Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!

Psalm 146:1

We are counting our blessings and singing God’s praises. We choose to give thanks every single day.

In our verse, the psalmist speaks forcibly to his soul, “Praise the Lord!” He seems to be waking up his sluggish soul and reminding it to give praise where praise is due.

A popular quote asks the direct question: “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?” Ouch! How easy it is for us to get sidetracked by all the distractions that clamor for our attention. How quickly our world-weary souls bow under the weight of everyday pressures.

But the psalmist rings the alarm and shakes our shoulders: “Praise the Lord, O my soul!” And he proceeds to spell out all the reasons that those whose hope is in the Lord should be happy.

God always does what He says that He will do. He executes justice for the oppressed. He gives food to the hungry and freedom to the prisoners. He opens the eyes of the blind and raises up those who are bowed down. He watches over strangers, the orphans, and the widows – those who feel displaced and lonely.

Today, rouse your soul! Wake it from its slumber, and remind it of all the reasons that God has given you to be happy. Count your blessings one by one!

Blessing

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Happy is the one whose hope is in the Lord! Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Ezekiel 44:1-45:12

New Testament 

1 Peter 1:1-13

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 119:17-35

Proverbs 28:8-10

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For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Hebrews 6:10

Not only does God remember you, He remembers the work that you do in His name. He promises a reward for those unseen tasks that no one else recognizes.

Something as small as giving a cup of cold water to a little one in His name does not escape His notice (Mark 9:41). He recognizes these tasks as a labor of love given out of our deep appreciation for all that Jesus has done for us.

Each of us has some ministry to fulfill for the Lord – no matter how small. The key is to do it in His name and for His glory. If we desire credit or recognition for our work, we are not doing it for His glory – but our own.

A labor of love is completed with excellence. We pour our very best efforts into every task we undertake. He is worthy of the finest we have to give. 

Our verse today mentions the ministry to the saints in the past and the continued ministry in the present. A labor of love is an ongoing effort. We must be committed to advancing the Kingdom.

Keep up the labor of love for God!  Even when no one else notices, He sees you there. And He will not forget.

Blessing

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Do everything with thanksgiving to the Lord! May He prosper the works of your hands for His glory.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Ezekiel 42:1-43:27

New Testament 

James 5:1-20

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 119:1-16

Proverbs 28:6-7

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O LORD, You have searched me and known me.

Psalm 139:1

God forgets no one. Over and over, Scripture declares that God remembered His promises to His people.

God remembered Noah, and He closed the windows of heaven and shut off the fountains of the deep so the floodwaters could recede. God remembered Abraham, and He made him the father of many nations with descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.

God remembered the Israelites, and He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. God remembered Rebekah, and He took away her reproach by opening her womb to give her a son.

The Psalmist declared that we are continually on God’s mind. If we were to count the sum of His thoughts towards us, they would be more numerous than the grains of sand on the seashore.

He knows every idea that passes through our minds. He is aware of every word we will speak before it rolls off our tongues. He is acquainted with all of our habits. Every one of our days was written down in His book before we lived one.

He knows us more intimately than anyone else ever has or ever will…and He still loves us so deeply that we cannot even comprehend the breadth or depth of His commitment to us. Even when you feel forgotten and deserted, He remembers you. God forgets no one.

Blessing

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. God remembers you, and His heart is overwhelmed with love for you. Every promise that He has spoken is YES and AMEN to the glory of God through you.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Ezekiel 40:28-41:26

New Testament 

James 4:1-17

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 118:19-29

Proverbs 28:3-5

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Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark.

Genesis 8:1

By faith, Noah built an ark that carried him through the flood of judgment to safety. He started out before he knew how things would turn out.

The waters of the flood prevailed on the earth. Noah and his family were adrift on a three-story zoo with no rudder, no sail, and no map. They had no place to dock, to plant a seed, to see a future for themselves. Noah must have felt forgotten and forsaken by God.

