Steve Durkac | Hospice Chaplain

April 1

Thinking Ahead

“The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.” Proverbs 14:18

Short thinking will often lead to ruin because our God expects us to use the brain He gave us. We may live simple lives, but our minds are meant to keep us from the trap of emotional immediate gratification. Biblical Christians think ahead and consider the implications of today’s behaviors and decisions in light of the gospel and the future Kingdom.

Our hearts may be turned toward the Lord, but our minds are still in a battle between the gratification of our flesh and obedience to God’s laws. Even the smartest of us can’t think our lives after God but we can live by His grace.

Let’s pray today that we would think as Jesus did and look ahead toward the glory of God.

 

April 2

Examples for Children

“Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26

A man without Christ is easily weakened without resolve, influencing his children to more likely grow up doubting God. Generally speaking, a child grows to mimic his parent’s attitudes toward the things that matter most to them. When dad expresses a healthy and humbling respectful fear of the Lord, it impacts children with an example of lifelong assurance that the Lord is their refuge, too.

As parents and grandparents, let the children in your family see how you go to Calvary for forgiveness of sins or to prayer for solutions to your problems, and let them see you as a disciple of Christ and they will follow that example.

Let’s pray today that we may be good examples of belief in Christ for our children and youth.

 

April 3

Protector of Widows

“The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.” Proverbs 15:25

The extravagance of a wicked man’s wealth is no match for a Christian widow’s humble abode. A proud man may construct homes of admirable worth, but a widow with simple means has the superior protection of the Lord of Hosts. God has a special caring interest in the widow who looks toward Him as her Provider.

It is easy to assume that all our security has gone to the grave with our deceased spouse, but that is not so. The God of the Heavens is quick to show His protection to the widow and widower who claims this promise by faith.

Let’s pray today for every widow to find comfort in trusting in the Lord God as Provider and Protector.

 

April 4

Worshipful Work

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3

The best laid plans can leave a worthy goal unrealized if we ignore the worshipful act of its work. For a Christian, the secret of success is in our commitment of those plans to ultimately give glory and witness to the Lord God. We plan, we pray, we proceed as we are able and we give that work as a worship offering to Christ for His glory, leaving the results in His hands.

Don’t be disappointed if your work doesn’t produce the results you were expecting or don’t immediately assume that it was against God’s direction. Sometimes plans need to fail in order for us to be moved to where we are called to be.

Let’s pray today that we would be diligent to work, but worshipful through that process for God.

 

April 5

Pridefulness

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.“ Proverbs 16:18

A man who is too proud to accept Christ and follow in His humbleness, needs prayer. If you know one, or are married to one, please pray for the Spirit of God to break them to their knees before they draw their last breath. It’s easy for our sinful nature to be prideful unless we learn from the example of the Savior.

A healthy pride is short-lived and leads to gratefulness. An unhealthy pride leads to self-aggrandizement, like gazing long in a mirror and admiring creation without regard to the Creator. To cling to pride is to cling to sin, and that won’t end well.

Let’s pray today that we may stay humble at the foot of Calvary’s grace and banish selfishness from our life.

 

April 6

Reprieve from Anxiety

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

Anxiety will weigh heavy on our hearts and minds leading to ill health unless we learn to carry it to Calvary. Even when life is going well and smooth there are cares and concerns that we can give to Jesus. When we find peace and joy in Jesus, we find a reprieve from the crushing anxiety of life and a reminder that our Lord sees us through the stresses we face day by day in a fallen world.

There is therapy in laughter, refreshment in smiling, and an appreciation from the little moments of cheerfulness as they arise. By living one day at a time, not allowing tomorrow’s worry to ruin today, we’ll find more of those joyful moments.

Let’s pray today that we may turn our anxiety over to the Lord Jesus and find a joyful heart.

 

April 7

Witnesses

“Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.“ Proverbs 20:22

Our world is a courtroom and God has appointed us as His witnesses not as our own judge and jury. Without Christ in our hearts, it’s easy to become obsessed with revenge, rather than leaving it in the hands of the One who will exact ultimate judgment. When we wait for God to deal with it we preserve ourselves from going down with them.

It may be human to want to payback another for the harm they have inflicted, but getting even is short-sighted. If you are a disciple of Jesus then you are cognizant that whatever revenge you may be able to exact, won’t undo the harm.

Let’s pray today that we would serve as God’s witness and allow God to execute judgment.

 

April 8

Child of God

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Childhood is the only opportunity we have to set a future adult in the direction of the cross for a lifetime. We can influence adults to repent of sin and follow the Savior, but the foundation of one’s life is built in the classroom of childhood when faith in Jesus is easiest to exercise. If you are a parent, don’t shrink back from teaching children about the Lord.

If you are an adult who missed out on being raised in the ways of the Lord, don’t think it’s too late for you to follow Him. With a spirit as pure as the child you once were, your faith in Christ can still grow and keep you on the safe path.

Let’s pray today that we would teach children the path of God, as we have opportunity.

 

April 9

Harboring Sin

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

When we harbor sin, when we nurture it in a hidden place of our heart and rehearse it in our mind, we are only hurting ourselves. Like a cancer, concealed sin will eat us from the inside out. Better is the one who is honest with himself and his Lord about his transgression, even if all outward appearances point to failure, than one who seems to have it all together.

On the outside we may appear prosperous, but on the inside we may be in turmoil with the heaviness of guilt or in bearing a lie. It is far better to admit our shortcomings to the Savior through confession and be at peace again.

Let’s pray today that we may quickly repent of hidden sin, before we have time to cherish it.

 

April 10

Resistance to God

“Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1

We are created with a free-will to choose to be obedient to the Lord or to choose to resist obedience to the Lord. The choice is ours, because the God of love has not programmed us to behave as robots or computers. Like a parent who cares for the life of his children, God reproves us in our waywardness in hopes to correct us.

At some point, persistent resistance to God turns one from life to certain death because in persisting they have shut-out their own chance to repent. It is called hardening your heart or searing your conscience with a hot iron.

Let’s pray today that we may not resist eternal life by resisting God’s Spirit.

 

April 11

Eternally Safe

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25

We ought to be wise about the evil intentions of the wicked, but not worried, fearful, or paranoid about their next move. Let’s not fear the actions of sinful men against us or against any of God’s saints. Consider that the worst case scenario from evil men is death, even torture, but though we die yet shall we live and go to be with our Lord!

If we are victims of hurt or harm, we stand as a witness to His faithfulness, and either way, we are eternally safe. Like each new day replaces the one before it, the certainty of our Lord’s deliverance is coming soon and eternity will forget any fear we know now.

Let’s pray today that we may keep our eyes on the safety of Heaven and the power of Calvary to safely sustain us.

 

April 12

Forever Saved

“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.” Ecclesiastes 3:14

Please don’t doubt your salvation, because God is faithful to His word and His works. He does not change His mind and He does not have need to reinvent or improve what He has done. Consider how much we respect a man who keeps true to his word, and now realize that the Lord deserves so much more than just our respect, He deserves our faith.

So what has God done for you? Has He saved you? Then don’t doubt it. Has He forgiven you? Than don’t keep rehearsing the guilt. Has He brought you out of difficulty? Than stop worrying about your past and start praising Him for your future.

