with character. He wants His servants to be people of a pure heart and a clean mind. But most importantly God wants us to love Him. “And you shall love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) If we do this, we learn to love ourself and others as well. We learn to like who we are, as much as what we are. Our journey is learning to love our Lord. Then everything else falls into place. God Bless. Amen.
My prayer for you today, on this day of our LORD is that you find peace—that peace which passes all understanding. May you also find joy—for the joy of the LORD is our strength. May all you meet, see through your actions and your words what a great and wonderful God you serve. May you find time to tell those you love just how important and special they are to you. As the day unfolds try to do at least 6 random acts of kindness. Now as you go forth into the day serve your LORD with gladness. Enjoy, for this is the first day of the rest of your life. Laugh, enjoy, sing and dance. And may peace and understand, compassion and love be a part of every moment of the day! God Bless. Amen.