LET'S RENEWED OUR COMMITMENT WITH GOD

Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ... to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. — Romans 16:25-27

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
God doesn't just bless us. He establishes us! He makes us strong! He matures us into solid and true disciples. He does this in many ways. One of the most important, however, is through the words the Holy Spirit inspired and shared with us through Jesus' early disciples. As this year moves towards its close and another stands at the door, let's make a renewed commitment to spend time each day in the Bible. Let's not let this powerful tool and great resource for living be relegated to being a coffee-table book or a good luck charm to take with us to church.

PRAYER
I thank you, O God, for your Spirit that breathed out your message through human agents. I thank you for those human partners who shared the Spirit's message with us in Scripture. I thank you for the many fine translations of the Bible that are available to us today. I thank you for the freedom to have a copy of the Bible in my home. Please help me not squander the incredible blessing of your written word. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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AND HIS WORD BECAME FLESH!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. — John 1:14

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
God's message wasn't content to stay confined to a book, a prophecy, or a scroll. Praise God! This Message, this Word, took on flesh and blood and bones! Praise God Almighty! This Message, this Word, didn't remain far off, distantly holy and unapproachable. Praise the LORD, God of Israel! He came to us in human flesh, bringing us love, hope, redemption, mercy, salvation, joy...

PRAYER
Almighty God, I praise and exalt your name above all names. Your love is greater than the volume of all of our oceans. Your mercy stretches farther than the great expanses of our known space. Your grace is beyond calculation. Your salvation is marvelous beyond compare. Thank you for blessing me with all of these in Jesus, who came and lived in my world so I can make my home in yours. In the name of Christ the Lord, I praise you. Amen.

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JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THIS SEASON

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
God wants us to have life! Real life. Life that lasts forever with him! That's why he sent Jesus, so we could have life. That is why Jesus left him and came to earth. That is why Jesus endured the Cross and its humiliation. That's why Jesus rose from the dead. God loves us with an everlasting love in Jesus! What other Christmas gift can compare? "O come, let us adore him!"

PRAYER
Of all your gifts, loving Father, none can compare to Jesus. You are worthy of praise simply because of who you are. You are worthy of honor because of all that you have done. You are worthy of praise because of your mighty acts. Most of all, you are worthy of my heart, soul, mind, and strength because of your love demonstrated in Jesus. Thank you for the greatest gift of all! In Jesus' name I praise you. Amen.

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GOD'S WORD IS THE ULTIMATE

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. — John 1:1

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
God's Message of salvation was with him at creation. In fact, by nature, the one who was the Message was God himself. John wants us to know that Jesus, God's Word and ultimate Message, was with God from the very beginning. The one who turns water to wine, feeds the 5000, and raises Lazarus didn't make his human appearance on earth until he was born in Bethlehem, but he has always been there. He is God with us, as Matthew puts it (Matthew 1:23). He is God come to visit us as Luke tells us (Luke 7:16). He is the Son of God as Mark reminds (Mark 1:1). He is God's ultimate and final Word (Hebrews 1:1-2)!

PRAYER
Father, help me better know your Message, both in print and in life. Please teach me more about Jesus and his heart for people and his love for you. May he be my Lord in word, deed, and motivation. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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BE GENEROUS AND WILLING TO SHARE!

Command them [the rich] to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. — 6:18

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
Generosity is such a wonderful thing — not just to those on the receiving end, but also to those who are on the giving end. Those of us who can read this devotional on a computer via e-mail are rich by the world's standards, so this passage on being generous with our blessings is especially applicable. Let this giving-time of the year be God's opportunity to reawaken in us the need to be generous with our time, energy, and monetary blessings year round.

PRAYER
O loving God, you have been so generous with me and blessed me with so many incredible blessings. Thank you! Stir in my heart an awareness of the joy of giving. Make my heart more like your own, generous and gracious. Break down the anxiety and miserliness that sometimes cloud my vision and keep me from sharing my time, money, energy, and love as I should. Thank you for showing me how to be generous in Jesus. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord. Amen.

