The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).And he brought him to Jesus. ~1 John:41-42
When Andrew finds Jesus the first thing he did was to his find his brother Simeon Peter and bring him to Jesus. What’s the first thing that we do when we find Jesus or learn something new about Him? Do we go and find our brother or sister and bring them to Jesus? Do we share the good news of the Father? Do we share the gospel?
I don’t. I tell others who already know, but God wants us ( me) to tell those who don’t know. Our brothers and sisters out there in the world. The good news is not meant to be kept to ourselves. It is to be shared. So who am I bringing to Jesus?
Lord, I thank You for those that brought me to you. Forgive me for not being diligent in bringing my brother or sister to You. May I be a bold witness as I share the goodness of who You are. Help me to see the opportunities you set before me to do so. In Jesus name. Amen
Friday, July 31, 2020
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Peacemakers
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.~Matthew 5:9
The world is turbulent and loud. Full of sounds of hate and me against you and us against them. This is not how it should be. God desires unity, love and peace. God tells us the children of God are the peacemakers. We can be them bridge of love and sanity by loving our enemies and blessing those who persecute us.
We are not doormats, but rather those who stand in the gap praying that more love and understanding abounds. We don’t have to respond the way the works does, but the way our Father commands with peace ( Romans 12:18).
Father there are a lot of sides, but may we stand on your side. The side of truth, love, and peace. Let us be reconciled to our neighbors and walk in unity. May the mistrust dissipate. Help us to be peacemakers. In Jesus name. Amen
The world is turbulent and loud. Full of sounds of hate and me against you and us against them. This is not how it should be. God desires unity, love and peace. God tells us the children of God are the peacemakers. We can be them bridge of love and sanity by loving our enemies and blessing those who persecute us.
We are not doormats, but rather those who stand in the gap praying that more love and understanding abounds. We don’t have to respond the way the works does, but the way our Father commands with peace ( Romans 12:18).
Father there are a lot of sides, but may we stand on your side. The side of truth, love, and peace. Let us be reconciled to our neighbors and walk in unity. May the mistrust dissipate. Help us to be peacemakers. In Jesus name. Amen
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Glory to God
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.~1 Timothy 1:17
God is sovereign. He is eternal. He was, is, and will be forevermore God. He can not be seen with the human eye. He is the only God. He is to be honored and receive glory forever and ever.
Sometimes I’m guilty of focusing so much on what God does for me that I forget to focus on Who He is and ascribe to Him the proper worship that is due to Him. I am grateful for all His blessings, but what if God did nothing for me would I still praise Him? He still is God. He is still the one who sits on the throne.
The fact is He already has done so much by just allowing me to live and praise the Creator. You can’t get around His goodness and faithfulness. So I worship You Lord and give you all of the glory, honor, and praise.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for another opportunity to say thank You. I thank You for being such a good God. I praise You for your Holiness and overflowing grace and love. You sit on the throne and You reign. You are Alpha and Onega. You are the risen King and I love You. In Jesus name. Amen
God is sovereign. He is eternal. He was, is, and will be forevermore God. He can not be seen with the human eye. He is the only God. He is to be honored and receive glory forever and ever.
Sometimes I’m guilty of focusing so much on what God does for me that I forget to focus on Who He is and ascribe to Him the proper worship that is due to Him. I am grateful for all His blessings, but what if God did nothing for me would I still praise Him? He still is God. He is still the one who sits on the throne.
The fact is He already has done so much by just allowing me to live and praise the Creator. You can’t get around His goodness and faithfulness. So I worship You Lord and give you all of the glory, honor, and praise.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for another opportunity to say thank You. I thank You for being such a good God. I praise You for your Holiness and overflowing grace and love. You sit on the throne and You reign. You are Alpha and Onega. You are the risen King and I love You. In Jesus name. Amen
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Encouragement from Jesus
8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.~Revelation 3:8
There is nothing better than encouragement from Jesus Christ Himself. In the third chapter of Revelation he tells the church of Philadelphia that he sees their deeds an He is opening a door that no one can shut. He knows that they have little strength, but they have kept His word and not denied His name.
These words of of encouragement to the church of Philadelphia speak to me and are for my fellow believers today. It may not feel like You are doing much, but You are keeping the faith. Faith pleases God(Hebrews 11:6). He is not asking us to have a lot, but just a little strength knowing He will supply the rest. I take comfort in knowing that He sees me. He sees me putting one foot in front of the other every day; walking by faith. I have not denied Him and I keep His word.
