Psalm 119:144 Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
So often, we settle for mediocrity in life. A life lived in righteousness is an abundant life! We allow satan to infiltrate our lives with conflict, busyness or confusion. Righteousness and living Spirit-filled lives comes through the meditation on and understanding of God’s Word. It is through the understanding and application of scripture in our lives that we switch from existing to truly living.
Father, I long to live in your righteousness and resist satan’s plan to rob my peace and joy. Soften my heart to apply Your Words so I may live righteously. Protect my heart from satan’s schemes and give me Your wisdom and understanding. I want to live, not just exist! I love You! Amen
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Daily Dose 5-18-17
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The salvation Jesus brings is not just eternal life; it is for abundant life here as well. He doesn’t promise everything will always be easy, but He promises to be with us through it all and protect us from the thievery of satan. Life with Jesus is peace – satan tries to rob that peace during trials. Life with Jesus is love and unity – satan tries to steal that by stirring up conflict and discord. Life with Jesus is confidence – satan tries to steal that through insecurity. Life with Jesus is contentment – satan tries to steal that by convincing us more is better and we deserve it. What is satan poised to steal from you today? Turn to the gate of your Shepherd in God’s Word and pray for His protection. Turn your eyes to Him and know that, despite any circumstances, you can have full life. He grants peace through trials, dispels discord through love, brings confidence from insecurity, and sends contentment to the needy. If you’re thinking you are under attack, run to the Shepherd’s gate!
Father, Your Son made it possible to have a great life in this not so perfect world. Take my eyes away from the lures of satan as he tries to steal what only you can provide. I love You! Amen
The salvation Jesus brings is not just eternal life; it is for abundant life here as well. He doesn’t promise everything will always be easy, but He promises to be with us through it all and protect us from the thievery of satan. Life with Jesus is peace – satan tries to rob that peace during trials. Life with Jesus is love and unity – satan tries to steal that by stirring up conflict and discord. Life with Jesus is confidence – satan tries to steal that through insecurity. Life with Jesus is contentment – satan tries to steal that by convincing us more is better and we deserve it. What is satan poised to steal from you today? Turn to the gate of your Shepherd in God’s Word and pray for His protection. Turn your eyes to Him and know that, despite any circumstances, you can have full life. He grants peace through trials, dispels discord through love, brings confidence from insecurity, and sends contentment to the needy. If you’re thinking you are under attack, run to the Shepherd’s gate!
Father, Your Son made it possible to have a great life in this not so perfect world. Take my eyes away from the lures of satan as he tries to steal what only you can provide. I love You! Amen
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Daily Dose 5-17-17
John 9:39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
The judgment of Jesus lies in our ability to see. Physical sight is not necessary to follow Christ, but spiritual sight is imperative. It is our spiritual sight that allows us to see Jesus, His sacrifice and open our hearts to His truth. What we do with that truth determines the judgment. There are many Christians who claim to know truth, just like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, yet they live as if they are blinded to Him. If our lives revolve around discord and turmoil, yet we claim to see and know Christ, maybe we are actually blind. The blurred spiritual vision is a tool in satan’s battle against us. If He can skew how we look at others instead of seeing them through the vision of Christ, he can break the unity of the saints and weaken the kingdom. When all those around you seem to be wrong, put the spiritual glasses of the Holy Spirit on and get in the Word. Allow God to open our eyes, and in turn, open your heart. Are you living your life with 20/20 spiritual vision?
Father, I need physical glasses, but they are cumbersome and inconvenient, yet without them my vision is compromised. May I never compromise my spiritual vision! Open my eyes to Your truth, even when it is hard to see. Give me the insight and wisdom to correct my view so that others may see You in me. I love You! Amen
The judgment of Jesus lies in our ability to see. Physical sight is not necessary to follow Christ, but spiritual sight is imperative. It is our spiritual sight that allows us to see Jesus, His sacrifice and open our hearts to His truth. What we do with that truth determines the judgment. There are many Christians who claim to know truth, just like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, yet they live as if they are blinded to Him. If our lives revolve around discord and turmoil, yet we claim to see and know Christ, maybe we are actually blind. The blurred spiritual vision is a tool in satan’s battle against us. If He can skew how we look at others instead of seeing them through the vision of Christ, he can break the unity of the saints and weaken the kingdom. When all those around you seem to be wrong, put the spiritual glasses of the Holy Spirit on and get in the Word. Allow God to open our eyes, and in turn, open your heart. Are you living your life with 20/20 spiritual vision?
