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Showing posts from January, 2023

Daily Devotional February 1, 2023

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  We can all certainly identify with the need of guidance. In fact, Jesus addressed this very need during His Upper Room Discourse. He said that after His departure, the Holy Spirit would play a crucial role in the lives of believers. As part of that role, Jesus promised, "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). What a marvelous provision! In a world of confusion and fear, guidance is often needed. We can easily be misdirected by the culture around us or by the brokenness within us (1 John 2:15-17). God's Spirit, however, is here to help, to direct, and to guide. How thankful we can be that the Spirit of truth has come to give us the guidance that we often so desperately need. Set your course by His life, and you will reach safe harbor. The Spirit is a reliable guide in all of life's seas. Let Him guide you. We may be weak, but He is mighty. He will hold us always with His powerful hands.

Daily Prayer February 1, 2023

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  Dear God and most merciful father, who commanded the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day; receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee. I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the danger of the night past, and brought me to the light of the day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated to thine own service and for thine own honor. Let my heart, therefore, Gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of it, that I may not do my own works, but wait on thee, and discharge those weighty duties thou require of me. Grant that the same Spirit may perfect in my life the work of Your grace and love, and that I may bear my cross with You. And with courage, overcome the obstacles that interfere with my salvation. Teach me to be Your faithful disciple and animate me in every way with Your Spirit. Bless all your people,

Daily Devotional January 31, 2023

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  Like reading, prayer can be silent. Hannah, who longed for a child of her own, visited the temple and "spoke in her heart" as she prayed. Her lips were moving, but "her voice was not heard" (1 Sam. 1:13). Eli the priest saw but misunderstood what was happening. She explained, "I have poured out my soul before the Lord" (v. 15). God heard Hannah's silent prayer request and gave her a son (v. 20). Since God searches our hearts and minds (Jer. 17:10), He sees and hears every prayer - even the ones that never escape our lips. His all-knowing nature makes it possible for us to pray with full confidence that He will hear and answer (Matt. 6: 8, 32). Because of this, we can continually praise God, ask Him for help, and thank Him for blessings - even when no one else can hear us. God fills our heart with peace when we pour out our heart to Him.

Daily Prayer January 31, 2023

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Dear God, You are ushering in another day, untouched and freshly new, so here I come to ask You God for renewal. Forgive the many errors, that I made yesterday, and let me try again dear God, to walk closer in Thy way. But Father, I am well aware, I can't make it on my own, so take my hand and hold it tight, for I can't walk alone. I was born a weak, defenseless child, but Your angel spread his wings over my cradle to defend me. From birth until now, Your love has illumined my path and has wondrously guided me towards the light of eternity; from birth until now the generous gifts of Your providence have been marvelously showered upon me. I give You thanks for every step of my life's journey, together with all who have come to know you, who call upon your name. Support me all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes. And, the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over and my work is done. Then of Thy mercy, grant me a saf

Daily Devotional January 30, 2023

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  Luke recorded a short yet powerful narrative that pictures two men about to go behind that curtain of death. When Jesus was being crucified, two thieves hung alongside Him. According to Mark, both men hurled insults at Jesus (15:32). One of the thieves, however, had a change of heart as he realized Jesus' innocence, his own sin, and his destiny. He rebuked the other thief and asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His Kingdom. These words were a sign of repentance and simple faith. Jesus responded, "I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). Salvation for the man was immediate. He knew that day where he would spend eternity. Realizing that we are sinners and placing our trust in Jesus' death and resurrection assures us that we can immediately know where we will spend our eternal tomorrows when we slip behind the parted curtain. To prepare for tomorrow, trust Jesus today. Why not turn while yet you may? Too late, it soon will be. A glor

Daily Prayer January 30, 2023

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  Dear God, all praise and glory to you. Make Your home with me today and every day of my life. Be with me in all I do. Every life has its trials, and I have my share. Help me to see the challenges of life as opportunities to test my sincere and single-minded faith and to grow, and endure, and persist despite obstacles in my path. For people who have it easy in life develop no strength.  So often it’s the little things in life that get to me, and there seem to be so many of them. Whenever I’m tempted to lose my temper, blame someone, or just give up, help me see You. Help us never lose sight of the unconditional love You have for us, and let us hold on to that hope when our labor—and the fruit of our labor—are gone. Amen

