Daily Devotional Free

  Leslie and her two daughters were about to be evicted from their home. Although Leslie believed that God could help, so far He hadn't given a clue as to how. She wondered, Where is God? As she drove to the courthouse, she prayed for God's intervention. Then she heard a song on the radio proclaiming, "God is here! Let the brokenhearted rejoice." Could this be the assurance from God that she was longing to hear? Inside the courtroom, Leslie stood before the judge, heard his decision, and signed the legal documents, but still God had not given her an answer. As Leslie was walking to her car, a truck pulled up beside her. "Ma'am", said the driver, "I heard your testimony inside the courtroom, and I believe God wants me to help you". And he did. Gary helped Leslie get in contact with a woman from a local church who was able to work with parties involved to reverse the process so that she and her girls could stay in their home. When people ask, &qu

  Dear Jesus, I am coming and coming to You, because You are my only refuge, my only certainty, my only hope. You are the remedy for all my ills, the comfort for all my miseries, the reparation for all my faults, the supplement for all that is wanting in me, the certainty of all my questions, the infallible and unfailing, inexhaustible source for me of light, of strength, of constancy, of peace and of blessing. I am sure that you will never leave me and you will not stop loving me, you will never tire of helping me and of protecting me, because you love me with an infinite love. Have pity on me, Lord, according to your great mercy. And make of me, in me, and for me, all that you wish. Because I abandon myself to you with full and entire confidence that you will never abandon me. Let me not put my trust in the words of men, for their minds are weak and their tongues are tainted by the world. Let me not put my trust in the thoughts of my mind, for I am filled with sin and self-deceit. Bu

  In the midst of the busyness and stresses of our days, there are patches of beauty all around us, glimpses of God's goodness that we catch here and there along the way. These are the places in the walls of the universe where heaven is breaking through - if only we will take the time to stop and to reflect upon God's love for us. What if Moses had taken only a fleeting glance a the bush that was burning but "was not consumed"? (Ex. 3:2). What if he had ignored it and hurried on to other things? (He had those sheep t o take care of, you know, and important work to do.) He would have missed an epic, life-changing encounter with the living God (vv. 4-12). Sometimes in life we must hurry. But overall, life should be less hurrying and more noticing. Life is the present. Life is being aware; it is seeing God's love breaking through. It is turning aside to the miracle of something like a sunrise. Something transitory, yet symbolic of the eternity that awaits us.

Dear Jesus, I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I want to accept You as my Lord and Savior and follow You. Please forgive my sins and help me, from this moment on, to live a life that is pleasing to You. I pray thus for grace, to make me your own even in my imperfection, through the miracle you gave us in the life and death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I give You all my love and thanks for stooping to remember me, to rescue me, and to make me perfect that I may have your blessing.   I humbly pray you so to guide and govern me by your Holy Spirit, that in all the joys, occupations, and cares of this day I may never forget you, but remember that I am ever walking in your sight. I pray for the grace of Christ, that I may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness of all the sins of this life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

  I enjoy nature and giving praise to its Creator, but I sometimes wrongly feel guilty for admiring it too much. Then I remember that Jesus used nature as a teaching tool. To encourage people not to worry, He used simple wildflowers as an example. "Consider the lilies," He said, and then reminded people that even though flowers do no work at all, God dresses them in splendor. His conclusion? If God clothes something temporary in such glory, He surely will do much more for us (Matt. 6:28-34). Other portions of the Scripture indicate that creation is one of the ways God uses to tell us about Himself: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork," wrote David. "Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge" (Ps. 19:1-2). "Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge", Asaph said (50:6). And Paul wrote, "For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are c

  Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you this morning for all that I have; even if I have problems with my health, I am alive today. If I have money problems, I will eat today. I have clothes to wear, a roof to protect me, and air to breathe. It seems that I drink far too often from the waters of the world that cannot satisfy. Forgive me, and teach me to find in Christ the water that can quench the thirst of my heart and draw me ever closer to You. I pray to live this day in joy and thankfulness for what I have, remembering always who made me and who keeps me.  I bind myself to you this day, oh Christ, in your truth and in your sacrifice. I give to you my anxiety and my fear, my depression and my doubt, for you have promised to take them if we only ask; and I take upon myself your burden, for it is light and your way is gentle. May I keep this in my heart and mind all this day.