But God remembered. After 150 days, He closed the windows of heaven, turned off the faucets of the deep, and the floodwaters began to recede.

You may be weeks or months into your own flood.  There is no let-up in the pouring rain. You feel alone and abandoned. The water has swamped the sunshine and drowned your dreams.

God knows when the first raindrop fell; He knows when the clouds will clear. He sees the beginning and the end, and He is right beside you in the middle.

He sees you there. No need to flounder in the floodwaters; He will never leave you. No need to feel alone; He will not turn away. No need to despair; He has given you a future and a hope. He remembers.

Blessing

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. In the middle of the flood, rejoice in the Author and Finisher of your faith. He will never abandon you. He is with you until the very end. Thanks be to God!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Ezekiel 35:1-36:38

New Testament 

James 1:1-18

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 116:1-19

Proverbs 27:23-27

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Wild Horse Emotions

OUR EMOTIONS ARE POWERFUL. We all have them. These emotions bring flavor to our lives. But sometimes these emotions get away from us and become like wild horses—untamed and running free.

“Wild horse” emotions, if unbridled, can run roughshod through our souls, lives, and relationships. They have the power to destroy us. Yet these same “wild horse” emotions, if brought under control, can carry us to new levels of success.

Consider feral stallions—ones that have not had any human contact. They can be fiery and reactive. When  they are threatened by a rival horse, they will assert their dominance—bucking, sparring and biting to gain control. They become incredibly dangerous creatures. But introduce a predator to their domain and these strong horses become fearful and  flee. Nevertheless, even the wildest  of these horses can be tamed. Through patient training, it can grow to be calm and collected, displaying graceful strength and power. The same is true of our emotions.

As a follower of Christ, we must learn to tame our “wild horse” emotions, bringing them under submission to God. To overcome these emotions, we must learn to walk in the Spirit. In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul states, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” 5:16-17, emphasis added.

“Wild horse” emotions are what Paul refers to in this passage as “the lust of the flesh.” They are the emotions that wage war against what we know we ought to do.

Think about a time that you have been really angry at someone. The kind of anger that has you red-faced, eye-popping, foaming-at-the-mouth, fist-waving, foot-stomping angry. Suddenly, your anger takes control and you lash out with no thought of the repercussions of your decision. That’s a “wild horse” emotion.

Each of us has our triggers that cause us to get angry, to worry, to be fearful or feel other strong emotions. There are times that these emotions are good, even godly, if for the right reason. Proverbs 1:7 tells us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” The fear of the Lord is a healthy kind of fear. But there is also a spirit of fearfulness that does not come from the Lord. We may fear an economic collapse, relational discord, or for a wayward child. The fear of such things can lead us to a place that is unhealthy spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Therefore, it is important that we examine what the motivation for these emotions is before we react.

This is also why it’s so important for us to walk in the Spirit. What is the result when we are fully submitted to the Holy Spirit? We receive the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Bible tells us that “Against such [things] there is no law” Galatians 5:23.

Walking in the Spirit takes discipline. Discipline is the ability to complete with excellence that which must be done when it must be done.

So, how do we discipline our “wild horse” emotions? James, the brother of Jesus, had a thought on that when he wrote, “Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body” James 3:3. In other words, we make them obey us through discipline.

Being disciplined to live a Christian life will save you a lot of heartache and headache in this life. In the battle for self-control, the enemy is you. The war of the soul is a civil war. God gave us freedom to choose for ourselves whom we will serve. Will we bow down to the altar of “wild horse” emotions that will lead to destruction, or will we instead walk in the Spirit and choose life?

God’s Word calls us to discipline ourselves in our appetites, in our passions, in our affections, in our thoughts, in our attitudes, in our moods, in our speech, in our conduct, in our habits, in our companionships, in our amusement, in our purpose and in our marriage.

