Day 30 - October 30th

SCRIPTURE:

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (v.19-20)

THOUGHTS:

Last words last forever. There are the last words of a parent to a child before leaving for college; the last words of a loved one at the bedside of someone dying; the last words of a friend before they move to a distant place. Last words are chosen with care because the leave a lasting impact. Jesus’ last words to us are directions for our lives. “Go to where the lost are… make disciples… baptize them… and teach them to obey…” These words are not hard to understand. So why don’t we obey them? One day we will give an account of our lives and God will again have the last words – “get out” or “well done.”

PRAYER:
Lord, I love You and I want You to know that I hear Your words loud and clear. I know that there are lost people in the world all around me that need to hear Your words of love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Nudge me out of my safety zone and empower me to share Your love with them and help them come to know You. In the strong and saving name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Day 29 - October 29th

SCRIPTURE:

He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:17-22 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. (v. 19)

THOUGHTS:

One of the hot button topics in America today is that of strangers and foreigners being among us. There are passionate people on both sides of the question and neither is willing to give in or listen to the other. Those who have been Christians a long time sometimes forget that we once had no claim or right to the world of God’s grace that we now live in. We feel as though we have a right or that we deserve to be here. But we must never forget that to be a part of God’s family is His gift to us through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Just as He has accepted us into His world, we must accept others into our lives and our churches – with love.  

PRAYER:

Forever Father, I fall to my knees today and thank You for Your boundless and incredible love. Why You would take “a sinner such as I” and make me a part of Your forever family I will never understand… but I am grateful that You did. Your love and holiness are beyond my comprehension. Just as You have been accepting and compassionate to me, help me to be like You to those “strangers and foreigners” in my world. This I pray in the name of Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amen 

Day 28 - October 28th

SCRIPTURE:

So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

John 6:24-29 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” (v. 29)

THOUGHTS:

After Christ saved and sanctifies us into a new life, we can’t wait to get busy and do His will. We know that if we do, He will honor us and that good things will happen to us and to those that we love. And just like those in our scripture reading today we ask God to just tell us where to start. And He says to us, “It’s really simple; believe in me.” That’s it? That’s all?  That’s right. Because if we will do that one seemingly simple task God will do the rest – through us. Do you truly believe?

PRAYER:

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign; My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree; I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath; And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. [My Jesus, I Love Thee, William Featherston, 1864]

Day 27 - October 27th

SCRIPTURE:

Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.

    You guard all that is mine.

The land you have given me is a pleasant land.

    What a wonderful inheritance!

I will bless the Lord who guides me;

    even at night my heart instructs me.

I know the Lord is always with me.

    I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.

    My body rests in safety.

                                                Psalm 16:5-9 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. (v. 8)

THOUGHTS:

When the phone rings in the middle of the night, it is rarely good news. When the blue lights of a police car are flashing in your rear view mirror, it is rarely good news. When the doctor’s office calls and tells you, “We need to talk”, it is rarely good news. But the Good News here is that no matter what happens in our lives God will always be there. When trials come, we will not be shaken because God is with us. And while our world may come tumbling down all around us, He will not let anything steal us away from His love and care. He is, and always will be, “right beside me.”

PRAYER:

Creator, Sustainer, Lord, You are worthy of all of our worship, honor, and praise. You are majestic and Your name is the name that is above all others. There is none like You. As I face this day I invite You to travel with me down the pathway called Life. I accept and believe Your promise that You will never leave me or forsake me. I know that You have already gone ahead of me to prepare the way for my coming. Lead me, Lord, I willingly follow. In the strong name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Day 26 - October 26th

SCRIPTURE:

So we have these three witnesses—the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree. Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son. All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

1 John 5:7-12 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. (v. 12)

THOUGHTS:

The older I get the more precious life becomes. So often we take this gift from God for granted but each of us, just like a jug of milk or carton of eggs, has an expiration date. When we reach that date each of us has an appointment with God at His judgment bar. We can give all the testimony we want but it is God that will have the final say. The testimony He wants to hear is whether or not Jesus Christ is the King of all the kingdoms of our life.  As a matter of fact, it is that relationship alone that gives us real life here and eternal life in the world to come.  