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LET'S AVOID SIN!!!

You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you. May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel. — Psalm 69:5-6

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
While we're all weak and sinful, and while we do have Jesus to atone for our sins and to intercede before the Father on our behalf, there are still a couple of big problems with our sin. This verse reminds us of one of them: we don't want our sin to be an embarrassment to God or his people. Let's avoid sin because that is what God wants us to do. Let's avoid sin so it won't reflect badly on God's people. But let's also pray for ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ that God will not allow our failures to bring shame on his Church, his Christ, and his cause.

PRAYER
Forgive me, loving Shepherd, for my sins. I am sorry for rebelling against your grace. I am fully confident that you have forgiven and cleansed me of my sins through Jesus' sacrifice. But please, dear God, use your divine power to prevent them from bringing shame or embarrassment on you and your people. In Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen.

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COME NEAR AND RESCUE US OH LORD!

Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes. —Psalm 69:17-18

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
Jesus came to show God's face and rescue us from our enemies. But today, in difficult parts of the world and in the places many would least expect it, Christians are under attack. God sent Jesus to save us ultimately and totally from sin and its power. Let's pray that our mighty God will work mightily in our world today to deliver his children from the clutches of tyranny, poverty, violence, abuse, and ridicule. Let's also pray that God is praised for doing so!

PRAYER
Holy and righteous Father, please strengthen all your beloved children who find themselves under attack. Make your deliverance for them known and shown in the display of your mighty power. You are our Redeemer and Savior. In the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

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CHRIST SHOULD BE EXALTED IN OUR LIFE!

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. — Philippians 1:20

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
Do you have ultimate goals by which you live? Paul certainly had at least these two: "I don't want to be ashamed but courageous" and "I want Christ to be exalted in my body, by life or by death." What are yours? Could you join Paul in his ultimate goals? How are these ultimate goals good for all of us? What makes it hard to live with these ultimate goals?

PRAYER
Sacrificial and all-powerful God, forgive me for my sins, especially the sin of living with improper priorities. I want your grace and your loving-kindness to be seen in the way I conduct my life. In addition, please give me the courage to say what needs to be said to exalt you and to bring you praise. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS!

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. — Romans 8:37

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
Are we really conquerors despite "trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword"? Yes! That is the ultimate Christian assurance. Nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ. The Evil One and his allies can kill our bodies, ruin our finances, wrack our bodies with pain, and seek to destroy our relationships. However, the Evil One cannot have our hearts when they are surrendered to Jesus. And when our hearts belong to Jesus, so does our future! The empty tomb of Jesus assures us that our future with him is glorious, victorious, and unending.

PRAYER
Give me eyes to see, O God, and a heart to believe that Jesus' victory over death is my victory, too! I don't want to be derailed from my hope, faith, and love by the difficulties of life. Instead, I want to be a living testimony to your power, victory, and grace. In Jesus' name, and for his glory, I live and pray. Amen.

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THE WORLD AND IT'S DESIRES WILL PASS AWAY

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. — 1 John 2:17

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
So much of what we pursue is fleeting. Once we acquire it, we have to try to preserve it because we know it will soon be gone. God has promised us that just as he is eternal and will live forever, so also are those who pursue a relationship with him and are committed to do his will. So let's sit down and look at how we spend our time, our money, and our efforts and ask if what we are pursuing is really something that is worth having. Then let's ask one more important question: "Even if it is worth having, is it going to last long enough to make a difference?"

PRAYER
Eternal Father, please give me the courage to be honest about what I am pursuing with my life. I want it to count for your cause. I want to make a difference for good. Some of that desire, I confess, is self-serving. However, dear Father, I truly do want to have a life that impacts others for good and that brings you honor. I don't want to waste my time chasing after things that won't last and don't matter. Please give me the spiritual wisdom to follow your will and find your life rather than chasing the shadow values of my culture. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD!!!