In John 8:31, Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” If you want to be a disciple of Jesus, you must abide in the Word of God. When you do what’s in the Word, when you discipline yourself to live by the words of the Bible, and when you abide in the Word of God, then you are living the life of a disciple. It is not enough to just believe; we also have to do. Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” Luke 6:46. It is not enough to call Jesus “Lord.” We are His disciples when we do what He asks of us. Until you are doing what Jesus asks of you, you are not disciplined. You’re a wild horse doing your own thing, not advancing the Kingdom of God.

To abide in the Lord, we must be consuming the Word of God. Daily consumption leads to great spiritual health. Are you reading the Word daily? Are you building a healthy relationship with God? We need this communion with God in order to tame our “wild horse” emotions.

Paul said, “I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27, ESV. There is a call of God on your life because you are God’s handiwork. You do not need to run through life aimlessly. He created you in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He prepared in advance for you to do. That means there are specific things out there that will bless the Kingdom of God and fill you with contentment, and they have your name on them.

LET GO OF YOUR “WILD HORSE” EMOTIONS.

Let go of the pain in your past. Rather, be filled with the fruit of the Spirit as you abide in Christ’s calling over your life. Forgive those who have hurt you. Don’t become their prisoner, allowing them to take control of your thoughts and emotions. Rather, bring your emotions under submission to the Holy Spirit and live a life filled with peace and joy.

God wants His children to have the best of things in the worst of times. He wants you to live in peace, even when life is hectic and things aren’t going your way. God can use circumstances to build your faith, to move you into a position where you can be used mightily for the Kingdom. Trust in Him, knowing that He loves you so very much and is working all things together for your good.

WE BELIEVE THAT GREAT THINGS ARE ON THE WAY!

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3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

After the animals paraded two-by-two into the ark, Noah’s family followed. By faith, they entered the boat that proved to be their salvation.

Noah’s wife must have supported him. When the rest of the world was against him, he needed someone in his corner. Because of their agreement, their sons believed and worked alongside Noah to complete the boat. Finally, they all climbed aboard and waited for the rain to fall.

When we are united in faith with our spouses, our children will follow. When they hear us talk about Jesus as our Best Friend, they will find the love and acceptance they crave in Him. When they catch us reading, reciting, and wrapping our lives around God’s Word, they will recognize its truth as the foundation for life.

When they watch us bow our knees, they will recognize prayer as a first resource – not a last resort. When they see us rely on Jesus to bear our burdens and to provide for us, they will comprehend that He is more than enough to meet every need.

As we persevere in this most holy faith, our children will see that a life in Christ is the only one worth living. And as they climb aboard the Ark of salvation, we will know no greater joy.

Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you always wrap your life around Jesus and His Word. May your children walk in His truth until He comes to catch us all away home. Let it be so!

Today’s Bible Reading:

Old Testament

Ezekiel 27:1-28:26

New Testament 

Hebrews 11:17-31

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 111:1-10

Proverbs 27:15-16

Daily Living Spiritual Growth

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John 14:29

And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.

Many people grow nervous when the storm clouds roll in and the thunder rumbles in the distance. Imagine how Noah must have felt when he looked up and saw a dark cloud forming on the horizon.

He had heard and heeded God’s instructions. For 100 years, he had worked and warned his family and neighbors. The rain was coming, and the flood would rise. He labored through day-after-day, building a boat for a flood in a world that had never seen a drop of rain.

When he drove the last nail into the final board and saw the storm clouds roll in, he did not get anxious about what was coming. He must have sighed in relief that his faith was fulfilled. He must have thanked God that He was true to His word.

Over two thousand years ago, Jesus assured us that He would return to earth as a conquering King. He made promises about perilous times and the pouring out of His Spirit, about disasters and dreams, about sorrows and signs in the sky, about tribulation and trumpets, about epidemics and the end.

Have you been working for His coming? Have you told your family and friends? God’s Word is true, and His timing is flawless. One day, He will split the eastern sky. His promise endures.

Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Thank God for the Ark of salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ! Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for our Rescuer and Redeemer!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Ezekiel 20:1-49

New Testament 

Hebrews 9:13-28

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 107:1-43

Proverbs 27:11

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John 14:29

And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.

Many people grow nervous when the storm clouds roll in and the thunder rumbles in the distance. Imagine how Noah must have felt when he looked up and saw a dark cloud forming on the horizon.

He had heard and heeded God’s instructions. For 100 years, he had worked and warned his family and neighbors. The rain was coming, and the flood would rise. He labored through day-after-day, building a boat for a flood in a world that had never seen a drop of rain.

When he drove the last nail into the final board and saw the storm clouds roll in, he did not get anxious about what was coming. He must have sighed in relief that his faith was fulfilled. He must have thanked God that He was true to His word.

Over two thousand years ago, Jesus assured us that He would return to earth as a conquering King. He made promises about perilous times and the pouring out of His Spirit, about disasters and dreams, about sorrows and signs in the sky, about tribulation and trumpets, about epidemics and the end.

Have you been working for His coming? Have you told your family and friends? God’s Word is true, and His timing is flawless. One day, He will split the eastern sky. His promise endures.

Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Thank God for the Ark of salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ! Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for our Rescuer and Redeemer!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Ezekiel 20:1-49

New Testament 

Hebrews 9:13-28

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 107:1-43

Proverbs 27:11

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I Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

No matter what personal flood is swirling around you, be assured that God has placed someone in your life to throw out a line to you.

God created us for relationship with Himself and with one another. He made us family. He instructs us to look out for the interests of others; we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

In the middle of strange waters, struggling to keep your head above water, be alert for the person that God has sovereignly placed near you. That is the person who will toss out the life preserver, that will remind you that God has not brought you this far to fail.

In the face of a frightening diagnosis, that brother will testify to Jesus’ healing power. Once drowning in a sea of debt, that sister will tell of a Provider Who is more than enough. She will remind you of His past faithfulness. He will encourage you to trust and persevere. They will stand beside you in the rain and pray for the sun to shine again.

Watch for the hand reaching down to pull you out of the waves. Listen for the life-giving words that will be breath to your lungs. Find hope in the friends that He will give you in the flood.

Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Even when facing a personal flood, God has provided everything that you need to come up out of the water in victory. He is our strength and salvation!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Ezekiel 18:1-19:14

New Testament

Hebrews 9:1-12

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 106:32-48

Proverbs 27:10

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Deuteronomy 31:8

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.

When we face a flood and are tossed about on waves of worry and woe, Satan whispers that God has abandoned us to sink like a stone.

In Genesis 7:11, the rain fell “in the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day.” God did not guess. How comforting that He knew exactly when and where the first raindrop would land!

We might not have seen our flood coming, but God was aware of the building clouds. He sees exactly what lies in our future, and He is already there awaiting our arrival.

From your mother’s womb, He knew that in your thirteenth year, in the second month, on the fifth day, you would need a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He waited there with open arms.

In your thirty-second year, in the sixth month, on the fifteenth day, when the doctor delivered the diagnosis, the Great Physician attended that appointment too. On the day that your heart was shattered, He captured every tear.

Nothing escapes His notice. No random events surprise Him. He holds you in the palm of His hand, and nothing can snatch you away. He is here for you.

Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. The Omnipotent Father has seen your need and made a way. In faith, fly over your flood in the name of Jesus!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Ezekiel 16:43-17:24

New Testament 

Hebrews 8:1-13

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 106:13-31

Proverbs 27:7-9

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Matthew 25:13

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming

Armed with the blueprints of the ark, Noah went to work. In light of the coming flood, Noah did not delay to gather the gopher wood and get started.

Noah had enough faith to believe that if God said it, He would bring down the rain. He had enough reverence to take action on the plans God had given him.