  In the Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, author Luo Guanzhong describes the "Empty Fort Strategy", a use of reverse psychology to deceive the enemy. When 150, 000 troops from the Wei Kingdom reached Xicheng, which had less than 2,500 soldiers, they found the city gate wide open and the famous military tactician Zhuge Liang calmly praying the zither with two children beside him. The Wei general, baffled by the scene and believing it was an ambush, ordered a full retreat. The Bible offers another example of a bewildering battle strategy. In Judges 7, God had Gideon use 300 men, horns, jars, and blazing torches against armies that were "as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number" (v. 12). Could Israel defeat such a formidable foe? It was humanly impossible! They had neither the manpower nor the military hardware. But they had one thing that worked for them and that was all they needed. They had God's promise: "With the

  Dear Heavenly Father, Your love is overwhelmingly evident, yet so often we miss it. Thank You for the unfailing reminders of Your grace, love and mercy. Give us eyes to see Your beauty in Your creation. May grace come, and may this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David. If anyone is holy, let him come; if anyone is not, let him repent. Come, oh Lord! I pray to be filled with your Holy Spirit for the rest of this day. Let me go forth, walking with your Spirit in my heart, that I may be filled with the joy and energy and praise for your entire creation, thankful in the many gifts you have given me, and showing forth your light in my every word and deed. This is all we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen

  The navigator has a big responsibility. Its primary responsibility is to be aware of ship or aircraft position at all times. Responsibilities include planning the journey, advising the ship's captain or aircraft commander of estimated timing to destinations while en route, and ensuring hazards are avoided. It is a complicated task to do because they are in charge of everything in order for the vehicle to function to be able to reach their destinations safely. In our daily lives, as we navigate the sea of life, we also have a reliable source of spiritual direction - the Bible. The psalmist wrote, "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day" (Ps. 199:97). Rather than occasionally glancing at God's Word, he spoke of pondering the Lord's directions throughout each day: "Your testimonies are my meditation" (v.99). This was coupled with a commitment to obey the Author: "I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments&q

  Dear Heavenly Father, we praise Your Name today. Fill my spirit, and the spirit of all the people of your universal church, with faith and hope; for a new day has dawned, and the way to life stands open in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Raise us, we pray, that we may totally respond to the supreme, unknown, ultimate, and splendid height of your words, mysterious and inspired. Please show the wonder of Your great love through me to others today so that they might know they need not walk through life alone. Let my heart personally experience and display Your care. Help me to practice radical love to others. Let me go forth in thanks for the victory I have been given through our Lord Jesus Christ. May I be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. And, always remembering that in the Lord our labor is not in vain. Amen

Sometimes, we need to be reminded to lie down. We also need to rest. In Psalm 23, we learn that our Good Shepherd makes us "lie down in green pastures" and leads us "beside the still waters". He knows that we need the calm and rest that these provide, even when we don't realize it ourselves. Our bodies are designed to have regular rest. God Himself rested on the seventh day after His work of creation (Gen. 2:2-3; Ex. 20:9-11). Jesus knew there was a time to minister to the crowds and a time to rest. He instructed His disciples to "come aside ... and rest a while" (Mark 6:31).  When we rest, we refocus and are refreshed. When we are filling every hour with activity - even with worthwhile things - God often gets our attention by making us "lie down". Rest is a gift - a good gift from our Creator who knows exactly what we need. Praise Him that He sometimes makes us "lie down in green pastures". If we don't come apart and rest awhil

  Dear Heavenly Father, You are the radiant dawn bringing life into the world. Thank You for Your care for our well-being in every area of our lives. Help us to be rested and refreshed in You. Make my soul a beautiful, living Tabernacle where You will ever dwell. Let me never leave You alone. But, remind me to return hundreds of times in the day and have a word with You. Shine down Your blessings and wisdom upon me like the sun upon a field. And, may I keep You in the forefront of my every thought and deed, throughout this day, and evermore. This is all I ask, through Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen

  Jesus told His followers that He would soon be leaving them and they would need to wait for His return in a little while. After His resurrection, they saw Him again and they hoped He would be establishing His kingdom on earth at that time. But, He told them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority" (Acts 1:7). They would have to wait even longer. But they were to do more than wait. Jesus told His followers that they were to be witnesses to Him in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). And, He gave them the Holy Spirit to empower them to do this. It is all about witnessing. We still wait for Jesus' return. And while we do, it's our delight, in the Holy Spirit's power, to tell and show others who He is, what He has done for all of us through His death and resurrection, and that He has promised to return. Wait and witness until Jesus returns. Be prepared, too.