Let’s pray today that we make no place for doubt of God’s word and work for our lives.

 

April 13

God Judges

“I said in my heart, God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.” Ecclesiastes 3:17

God judges who has believed in Jesus as their personal Savior and who has rejected Jesus as their personal Savior. The saved will escape the penalty of sin in a similar way that a judge rules time served and releases one from prison. Our God determines who has claimed their right to enter the gates of eternity by the righteousness of Jesus.

The judgment verifies the claims of the saved and the evidence of those who have willfully forfeited their right to Heaven by consistently rejecting the Savior’s sacrifice of forgiveness and redemption as offered on Calvary.

Let’s pray today in thanksgiving that the judgment will show our claim of Christ’s grace and righteousness for salvation.

 

April 14

Casting in Hope

“Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.” Ecclesiastes 11:1

We should take great hope in knowing that our God will come through and we will reap in due time, when He deems best. We wait, but we don’t wait in despair like those without hope. We may feel abandoned or doomed, but we know our circumstances will change, either on earth or when our Lord returns. The healing will come.

When we give ourselves to prayer, sowing in faith, working for the sake of others, we are casting our hope toward Heaven. When we invest our focus, time, and resources in the advancement of our Lord’s glory we are casting our hope in Jesus Christ.

Let’s pray today to stay focused on God’s faithfulness and not to waiver in our hope.

 

April 15

Present with God

“and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7

It is comforting to know that to be absent from our body is to be present with our Lord in spirit. The resurrection will bring forth our glorified bodies when our spirit once again reinvigorates us at the last trump. We may not understand it, but we can believe it because we are living souls with God’s immortal breath of life in mere mortal earthly bodies, awaiting the resurrection.

Like Lazarus, Jesus will call us forth from our temporal graves at the Lord’s return. On the glorious day of the resurrection, where we’ll reunite with our loved ones for eternity, and we will be present with God together, forever and ever.

Let’s pray today that our loved ones may yield to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

 

April 16

Man’s Duty

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

A man’s search for the meaning of his life can become an unresolved age-long struggle, unless one takes to heart Solomon’s conclusion. A commitment to God and to keeping the commands of God’s Word is the focus we need to stay purposeful, add significance to our days, and fulfillment to our journey toward eternity and becoming Christ-like.

Continuously lamenting over our disappointments and failures of life will only lead us away from experiencing the duty of living in our fallen world. A life respecting God and following His law is a hedge of protection against a life of meaninglessness.

Let’s pray today that we fear the Lord and follow His word above all that we do.

 

April 17

Evidence of Faith

“For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14

Take heart that the judgment overlooks nothing in our lives, including things in secret that tell of our faithfulness to God. God knows the quiet little acts of kindness that you might think to be insignificant, yet helpful to others. It also means God knows the behind the scenes scheming and harm perpetrated by the wicked upon the innocent.

The wicked may not want to know that their secret sins and unknown evil deeds will be exposed, but they can seek forgiveness before then. Thankfully, God’s verdicts are always just and for us it is evidence that we have sought forgiveness in Jesus as our Savior.

Let’s pray today that we may be reminded that our Lord sees and knows our heart.

 

April 18

Reasoning in Faith

“Come now, let us settle the matter, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.“ Isaiah 1:18

Forgiveness for sins is not a cheap exchange but a reasoning between our heart and head with faith in God’s Word. Forgiveness is an exchange of conversation, toil, and yielding of guilt through the prayer of faith. Biblical Christianity is not mindless. The Son of God gave up the glory of Heaven for the cruel cross of Calvary in exchange for our forgiven life.

Our sins may be the darkest of humanity, the deepest in depravity, or the most shameful of haunting guilt, but God’s promise is that if we go and settle it with Him in faith those stains will be washed away. By this, and in the Lord’s eyes, we’ll stand in robes of cleanliness.

Let’s pray today that we may turn our heart and mind toward the Lord trusting in His promise through faith.

 

April 19

The Messiah

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Our Savior wasn’t just a visitor to us or made similar like us, but the Messiah was born with us into humanity. The Messiah would not be a mere fellow mortal who jumped at the opportunity to be elevated to a higher position among peers. The only God-Man, Jesus Christ, is unlike any deity conjured up in the mind of men.

Our Lord and only true God, known by no other name, became Immanuel, God with Us. Which is why He is called by the Gospel writers, both the Son of God and the Son of Man, because He is with us as both God and man and that makes Him our Savior.

Let’s pray today that we may not forget that our Lord has walked our experience and knows us.

 

April 20

The Name of God

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Don’t be fooled by those who say a foreign god is the same as our God, just known by a different name. There is no God but Christ Jesus. He is the only One given for us to be known to us as God, the only One worthy to be Lord, and the only One who leads a true religion of redemption. Jesus is the only God whose name is above all names.

Scoffers may criticize Christian beliefs because they refuse to humble themselves under God’s economy of salvation by grace through faith. Jesus didn’t leave Heaven to come to earth in order that we can save ourselves through religious works.

Let’s pray today that we may freely keep the name of Jesus confidently on our lips as the only God.

 

April 21

Reign of King Jesus

“They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”  Isaiah 11:9

The day is coming, when the earth is made new and Jesus is King. There shall be no more pain inflicted by the wicked on the saints. A personal knowledge of God’s love shall reign among all people. No longer will there be those who do not follow the laws of our holy God, and no longer will the righteous be hurt or destroyed by them. Until then, let us be faithful to that day and prayerful for the persecuted.

It’s time we develop a Kingdom mindset to help brush away the distractions of these times. If you need to rise above the headlines, hold to an outlook that says this world is not home, I am a citizen of Heaven, and King Jesus is coming soon.

Let’s pray today for our fellow believers to take hope that the reign of King Jesus is coming and near.

 

April 22

Refreshing Joy

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3

Being saved is not just a moment encounter like a sip of cold water when you thirst. When you are parched with sorrows, dry with despair or bewildered by circumstances, remember that you have continuous access to a never ending spring of pure living water. There is joyfulness in knowing you have Jesus as a constant well of refreshment.

You don’t have to dig your own well every time you thirst because the Lord Jesus made full atonement at Calvary. Just go there in faith whenever sin stains, life troubles you, or fear grips your outlook of the future and find reasons to have joy.

Let’s pray today that we may turn to Jesus for refreshing living pure water daily and often.

 

April 23

Sin No More

“See, the day of the Lord is coming—a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger—to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.“ Isaiah 13:9

The good news about God’s wrath is the total relief from the reign of evil and an end of injustice by wickedness in high places. The day of the Lord will usher in the execution of God’s judgment upon the political systems that have oppressed and harmed God’s people. His righteous ways will be vindicated, His saints will rule with Him, and sin will be no more.

The weeds will grow with the wheat until that day because God desires that men would repent before then and be saved. However, the day of the Lord’s wrath is coming because there is nothing else that can be done for those who have outright rejected God’s grace.

Let’s pray today that we would not lose sight that our Lord will redeem and end the reign of sin.

