Monday
Our Goals
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls (1 Peter 2:21-25 NLT).
We must set our goals high, not that we can ever achieve the perfection of Christ. However, we should try to be more like Him today than we were yesterday.
We must make sure we keep our goals high so we can keep His goals high. No one will ever be sinless and pure as God wants us to be, but it doesn't mean we are not to try. Never doubt that God hears our cries and our petitions.
Dear God, let us walk and live in your will – nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen
Tuesday
No Worries
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7 NLT).
We need to lay all our worries, all our troubles, and all our doubt at the foot of the cross.
Isn't it awesome the Creator of all things loves us and hears our cries? Thanks be to God!
Dear Lord, we pray you will open the eyes, minds, and hearts of those who are struggling with life issues. Let us see we only need to give our problems to you, Lord. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday
Run the Race
You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom (Galatians 5:7-8 NLT).
Your past can pull you back – if you let it.
Your friends can pull you back – if you let them.
Your family can pull you back – if you let them.
The world pulls at our lives from every angle. The world will hold you back – if you let it!
Nothing can snatch our life's calling from the will of God. Nothing can unless we let it!
Father God, we all have the free will to decide if we will follow the ways of the world or you. Help us to follow you. The devil is roaming and stealing and destroying many people right now. I am in a constant battle with him. The devil will not prevail. Satan cannot be in the presence of Jesus, and today, we pray many will choose to let Jesus be with them and turn from their wicked ways and discover the true life you have laid out for them. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thursday
God's Path or Our Path
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you (Psalm 25:4-5 NLT).
We choose the direction of our lives. We can make good choices or we can make bad choices. We will reap the benefits or suffer the consequences.
When we do make those bad choices, we have an opportunity to recognize our mistakes, correct them, and get back on the right path. The right path is God's ordained pathway, not ours. The Word of God is the guide book to truth and understanding. Read it, study it, and meditate on it.
We all make bad choices, but God has provided a way to put those choices behind us and begin a new life. The new life is provided by the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God has provided a way, the Way. Now, it is up to us to decide. Will it be joy or gloom? I pray that you choose the love, mercy, and grace of our Lord.
Father God, open the hearts, eyes, and minds of those who are not following you and your truth. Bring them home to where they belong, in your mighty arms. We ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday
Move into the Light
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it (John 1:5 NLT).
How many times do we get caught up in things of this world and things we know God will not bless? Whether it is lifestyle choices, addictions, or just crude jokes or stories. We must continually guard against falling into the darkness around us.
Lord, lead us in your righteousness and help us not to be detoured from the path that you would have us travel. In Jesus' name, amen.
Saturday
Find Life in His Word
The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them (Psalm 19:7-11 NLT).
Our God is not wishy-washy. His word is to the point, and He gives us the Word of Truth, the Bible, to prove it. His word is clear. His word is perfect. His word is to be obeyed. His word is to be praised. His word is to be used. His word is to be read. His word is to be studied. His word is to be prayed over. His word is truth. His word is to be cherished. His word is inerrant.
His word is…
We praise You, Father God, for your Word. May we delve deep into it, reading, studying, and memorizing your inerrant Word of Life. Lead us this day by your Holy Spirit, so we might live a life that pleases You. Help us to be the men and women who you designed us to be. In the mighty name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.
Sunday
Being a Witness
So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! (Luke 15:3-7 NLT).
Our Christian goal should be to get to heaven and take as many people with us as we can. So you might ask, "How do we do that?" We shine Jesus' light everywhere we go and preach the gospel by how we live and by our actions. Those who are lost or searching for God, need to see Jesus through us. Those that are solid Christians, need to see us as a good witness for Christ.
Lord God, help us to shine your light into this lost and dying world, so that unbelievers and believers both, will desire to find out what we have that they don't. Lead us today by your Holy Spirit and keep us safe. In Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen.