  Dear God, I have tasted Your goodness and it has satisfied me, yet it has made me thirst for even more. I am so painfully aware of my need for even more grace than I now enjoy; and even when I do not want more, I am ashamed of my lack of desire. I want You completely,  mighty God, and I want to want You even more than I do. Fill me with longing for you; make me even thirstier. Show me your glory, I pray, so that I may know you always better and better, growing in my faith and love. From your infinite mercy, begin a new work of love within me this moment. Let the whole earth also worship You. Let all nations obey You, all tongues confess and bless you. And, men and women everywhere love You and serve You in peace. Amen

  One popular hymn has a lyrics that goes like this: "Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade; to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole through stretched from sky to sky." These words are part of an ancient Jewish poem and were once found on the wall of a patient's room in an insane asylum. Also, Frederick M. Lehman was so moved by the poem that he desired to expand on it. In 1917, while seated on a lemon box during his lunch break from his job as a laborer, he added the words of the first two stanzas and the chorus, completing the song "The Love of God". The psalmist describes the comforting assurance of God's love in Psalm 36: "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens" (v. 5, ESV). Regardless of the circumstances of life - whether in a moment of sanity in a mind otherwise muddled wit

Dear God, Jesus is calling me to a new beginning; to a fresh call to discipleship. You are asking me to deny myself, take up my cross and follow You. It was at my baptism that you claimed me as Your child. Today, I affirm that I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. I surrender my will, my desires and my life to You, O God. I commit myself to Your call to discipleship: to pray, study Your Word, worship You, invite other people to a life of discipleship, encourage Christians in their life of faith, serve those in need, and give joyfully of the gifts that You first gave me. The blessing of the Lord rest and remain upon all his people, in every land, of every tongue. The Lord meet in mercy all that seek him; the Lord comfort all who suffer and mourn. And, the Lord hasten His coming, and give us, his people, the blessing of peace, this day and always. Amen

As believers in Christ, we have the privilege and responsibility of encouraging one another in our faith. The writer of Hebrews said, "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works" (Heb. 10:24). The church is not just an institution or a mere social club. It is where we, who have been brought near to God and washed from sin, can help one another grow in Christlikeness.  The purpose of meeting together as a corporate body is to exhort and encourage one another. No believer can function alone. To live as our Lord Jesus wants us to, we need the community of believers. As you meet with other believers, think of who you can come alongside and encourage by your words and actions to be more like the Christ we love and serve. A healthy church is the best witness to a hurting world. The church is the hospital of sinners. You are all welcome there. It is good to belong in a church where we can encourage one another.

  Dear Lord, I freely and with my whole heart yield all things to Your will and direction. You are mine and I am yours. Let this be for eternity. I humbly pray that we may always prove ourselves a people who remember your favor and are glad to do Your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. And finally, may the grace of Christ our Savior, and the Father's boundless love, with the Holy Spirit's favor, rest upon me, and all of us, from above. Thus may we abide in union, with each other and the Lord, and possess, in sweet communion, joys which earth cannot afford. This is all I ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

  It's easier to do things yourself than to train others, yet Jesus poured Himself into a dozen disciples through whom His work would reach the world. In the midst of the pressing need of people clamoring to be healed, He climbed a mountain where "He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out" (Mark 3:14)". One of the snowboarders in Colorado said of her discipleship training: "I've never been able to build relationships with family or friends; I've kept them at arm's length. God's love was shown to me. It opened me to reach out to people". Experiencing Jesus' love and being in company with Him and His followers, we find courage to act and speak in ways that honor our Lord. Witnessing isn't a job to be done but a life to be lived. Let us go forth, as called of God, redeemed by Jesus' precious blood. Let us show His love, live like His life, speak the Message and give mercy to others.