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. —Romans 5:1-2

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
Peace is more than the mercurial, vaporous, whimsical wish of folks who just want everyone to get along and things to be calm. The peace the apostle Paul is describing her, peace with God, goes much deeper than simply a desire for calm and for a lack of conflict. Jesus, through his sacrificial obedience to God, has made peace with God real for us. Yes, God provided it by grace. Yes, God is the one who insures it because of that grace. But, because this peace is tied to him and his character, we can rejoice and anticipate being caught up in the glory of our glorious God.

PRAYER:
O great Majesty on high, I praise you for the gift of your grace in Jesus. Give me confidence and trust so that I may stand, secure and emboldened to live for you, with a life full of hope and joy. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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WE ARE MEMBERS OF ONE KINGDOM

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. — Colossians 1:13

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
People from all over the world and from many different nationalities read Today's Verse. While our national origins and ethnic heritages are different, we are members of one Kingdom. Our allegiance transcends race, culture, language, and nation. Why? Because we've been rescued from the dominion that holds sway over race, culture, language, and nation. That dominion divides us and makes us suspicious of each other, leading to hatred and warfare. We've been given a more glorious Kingdom! We've been made into a more glorious and colorful race! We are God's children and part of the Kingdom of the Son he loves.

PRAYER :
Use us, O Father, to break down the barriers that separate peoples on the basis of temporary externals. Make us into a Kingdom of character, hope, and love. Cast all darkness out of our hearts. Shine the light of your grace through us to our world so people can see us a healing for the nations. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only true Savior of all peoples, I pray. Amen.

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SEEK GOD AND LIVE

This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: "Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba." — Amos 5:4-5

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
Do you "go to church"? I hope not! Now don't get me wrong; I'm not advocating you skip worship and fellowship this Sunday! We're told not to forsake gathering together as believers (Hebrews 10:25). But when we assemble as a body of believers, we're gathering together for encouragement and meeting with God. We're not GOING to church; we ARE the church! (The New Testament never used the word church to refer to a building!) God warned his people in Old Testament times that simply going to the places of worship was worthless. Instead, they needed to seek him! I believe that is exactly what God would have us do. And as we seek him together, we get to share fellowship, comfort, and encouragement with each other.

PRAYER
Holy and loving Father, as I face the struggles of this week, it is comforting to know that I am never away from your love. At the same time, I love those special moments when I meet with other Christians and your presence is powerful and real. I know you are always with us when we gather together, but sometimes my heart or my circumstance or the situations going on in our church family derail my awareness of your presence. This week, dear Father, I pray for our worship assembly to be vibrant and powerful. I pray for your presence to be palpably near. I pray that you will be honored by what my brothers and sisters and I do to encourage each other and praise you. Please use this day to draw us near to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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GOD IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THOSE SEEKING HIM!

God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. — Romans 2:6-7

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
God not only seeks after us, he desires relationship with us — i.e., he longs for us to seek after him and after matters that are important to him. When we persistently seek his glory and honor by doing good, when we seek after eternal rather than temporal things, he is overjoyed to give us what he has always designed for us: eternal life with him. In other words, the seeking God is always looking for those seeking him!

PRAYER
Abba Father, I thank you for loving me when I was lost and in sin. I thank you for not just loving me, but also seeking me by sending Jesus. Thank you for your justice that you met with your grace in your Son Jesus. I confess that I at times get distracted and upset with things that don't really matter very much. Please bless me as I seek to discipline my heart and focus my desires on eternal things. As I seek your glory and honor in the way I conduct my life, it is reassuring that your desire to bless me with eternal life is even greater still. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.