A door to Him is open before me. A door to grace, mercy, and forgiveness. A door to provision and the blessings of God and this door the enemy can not shut. What a blessing. What love. What encouragement to keep on walking with the Lord because He sees me.
Lord, I thank You for your rebukes and words of encouragement. I thank You for your love and the door that You open. May I fellowship with You and receive strength. May I obey Your word and treasure it in my heart. In Jesus name. Amen
There is nothing better than encouragement from Jesus Christ Himself. In the third chapter of Revelation he tells the church of Philadelphia that he sees their deeds an He is opening a door that no one can shut. He knows that they have little strength, but they have kept His word and not denied His name.
These words of of encouragement to the church of Philadelphia speak to me and are for my fellow believers today. It may not feel like You are doing much, but You are keeping the faith. Faith pleases God(Hebrews 11:6). He is not asking us to have a lot, but just a little strength knowing He will supply the rest. I take comfort in knowing that He sees me. He sees me putting one foot in front of the other every day; walking by faith. I have not denied Him and I keep His word.
A door to Him is open before me. A door to grace, mercy, and forgiveness. A door to provision and the blessings of God and this door the enemy can not shut. What a blessing. What love. What encouragement to keep on walking with the Lord because He sees me.
Lord, I thank You for your rebukes and words of encouragement. I thank You for your love and the door that You open. May I fellowship with You and receive strength. May I obey Your word and treasure it in my heart. In Jesus name. Amen
Monday, July 27, 2020
Wake up
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. ~Revelation 3:2
I feel like God is speaking to me. Wake up! Don’t sleep through this life. I have you days to use them for my glory. You are falling asleep at the wheel as you ha e been lulled into complacency. Wake up, before it’s too late.
I have had several friends pass in the last two years. Young people, gone too soon. So it is a blessing that I am still here and I know that there is more that I should be doing. There should be a greater intimacy between me and my Savior. My work of knowing Him more each day is unfinished. The fruit from abiding Him, His Spirit, is not coming forth.
What do I do? I go to the only One who saves. I seek His face. I beg for a fresh anointing., I ask for an awakening of my spirit as His Spirit breathes life into me. I don’t give up, but rather take heed of His message and I trust Him to complete the work that He started in me ( Philippians 1:6). I breathe in His love, mercy and grace and I keep on running this race.
Lord, You know my heart. Remove the dross. Remove anything that would keep me from being vibrant for you. Help me to strengthen what remains so that I may offer it unto you. In Jesus name. Amen
I feel like God is speaking to me. Wake up! Don’t sleep through this life. I have you days to use them for my glory. You are falling asleep at the wheel as you ha e been lulled into complacency. Wake up, before it’s too late.
I have had several friends pass in the last two years. Young people, gone too soon. So it is a blessing that I am still here and I know that there is more that I should be doing. There should be a greater intimacy between me and my Savior. My work of knowing Him more each day is unfinished. The fruit from abiding Him, His Spirit, is not coming forth.
What do I do? I go to the only One who saves. I seek His face. I beg for a fresh anointing., I ask for an awakening of my spirit as His Spirit breathes life into me. I don’t give up, but rather take heed of His message and I trust Him to complete the work that He started in me ( Philippians 1:6). I breathe in His love, mercy and grace and I keep on running this race.
Lord, You know my heart. Remove the dross. Remove anything that would keep me from being vibrant for you. Help me to strengthen what remains so that I may offer it unto you. In Jesus name. Amen
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Direct my steps
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.~Psalm 119:133
This is my prayer and plea. That God be the one who directs my steps and orders my day. That I walk within His will. That I walk humbly with my God and that no sin rule over me. I don’t want to be a slave to sin, but to Christ alone. My King is Jesus and I want to serve in His Kingdom.
So Lord I ask that Your Spirit fall fresh on me. That You anoint my thoughts and steps. May I stay true to Your Word that I might not sin against thee. Write it on my heart and may meditate on it day and night. May I not turn to the left or right, but only go as You direct me to go. May I trust You with all of my heart and serve You with a willing spirit. In Jesus name. Amen
This is my prayer and plea. That God be the one who directs my steps and orders my day. That I walk within His will. That I walk humbly with my God and that no sin rule over me. I don’t want to be a slave to sin, but to Christ alone. My King is Jesus and I want to serve in His Kingdom.