 

April 24

Peace in Jesus

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”  Isaiah 26:3

Without Jesus, finding peace in a world that’s in collusion with the gates of hell is impossible. Fix your thoughts on the Lord and trust in Him. We can be hopeful for our future by waiting on the Lord and trusting in Him. We can stand for right among a people doing wrong by being faithful to the ways of the Lord and trusting in His word. We can only find peace in these times in Jesus.

Sometimes we need to invest less time fixing our mind on the headlines and more time fixing our mind on Jesus. When we intentionally think on the promises of God’s Word and spend more time praising than Lord, peace will no longer allude us.

Let’s pray today by turning our hearts and minds toward the Prince of Peace, Jesus.

 

April 25

Our Certain Resurrection

“But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise—let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy—your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.”  Isaiah 26:19

Our Lord lives, His tomb is empty, and His grieving followers have the ultimate hope in a certain resurrection. The believer knows the sadness of the grave but they also know the joy of the Lord who overcame it. Just as Jesus called forth Lazarus from the tomb so the day is coming when He will call all His disciples forth from the grave.

Resurrection day is as certain for us as it was for Jesus and Lazarus, and that means even death itself can not prevent God’s saints from being delivered. On that day we will certainly exclaim, Oh death where is your sting, where is your victory now?

Let’s pray today that we will find hope in knowing we serve a living Savior who conquered death.

 

April 26

Peace With God

“Or else let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me.”  Isaiah 27:5

The God of the Bible is seeking to save all who will allow Him to save, so go to Him and have peace. He does not reject or stiff arm anyone who seeks Him or comes to Him for redemption. Those who will ultimately die unsaved, will be those who repeatedly ignored and regularly rejected Jesus as Savior. Want peace with God? Go to Him and tell Him that, now, in prayer.

Eternity is only a split-second away, because we are only a heartbeat away from our eternal choice. Now is the time to be at peace with God, so when we need a refuge in the midst of Life’s storms, go to God.

Let’s pray today that we may find peace with God through His Son, the Lord Jesus.

 

April 27

Rest for Backsliders

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15

Backsliding may put us back in control of our life, but it is when the Spirit of God brings rest to our heart that we have life. When a person withdraws from practices of prayer and worship of God, they find themselves in spiritual distress. Peace and contentment will elude the one who has wandered away from fellowship with the Lord. There is rest for your soul in repentance and a renewed strength in trusting in the Lord.

If God is putting it on your mind to reconnect with a church you once were part of, or even a new one, do it. Don’t let your backsliding become outright resistance, because you will find spiritual and emotional rest in the Lord.

Let’s pray today that with the power of God’s Spirit we will trust and return to Him again and again.

 

April 28

The Spirit’s Voice

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Listen for the still small voice of the Spirit of God that leads you with His word and into His will. The Holy Spirit speaks to confirm the promises of Scripture as you contemplate the choices to make in life or debate your willingness to stand for truth. The Holy Spirit will bring conviction regarding your sin and your faith in trusting in Christ’s righteousness.

There is a calming assurance in following God’s leading, unlike the building crescendo of a fire-work display that clamors for the hearers continuous attentions. The Spirit’s voice does not lead us, except by calm convicting truth.

Let’s pray today that we may always listen to the convicting voice of the Spirit upon our heart.

 

April 29

The Reign of Christ

“See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice.”  Isaiah 32:1

The King of Kings will come and we will reign with Him, for His just reign will have no end. The promises of Christ’s reign as King and His saints as His princes is contrasted with that of earth’s leaders who care less about their subjects then themselves. The Kingdom of Christ and His saints is marked by its reprieve from the storms of life, its refreshing encouragement, and its forever rest from a worrisome world of sin.

The promise assures us that rulers governed by malcontent and evil desires are not lasting in their earthly rule. We can take hope that their temporary authority will have its final end when the reign of Christ and His saints rule in justice.

Let’s pray today that we live worthy of our eternal home and reign with our Lord.

 

April 30

Peace in Righteousness

“The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”  Isaiah 32:17

Sinful men are quick to try to validate themselves by shaming those who disagree with them. There can be no agreement between evil and truth. We either stand for sin and perish or we uphold righteousness and live. There is unrest and discord for the one who clings to sin, but the one who clings to Jesus in His righteousness finds peace and lasting faith.

The unrest of the unjust give themselves away. The righteousness of Christ brings peace and quietness to the soul that finds confidence in salvation through faith by grace, rather than in one’s own works.

Let’s pray today that we may live our life trusting in God’s gift of righteousness in Jesus.

 

May 1

Eternal Wellness

“No one living in Zion will say, “I am ill”; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.”  Isaiah 33:24

Heaven will be a place of health and wellness, but not a place of health nuts and wellness practitioners. We will not know sickness in heaven because our sins will be as far as the east is to the west and transgression will be nonexistent in the light of God’s glorious healing presence. While you may struggle with the imperfections of your sinful nature now, take hope that then you will dwell in eternal well-being.

No one in Heaven will ever complain or point to an annoying symptom as an oncoming health problem because we will be in the eternal presence of Jesus Christ. The Savior has redeemed us and we are with Him in His forever Kingdom

Let’s pray today in praise for the promise of Heaven’s eternal well-being, health, and wholeness.

 

May 2

Heaven our Hope

“say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”   Isaiah 35:4

This life will weigh you down with burdens of hopelessness, but find hope in the soon promised return of the Savior. Despair may seem to wash away your positive expectation for the future, but remember that this world is merely temporal, this world is not your home, and that is why the Holy Spirit seeks to remind you that Heaven is nearer than you know.

All the hopes and joys of our salvation are found in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our deliverance, the end of sin and it suppression, by it we are ultimately saved, and are forever united with our Savior, and reunited with our loved ones who have gone before us.

Let’s pray today to remind ourselves that we are merely passing through the pains of earth to our eternal home.

 

May 3

Heaven is for You

“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”  Isaiah 35:5-6

Heaven is where sin will not exist, where disease will not kill, where suffering will not be known. Heaven is not made for the unfallen angels, but for redeemed fallen men. Heaven is for those saved by grace through faith – those who have experienced the fallen nature of sin and who know the Savior’s redeeming grace. Heaven is for you.

When earth seems unbearable with its sorrow and suffering, take hope that earth is not your forever home. You are a citizen of Heaven and from there is coming your Blessed Hope to take you to your forever home.

Let’s pray today that we will be encouraged knowing that Heaven is our eternal home.

 

May 4

Everlasting Life

“and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”  Isaiah 35:10

Jesus, the Son of God, paid the ransom for our redemption and right to enter into everlasting life. He welcomes us into the open gates of our Heavenly Father’s eternal home. In Heaven there will be no sadness as we stand in awe and wonder before the One who saved us. We can only imagine the beauty before us and the amazing glorious change within us, realizing there is no going back to the sorrow we left on earth.

Gladness and joy will overtake any sense of burden, fear, or dread when we enter the gates of eternal life. The default emotions we’ve learned to expect here, like sadness or skepticism, will be replaced with rejoicing.

Let’s pray today that our heart will stay steadfast onto the eternal life before us in Heaven.