He must have enlisted the help of his three sons as he built the mammoth boat that would save his family and the animals of the earth. Their father’s faith and fear must have been contagious. His devotion and determination convinced them.

Some have doubted the success of Noah’s ministry. All around him, his neighbors continued to eat, drink, and celebrate life’s events. How they must have laughed and scorned the crazy man whose whole life had been derailed by this building project!

But on the day that the storm clouds gathered, the people that Noah loved the most walked into the boat with him. God closed the door on the ark of their salvation.

Let’s believe in the words of God and get to work on the plans that He has placed in our hearts. Like Noah, let’s be undeterred in our work for the Savior. If we do not grow weary in doing good, we will reap a reward.

Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Trust in the Author and Finisher of your faith. He orchestrates every step that you take. Your sure reward awaits!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Ezekiel 14:12-16:42

New Testament 

Hebrews 7:18-28

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 106:1-12

Proverbs 27:4-6

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Romans 11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

The wisdom and ways of God are simply over our heads. Impossible to figure out and beyond the realm of our ability!

At God’s word, Noah went to work for 100 years. He had no concept of rain because it had never fallen before. When he drove the final nail, animals arrived two-by-two to climb aboard until God shut the door behind Noah and his family. Unexplainable!

So many things are beyond our understanding. How did a holy God look into an abyss of blackness and say, “Let there be light,” and it came to be?

Why did He plan for His only begotten Son to be the sacrifice for sin from the foundations of the earth?

How did that Son come through the womb of a virgin to be crucified in our place?

We certainly cannot explain how, after three days in the grave, He burst forth to ascend to the right hand of God where He now rules.

How incomprehensible that, in the name of Jesus, we have access to bring our petitions to the Father!

We have no reason for “exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ever ask or imagine” or “pressed down, shaken together, and running over.”

Unsearchable and past finding out! He is the God of the impossible.

Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. All things are from God, through Him, and to Him. May your impossible become possible through the unmatchable name of Jesus!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament 

Ezekiel 7:1-9:11

New Testament 

Hebrews 5:1-14

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 105:1-15

Proverbs 26:28

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Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth

They are exceptionally noisy and incredibly messy. They question our decisions and challenge our authority. They monopolize our days and keep us up at night. And we love them more than our lives – these children that God has given to us.

Our children are our legacy and future. We are commissioned by our Heavenly Father to raise up the next generation to follow Him, to thoroughly prepare them for a life in Christ.

As parents, we are charged with teaching them about this marvelous Savior to Whom we have devoted our lives. We must raise them up to love Him and fully embrace His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.

They are like arrows in our hands – pointed and purposeful. We sharpen them to shoot them into the future, to carry the power of Jesus into the years beyond us. We must be intentional as we model and mold, train and teach, love and lead – always pointing them to Jesus.

If we submit to the mission and the necessary sacrifices to pass this torch, our arrows will be pointed and prepared. They will fly true and straight to hit the mark of God’s purpose every time.

Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Determine to raise the children God has entrusted to you in the fear and admonition of the Lord. May they have confidence to do all things through Christ as they walk in the destiny He has prepared for each one. All God’s children say, “Amen!”

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Ezekiel 1:1-3:15

New Testament 

Hebrews 3:1-19

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 104:1-24

Proverbs 26:24-26

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Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God…

In our noisy and hectic lives, silence is scarce. Rest is rare. The idea of stillness actually fills some with dread and alarm.

And yet, God beckons us into stillness before Him. We often lament how distant – even absent – God seems, but we infrequently sit alone in His presence just to listen. We expect Him to catch us on the fly, to whisper life-altering truths in our ears as we frantically fit one more activity into our day.

Elijah stood on the side of a mountain, waiting to hear. A wind tore across it, so strong that it shattered rocks. Afterward, an earthquake shook the ground, and a fire blazed through the trees. God was in none of those things. Then came a still, small voice that was so powerful that Elijah wrapped his cloak over his face. How often have we missed the still, small voice?