So Lord I ask that Your Spirit fall fresh on me. That You anoint my thoughts and steps. May I stay true to Your Word that I might not sin against thee. Write it on my heart and may meditate on it day and night. May I not turn to the left or right, but only go as You direct me to go. May I trust You with all of my heart and serve You with a willing spirit. In Jesus name. Amen
Friday, July 24, 2020
Hold on
Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you,25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’~Revelation 2:24-25
Verse 25 tells us to hold on to what we have until He comes. Hold on to your faith. Hold on to your hope and belief in the One who saves. Hold on to God with everything you have. This verse reminds me of an old song that says “hold on and pray on just a little while longer and everything will be alright.”
The world would have us compromise the truth for a lie. But we must hold on to the truth of God. We must not give in, but stand up and apart with integrity. It’s not always easy, but He has told us to hold on to what we have. We have Jesus and He is the difference.
When I think about this verse I sometimes think I don’t have much, but my little faith means a whole lot to God and He stretches it to go a long way. So hold on. Don’t loose hope. God is with You and He is coming back. It won’t always be this way. A better day is coming so i will keep holding on and cling to my faith.
Father, I don’t have much but I know You to be a multiplier. So help me to hold on until your return. Let me run this race until the end. In Jesus name. Amen
Verse 25 tells us to hold on to what we have until He comes. Hold on to your faith. Hold on to your hope and belief in the One who saves. Hold on to God with everything you have. This verse reminds me of an old song that says “hold on and pray on just a little while longer and everything will be alright.”
The world would have us compromise the truth for a lie. But we must hold on to the truth of God. We must not give in, but stand up and apart with integrity. It’s not always easy, but He has told us to hold on to what we have. We have Jesus and He is the difference.
When I think about this verse I sometimes think I don’t have much, but my little faith means a whole lot to God and He stretches it to go a long way. So hold on. Don’t loose hope. God is with You and He is coming back. It won’t always be this way. A better day is coming so i will keep holding on and cling to my faith.
Father, I don’t have much but I know You to be a multiplier. So help me to hold on until your return. Let me run this race until the end. In Jesus name. Amen
Thursday, July 23, 2020
In His Care
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.~Matthew 10:29-31
This verse gives me great comfort. It says that not even the sparrow falls outside of His care. There is an old hymn that says His eye on the sparrow and I know He watches me. Sparrows were not worth much, but God has His eyes on them. He tells us that we are worth more than many sparrows so we don’t have to be afraid. I don’t have to be afraid because I am in my Father’s care.
That is a blessing to know that God is watching over me. I don’t need to worry or fret, but trust in His divine care for me. He is interceding first me (Romans 8:34). Right now Jesus is speaking to the Father about me. There is nothing hidden from Him. So I can talk to Him as He talks to the Father. I am in His care.
Lord, thank You for providing me the perfect word at the perfect time. Let it feed my soul. In Jesus name. Amen
This verse gives me great comfort. It says that not even the sparrow falls outside of His care. There is an old hymn that says His eye on the sparrow and I know He watches me. Sparrows were not worth much, but God has His eyes on them. He tells us that we are worth more than many sparrows so we don’t have to be afraid. I don’t have to be afraid because I am in my Father’s care.
That is a blessing to know that God is watching over me. I don’t need to worry or fret, but trust in His divine care for me. He is interceding first me (Romans 8:34). Right now Jesus is speaking to the Father about me. There is nothing hidden from Him. So I can talk to Him as He talks to the Father. I am in His care.
Lord, thank You for providing me the perfect word at the perfect time. Let it feed my soul. In Jesus name. Amen
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
In His Presence
You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.~Psalm 16:11
In His presence is where I want to be. I want to be wrapped up tight protected from the dangers of the world. In His presence is assurance. In His presence is hope. There is no fear, only the comfort of His love. In His presence is wisdom to guide my day. In His presence is where I want to be.
To stay in His presence I have to make a conscious choice to meditate on His word so that I won’t get distracted by the zigs and zags of life. I have to choose to believe Him when everything is telling me not to. I have to praise Him for being God and being good and not just after a desired outcome, but in advance.
In His presence is the fullness, the completeness of joy. Joy not based on circumstances but based on who God is and who He is in my life. In His presence is where I want to be.
Lord, thank You for even allowing me to be in Your presence. Thank You for the peace and security that it brings. Thank You for joy and love. Thank You for being God and being so good to me. In Jesus name. Amen
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.~Psalm 16:11
In His presence is where I want to be. I want to be wrapped up tight protected from the dangers of the world. In His presence is assurance. In His presence is hope. There is no fear, only the comfort of His love. In His presence is wisdom to guide my day. In His presence is where I want to be.