Father, I need physical glasses, but they are cumbersome and inconvenient, yet without them my vision is compromised. May I never compromise my spiritual vision! Open my eyes to Your truth, even when it is hard to see. Give me the insight and wisdom to correct my view so that others may see You in me. I love You! Amen
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Daily Dose 5-16-17
John 8:42-46 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
To whom are you listening? It’s pretty black and white. Satan is a whisperer of lies to deceive, entrap and belittle us. His words tear us down and magnify any insecurities. He is the reason we doubt, fear and manipulate. God whispers truth, hope, love and encouragement. Isn’t that what we all need? Yet, when it comes down to it, who’s voice do we turn the volume up to hear? If we are unsettled, fearful, anxious, insecure, self-justifying and divisive, chances are we have not only turned up satan’s volume, we have given him surround sound. If we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, most likely we are spending time in His Word, tuning in and turning up the volume of the Holy Spirit. We will never achieve all of the attributes of the Spirit every day, and again, that’s where satan’s voice will convince us we are failures and encourage us to give up. It’s clear. You make a choice. Listen to one voice or the other. Who’s voice will you choose to hear?
Father, I choose to listen to You and I want to be Yours and Yours alone. Yet, satan does come through loud and clear. PLEASE tear his speakers from my head! Tune me in to hear You and only You. Give me discernment and courage to recognize the lies and take a stand against satan’s schemes. I love you! Amen
To whom are you listening? It’s pretty black and white. Satan is a whisperer of lies to deceive, entrap and belittle us. His words tear us down and magnify any insecurities. He is the reason we doubt, fear and manipulate. God whispers truth, hope, love and encouragement. Isn’t that what we all need? Yet, when it comes down to it, who’s voice do we turn the volume up to hear? If we are unsettled, fearful, anxious, insecure, self-justifying and divisive, chances are we have not only turned up satan’s volume, we have given him surround sound. If we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, most likely we are spending time in His Word, tuning in and turning up the volume of the Holy Spirit. We will never achieve all of the attributes of the Spirit every day, and again, that’s where satan’s voice will convince us we are failures and encourage us to give up. It’s clear. You make a choice. Listen to one voice or the other. Who’s voice will you choose to hear?
Father, I choose to listen to You and I want to be Yours and Yours alone. Yet, satan does come through loud and clear. PLEASE tear his speakers from my head! Tune me in to hear You and only You. Give me discernment and courage to recognize the lies and take a stand against satan’s schemes. I love you! Amen
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Daily Dose 5-11-17
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
We are not programmed for gentle in our society. We are programmed to defend and pursue. How differently would the people around us react if all our actions were executed with the gentleness of Christ? We so often want to defend our thoughts, actions and plans that we forget who we are at times. When you sense the “perfect” reaction or zinger to belittle someone who may have provoked you, take a breath and let the reaction go through a gentleness filter and choose the Godly response.
Father, Change my heart so the words that come from my lips will be pleasing to You and have a kingdom impact on those who hear. Forgive my prideful responses and prick my heart to be gentle with Your children. I love You! Amen
We are not programmed for gentle in our society. We are programmed to defend and pursue. How differently would the people around us react if all our actions were executed with the gentleness of Christ? We so often want to defend our thoughts, actions and plans that we forget who we are at times. When you sense the “perfect” reaction or zinger to belittle someone who may have provoked you, take a breath and let the reaction go through a gentleness filter and choose the Godly response.