Daily Devotional January 29, 2023

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  Interruptions are nothing new. Rarely does a day go by as planned. Life is filled with inconveniences. Our plans are constantly thwarted by forces beyond our control. The list is long and ever-changing: sickness, conflict, traffic jams, forgetfulness, appliance malfunctions, rudeness, laziness, impatience, incompetence. What we cannot see, however, is the other side of inconvenience. We think it has no purpose other than to discourage us, make life more difficult, and thwart our plans. However, inconvenience could be God's way of protecting us from some unseen danger, or it could be an opportunity to demonstrate God's grace and forgiveness. It might be the start of something better than we had planned. Or it could be a test to see how we respond to adversity. Whatever it is, even though we may not know God's reason, we can be assured of His motive. It is to make us more like Jesus and to further His Kingdom on earth. To say that God's followers throughout history have

Daily Prayer January 29, 2023

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  Dear God, let Your Holy Spirit be powerful to direct my thinking today. So that, it be empty of self pity, dishonesty, self-will, self-seeking and fear. Inspire my thinking, decisions and intuitions.  Help me to relax and take it easy. Free me from doubt and indecision. Guide me through this day and show me my next step.  Show me what I need to do to take care of any problems. I ask all these things that I may be of maximum service to you and my fellow man. In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen

Daily Devotional January 28, 2023

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  The apostle Paul used running a race as a picture of the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, he challenged us not just to run but to run to win. It says, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it". Not only did Paul teach this but he lived it out. In his final epistle, he said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7). Having finished his race, Paul joyfully anticipated receiving the victory crown from the King of Heaven. Like Paul, run your earthly race to win and to please Your King. The Christian's race is not a sprint - it's a marathon. As we run this race, as our best effort we bring, we are spurred on by the fact that we must win for the King. The prize that we will receive will be more than gold. It will be eternal. Run your race well!

Daily Prayer January 28, 2023

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  Dear God, who pours out the spirit of grace and of supplication to all who ask for it. Deliver me, when I draw near to You, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind. So that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections, I may worship You in spirit and in truth. I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself; and I sorrow for these wrongful acts and omissions from the bottom of my heart. I humbly and fully repent all of my misdeeds, and pray that for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, you will have mercy on me and forgive me, not by my merits, but by that grace that He has granted those who confess his name. Today I celebrate the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, the supreme victory over death that belongs to you alone. I pray that I may, today and in the coming week, act in appreciation of the ultimate gift you have

Daily Devotional January 27, 2023

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  God specializes in restoration like an artist.. In Paul's letter to the Christians at Colosse, he described a restoration process that is impossible in the world of art. It's a restoration of God's people. Paul wrote, "You have put off the old man with His deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him" (Col. 3:9-10). This is no attempt at renovating the work of a certain artist. It is a spiritual renewal from the living God who created us and gave us new life in His Son, Jesus Christ. His forgiveness brightens the colors of our lives. While, His grace sharpens the lines of His purpose for us. The canvas of our lives is in the skilled hands of our Lord, who knows who and what He designed us to be. No matter how sin-damaged and dirty we may be, there is hope for renewal and restoration. The Master Artist is alive and at work within us. Let God be the artist of your life.

Daily Prayer January 27, 2023

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  Dear Lord, purify my soul today. Let Your Holy Spirit empower me throughout this day, to be obedient to the truth at every moment. So, that I might love my brothers and sisters earnestly, from a pure heart. And let me always remember that I have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable. And if I am confused or do not know what to think or do, let me think of your Son, Jesus Christ, and ask myself what He would have done. For I will follow him even to the point of suffering and death, confident in his resurrection and the eternal reward for those that do follow him in sincere belief. Hold me in the palm of Your hand. I pray that You will mold me into what You want me to be. May I joyfully fill the role You have given to me and feel Your peace deep in my soul, today and always. Amen