Jesus often stole away from the crowds and even His close-knit group of disciples. He sought the solitude of a garden or the Galilean hills to communicate with His Father. The instruction and encouragement He received in those hours fueled His earthly ministry. His example inspires us to do the same.

Being quiet takes discipline. It means carving out time and clearing away the clutter to sit in the presence of God. Find a place. Be still. Listen expectantly. Make room for Him.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you be still and know that He is God. Practice His presence to hear what Your Father will speak to you today.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Lamentations 4:1-5:22

New Testament 

Hebrews 2:1-18

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 103:1-22

Proverbs 26:23

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Job 23:12

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

Pastor John Hagee once told his son, Pastor Matt: “If you’ll take the time to dig into God’s Word and tell others what He says, they’ll come from all over the world to hear you. But if all you do is tell them what you say, they won’t cross the street to listen.”

While most of us will not become internationally-known ministers, the wisdom in these words applies to us, too. This world is perishing for a lack of knowledge. They have rejected God’s laws and are reaping the painful consequences of living outside of His will.

People need to hear the Word of God – not the latest self-help advice, psychological diagnoses, or our well wishes. So many are floundering – and even falling – because they have failed to get the Word into themselves.

Job said that he treasured God’s words more than his necessary food; they sustained, nourished, and gave life to his faith walk. There, he found the strength to persevere.

Take time to read it, memorize it, and meditate on it. Dig in! We may not have silver or gold, but we can share the riches of God with others. Out of the storehouse in our hearts, we can give the life and love found in Jesus alone.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you hide the Word of God in your heart and share it with everyone that you meet. His Word is life and light to a darkened world!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Lamentations 2:20-3:66

New Testament 

Hebrews 1:1-14

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 102:1-28

Proverbs 26:21-22

https://www.jhm.org

Luke 9:23

Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’

A war rages inside each of us. The desire to do right is at odds with the desire to do wrong.

We each struggle with the temptation born of our fleshly nature. Sin comes naturally to our “old man,” the person we were before we made Jesus our Savior.

When we come to Jesus, the Spirit of God calls us to be more like Him. We have been crucified with Christ – dead to sin and alive in Christ. We put off the former sinful conduct we once practiced with its passions and desires. We are no longer powerless slaves to sin.

If we go after Jesus, we deny ourselves – say no to the desires of our sinful nature. We take up our cross every day – put to death anything that would rise in opposition against God. We follow His example – in our attitudes, our speech, our actions.

Our old nature wars against our new, but we do not battle alone! The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us now. He empowers us to put the old man to death. We need not fear that we will slip back into the bondage of sin. If God is for us, nothing can stand against us.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. In the power of His Spirit, may you put to death the old man and the deeds of darkness. Through Christ, you are more than a conqueror!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 51:1-53

New Testament 

Titus 2:1-15

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 99:1-9

Proverbs 26:17

https://www.jhm.org

Isaiah 6:8

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’

Difference makers come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and cultures. They often do not possess extraordinary talents or special gifts that set them apart from others. The one thing they have in common? Willingness.

They have decided to live with an attitude of gratitude. They determine to serve Him as a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. They are simply willing to try.

In Isaiah 6, Isaiah had an awe-inspiring vision of God cloaked in glory and surrounded by angels. The Lord asked, “Who will go?” Isaiah immediately blurted out, “Here am I! Send me.”

He did not take an inventory of his skills, make a list of all his inadequacies, or spout excuses for why he could not volunteer. In complete surrender, he simply said, “Here am I!”

Differences are as unique as difference makers. It is the woman who rocks babies at the local hospital. Or, the man who drives the church van. Or, the person who serves meals at the homeless shelter. Or, someone who sends a timely text. It is as simple as seeing a need and stepping in to meet it.

God is still asking, “Who will go?” Be brave enough to say yes. Be grateful enough to go. Be determined to make a difference.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you be willing. Be bold and courageous for the Lord is with you. In His name, you will be a difference maker!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 49:23-50:46

New Testament 

Titus 1:1-16

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 97:1-98:9

Proverbs 26:13-16

https://www.jhm.org

Jeremiah 9:24

But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth…

Consistent prayer brings us into proximity with God. It develops intimacy and allows us to hear His voice when others might not.

Jesus is our true Shepherd, and we are His sheep. He calls us by name and leads us in His paths. We recognize His voice because we have spent time in His presence. His whisper has calmed our fears in the deep of night. His warning cry has kept our feet from the edge of the cliff.

People often say that they want to know the will of God, but they fail to ask Him. Or, they ask once and give up quickly. Jesus longs for us to pursue Him in prayer. More than the occasional try, He desires an ongoing and sustained effort.

Jesus is our Bridegroom, and we are the bride of Christ. This illustration calls to mind the rich love of a long marriage – the quiet conversations, hard questions, inside jokes, easy laughter, and vulnerable tears. He knows the lines of her face, and she recognizes his voice. Jesus yearns for that love relationship with us.

Unceasing prayer keeps us in His presence. As we learn the cadence of His voice, intimacy grows between us. May we glory in knowing and understanding Him.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you draw near to God in prayer, for the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. In the mighty name of Jesus…amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 48:1-49:22

New Testament 

2 Timothy 4:1-22

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 95:1-96:13

Proverbs 26:9-12

https://www.jhm.org

1 John 5:14

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Prayer is a privilege. Prayer is powerful. It rearranges our attitude and pulls us into alignment with the will of God.

For too many, prayer feels like an awkward encounter with a stranger. But prayer can flow as easily as a comfortable conversation with an old friend. As natural as breathing in and breathing out, it runs like a current throughout our days and nights.

Communicating with our Father should become such a habit that we do not even realize that we are praying – a part of our very identity. This inhaling and exhaling of petitions is an open invitation to Jesus to breathe His life into every situation.

When you have an important presentation at work…Pray. When you need wisdom to parent an unruly child…Pray. As you talk with a friend devastated by a divorce…Pray. As you contemplate a financial investment…Pray.

Nothing is too small to request God’s assistance. If He has counted the hairs on your head, He is in the details that seem insignificant to others. Nothing is too big to request God’s assistance. He specializes in impossibilities.

Partner with God in prayer today. Listen for His still, small voice and watch for His answers in response to the constant outcry of your heart.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May prayer become as natural as breathing to you. As you cry out, may you find that all things are possible in the name of Jesus!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 44:24-47:7

New Testament 

2 Timothy 2:22-3:17

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 94:1-23

Proverbs 26:6-8

https://www.jhm.org

Colossians 4:2

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving…

Paul encouraged us to pray without ceasing. Do it all the time without letting up! Prayer aligns our attitude with God.

Prayer may be the most overlooked and underutilized gift that God ever gave us. What power we possess when we pray! How was the New Testament church built? Prayer. What healed the sick? Prayer. What brought revival fires in the past? Prayer.

Prayer is more than a nursery rhyme that our children recite at bedtime, a monotonous chant, or a religious ritual to check off of our to-do lists. Prayer is a privilege.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites did not have immediate access to God. They could approach Him through the priest, in a particular place on a particular day in a particular way. Only then could they make their requests known.

When Jesus died on Calvary, God tore the veil in the Temple from top to bottom. He ripped apart the barrier between us. Jesus, our High Priest, became our once-and-for-all sacrifice, and He now sits at God’s right hand to intercede for us.

We need only whisper His name to be ushered into the throne room where we can meet face-to-face. Call on Him at any time – all the time – with an attitude of expectancy. Cultivate a continuous attitude of prayer.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you boldly approach the throne of God to make your requests known to Him. He will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 42:1-44:23

New Testament 

2 Timothy 2:1-21

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 92:1-93:5

Proverbs 26:3-5

https://www.jhm.org