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LET'S FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. —Hebrews 12:2

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
Who is your hero? I'm not asking for the Sunday school class answer, but the person you most actively admire! It is hard to "fix our eyes on Jesus" because he is not here where we can see him like other heroes. But he was the ultimate adventurer and trailblazer. He faced the horrific penalty and shame of the cross, taking away our sin! He did it so that we could have a hero that death and sin could not destroy, mar, or taint. He did it so that we could be confident that if we follow in his footsteps, the trail he blazed wasn't just for him, but for us, too!

PRAYER:
Holy God, forgive me when I chase what is false and let my focus shift from Jesus as my ultimate hero. I want to honor and serve him, having his life come alive in me, so that others may know the confidence that comes in having Jesus as their Lord. Words cannot express my gratitude to my Lord for his sacrifice and the horrible price he paid for my sins. Neither can words express my jubilation at his trailblazing victory that assures that I will someday be with you forever! It is in his name, Jesus Christ, that I pray. Amen.

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DO NOT SEEK SPIRITISTS

Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God. — Leviticus 19:31

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
Our world has a re-emerging fascination with the occult and the world of demons and witchcraft. It's easy for us to react in one of two dangerous ways: to downplay the reality of these things or to dabble in them as matters of entertainment or amusement. God wants us to know that these fascinations are dangerous because the evil entities behind them are real and when we involve ourselves in them, they defile us. God alone is God and is to be worshiped without rival by his people.

PRAYER:
Holy and magnificent God, thank you for breaking the power and hold of evil powers through Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Please deliver those whom I know and love that are entrapped in one way or another with a fascination with false gods and deceiving and destructive spirits. Empower your Church with your Spirit; please cleanse us and make us a holy people, undefiled and ready for your service. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

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OUR DAYS ON EARTH ARE BUT A SHADOW

We were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. — Job 8:9

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
While Job never learned why he suffered, he did learn his place in the universe before the Almighty God (Job 38-41). When we are young, time passes so very slowly — especially if we are waiting for something special! But as we get older, the years fly by more and more quickly. Yet despite all our learning, despite all our experience, we come to two great awakenings: our knowledge compared to what there is to know is so very small and our place in the passage of time is so very short. Both of these awakenings prepare us to turn our lives and future over to our God who longs to bring us to himself.

PRAYER :
Holy and Almighty God, my Abba Father, thank you so much for your overwhelming patience as you try to communicate your love to people like me with my limited abilities to comprehend your magnificence and glory. Please give me wisdom this week, to make the decisions I need to make and to choose your way and not my own. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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STAND UP AND PRAISE THE LORD YOUR GOD!!!

"Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise." — Nehemiah 9:5

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
"Stand up and shout it if you love my Jesus..." That's a song our children love to sing! But what happens to that youthful exuberance and joy at worshiping the Lord? Scripture seems to show us that God doesn't want us to lose it. Read through the Bible and highlight all the physical acts used to reverence and praise our awesome and eternal God. In a world which regularly uses God's name in vain, isn't it time we stood up and praised him — not only in church (our private worship) and our daily devotionals (our personal worship), but also in our lives every day (our public worship)?!

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I find it incomprehensible that an eternal and mighty God would choose to listen to my prayers. Yet I know you do hear them and respond to them. Thank you! Please be praised in my worship, whether I offer it in private with other Christians at church, in my daily personal worship, or in my public worship as I live as an example before my coworkers. You alone are God and worthy of all praise; please be praised in my life. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

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CALL ON GOD AND HE WILL ANSWER

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. —Jeremiah 33:3

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
God wants us to seek him and call out to him. He wants to answer us and tell us about things beyond our human comprehension. He longs to draw us close so that we can know him. Like a scared child calls out to a loving father in the next room, we too can call on him knowing that our Father will answer, protect, and comfort us. Even more than that, our Father will reveal to us things that would be impossible for us to know without his grace.

