As Clear As Crystal

02-27-05

And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Mark 6:6

It's almost as though Jesus is rolling His eyes at these men in disbelief. Even after the evidence He's given, they're lack of faith was incredible.

No wonder God won't perform miracles in my life that He has for me; He is so busy proving himself to me as He continually did with the Israelites.

Lord, I believe! I BELIEVE! I believe You are real, that You are mighty and that You take care of my needs and wants. Thank You, Lord! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Just Believe

02-26-05

Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Do not be afraid; just believe."
Mark 5:36

We are to believe that the darkness will become light, ant that Jesus will revive the life back into our hearts.

I am to believe that Jesus has taken the darkness from my life and replaced it with light. I am not longer to live in pain; I need to "just believe."

Lord, I trust that this rut I am in will end. I pray I would just believe; in Your grace and the life You've given me, a life worth sharing. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Word in My Heart

02-25-05

Otheres... hear the Word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, they quickly fall away.
Mark 4:16-17

Those who have roots in the Word have a better fight against Satan.

I have the Word in me. I have roots. I do not need to fear Satan. I have the game plan and God as my coach. I need to hold onto the Word.

Lord, why do I struggle so much with this? I kow Your Word, Lord, Your promises and Your gifts! I pray I would stand on it! In Your precious and beautiful name. Amen.

Don't Presume; Pray

02-24-05

Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up toward the high hill country...
Numbers 12:44a

Instead of consulting God the Israelites presumed they knew what He wanted.

This passage goes to show that we will never succeed if we go our own way. We need to be in God's will and doing all He asks in order to not only give spiritually but in the delight of God's desires.

Lord, I pray that every decision that I make I would run it by You first. I pray that I would never go my own way but continue on the path You've laid before me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God's Desire is My Desire

02-23-05

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
Psalm 90:8

Although secret sins are well hidden from men, God brings them out of the shadows and sheds His light on them to show us that they are not hidden from Him.

I need to stop fearing what man will think or say, but instead determine my actions aroudn the pleasure of God.

Lord, forgive me for pleasing man and not You. You are worht so much more than what I've been giving You. I want the desire of my heart to be the same as Yours rather than fearing the sins I've committed and men in reference to them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Your Face is All I Seek

02-22-05

My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Psalm 27:8

David lived for the glory of the Lord. His cry was to see God's face. Only those who have died can see the face of God, what a wonder it must be.

I want to follow hard after God, knowing that someday, in God's plan, I get to see His face. What a great day that will be.

Lord, thank You for this opportunity to know You today. I wait in excitement for the day I get to know You completely. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Stand Firm in Christ

02-16-05

"You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!" ...Paul replied,"Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: 'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people."
Acts 23:3b-5

Paul, persecuted before a judge, stood up for God and his law, in time humbling himself to apologize for disrespect.

Even in beatings or verbal attacks we are to stand our ground. The Bible does not say we are to be doormats. We must remember to be humble and repent when we do wrong.

Lord, give me courage to stand firm on Your laws: speaking forth truth. Humble me when I disrespect and help me to not be defensive. In Jesus' name. Amen.

There's No Shame

02-15-05

Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. [Those] whose hope is in You will [never ] be put to shame.
Psalm 25:2-3

God covers us so that we have no shame in our failings. In Him we remain triumphant!

I do not need to fret or be ashamed of my past. The sins committed do not have to win. In God there is triumph against temptation.

Praise You Lord! Thank You for the way out. Thank You for taking away the shame of my past. Thank You for making me triumphant. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Living Without Fear

02-14-05

...they urged Paul not to go... we and the people pleaded with Paul not to go... the brothers received us warmly... the people came running from all directiosn. Siezing Paul they dragged him from the temple and immediately the gates were shut.
Acts 21:4b-30

Paul gave everything in the name of Jesus, even knowing the harm to come.

Our faithfulness comes from a love, trust, and sacrificial relationship with God. We are to be willing to fight for the cause of Christ even to our death.

Lord, I don't want to have fear over Your will for my life. I want to say the truth freely without hesitation and without fear of what may come. Protect me, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Holiness is What I Long For

02-13-05

I am the LORD, who makes them holy.
Leviticus 21:23b

We are not only given an example to live by, loving God makes us holy.

When Jesus died, the potential to become holy became attainable. He not only saved us, He made us holy.

Thank You Lord! You are holy and righteous. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Whom Shall I Fear?