 

May 5

The Bible is Forever

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”  Isaiah 40:8

In this world we have new, we have young, but nothing lasts forever, except for the word of God. Our world is a temporal world. As soon as a new car drives off the lot it is depreciated. As soon as a baby is born it begins to age. The Bible has stood the test of time, outlasted its critics, silenced its doubters, and survived its attackers to bring peace, hope and the gospel of Jesus as earth’s only forever.

The Bible is not subject to the deterioration of time or the curse of man’s fallen nature, because it is God’s Word and everlasting as is He. The pages may fade and the cover may tare but the message is as forever as God is.

Let’s pray today that we take the Bible to heart and mind, as God’s forever word.

 

May 6

Waiting on God

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Oftentimes a believer in this world can feel beat down, unappreciated, or marginalized. God says wait on Him and in time you will soar like a majestic eagle far above the sorrows of this world with a new superior vision that allows you to see His leading far into the future. We wait for our Lord’s timing of exultation and when that time arrives, we will certainly soar high beyond this world.

While we wait, we put our hope in the Lord and His promise to renew our strength. Our Lord has not lifted us from the miry clay for mere existence, but to soar above the temporal despair of this world and experience a glimpse of the next.

Let’s pray today that we will stay faithful in trials and wait for God’s timing in our life.

 

May 7

God with You

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

When you worry, have anxiety, or fearfulness engulfs you, please stop and remember that your God is still present. Not only is He with you, but He is there to strengthen you as you face the future and the circumstances before you without fear. The Lord is not just there to strengthen you, but to help you through it, hand in hand, step by step, He will walk with you through His righteousness.

It is human to find ourselves facing fear about the future or a looming unknown from an unexpected diagnosis, but even in these things we can cast our dismay aside and fully turn to the Lord who strengthens and helps us through whatever we may face.

Let’s pray today to look toward Jesus when we fear for our future or the trials we face.

 

May 8

Whoever Believes

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles”  Isaiah 42:6

It is because of the righteousness of God that Jesus came to earth to bring redemption to humanity. God could have washed His hands of earth and destroyed it or allowed Satan to have a contained rule here, but instead God sent Jesus to be the second Adam, to fulfill the requirements of the law, to stand as His covenant to the nations that whosoever believes will be saved into a New Heaven and New Earth.

The Lord calls us to be a light to our corners of the world as we answer His call to His righteousness. Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t just leave us to figure it out on our own, but He takes hold of our hand and keeps close to Him.

Let’s pray today that the glory of God will shine in our world and many will believe in Jesus.

 

May 9

One True God

“It pleased the Lord for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious.” Isaiah 42:21

The ancient nation of Israel, its book of law, its one true God was to be a testimony before the heathen world. Although it suffered setbacks in its history of captivity and backsliding, today we are seeing Israel stand tall again over its enemies. Let us stand with the testimony of God’s law and glory before a world of false religions and beliefs.

The law of God is immovable and stands as the representation of the character of the one true God. Men tend to establish their own gods with their own pliable character traits but the real God is great and glorious beyond anything we could imagine.

Let’s pray today that we may stand with the one true God in a world that worships many false gods.

 

May 10

Promises of God

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”  Isaiah 43:2

It may seem that you are drowning under the cares of this world but the promises of God declare differently. Your last hope may appear to go up in flames, but in Jesus Christ things aren’t always as you see in the natural. We may see in our flesh, but we must believe in the promises of God to rise above and go beyond by believing through faith.

The Creator God is not subject to the elements of this world, but they are subject to Him. Their permanence is subject to God and no matter what damage they may cause, they can not prevent our Lord’s promise of eternal life.

Let’s pray today to stand on God’s word and not to fall hopeless to the circumstances of earth.

 

May 11

Turn to Jesus

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.”  Isaiah 45:22

The gospel of salvation through Christ is for all people, all nations, and all corners of the earth. Jesus is the only God for our planet’s sin problem. The gospel is the good news for all inhabitants of our world who will turn in trusting faith to Jesus Christ and His atonement on Calvary’s cross. All who do turn to Jesus, regardless of their earth’s home, will find salvation.

The gift of eternal life through faith by grace is not limited by nationality or for those whose homeland is absent of religious practices. Men do not have a birthright to salvation because Jesus is the only way to redemption from sin.

Let’s pray today that regardless of countries or continents, people will turn to Jesus and be saved.

 

May 12

Aging with Jesus

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”  Isaiah 46:4

In our older years of emotional uncertainty and physical difficulty, we need the Lord’s help. As simple tasks become more challenging, the One who created us will not forsake us, rather our Lord will help us. His Spirit is drawing closer to us now so as we grow older our faith in Jesus will grow stronger, making it easier to depend on Him day to day.

If we would only trust in the Lord in our youth it will be easier to trust in the Lord in our old age. As we get older, it is important that we don’t forget the Lord’s leading in our past, so we will face our future trusting in the Lord.

Let’s pray today that our youth will put their faith in Christ so when they are old they will depend on Him.

 

May 13

God’s Leading

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”  Isaiah 46:9

Do not forget God’s leading in your past so you can face your future confidently through faith. Remember the trials which God has brought you through so you can muster up enough courage to step forward in faith knowing that the Lord is with you regardless of whatever circumstances are in your future. We have nothing to fear for our tomorrow when we recall how the Lord had abolished our fears in the past. The Lord who saved you yesterday is the same today and in your future.

Too often we forget God’s leading in our life and every new obstacle is faced without the intentional remembrance of how the Lord has brought us through similar obstacles. May we not forget that He is God and there is no other.

Let’s pray today in praise and thanksgiving for what our Lord has done and will do.

 

May 14

Never Forgotten

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”  Isaiah 49:15

The maternal bond between a mother and her child is strong, but God’s bond with His saints is stronger. Sadly, we hear of those who abandon their own flesh and blood. We wonder how and why, but there is no wondering about God’s paternal love when it comes to us. The Lord whom you believe in through faith is compassionate and will never abandon you.

As impossible as it may seem for a mother to forget her new born baby, it is even more impossible for the Lord to forget His own. There is no out of sight out of mind for the Lord when it comes to us because His love for us is stronger than we can comprehend.

Let’s pray today that we may be certain that our Lord has not and will not forget us.

 

May 15

Resolute Obedience

“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.“  Isaiah 50:7

If the Spirit of God is beckoning you to follow Him in obedience to His word, follow resolutely. Don’t be timid when God is with you, instead resolve to follow Him and have no fear of failure. Failure can be a powerful witness when you handle it before others in His grace. So move forward resolutely in His Spirit and leave the results to His glory.

The Sovereign of the universe is with you to help and that ought to leave no room to worry about how you may appear to others, win or lose. With the Lord by your side there is no chance for disgrace or shame when you are obedient to Him.

Let’s pray today to be committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and leave the results to His glory.

 

May 16

Salvation is Forever

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.”  Isaiah 51:6

Let’s not live our lives pretending that this planet and all herein is going to continue as it has, forever. The great cities of the world, the achievements of man’s engineering abilities, scientific discovery, and even space exploration will end. However, your salvation is secure forever. The very righteous work of God in Christ Jesus is an eternal gift.