PRAYER:
Almighty God and Abba Father, I do want to know you and to be known by you. Yes, there are things in my heart and my life that I wish were not there. But I know your grace and I am confident that you know my heart and its desire to reflect your glory, share your grace, and display your character. Thank you for the gift of being your child and having my future secured. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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I AM RICHLY BLESSED!!!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God — Mark 10:25

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
It is so easy to think of ourselves as average people who are not rich. But bottom line, if we have access to a computer to read e-mail, we're richer than most of the world. Let's not let our "stuff" get in the way of our faith and compassion. God wants to help our camels get through the eye of the needle. He will, if we remember that what we have is a gift from him, and that he intends for us to use it to bless others and honor him.

PRAYER:
Tender Father, it is sometimes very hard for me not to worry some about money issues. I know that I am richly blessed and have so many advantages. But Father, I don't want to be owned by the things I possess and I don't want to be sidetracked by trying to acquire what I don't have. Please help me as I seek to be rich in kindness, generosity, and thankfulness with whatever you choose to bless me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WITH THE MASTER'S MESSAGE LATELY?

Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters. — Proverbs 25:13

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
I'm not sure where you are located, but it's been blistering hot where I am. Anything cool and refreshing sounds wonderful. If you've ever worked a harvest and gotten the dust, plant fragments, and sweat up under your shirt, you know how refreshing a cool glass of water is to your parched throat and a shower is for your sticky body. But God says that when we are trustworthy messengers for each other and for him, it is even better refreshment than a cool drink on a hot tiring day. So how have you been doing with the Master's message lately? Shared his love? Told of his grace? Demonstrated his kindness? Let's get busy refreshing our Lord by blessing others with his Gospel!

PRAYER :
Forgive me, heavenly Father, when I am untrustworthy with your message or ashamed of showing my allegiance to you and your Gospel. Give me wisdom to demonstrate and communicate your love, mercy, grace, and character to those around me. May my words and actions today bring you refreshment and glory! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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ETERNAL LIFE

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." — John 6:68

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
When Jesus asked his disciples if they would leave him like everyone else had, Peter's response is powerful and great. He knew where truth originated! He had heard the voice on the Mountain saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; listen to him!" He had seen Jesus' words change reality and destroy barriers to God's love and truth. Indeed, he knew that there was no one else who had the words of eternal life! So who are you listening to?

PRAYER:
Almighty God, thank you for making Jesus so accessible to me. Jesus helps me see the full extent of your love. Jesus helps me more completely understand your message about wanting to redeem me and make me your own. I want to always come to Jesus for truth, grace, refreshment, and hope. There is no other one that I want to be my Lord except my crucified Savior, Jesus. Today, Father, gently confront me in those areas where I have yet to fully yield to your Son's lordship in my life. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

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GIVING UP ON JESUS

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. — John 6:66

THOUGHT ON TODAY'S VERSE....
This verse haunts me. Not just because of the three numbers in the reference, but because it is a great reminder that many folks simply gave up following Jesus when things became hard to understand. When he shattered their preconceived notions of religious things, when he confronted them about their motives, they went away. What will I do when things get difficult in my discipleship and I can't figure out all the answers to what is going on? I hope, I pray, I trust that I will follow until the way and the will of the Lord become more clear!

PRAYER:
Awesome God, I confess openly that I cannot begin to understand all the complexities of your will and the way you work in our world. But Father, when I'm confused, please bring people into my life who will help me hang on to my faith until the confusion passes. And today, dear Father, please use me to help bless someone who is struggling with his or her faith. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.

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AWAY FROM THE CROWDS

Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." — Mark 9:30-31

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE....
We often seek to attract large crowds to our churches, crusades, and rallies. Jesus also ministered to large crowds. But his strongest teaching on discipleship occurs away from the crowds, when he is alone with his disciples. What the crowds are able to accept is not enough to call mature disciples to that next level in their walk with the Savior. So Jesus withdrew for intensive teaching with a small group of committed disciples so he could mature them and make them ready for future challenges.