02-12-05

One day the evil sprit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"
Acts 19:15

Jesus and Christians are known of in the spirit realm. They are the only one's the enemy fears.

By the Holy Spirit we're given authority and power over the enemy. They know of us by name. Whom shall I fear?

Thank You Lord for the weapons and armor that You give us to take on the enemy. You are great! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Truth & Life

02-11-05

[he proved] from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Acts 18:28 (paraphrased)

Paul didn't explaim the possibilities of Jesus being Christ, he proved that He was the Christ.

The Bible is truth; not a belief or an opinion. It's the truth and is life itself.

Thank You Lord, for Your Word and its teachings. Thank You that in You there is no confusion. I pray You would continue to give me understanding. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Consumed With Ignorance

02-10-05

In the past God has overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
Acts 17:30

The little leeway God gave us before Jesus when we committed sin was taken away because we now have no excuse for continuing to sin and living in ignorance.

I have no excuse to sin. Jesus came to inform us and show us how to live. I am not longer consumed with ignorance.

Lord, I pray again, that no sin would rule over me. Remind me, Lord, of how I am to live and prepare for You kingdom. Show me You ways, in Jesus' name. Amen.

An Example to Live By

02-09-05

"therefore be holy, because I am holy."
Leviticus 11:45b

God gave us Jesus as an example of holiness and we are to strive to live as He did.

I pray again, "Let no sin rule over me!" I want to be holy and bring joy to the Lord and glorify His name!

Lord, I love Your law, make it clear to me Father! I live only to please You, in Jesus' name. Amen.

No Distinction

02-08-05

He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified our hearts by faith.
Acts 15:9

Until Jesus came the Gentiles did not have a chance. God purified their hearts by faith that they would use His power for the good of the Lord.

What an awesome blessing! No matter who we are, our bloodline or gender, He wants me; he wants all of us, just the way we are.

Use me Lord! In every way I would benefit Your great plan, use me. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

I Walk By Faith

02-07-05

"Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
Acts 14:10b

Faith that Jesus can heal us is all we need for it to happen.

I have faith in the power of Jesus to heal all pain, disabilities, anger, and bitterness. I need to live in that faith and stand up on my feet!

Lord, I stand up! Thank You for Your love and healing power. In Jesus' name. Amen.

In My Father's Eyes

02-06-05

and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Acts 13:48b

Those appointed believed and they received salvation.

I am unworthy in regards to anything I've done or been but in God's eyes I am worthy because He loves me.

What an awesome love You have for me, Lord God! Thank You for seeing me as worthy to be with You. Help me to stay humble, knowing it's not because of me or anything I've done to earn this. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Puffed Up; Struck Down

02-05-05

Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Acts 12:23

Those who do not give glory to God will be judged accordingly; struck down to the death. Whether physical or spiritual, their relationship with the Lord is separated.

I never want to raise myself up in any circumstance. May the Lord obtain all of my favor and all the glory from my lips.

Lord, I pray taht every word from my mouth would be edifying to You. I want all the glory to be given to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Repentance Granted

02-04-05

So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.
Acts 11:18b

Repentance is for all and God welcomes us all into His arms. He wans every last one of us.

Those who choose God and fear Him, the Lord has made pure; white as snow. Jesus died for all of us.

Lord, thank You for Your sacrifice and for this clean slate. I pray You'd keep me from impurities that my flesh longs for. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God's Increase

02-03-05

And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
Exodus 36:6b-7

God will increase the income so much that we won't know what to do with all of it, as long as we offer it all to Him. We must not steal a penny of what belongs to Him.

Our tenth must go out to God. If we don't we not only won't get the abundant blessing, we curse ourselves to barely not getting by.

Father, Your guidelines are clear. Thank You for reminding me that to have nothing equals increase. In Jesus' name. Amen.

A Great Turnout

02-02-05

All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord
Acts 9:35

All that lived in Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord! ALL!

God's glory is great. I want to participate in leading large numbers of people to Christ. What a testimony!

Lord, I pray that You would use me to turn at least one person to You, and even many. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Idol Worship

02-01-05

"Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.
Exodus 32:12b & 14

The Lord is angry when He doesn't receive the love and worship He deserves. After investing so much into the Israelites, their turning to idols was the ultimate frustration. We are to pray that God be blessed as well as ourselves ~ continuing our turning to Him alone.

I never want to make an idol and cause anger and pain in God. I want Him to continue to feel loved by me and blessed by me.

Lord, bless You. Thank You for being the Judge that You are. May all Your children be a blessing to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.