The current order of things will wear out and the wicked will inhabit this world no more. The earth will be made new and the city of God will make its home here, where salvation and righteousness will finally exist forever.

Let’s pray today that as we watch things age and disappear we will daily rejoice in our forever salvation.

 

May 17

Uninterrupted Joy

“Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”  Isaiah 51:11

Heaven will be so unlike this earth, in terms of the emotions we’ve endured and experienced. It’s hard to imagine going through a whole week in uninterrupted joy, let alone going through all eternity in uninterrupted joy. We’ve learned to anticipate trouble coming into our lives here, but in Heaven we won’t even consider that as a possibility.

Gladness will dominate our thoughts and sorrow will become a forgotten feeling when we are in Heaven. Joyfulness and gladness will rule our hearts as we appreciate the magnificent beauty of our eternal home with the Lord and His holy angels.

Let’s pray today in anticipation of the joy we will have throughout all eternity in Heaven.

 

May 18

God is Unchangeable

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”  Isaiah 54:10

God does not change His mind, make promises He won’t keep, or sign agreements that won’t last. Our Lord is immortal, His mind is certain, and His covenant with us is not subject to anything other than His righteous character. God loves you, Jesus died for you on Calvary’s cross, the Bible says He is returning for you, and nothing will change that.

The love that God has for us can not be shaken or removed by anything of our doing. His covenant of redemption is irremovable because the Lord’s compassion on us is so great and He desires that we all repent and trust in Him in faith.

Let’s pray today that we find assurance in serving the God who is unchangeable in His ways.

 

May 19

Christians Vindicated

“no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”  Isaiah 54:17

Evil men may blow all the verbal smoke their foolish minds can conjure up, but Christians will be vindicated. When men bent on their sinful cause accuse, complain, and lie against you they are really doing that against our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This promise should remind you that their own knees will bow and their own mouth will confess that you are correct in your biblical faith.

As followers of Christ we can confidently stand firm on truth and not waver in our convictions in order to pacify the ungodly. This world is not our home and our citizenship is in Heaven, so the temporal appeals of culture lack convincing.

Let’s pray today that though evil men and their false accusations cause us grief, we will hold firm to Christ.

 

May 20

Compassion for Sinners

“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”  Isaiah 55:7

God does not seek out perfect people to praise, but imperfect people He can grace with His compassion. We are called to grow in grace, and only those who struggle with sin, honestly, can grow in grace because only the sinless have no need for forgiveness. It is the unrighteous that need His righteousness. It is us who know we are sinners, who know we need salvation, who are honest about our humanity, that want pardon in Christ Jesus.

We do not merely add Christ to our tool box of handling life’s problems, but we make Him the only way to deal with life’s problems. As we turn to Christ Jesus in our times of needs we will find His compassion and pardon to redeem and restore us.

Let’s pray today to be quick in seeking our Lord with praise and for forgiveness.

 

May 21

God’s Words

“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  Isaiah 55:11

It’s not our words that matter, that make a difference, that deliver an eternal impact, it’s God’s words. The word of God, His promises, is what will save a soul and turn a sinner to repentance. We don’t always see the impact or the outcome, but the Holy Spirit can and does bring conviction through God’s Word. It is the words from the Bible that bring life to the dying, comfort to the grieving, and peace to the troubled.

It is incumbent upon us to fix verses of Scripture in our memory so we may contemplate the promise and be able to share with others as opportunity arises. Hiding God’s Word in our heart is the best way to partake in His power.

Let’s pray today that we may be quick to share the words of God with others, not our own.

 

May 22

Revived Heart

“For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”  Isaiah 57:15

God dwells where He is needed and where a heart of repentance welcomes His reviving grace. You will find God with those who are humble and rejected by those who are puffed up with pride. He is there for those who mourn, those who hurt, and those who struggle with loneliness. He has compassion on those who have compassion on others, whose heart’s long for God’s reviving.

The God we serve is not a distant deity who is inaccessible but He also lives within the heart that welcomes His presence. In the life of His Son Jesus we see God with us and in the work of the Holy Spirit we see God within us.

Let’s pray today that we allow God’s Spirit to give us a heart for Him and His forgiveness.

 

May 23

Prayerful Tears

“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk“ Isaiah 58:9

Sometimes the most sincere, authentic, heartfelt prayers we can utter are with our tears not our words. When our sorrow can not be expressed in audible language, but in uncontrollable crying, God hears. Like a parent moved by the sadness of a child, so our Heavenly Father is moved by the pain of our grief. Like His Son in Gethsemane, our tears call out to Him for comfort and hope.

In our desire to seek the Lord’s help and an answer to our prayer, we should let go of any cherished sin that may hinder our relationship with the Lord. A broken and contrite heart is never despised by our prayer-answering God.

Let’s pray today in thanksgiving that our Lord hears the sorrow in our heart, not just our words.

 

May 24

Dry Seasons

“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.“ Isaiah 58:11

There may be spiritual seasons in your life that seem dry and stale, but know the Lord is not absent. We may feel unconnected to heaven and not sensing God’s presence. We may be in the middle of an unprofitable career or struggling with the conditions of a cold marriage. Whatever our circumstance let us not give up having faith that our Lord remains a shepherd to greener pastures.

During these rough patches of life we may seem abandoned and alone, but the Lord has promised to guide and strengthen us during these dry seasons. It is during these times that we need to focus on Christ and refrain from rehearsing the circumstances.

Let’s pray today to follow our Lord through the dry parched seasons of life.

 

May 25

Recognizing God

“From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along.”  Isaiah 59:19

The day is coming when the judgment of God will cause the oppressors of Bible truth to face their wrongs. The wicked will recognize the Creator’s right to rule and they will bow before God in humble acknowledgement. The Holy Spirit is laboring with today’s leaders and the nations, in preparation for the Day of Lord, but those who trust in His name will be saved.

The day is coming when the Lord will be recognized from east to west and west to east, and the inhabitants of the earth made new will be in perfect unity in glorifying the God who saves and has redeemed His creation.

Let’s pray today that men may fear God and repent of their sins, and long for His return.

 

May 26

New Memories

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” Isaiah 65:17

Your immortal life will start new and all eternity will be yours to replace and recreate new memories. A logical question is often asked, How will we enjoy Heaven with the horrible memories we’ll have from this life? The answer is that the painful hurts, the sorrow of loss, and other emotional shattering experiences will be left on this earth. In the presence of our Savior, only love will remain.

The former things that once held our interest and captivated our thoughts will be exchanged by the new holy order of eternal life. We may try to recall those things in conversations, but we will likely find that the glory of Heaven will overpower our memory.

Let’s pray today to cling to the cross of Christ and its promise of a new eternal life.

 

May 27

Asking in Prayer

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.”  Isaiah 65:24

God knows your needs before you ask, but your asking is part of His plan for answered prayer. Prayer doesn’t change God’s mind, but it changes our hearts. Our Lord desires to give us what we need and even what we want—as those wants fall within His will for us. So let us press our prayers in faith, because our Heavenly Father is waiting to hear from us.

Prayer is to the Christian faith what oxygen is to us staying alive. The practice of prayer is the avenue of communion with Heaven for the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and it is our privileged means of divine strength.