PRAYER:
Holy God, please bless the people in my Bible study group and all those everywhere that are seeking to follow you no matter the cost. Please lead me to a small group of believers with whom I can share my life and through whom you will challenge me to grow in my surrender to the Lordship of Christ. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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THIS IS OUR SEASON OF REFRESHING

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. —Jeremiah 31:25

THOUGHT  ON TODAY'S VERSE....
In the overwhelming, hair-raising, and depressing prophecies of Jeremiah, God repeatedly told his people he would destroy them for their obstinate and hardened hearts. Yet in the middle of these powerful and scorching warnings, God also slips in passages that soar with hope and grace. Can you think of anything more reassuring than God's promise to "refresh the weary and satisfy the faint"? For seventy years, that's all Israel had — God's promise. But when the time came, God made good on his word. I believe he will do the same with us today!

PRAYER
Great Shepherd, I am tired and weary. Please refresh my Spirit and my body. Please help me find satisfaction in the abundance you have already so graciously shared with me. To you belongs all glory, honor, strength and power. I joyously submit myself in faith, waiting for the rest and satisfaction you have promised. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

ARE YOU WEARY AND BURDENED?

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:28

THOUGHT ON TODAY'S VERSE....
Where do you go when you are exhausted and in need of rest? No bed, no vacation, no retreat can give us a truly refreshing rest if that rest doesn't involve coming to Jesus. So what are you waiting for? Come to Jesus and and enjoy the blessings of his presence, his love, his forgiveness, his grace, and his rest!

PRAYER
Almighty God, your Son Jesus is my strength and hope. I look forward to the day when he returns in triumph for me and all of your children. But Father, I want to know him better and to live for him with an undivided heart. I want to find rest in his presence, meaning in his service, and significance in his acceptance. Please bless me as I journey toward a deeper relationship with you and as I gain a more profound knowledge of your Son. In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord, I pray. Amen.

FORGIVE! FORGIVE!! FORGIVE!!!

If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. — Matthew 6:14

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

As Christians, we live in the environment of forgiveness and grace. As we forgive others, the basis of that forgiveness is the incredible debt that God has already forgiven us (Matthew 18). But at the same time, as God sees that his forgiveness is kept in circulation and passed on to others by us, he joyously pours out more forgiveness on us. As hard as it is to forgive someone when we have been genuinely harmed, Jesus wants us to know that the blessings of doing so far outweigh the costs!

Prayer:
Loving and just God, thank you for cleansing and forgiving me by the atoning sacrifice of your Son Jesus. Thank you for challenging me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Thank you for demanding that your people be a community of forgiveness. Forgive us, and especially forgive me, when we are reluctant, slow, or suspicious about forgiveness. I ask especially that you will forgive ___ for ____, and I ask you to bless this person with your love and grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

DEVOTIONALS : ABIDE IN GOD

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. – John 15:4

From moment to moment, and from hour to hour, the inner nature of man is to be continuously sustained with the life of God. Only as I am constantly receiving His fulness into my emptiness am I really living in the true, full, deep sense of the word, that life of eternity, which is my privilege now, and will be my glory hereafter.

DEVOTIONALS: NO OTHER GODS

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. – Exod 20:3

If you find yourself beginning to love any pleasure better than your prayers, any book better than your Bible, any house better than God’s, any table better than the Lord’s, any person better than your Savior, any one better than your soul, a present indulgence better than the hope of heaven take alarm!

5 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CHRISTIANS

As a Christian, do you ever feel as if people really misunderstand you and your faith? Being a Christian, especially in this day and age, is not easy, regardless of how people perceive Christianity to be. And when people look at you in ways contrary to the truth, it can make relationships with friends, family and peers uncomfortable. In some cases, it can create distance between yourself and others.

The good news is that simply understanding what the misconceptions are can be helpful in dealing with them.

Following are five huge misconceptions about Christians:

WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PERFECT
Or at least, in the minds of many, we should be. We know what to do and how to behave, and therefore we should do it without faltering. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. We as Christians know that we are not perfect and that is why we need Christ. We recognize that we need His strength and guidance, and that without it, we would be lost. We as Christians are not perfect, but we strive to be.