To stay in His presence I have to make a conscious choice to meditate on His word so that I won’t get distracted by the zigs and zags of life. I have to choose to believe Him when everything is telling me not to. I have to praise Him for being God and being good and not just after a desired outcome, but in advance.
In His presence is the fullness, the completeness of joy. Joy not based on circumstances but based on who God is and who He is in my life. In His presence is where I want to be.
Lord, thank You for even allowing me to be in Your presence. Thank You for the peace and security that it brings. Thank You for joy and love. Thank You for being God and being so good to me. In Jesus name. Amen
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Seeking perfect peace
You will keep him in perfect peace,Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.~Isaiah 26:3
Peace, the security of well being. A blessed assurance that everything is going to be okay. It’s one thing the enemy is constantly seeking to rob us of. But God has promised us perfect peace if we keep our mind stayed on Him.
This means we avoid the trap of distractions that the devil sets up. Rather we set our thoughts and attitudes on the goodness of God. We cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ( 2 Corinthians 10:5).
We dispel the lies of of the enemy and look at things with a spiritual eye. And we trust God. We trust that even though our eyes may see trouble that God is already turning it for our good. We trust that God is with us. We trust in His unfailing love for us. We breathe in and out His goodness and cast every care upon Him ( 1 Peter5:7). This is how we receive peace. This is how we face the day.
Lord, I need your peace. Not what the works gives, but what only You can provide. So help me to rest and trust in You. Help me to remember that You are Sovereign and everything is in your control. You are God and You are mighty to save. There is nothing impossible for You. You hold me in the palm of your hand and I have no reason to fret. Thank You Jesus for your blessed assurance. In Jesus name. Amen
Peace, the security of well being. A blessed assurance that everything is going to be okay. It’s one thing the enemy is constantly seeking to rob us of. But God has promised us perfect peace if we keep our mind stayed on Him.
This means we avoid the trap of distractions that the devil sets up. Rather we set our thoughts and attitudes on the goodness of God. We cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ( 2 Corinthians 10:5).
We dispel the lies of of the enemy and look at things with a spiritual eye. And we trust God. We trust that even though our eyes may see trouble that God is already turning it for our good. We trust that God is with us. We trust in His unfailing love for us. We breathe in and out His goodness and cast every care upon Him ( 1 Peter5:7). This is how we receive peace. This is how we face the day.
Lord, I need your peace. Not what the works gives, but what only You can provide. So help me to rest and trust in You. Help me to remember that You are Sovereign and everything is in your control. You are God and You are mighty to save. There is nothing impossible for You. You hold me in the palm of your hand and I have no reason to fret. Thank You Jesus for your blessed assurance. In Jesus name. Amen
Monday, July 20, 2020
God is my help
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.~Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield. He is my defender and I trust Him. I trust Him to lead me through my day. Knowing that God is with me strengthening me causes me great joy and peace because I know I am not alone. I know that that nothing can defeat God and so if He is on my side I am going to be okay, better than okay.
I have no fancy words to offer or string together. I only have the truth. The truth that we should praise God for His goodness and mercy. That our hearts should be happy because our strength comes from the Lord. I have joy knowing that my weakness are overcome by God’s supernatural power. I don’t have to fight battles in my strength alone for God is with me. God helps me.
He helps me to live life and to live it abundantly. Hallelujah! He is my help. The enemy doesn’t want us to know that. He wants us to think that we have to go it alone. But that’s not true for God is on our side. He is shielding us from the fiery attacks of the enemy and because of Christ we have the victory. So let us be glad. Let us have a song in our heart and a word of praise for our God.
Lord thank You for being my strength and my shield. Thank You for helping me overcome the obstacles that try to get in my way. Thank You for loving me and blessing me. You are a good Father. You are Lord and worthy of all the glory, honor and praise. In Jesus name. Amen
The Lord is my strength and my shield. He is my defender and I trust Him. I trust Him to lead me through my day. Knowing that God is with me strengthening me causes me great joy and peace because I know I am not alone. I know that that nothing can defeat God and so if He is on my side I am going to be okay, better than okay.
I have no fancy words to offer or string together. I only have the truth. The truth that we should praise God for His goodness and mercy. That our hearts should be happy because our strength comes from the Lord. I have joy knowing that my weakness are overcome by God’s supernatural power. I don’t have to fight battles in my strength alone for God is with me. God helps me.