Let’s pray today in clearly asking and communicating with our Heavenly Father.

 

May 28

New Creation

“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.”  Isaiah 65:25

In Heaven, there shall be a new order of God’s creation because sin will not exist there. We will experience a retake of the Garden of Eden, thanks to Jesus as the Second Adam. Death will not exist because sin will be vanquished and that means no life will be lost, even if it is for the purpose of food. The very character of animals will be peaceful in the heavenly nature.

Heaven will be a new creation and a renewal of earth’s intended order before our first parents fall into Satan’s temptation against the Creator. All of creation in our eternal home will be marked by the divine character of God.

Let’s pray today that we may look forward to that day when sin will longer mare the beauty of creation.

 

May 29

Comfort in Heaven

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:13

Sometimes our world can beat us up with bad circumstances, but we will find comfort forever with Jesus throughout eternity. A loved one dies, your family falls on tough times, poverty strangles a dream, a marriage falls apart, old age steals the simple physical abilities that once seemed secure, and loneliness leaves us with no friends but our tears, but the day of comfort will come in Heaven.

There is a special comforting for a child in the arms of its loving mother, and for all who are beyond that season of life, your time is coming again when you enter the gates of eternity because then the comforting arms of the Lord await you.

Let’s pray today to trust in our Lord Jesus with hope that we will be comforted from our troubles.

 

May 30

King Jesus

“The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.“ Jeremiah 23:5

As surely as prophecy predicts, King Jesus will sit on the throne of the New Jerusalem. Israel will not always be subject to the political and violent attacks of other nations. We will see a 1000 years of peace while Satan is bound and unable to influence the nations against Christ’s redeemed, and to this we say, Come Lord Jesus.

The Messiah of prophecy foretold is the King who will reign from David’s line and will do so in absolute perfect justice. In King Jesus we will have a Ruler unlike any in today’s world because He will rule in pure righteousness.

Let’s pray today for the peace of Jerusalem and faith in the Messiah Jesus Christ.

 

May 31

Eternal Plan

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Our God cares about us individually and personally, and He has a plan for each of our tomorrows. He knows us and who we are, what worries us and what gives us happiness. He is the Creator of all creation and Supreme Ruler of the vast universe, and still He has a personalized plan for our life that includes a personal relationship with us that lasts into eternity.

When we find ourselves dismayed about our future, this is the promise we can go to for assurance, because in it we know that God has a plan for our life. The God who works all things out to our good has an eternal plan for us.

Let’s pray today that we will walk in faith following the plan that our God has for us.

 

June 1

Seeking God

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

Don’t wonder where God is when adversity strikes, if all along you’ve been pushing Him away. God doesn’t hide from us and He doesn’t make it difficult to be found by us. God is there when we need Him but He does not interject Himself into our affairs if He is uninvited, unwelcome, or unacknowledged. When life has you pushed against the wall, you will find Him but when your heart is open to Him.

If we need God but we feel like He is nowhere to be found, it is likely that we have not been intentionally seeking Him. God is found when we sincerely seek Him with all our heart because He will not intervene where He is not wanted.

Let’s pray today to keep our heart open to our Creator at all times, good and bad.

 

June 2

God’s Love

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

How is the God of the Bible different from the gods of other religions? Our God loves us. His very character is love. His motivation is fueled by His love for mankind, love for you, and for those that you love. We are drawn to Him because of His love. We are moved to worship Him because of His love. We know of His love because of His Son Jesus Christ.

We see the depth of God’s love for us as we study the life of Jesus Christ. God’s love for us is an eternally lasting love and is not limited by time or conditions. God does not force Himself upon us, but rather His love for us draws us to Him.

Let’s pray today that we might be mindful of our God’s everlasting love toward us.

 

June 3

Wayward Children

“So there is hope for your descendants, declares the Lord. Your children will return to their own land.”  Jeremiah 31:17

Moms and Dads who are grieved by their children’s waywardness can find hope in God’s promises. Like the Israelite’s, whose captivity in Babylon brought about God’s promise of return, so can your home and its captivity in today’s spiritual Babylon, find a promise of return. Don’t give up hope on your children, don’t beat yourself up with guilt regarding what you didn’t say or do, just keep praying in the promises of God that they will return.

Most of all, don’t give up on God’s ability to save your children because the truth is, only He can reach them. Pray that God’s Spirit will breakthrough their heart and mind with a conviction toward repentance and a desire to return to their land.

Let’s pray today that our prodigals will be convicted by the Spirit of God to return to Calvary.

 

June 4

Spirit of the Law

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33

Maturity in the Christian life comes by living by the Holy Spirit, because God places His law on our mind and upon our heart. We do not abandon the 10 commandments but as we live by His Spirit the law of God becomes part of our character and behavior choices. We want to obey because it is part of our new creation. We have this example in Jesus, who fulfilled the law and was sinless according to its statutes.

Jesus lived the sinless life by staying obedient to the Holy Spirit’s application of the law. We do not continually reference the commandments like a check-list, but we do aim to stay obedient to the principles of God’s law as written on our heart.

Let’s pray today that we may allow the Spirit of God to lead us throughout our day.

 

June 5

Waiting to Answer

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

Prayer should be our first thought in the concerns of life because God is waiting to answer. Too often we exhaust all other options for help before turning to the Lord. Our Lord should be first on our go-to list because He has promised to answer. Whatever is a concern to you is a valid reason to call upon God in prayer. Assurance, comfort, security, safety, wisdom, forgiveness, and peace are all answers from the Lord waiting for your prayer.

It is remarkable to think that God is willing to share with us things only He knows as answers to our prayers. Not only is He willing to share, He is waiting to share, and that should motivate us to turn every free minute of our day into a time of prayer.

Let’s pray today to more readily share our heart’s concerns and needs with our prayer-answering God.

 

June 6

God’s Discipline

“For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.“ Lamentations 3:31-32

There are times when God allows us to be disciplined, even harshly, but He never forsakes His own. We may get out of fellowship with Him, usually because we asked for it, but never without His distant watch, while we have opportunity to get our heart right. Though these circumstances seem painful at the time we must know that God has promised that we will not endure that grief forever. Even in our waywardness God is compassionate toward us.

One day, most likely in eternity, we will get the explanations we have longed for regarding the circumstances and situations that have tried our souls on earth. Thankfully, the grief and sorrow that we may know now will not last beyond the Lord’s return.

Let’s pray today to trust in our God’s wisdom of allowing us to endure His discipline.

 

June 7

Turn Toward Jesus

“But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.” Ezekiel 18:21

It is with our hearts, our motives, that we turn from our sins through faith toward Jesus Christ. In our flesh we are doomed to continue our habits of sin, but having been born again by the Holy Spirit we enjoy progress in our faith journey as we are moved to repentance. Regardless of how deep in sin your life is or how frequently you fall, the answer is the same for all – turn toward Jesus Christ.

All people have the same opportunity for receiving eternal life and salvation from sin. Repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior through faith. Turn from the sins that weigh your life down and put trust in the Lord to do what is right.

Let’s pray today that no matter how often we need, we will quickly turn to Christ and live.