Daily Devotional January 26, 2023

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  The Scriptures tell us of a magnificent cross - the cross of Christ. When we look at the stars, we see the handiwork of the creator. But when we look at the cross, we see the Creator dying for His creation. Hebrews 12:2 calls us to "look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God". The wonder of Calvary's cross is that while we were still in our sins, our Savior died for us (Rom. 5:8). Those who place their trust in Christ are now reconciled to God. And, He navigates them through life (2 Cor. 1:8-10). Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the greatest of all wonders! Christ cross provides the only safe crossing into eternity. When we survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, our richest gain we count but loss, and pour contempt on all our pride. The Cross is indeed a magnificent sight. It is the portrait of &q

Daily Prayer January 26, 2023

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  Dear Heavenly Father, we bring our struggles to You because You know all about them, yet You love us anyway. Teach us to rely on Your Holy Spirit. Make us more like Your Son each day. Take away from me the spirit of laziness, cowardliness, lust for power, and malicious and idle speech. But rather give me, throughout the day to come, an ample spirit of vitality and force in your service, to the benefit of your glory and the good of my fellow man. Let me act in humility, patience, and decency at all times, seeing my own error and overlooking the faults of others; and let me always know the presence of your Holy Spirit, to remind me of what I have asked,  I pray that you direct my way unto You. And, make me and all of us to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward You. So that, to the end that we may establish our hearts unblameable in holiness before You. Amen

Daily Devotional January 25, 2023

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  What are the things that you want God to smile on you? You really want to do a lot of good things to make Him smile. Let His face shine on you with a smile. Even though life does not always gives us a reason to smile, let God smile on you instead. Let Him shine on your life so that you can put a smile on other's faces, too. Today, remember that you are loved by God. And, that He is pleased to be gracious to You and shine His face upon you. Remember that He will always bless and protect you. He will show you mercy and kindness. And the Lord will always be good to you and give you peace.

Daily Prayer January 25, 2023

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  Blessed are you, O Lord my God, King of the universe, who removes sleep from my eyes, that I may see the returning light of the your day. I thank You for all that You have done while I was asleep, watching over me and all your children while we slept unaware. And, I pray that my thoughts and acts this day may show forth my love and thanks for You and all You have done for me. Help me through your Holy Spirit, that I may remember what you have taught me in the Bible and it may show forth in my every deed. Let me not wander into the hands of sin, nor into the hands of pride or perversity, nor into the hands of temptation, nor into the hands of shame. But, steer my inclinations towards goodness and charity this morning and all the day. Now the God of patience and consolation grant to me, and to all who pray in the name of Christ, to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. That we may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Daily Devotional January 24, 2023

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  You may be familiar with the list of seven deadly sins that was formulated during the sixth century: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, vengeance, envy and pride. But you may not know that the original list compiled during the fourth century also included the sin of sadness. Over the years, that emotion was omitted from the inventory. Some people are blessed with a cheerful disposition. They always seem to be happy. They wear a perpetual smile almost as if they were advertising toothpaste. But, then there are others who seem to be chronically sad. They continually complain about life and its burdens. And, who can deny that afflictions are discouraging? While we acknowledge that not everybody is blessed with a bright outlook on life, we need to remember that joy is one of the gifts Jesus promised to His followers. And, we need to resist any tendency to let sadness dominate our emotional lives. Jesus promised His disciples on the night Judas betrayed Him, "Your joy no one will take fro

Daily Prayer January 24, 2023

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  Dear Lord, I offer to Your divine majesty my sincere praise and thanksgiving for all Your mercies towards me. You made me first and have ever since sustained the work of Your own hand. Thank You for giving me the assurance of salvation. I have sinned and done very wickedly, be merciful to me, O God. Pardon me for Jesus Christ's sake; instruct me in the particulars of my duty. And, suffer me not to be tempted above what You give me strength to bear. May my life be so pleasing to You that You are pleased to have Your face shine on me. As You graciously smile on my life, may I find someone today with whom I can share Your love through a smile. I ask you, Lord, to defend me this week from all evil, and do more for me than I can think or ask. Amen