He helps me to live life and to live it abundantly. Hallelujah! He is my help. The enemy doesn’t want us to know that. He wants us to think that we have to go it alone. But that’s not true for God is on our side. He is shielding us from the fiery attacks of the enemy and because of Christ we have the victory. So let us be glad. Let us have a song in our heart and a word of praise for our God.
Lord thank You for being my strength and my shield. Thank You for helping me overcome the obstacles that try to get in my way. Thank You for loving me and blessing me. You are a good Father. You are Lord and worthy of all the glory, honor and praise. In Jesus name. Amen
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Count it all joy
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything~James 1:2-4
I’ll admit I don’t face trials with joy. I consider them a pain in the neck. However, trials are necessary and every time I go through them I come out better and stronger. My spiritual stamina increases. I begin to see the gifts that God is giving me in the midst of the storm and yes my sorrows turn to joy.
What I once viewed as only burdens become my blessings as I draw nearer to God. Trials have a way of humbling you and letting you know where you stand in your faith. They also show you just how faithful God is. Your relationship strengthens as you tether yourself to Him because you realize He is the only way you will overcome the trial. He is the One who makes the Goliaths fall.
I still wrestle with trials, but I thank God that I am finding my joy. That I realize that His purpose is not to harm me, but to make me complete in Him. He doesn’t want me to lack for He is my Shepherd. My God and my King,
Lord, help us to see the blessings in the trials. Help us to remember that You are sovereign and in control. Whatever you do is for our good and You work all things out for our good. So help us to count them as joy knowing that victory is assured to those who trust in You. In Jesus name. Amen
I’ll admit I don’t face trials with joy. I consider them a pain in the neck. However, trials are necessary and every time I go through them I come out better and stronger. My spiritual stamina increases. I begin to see the gifts that God is giving me in the midst of the storm and yes my sorrows turn to joy.
What I once viewed as only burdens become my blessings as I draw nearer to God. Trials have a way of humbling you and letting you know where you stand in your faith. They also show you just how faithful God is. Your relationship strengthens as you tether yourself to Him because you realize He is the only way you will overcome the trial. He is the One who makes the Goliaths fall.
I still wrestle with trials, but I thank God that I am finding my joy. That I realize that His purpose is not to harm me, but to make me complete in Him. He doesn’t want me to lack for He is my Shepherd. My God and my King,
Lord, help us to see the blessings in the trials. Help us to remember that You are sovereign and in control. Whatever you do is for our good and You work all things out for our good. So help us to count them as joy knowing that victory is assured to those who trust in You. In Jesus name. Amen
Friday, July 17, 2020
Waiting on the Lord
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
I don’t know where to start or how to begin. I got away from journaling and writing in my blog. I got away from doing the thing that God has called me to do. Yet, here I am. The last year or so has been challenging. Lot’s of changes. A new way of life for me and my family on top of living through a pandemic. But this I know is true. God is good. He is faithful and true. He doesn’t let go. He holds me tight when I try to get squirmy. He loves me where and I am get’s me to where I need to be. He shows me that I am stronger than I think because I can lean on and depend on His strength. He is awesome! He brings joy where there is sorrow. He is my Rock and my salvation. I don’t know who else might be going through a hard time, but I encourage you to not give up, but rather wait on the Lord. Let Him renew your strength. Watch Him breathe life into You. A better day, a better moment is coming, if you just wait.
Father, I thank You for your love and your beautiful mercy and grace that covers us all. Help us to keep looking to You. Help me to obedient to Your word and calling on my life. In Jesus name. Amen
I don’t know where to start or how to begin. I got away from journaling and writing in my blog. I got away from doing the thing that God has called me to do. Yet, here I am. The last year or so has been challenging. Lot’s of changes. A new way of life for me and my family on top of living through a pandemic. But this I know is true. God is good. He is faithful and true. He doesn’t let go. He holds me tight when I try to get squirmy. He loves me where and I am get’s me to where I need to be. He shows me that I am stronger than I think because I can lean on and depend on His strength. He is awesome! He brings joy where there is sorrow. He is my Rock and my salvation. I don’t know who else might be going through a hard time, but I encourage you to not give up, but rather wait on the Lord. Let Him renew your strength. Watch Him breathe life into You. A better day, a better moment is coming, if you just wait.
Father, I thank You for your love and your beautiful mercy and grace that covers us all. Help us to keep looking to You. Help me to obedient to Your word and calling on my life. In Jesus name. Amen
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