Father, Change my heart so the words that come from my lips will be pleasing to You and have a kingdom impact on those who hear. Forgive my prideful responses and prick my heart to be gentle with Your children. I love You! Amen
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Daily Dose 5-10-17
1 Samuel 8:6-9 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day,forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
Sometimes, God gives us exactly what we ask! Israel did have some good kings, but also suffered at the hand of many of them. God knew this was not what was best, but He granted them the desire of their hearts – even if it broke His. God had powerfully rescued His people over and over. And, over and over, they rejected Him to disobedience or idol worship. It’s easy to sit in judgment of these people as we read scripture and see the heart of God’s reaction. What if we could see the heart of God’s reaction to our behavior and requests today? Would He be full of joy and pride over our choices? Or, would He accept our rejection of His wisdom and love and grant what we request over what He wants for us?
Abba Father, I love You and want Your love above all! I am weary of asking requests of You that are based upon my own thoughts or desires. I want what You want for me and how You need me to be for Your Kingdom! Please help me have Your wisdom and insight to determine what is Your way. Prick my heart to know when I am pursuing my path that is not what You choose and give me the courage to flee! Thank You for never giving up on me! Amen
Sometimes, God gives us exactly what we ask! Israel did have some good kings, but also suffered at the hand of many of them. God knew this was not what was best, but He granted them the desire of their hearts – even if it broke His. God had powerfully rescued His people over and over. And, over and over, they rejected Him to disobedience or idol worship. It’s easy to sit in judgment of these people as we read scripture and see the heart of God’s reaction. What if we could see the heart of God’s reaction to our behavior and requests today? Would He be full of joy and pride over our choices? Or, would He accept our rejection of His wisdom and love and grant what we request over what He wants for us?
Abba Father, I love You and want Your love above all! I am weary of asking requests of You that are based upon my own thoughts or desires. I want what You want for me and how You need me to be for Your Kingdom! Please help me have Your wisdom and insight to determine what is Your way. Prick my heart to know when I am pursuing my path that is not what You choose and give me the courage to flee! Thank You for never giving up on me! Amen
Friday, May 5, 2017
Daily Dose 5-5-17
John 4:21-24 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
The test of whether or not we worship in spirit and in truth is not just how we praise, but how we live. The days of animal sacrifices and celebrating commanded feasts may be gone, but the intentional reflection God sought by instituting those commands remains. He wants the focus of our everyday lives to have His will at the core. He wants our hearts to be receptive to the work He is doing around us. He wants our eyes to be open to join Him in His constant invitations to join Him in His work. Worship is not just singing to God, it’s living Godly lives.
Father, Keep me ever mindful of where You are working around me. Give me the awareness to know and the strength and courage to act. I want my life to be worship to You. Amen
The test of whether or not we worship in spirit and in truth is not just how we praise, but how we live. The days of animal sacrifices and celebrating commanded feasts may be gone, but the intentional reflection God sought by instituting those commands remains. He wants the focus of our everyday lives to have His will at the core. He wants our hearts to be receptive to the work He is doing around us. He wants our eyes to be open to join Him in His constant invitations to join Him in His work. Worship is not just singing to God, it’s living Godly lives.
Father, Keep me ever mindful of where You are working around me. Give me the awareness to know and the strength and courage to act. I want my life to be worship to You. Amen
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Daily Dose 5-3-17
Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The way God loves is hard for us to truly comprehend. We think we know love based on our earthly relationships, but that love can’t compare to the love God has for us. The benefits of earthly love bring companionship, support and encouragement. The benefits of God’s love lead to our eternal salvation. While He loves unconditionally, He does not force us to accept it. The full benefits of His love come with our full acceptance.
Loving Father, I want to completely accept and remember Your love so I may fully know all Your benefits. Soften my heart to love You even more! Amen
The way God loves is hard for us to truly comprehend. We think we know love based on our earthly relationships, but that love can’t compare to the love God has for us. The benefits of earthly love bring companionship, support and encouragement. The benefits of God’s love lead to our eternal salvation. While He loves unconditionally, He does not force us to accept it. The full benefits of His love come with our full acceptance.
Loving Father, I want to completely accept and remember Your love so I may fully know all Your benefits. Soften my heart to love You even more! Amen
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