    Dear Lord, You are an almighty and everlasting God, who has safely brought me to the beginning of this day. I give You thanks for all the blessings in my life. In Your grace and mercy, may we know that you watch over us. Give me wisdom each day to see which things are important, and which things are not. Show me the best time on how to use the talents that you have given me. Help me to use all my opportunities wisely, that I may share the good gifts I have received from you. Help me to be a good steward of yours. Help me to spread Your love more and more to the people around me. We receive this gift of salvation that you gave long ago that comes from You. We love You, Lord. Amen.

  In the Old Testament, they have this concept of the cities of refuge. Cities of refuge (Num. 35:6) were established to be a safe haven for people who had accidentally killed someone and were needing protection. God had the people establish such cities to provide that refuge. This concept, however, was not intended to be simply a practice for ancient Israel. More than that, cities of refuge reflected the heart of God for all people. He Himself longs to be our safe haven and our city of refuge in the failures, heartaches, and losses of life. Psalm 5:16-17 says, "I will sing of Your power. Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy." For the hurting heart of every generation, our "city of refuge" is not a place. Our city of refuge is a Person - the God who loves us with an everlasting love. May we find our refu

  Dear God,  may I trust You that I am exactly where I am meant to be. May I not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May I use those gifts that I have received, and pass on the love that has been given to me. May I be confident knowing I am a child of God. Let this presence settle into my bones, and allow my soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. Let peace rule my heart this week. Let Your words be planted deeply in my mind and heart. Help me not to walk away and forget it, but to meditate on it and obey it and so built my life on the rock of your truth. This I pray in Christ's name. Amen

  February 19, 1942 was a fascinating day for Canada. It was "If Day" - a World War II staging of a fake Nazi invasion of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The intent was to show what it would be like "if" Canada fell under the harsh occupation of Nazi forces, and so that Canadians would support the war effort more fully. As one person described the event: "If Day brought home the reality of Nazi occupation. Manitobans got a very bitter taste of nearly every aspect of Nazi brutality". The key word there is nearly. While "If Day" was a valiant attempt to educate people about danger in the world, it could not begin to recreate the actual suffering that was sweeping Europe. Real trials in life are not ifs - they are whens. In fact life's most profound lessons cannot simply be observed, they must be experienced. It is there, in actual seasons of heartache and loss, that we gain greater insights into life, faith, and our need of God. To that end, James wrote, &

  Dear Heavenly Father, I think you for this day, when your holy priesthood gathers around the world to celebrate your victory over death, in the resurrection of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Help me always to keep in mind that the Sabbath was made for men, and that your commandment to keep one day holy, not to work and not to suffer others to work, was made for our benefit. Keep me from the temptation of adding to my worldly wealth on this day, for all wisdom is yours, and you have commanded us to make this a day of rest and worship. Open my eyes, gracious Lord, as I turn to your word. I long to know you, to understand life, and to be changed. Examine me, Lord, by the floodlight of your truth. May I go in peace, with God and with his other children. And, may we love one another as Christ taught us. May I follow the example of good men of old, and may God comfort and help me and all who believe in Him, both in this world and in the world which is to come. Amen

  To some people, the term helper carries with it second-class connotations. Classroom helpers assist trained teachers in their classes. Helpers assist trained electricians, plumbers, and lawyers on the job. Because they aren't as skilled in the profession, they might be viewed as having less value. But everyone is needed to accomplish the task. The apostle Paul had many helpers in his work of ministry. He listed them in his letter to Rome (Rom. 16). He made special reference to Phoebe, who "has been a helper of many and of myself also" (v. 2). Priscilla and Aquila risked their own lives for Paul (vv. 3-4). And Mary, Paul said, "labored much for us" (v. 6). Helping is a spiritual gift, according to 1 Corinthians 12:28. Paul listed it among the gifts from the Holy Spirit that are given to believers in Christ's body, the church. The gift of "helps" is just as needed as the others that are listed. Even the Holy Spirit is called a "Helper". J

  Dear Lord, I thank You today for Your amazing grace! Thank You for showing me, in the greatest way possible, that You love me. Help my life to demonstrate my love for You. Thank You for the gifts You have given me so that I might serve the body of Christ. Help me to be faithful to use my gifts to bring You glory. Have compassion on my weakness, and mercifully give me those things which for my unworthiness I dare not, and for my blindness I cannot ask. Grant me, O Lord, to design only what is lawful and right. And, afford me calmness of mind and steadiness of purpose, that I may so do thy will in this short life, as to obtain happiness in the world to come, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen