12 Jul 2024
Because we do not see God physically, there might be a tendency to want to sort out our issues ourselves. The thing any believer needs most is faith and trust in God. May that be our hallmark. 1 Peter 1:8-9.
Today’s Verse – Job 7:11
[Job declared,] “Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” —Job 7:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We sometimes think of God as too fragile, distant, or brooding to speak honestly with him about our dilemmas. Others want to never appear to doubt, be angry, or be disappointed with God, thinking it might appear irreverent. Job, however, was not so shy. He did not live in denial about his anguish, pain, and disappointment with God. He spoke honestly out of life that was honorable and reverent before his great God (Job 1:1). Job is our great reminder that God prefers us to maintain our relationship with him, even if it is stormy and we are weary and confused. No matter where you are in your struggles, be honest with God. Speak openly with him about your emotions. Be real about the current chapter of your life, acknowledging that pain and disappointment overwhelm you. Let him minister to your truest hurts, deepest frustrations, and greatest fears. The Psalms offer many words of honest complaint and confusion to God. Job is honest about his suffering and life’s unfairness. So, you can be honest with God. You can refuse to use trite, sanitized, and cliched words that are untrue to your heart. The Holy Spirit intercedes to help clean up your words and speak the unspeakable emotions of your heart (Romans 8:26-27). Don’t be silent; speak out of the anguish of your spirit and the bitterness of your soul to your Father, who hears and cares how you feel. My Prayer… Abba Father, thank you for listening to my words and my heart. Thank you for providing the Holy Spirit and my Savior, Jesus, as my intercessors before your throne. Thank you for wanting me in your presence even when my heart is full of conflict, anger, and pain. Thank you for loving me through my brokenness and strife. Most of all, thank you for your promise to deliver me through this time of agony and bring me home to you to share in your glory. In Jesus’ name, I yearn to experience your deliverance. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
11 Jul 2024
Let us trust God to sort us out. Many times we want to sort ourselves out, but we end up messing up. Yet, if we trust God, we will be in His will and He will take care of us. Let us disassociate ourselves from the mantra that God helps those who help themselves. 2 Kings 5:19-27.
Today’s Verse – Revelation 7:10
And [the great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language] cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” —Revelation 7:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… From the voices of those who know, the message is clear! God reigns, and with his rule comes salvation. This is because the Lamb of God, Jesus the Messiah, was willing to be slain. Yet, in his sacrificial death, Jesus triumphed over death, sin, Satan, and hell for us. Because of Jesus’ faithfulness and his work as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” we can be assured that when he returns, we will share life with him, in glory, forever. My Prayer… Loving Father and Sovereign God, thank you for providing salvation by extending your grace to us in Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for offering yourself to be the Lamb sacrificed for our sins. We look forward to your return and seeing you face to face while praising you with the angels, the martyrs, the elders around the throne, and other faithful Christians before the throne of God. To you, O God, and to the Lamb belong all praise, honor, glory, and thanks, both now and forever. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
10 Jul 2024
So, Naaman had this life altering experience and decided to be a follower of Jehovah. May God’s work in us make us renew our commitment to Him. May the blessings not draw us away from Him. May they cause us to run to Him. 2 Kings 5:15-17.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 7:9
O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. —Psalm 7:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… In a world of organized crime, gangs, militias, corrupt leaders, people traffickers, and sexual predators, we have some real work cut out for us if we as God’s people are going to influence the violent part of contemporary culture to change its ways. Maybe the place to start is down on our knees before the Father, asking him to use us to make a difference in our violent world! When we see the eruptions of violence in media reports in our day, let’s hit our knees and pray the prayer David prayed in Psalm 7: O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. My Prayer… Loving LORD and Father of all peoples, please forgive us for anything we have done to condone or accept the violence entrenched in many parts of our world and cultures today. Please bring the evil and hostile eruptions of violence in our day to an end. Frustrate and defeat those who use violence to intimidate, enslave, and destroy people who are precious to you. May your people be an example of righteous, compassionate, and non-violent living. Please give strength and protection to all who face the threat of violence because of their faith. In Jesus’ name, we plead for the redemption of our world. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
09 Jul 2024
May we believe the word of God, as simple as it may sound. I know we may tend to easily believe a complex message and dismiss a simple one. 2 Kings 5:1-14.
Today’s Verse – Ezekiel 7:8
[The Sovereign LORD said to Israel:] “I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you; I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices.” —Ezekiel 7:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Because God’s people had repeatedly rebelled and chosen to turn their unhearing ears and hard hearts against his will, God was about to let his people face the consequences of their sinfulness. Because of their entrenched rebellion, he was ready to judge them using the harshest of standards; their rebellion compared to his divine and loving will. We must remember that God still wants us to be his holy people in our day just as much as he wanted his people in Ezekiel’s day. Let’s be faithful to him, no matter the values of our culture and how far they stray from God’s will. Jesus has called us to be salt in our world’s decay and light in our world’s darkness (Matthew 5:13-16; John 3:16-21; Philippians 2:12-16). My Prayer… O God, please do not rebuke me in your wrath, but encourage me to live for you regardless of my circumstances or the culture surrounding me. I want to be faithful to you in all I do, say, and think. The world around me is trapped in darkness, so please use me to bring your light and life to the people around me. As I seek to honor you this way, please help me not to compromise my values or depart from your will. In Jesus’ name, I pray and plead for these gifts from your grace. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
08 Jul 2024
In the midst of all that is going on, may we find encouragement. May we do so by remembering what the Lord has done. Take stock and have a reason to be hopeful again. Remember His mighty power and what He has done for you. May His joy fill you. Psalm 77:1-20.
Today’s Verse – Matthew 7:7-8
[Jesus promised his disciples,] “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” —Matthew 7:7-8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Blaise Pascal talked about a vacuum, an emptiness, a craving in each of us that we cannot fill with anything created thing, only with the presence of God. You see, God made us to seek after him and find him (Acts 17:27-28). We are left empty without him — with a God-shaped hole inside of us. Try to imagine the astounding reality of this truth: the God of the Universe made us to need him and to desire his presence in us. Is it any wonder he longs for us to seek him? He waits expectantly to welcome us into his presence just as the father welcomed the repentant and returning prodigal home (Luke 15:11-31). So, Jesus urged us to ask, seek, and knock because God — Father, Son, and Spirit — longs to welcome and bless us with what we need most: their presence! My Prayer… O, God, while my selfish heart seeks after many things, deep inside, I know that what I need most is to know you in a more holy and majestic way and for you to be present in our lives. In Jesus’ name, I seek your presence — my Father, my Savior, and your indwelling Spirit within me. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.