 

June 8

A Heart for God

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

Don’t be afraid of failure in your new Christian walk because God gives you a heart after Him. Don’t worry about past habits catching up to you and destroying any spiritual progress you are making. Your Lord has promised not only eternal life, but a new life, because the Holy Spirit is transforming your heart of stone with a heart that hears His call and stands resolute in biblical faith.

Jesus called the decision to follow Him, being born again, so don’t give your old man too much credit. The Spirit of God is more powerful than any bad habit or old vice that may have had a hold on you, but as a new creation your strength is in His constant leading.

Let’s pray today that by faith we will accept our new heart for God and His life for us.

 

June 9

King of Kings

“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.” Daniel 2:44

The time will come when earth’s leaders will cease their rule and yield to the Kingdom of Christ Jesus. The King of Kings will rightly take His eternal throne and He will justly rule with righteousness. His kingdom will come and His reign will stand forever. This ought to give us hope as we observe the blindness of immorality and the rampage of violence that is swiftly controlling our globe.

The Kingdom of our Lord will not be like kingdoms of this world, because no other will come after Him or try to succeed Him. The righteous Lord Jesus will never be replaced and His policies of governance will never be subverted.

Let’s pray today in the assurance that the kingdom’s of this earth will be subject to King Jesus.

 

June 10

Kingdom of Saints

“Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.”  Daniel 7:27

Every knee shall bow and every soul confess that Jesus is Lord and only His saints shall rule then. Acknowledge His Lordship now and reign with Him then or wait until it’s too late. God sent His Son into the world to show you the way to eternal life and to influence you to willfully reserve our place in His Kingdom to come, so have you?

The saints of God will reign with the Lord in the everlasting Kingdom of Christ. No longer will there be those who oppose the followers of the true God, or who oppress them, because in those days all will worship before King Jesus.

Let’s pray today to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ now and in everything we do.

 

June 11

Merciful God

“Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.” Daniel 9:18

We do not pray to God because of our importance to Heaven, but because of God’s mercifulness to us. We are nothing without Him and when we pray it has nothing to do with what we can offer or what we have done in order to be heard. The God of the Bible offers His hearing ear because He is love, He is righteous, and He is merciful toward us.

Our prayer life should be marked with a constant gratefulness to our God for His grace, mercy, and compassion toward us as fallen sinful humanity. We do not pray to God because we are eloquent with our words, but because we are earnest for Him.

Let’s pray today knowing that our God is the God of mercy and that is why we pray to Him.

 

June 12

Not Forgotten

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

A life lived for the glory of God is a memorable one, while a life lived for self is soon forgotten. To live for this world is to erase your memory for eternity, but to live for the Kingdom of God is to shine forever in eternity. Like our Savior, when we invest in others with our energy, time, and talents we are laying up for ourselves treasure in Heaven, and we will not be forgotten.

When we go through life closely with a Christian who is true to a biblical faith, it is like a light in the darkness and an influence for righteousness. The light of Christ leads us in this world and prepares us for our eternal home as it transforms us into a Christlike character.

Let’s pray today that we would seek to reflect all glory, honor, and praise to our God.

 

June 13

Animals in Heaven

“In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety.” Hosea 2:18

Animals remind us of God’s characteristics of work, provision, companionship, and faithfulness. They are different from us in that they are instinctive in their behavior and without that identical free-will decision making ability that we possess. Sometimes even our pets can turn aggressive, but in heaven we will enjoy all animals, even tigers, lions, and bears, as companions without risk of harm.

In Heaven, there will be no fear among the animals for their safety from predators and even they will lie down without fear of attack. The mark of sin and its erosion of death upon every living creation will be happily absent in eternity.

Let’s pray today that we may be more receptive to pets and animals as God’s gifts to us.

 

June 14

Dire Circumstances

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.” Hosea 6:1

Bad things do happen to good people, but it does not mean God is against those in dire circumstances. A parent who loves their child will discipline them when it’s necessary, because they want them to learn and grow from it, which usually can only happen by going through it. God may allow hurt or harm to befall you, but not without His intentions to shape your character for your own eternal good.

Our God is our Creator and Sovereign Lord, so when we are broken and in need of healing, why wouldn’t we want to go immediately to Him? Whatever our circumstances, the Lord knows what’s best for us in the outcome that He can arrange.

Let’s pray today that we may look toward the Lord for the eternal lesson in tough times.

 

June 15

Returning to God

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.” Hosea 14:4

When one rejects and runs from God, our calling is to pray the Spirit of God after them to bring them back. A backslidden soul can find fellowship again with the Lord through the power and working of the Spirit upon their wayward life. We may encourage them, but only the Spirit can bring conviction and break a stubborn heart into returning to the awaiting love of God.

We can return to the Lord and find revival for our faith no matter how stale our spiritual condition has become. God welcomes us back with His love and will freely heal our waywardness and restore our relationship with Him.

Let’s pray today for those we know and love who are far from the God they once followed.

 

June 16

Restoring the Years

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.” Joel 2:25

It is easy to feel like past years have been wasted, but today is the day of salvation and restoration. Your youth may have been wasted, but take heart in your life now as you follow Jesus. The Lord you now serve has given you this promise to claim. It is a promise that offers you a greater quality of life, a more abundant life, a life finally worth living, and it begins today.

The good news about walking with the Lord into our aging years, is that His presence and involvement in our life makes our today’s so much better than we could have ever hoped. Today is the day of fulfillment because of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s pray today that we may look forward in our Christian faith and not back at wasted years.

 

June 17

No Favoritism

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28

God does not show favoritism like a man trying to impress another or bid for something in return. God freely gives His Spirit to those who seek His glory not their own, to those who desire to build His Kingdom not their own, to those who worship Him and not other gods. The Holy Spirit can and will use whoever He wishes and that includes you.

The Holy Spirit does not work by favoritism toward age or gender, but rather He empowers who willingly desires to be used by God for His Kingdom. The outpouring of the Spirit in might and power upon the saints is about to be fully realized.

Let’s pray today that we may be ready for the Spirit of God to gift us however He will for God’s glory.

 

June 18

Call on Christ

“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Joel 2:32

Call on the Lord Jesus, admit your sin, and be saved by grace through faith at Calvary’s cross. Stop complicating peace with God with religious practices of men. Man’s traditions can’t save you, your parent’s religion can’t save you, obedience to spiritual activity can’t save you. Turn toward Jesus Christ and confess your sinfulness by calling upon His saving name.

Do not call upon Christ with a haphazard attitude or a mere intellectual assent. Call upon the Lord Jesus Christ with a faith resting on the prophecies of the Messiah, the record of Jesus’ gospel life, and the promises of redemption.

Let’s pray today and call on Christ in faith for assurance in His gift of eternal life.

 

June 19

God’s Prophecy

“Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7

The Bible is God’s sure word of prophecy, telling mankind of His plan to redeem us through His Son. It tells of Christ’s forever Kingdom without sin, sorrow, or suffering. It tells us of ages past and foretells us of history to come. It tells us we are looking over the cliff of the end of all things and the Revelation of Jesus Christ encourages us as we await Heaven.