WE MUST HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS
Why wouldn’t we? We read scripture all day and have memorized the Gospels. Well, even if we did these things, we still wouldn’t have all the answers. Being a Christian means not having all the answers and looking to our Lord for them. Knowing scripture is only half the battle; the other half is living and learning from it.

OUR LIVES ARE EASIER
We have God on our side, after all, right? And we’re content with what He provides for us. And even when things are bad, they’re not as bad as they would be if we weren’t Christians. Well, we’re all human and we all experience ups and downs. But it is our Christianity that guides us and strengthens us through the tough times. That doesn’t mean that we don’t experience heartache, pain or suffering. Rather, we open ourselves up to these things and accept our crosses. We also avoid the easier path and instead try to follow the one that leads to eternal glory with God. Oftentimes, this path is the more difficult one.

WE NEVER DOUBT OUR FAITH
Supposedly we have this amazing connection with God that is unwavering. And to some extent, this is true. But many Christians have experienced moments of feeling forsaken. Jesus Himself even felt forsaken. And in these moments of loneliness, we feel lost and alone. We doubt our faith in times of darkness, even if it’s only for a moment.

WE DONT KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN
Well, I guess this is dependent on how you define “fun,” since fun is subjective. As Christians, we are called to live in the world, not of it, so there are things that we have to avoid. These are things that lead to temptation or things that turn us away from what is Godly. There is a right path and a wrong path, and surprisingly to some, the right path offers a lot of things that are fun and wholesome.

Ladies, it can be unfair when people have misconceptions about you, right? But the best way to overcome these beliefs is to be open and honest. Don’t be afraid to reveal your weaknesses. Don’t be afraid to not have answers or solutions. And don’t be afraid to show your fear. Be open to all of these vulnerable moments, but be open too to the fact that as a Christian, you turn to Jesus for help—that He is your strength when you’re weak, He is your answer to those unanswered questions and He is your protection.

Do you feel that people have misconceptions about you and your faith? Share your story—we so love to hear from you!

HOW TO USE YOUR GIFTS AND TALENTS TO SERVE GOD

If you’re truly seeking after God, loving people around you, you’re probably going to be aiming in the right directions with the gifts and passions He’s given you. A lot of people stress out, feeling like they need to find a way to use their passions in traditional ministry. This is a great place to start, but be open to looking further.

Here are five tips to help you use your gifts and passion to serve God.

FIND YOUR PASSIONS
How do you find the causes or activities that you’re passionate about? First, look to the things that make you come alive. What are the activities that you feel like you could do forever? What are you doing when you lose track of time? What do you naturally excel at and enjoy greatly? Jot these down in your journal—they might point to your passions.
Second, look to the things that get your blood boiling. Anger is not always a bad emotion; in fact, I think God really uses it to get our attention sometimes. Does it make you angry to hear that kids are forced to be child soldiers in Africa? Do you want to yell in the streets about human trafficking or the rights of those with disabilities? The injustices that get to you might also lead to your passions.

DEVOTIONALS: CREATED IN CHRIST FOR GOOD WORKS

Created in Christ Jesus unto good works. – Eph 2:10

Let us ask Him to work in us to will those good works, so that our will, without being impaired in its free operation, may be permeated and moulded by His will, just as light suffuses the atmosphere without displacing it.

And let us also expect that He will infuse into us sufficient strength that we may be able to do His will unto all pleasing. Thus, day by day, our life will be a manifestation of those holy volitions and lovely deeds which shall attest the indwelling and inworking of God. And men shall see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven.

STYLE GUIDE FOR CHRISTIAN GIRLS : MODESTY

The Bible teaches that people should dress modestly and in moderation. When it comes to women, scripture states:

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array (1 Timothy 2:9). However, I’ve always felt that specific rules or principles of modern-day modest dressing are hard to find.