Bible prophecy is the Lord’s assurance that He has not abandoned us and that He has a plan to bring the rule of sin to a final end. God’s plan of redemption includes us, because prophecy is God’s promise that our eternal home is sure.

Let’s pray today that we would meditate upon and study in the word’s that bring light and life.

 

June 20

The Bible Famine

“The days are coming, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11

Many are Christian in name only, because they follow a Jesus of their own depiction and not the One whose life is detailed in the Bible. Some may claim to represent Christ, but unless we test their doctrine with the Word of God we have no reason to accept that. Church pulpits may be void of Bible teaching, but that is no excuse for those who sit in the pews to not search for themselves. There simply is no Christianity without obedience to the written Word of God.

The tragedy of a famine from hearing God’s Word taught in today’s churches is that the people sitting in the pews are not even aware of it missing. It is incumbent upon every follower of God to hunger for His words and esteem them above all else.

Let’s pray today that we would be people who read, know, and believe the Bible.

 

June 21

Our Deeds

“The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” Obadiah 15

The true unseen intent of our hearts is made clear by the seen actions of our lives. The way we treat people, the kindness we show or don’t show, and the plain way we acknowledge the value of others. On the day the Lord returns, all will be laid bare and no longer will our humanity convince us that we can hide our true selves.

There will be no exemption from accountability of our behaviors because of nationality or earthly factors. The day is near when we will all reap what we have sowed and there will be no denial in the judgment of lives before the Omniscient God.

Let’s pray today that we may always be open to the Holy Spirit upon our hearts and life.

 

June 22

Feeling Insignificant

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2

The Messiah came from an insignificant earthly background so take heart if you’re embarrassed with your heritage. You may feel like your family is unimportant, uninteresting, unattractive, or uncelebrated in the world, but God thinks differently of you because He identifies with you through His Son Jesus Christ. In Christ, you are significant to the Kingdom of God.

We must not forget that our Lord judges our heart, assesses our motives, and discerns our character. The world gives the highest value to a man’s appearance and is incapable of seeing significance in the things that eternally matter.

Let’s pray today that we may remind ourselves that Jesus died on Calvary’s cross for us.

 

June 23

Secure in Christ

“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” Micah 7:8

A committed follower of Jesus Christ is never really down and defeated by an enemy. Evil men may assault you, disease may cripple you, grief may paralyze you, but its effects, as painful as they may be, is not your end because the Lord has not forsaken you. The sorrows inflicted upon you do not define your future, because your eternity is securely defined in Christ.

We are not hopelessly trapped in the circumstances of this temporal world. Our hope is in the Lord Jesus and our life belongs to His eternal home. We have reason to take heart because our security is not of this earth but is of Heaven.

Let’s pray today that our faith may rest in the secure promise of eternity in Christ Jesus.

 

June 24

God’s Compassion

“You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19

The only God known to man who is compassionate toward sinners is the God of the Bible. The God made known to us through Jesus of Nazareth does not cast us away without any further consideration or inkling of care. We can not cause Him to love us any less by pushing Him away or any more by pulling Him close. Our God has compassion that forgives, restores, and redeems.

We can confidently give Him our mistakes, wrongs, and sins, if we want them gone from our life forever. We must simply put our faith in Him, believe in Him, and humble ourselves before Him, and His grace will create in us a new life.

Let’s pray today that we may not resist God but run to Him for forgiveness and restoration.

 

June 25

End of Sin

“Whatever they plot against the Lord he will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time.” Nahum 1:9

There will not be another Lucifer and sin will not arise again, for God’s redeeming work is perfect. God is laboring patiently through human history to assure that every soul is afforded a record of either acceptance or rejection of the Savior. Even the heavenly hosts wait for God’s thorough plan of righteous justice for our eternal security.

We may wonder why the evil of the world is allowed to continue as it has, but as time extends so do the opportunities for others to turn toward the Lord for salvation. Just know that God is working it all out for the ultimate good of our eternal future.

Let’s pray today in praise that our Lord is working His perfect will to bring a final end to sin.

 

June 26

Promised Word

“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:2-3

We may wonder why a promise seems slow to be realized, but slow does not mean it isn’t going to happen. The word of the Lord goes forth to His people as a clear vision of the future and God’s Word is sure, certain, and the only trustworthy thing we have to cherish on this earth. His word is our hope, encouragement, and power and is always worth the wait. When we read God’s promised words in the Bible we have no reason to doubt them because they will come to pass.

The promises of God are sure, certain, and unhindered by anyone. They are dependent upon God’s will and their timing is in God’s hands, but we must know that they will come to fruition according to the Lord’s divine timetable for our life.

Let’s pray today that we may not lose faith in the promises of God, but continue to claim them.

 

June 27

Glory to God

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14

In eternity we will not hesitate to speak of God’s glory for we will enjoy true fellowship with all around us. Sometimes in this world we have to contain our biblical enthusiasm and once in awhile we realize our excitement for the Lord has fallen on unappreciative ears like pearls before pigs. In Heaven, we will all freely and continuously praise the Lord.

Our praise for the Lord and His character will be authentic, genuine, and natural to our conversations. No longer will we hesitate to express our appreciation for God’s goodness and glory because in Heaven we will all be in the same page when it comes to our passion for praising the Lord.

Let’s pray today to be intentional about giving glory to God in our conversations.

 

June 28

The Spirit’s Work

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6

The Christian life is not about our works but about His working in our life through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We can never be good enough for Heaven by our own efforts, we can never be powerful enough to overcome sin, and we certainly have no might to stand against the demons of hell, except as we plant our faith in the blood of Jesus Christ trusting in His Spirit’s work.

It is presumptuous to claim our own authority as a reason for the enemy of souls to cease his efforts against us. We follow the Lord, we obey the Lord, and we trust in the Lord to bring about a change or a circumstance to His glory.

Let’s pray today that we may have faith in the Holy Spirit’s work as we live the Christian life.

 

June 29

The Lord Sees

“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” Zechariah 4:10

The Lord is not ignorant of the affairs of men on earth, nor He is ignoring anyone or anything either. The Lord perfectly sees, knows, and responds according to His will and with regard for the welfare of all. We may wonder when divine intervention will save the day, but with all wisdom and love our Lord will act accordingly, and at the best possible time.

There is no reason, in God’s economy, to be embarrassed or regretful about our beginnings or certain seasons of our life. The Christian life is a forward moving life that challenges us to end well, not to rest on our past, but to look toward our future.

Let’s pray today knowing that our Lord sees all things and will set it right in His time.

 

June 30

Stay Connected

“Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord.” Zechariah 6:12

Jesus is the Branch and the source to the roots that bring forth the living water for our soul to flourish. No man can plant himself and grow, because all our righteousness is as filthy rags. Only in Christ can we have sustaining life and that is why we must stay connected with Him through prayer, in worship, by testimony, and as we fellowship with other disciples.

Apart from the Lord Jesus Christ we are without hope. We have nothing to offer to others if we are not connected to the Lord as a vine is to the branch because without Him we cannot flourish and in return we will have nothing we can offer others.

Let’s pray today to give praise and to share our belief in Christ with all who ask.

 

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Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.