To dress modestly is to avoid deliberately causing sexual excitement in oneself or one’s neighbor.The objective of modesty is to refrain from wearing clothing that causes lustful thoughts, whether intentionally or unintentionally. When dressing modestly, Christian girls should avoid clothes that reveal, enhance or highlight certain body parts.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING DAILY DEVOTIONALS: A MESSAGE FROM THE HEART OF GOD FOR YOU

“My hand is on your life. It is My love in your heart. It is My fire that is in your belly and My word is in your mouth. Go forth knowing that I am intricately involved in every part of your existence. For we are one. Walk in step with Me. Move when I move. Speak when I speak. Don’t say,

“Who will hear me?” For it is Me that they will hear. Don’t say, “Who will see me?” For it is My glory that they will see. I am the one doing the work through you. Don’t you see? You are My witnesses in the earth. Walk in My grace and operate at My divine pace for your life. Lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily hinders you from running the race I have set before you. Look to Me and look to My word and you will grow, you will go, you will advance, you will possess the land. When distractions come, look to Me and I will help you see past them. When trials come, look to Me and I will help you get through them. All of the victory you want and need is provided when you look to Me.”

(Acts 17:28; Jeremiah 1:1-12; Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 119:105; 1 Corinthians 15:57)

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING DAILY DEVOTIONALS: THE BLESSING OF OBEDIENCE OF GOD

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding, but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalm 32:8-9 (NIV)

Imagine what our lives would be like if we had to live them as if we were horses. We want to go one direction, but someone yanks the reins, pulling at the bit in our mouths. We are forced to go one way or the other, but against our will, and not knowing why. The direction we a forced to go might be for our own good, to keep us safe, but we go that way unwillingly.

WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER TO BE FREE?

If you have professed faith in Jesus, you ARE free.  And because Jesus, our King, loves us so much, He has taken the time to “instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8) through His holy Word. He promises to counsel us, and when we are obedient to Him, we can know His counsel daily through prayer and Bible study.

We shouldn’t be incorrigible like the mule and horse without understanding. Who would want to be “controlled” when, through understanding, we can be willingly obedient?

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING DAILY DEVOTIONALS: HINDRANCES TO INCREASING IN KNOWLEDGE

 “That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]” (Colossians 1:10, Amplified).

God wants His people to be steadily increasing and growing in our knowledge of Him and His Word. He wants to work in and through us in greater ways, but there are hindrances that can prevent us:

THE FEAR OF NOT KNOWING ENOUGH

This nagging fear causes feelings of inadequacy and can stunt growth. You may wonder how you can be effective or of any use to God when you don’t know enough. It’s not about whether you know enough; it’s about letting God use what you do know as you continue to grow in knowledge and understanding.

NOT HAVING ENOUGH TIME

When the Word of God increases in your life, you will see more productivity and fruitfulness from your time. Some are working hard, but are not seeing fruit. Their time is not producing lasting results and it is because no quality time is being given to the Word of God.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING DAILY DEVOTIONALS: FEAR HAS NO PLACE!

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are his chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light.

The bible is filled with women we can admire, but there is one in specific that stands out to me the most, her name is Mary (mother of Jesus). Since day one, Mary said YES to God and completely allowed Him to dictate her life. I imagine Mary had dreams of her own which didn’t include getting pregnant out of wedlock, undergoing ridicule, experiencing loneliness, enduring heartache and much less witnessing the death of her soon to be son. When the angel of the Lord came to Mary with the news that, through the Holy Spirit, she will conceive a child and He would be the Messiah, she experienced much fear. Although it was an honorable task for Mary to bore “The Savior”, fear was still very prevalent. However, she refused to allow fear to interrupt her God given assignment. Her character and her answer to the angel were very admirable, she said: “I am the Lord’s servant, let your words be fulfilled in my life”.