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, I come to You today to fully surrender my life to You and You alone. Inhabit every part of me and make me into the person that You planned for me to be before I was ever born. Consume and empower me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can share the Good News of Your love, acceptance, and forgiveness with boldness and respect to those in my world who do not know You.  Help us to help others come to true life in the Son. In the strong name of Jesus, my Redeemer and Friend, I pray. Amen.

Day 25 - October 25th

SCRIPTURE:

For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

Philippians 1:20-24 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

(v. 21)

THOUGHTS:

Those who follow Christ are caught in a struggle. We know that when we finally leave life as we know it know that we will go to spend eternity with our friends, loved ones, and all of those Christians who have died in the faith down through the ages, in God’s big house. And yet, we have been saved in this life to answer His challenge to us all to “Go and make disciples…” [Matthew 28:19]. For now, we must be content to stay here and be His witnesses. The good news is that whenever death does come, it will not take our life away from us but transition us into another new life in the presence of Christ!  

PRAYER:

Loving Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to show me how much You love me. Thank You for allowing Him to die for me to provide for my forgiveness and salvation. Thank You for taking Him back to heaven to be my mediator and for the promise of His soon return to take all of us who are Your children home to heaven. Until then, keep me firmly anchored through the storms of this life in His great strength and protection.  May His undying love be mine as well. In the name of Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, I pray. Amen.

Day 24 - October 24th

SCRIPTURE:

We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

2 Corinthians 10:13-18 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord [Jeremiah 9:24]. When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them. (v. 17-18)

THOUGHTS:

Our world is one of skewed values, false promises and fleeting fame. All you have to do to verify that is to listen to a few election campaign commercials for candidates in our upcoming election. For the Christian, our worth is found not in what we do or what we say but in the steadfast love of God, the grace that He gives to us all, the unending supply of His love and blessings, the sweet spirit of God’s wonderful people, His plan for our salvation, the promise of an eternity in heaven, and the list goes on… If we have to boast, let’s take ourselves out of the equation. Who better to brag about than our Great God and His eternal grace?

PRAYER:

God of wonder, majesty, and mercy I come today seeking a fresh anointing from You. Everything good and enduring that I have in my life I have because of You. While my words are simple, they are from my heart. “I love You, Lord, and am grateful for the privilege of being a part of Your forever family. You’re the best! In the strong name of Jesus I give thanks. Amen. 

Day 23 - October 23rd

SCRIPTURE:

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Revelation 3:13-20 (NLT) 

KEY VERSE:

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (v. 20)

THOUGHTS:

While we use this verse to call people to salvation through the forgiveness and blood of Jesus Christ, it is clearly written to the lukewarm Christians of Laodicea as a challenge to rekindle a deeper love relationship with Him. There is a God-shaped hole in all of us that He is waiting to fill. He is already among us but He is waiting for each of us to invite Him into our hearts, our homes, and our lives. If you’re not as close to God as you used to be, He’s not the one who’s moved. He will not go where He’s not welcome. He only inhabits the places where He’s been invited. What are you waiting for?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being in our world and all around us each day. But I must confess that sometimes I am unaware and other times unappreciative that You are there. Today, I invite You to come into my heart and fill my life with Your presence, comfort, and power. I do not want to be a lukewarm Christian. My desire is to live my life each day for You with all that is within me. Thank You for providing me with Jesus, the true Lover of my Soul, and it’s in His strong name that I pray. Amen.

Day 22 - October 22nd

SCRIPTURE:

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

“I will live in them

    and walk among them.

I will be their God,

    and they will be my people.

Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,

    and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.

Don’t touch their filthy things,

    and I will welcome you.

And I will be your Father,

    and you will be my sons and daughters,

    says the Lord Almighty.”

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. (7:1)

THOUGHTS:

Purity is difficult in a world that is filled with distractions and temptations – difficult, but not impossible. Just because something is hard, it doesn’t mean that we can ignore it or forget about it. And we must not allow “cheap grace” or a sinning religion to replace God’s call for us to live passionate, sold out lives for Christ. We are saved by grace through faith to do good works. We must never allow laziness, rebellion, or a lack of commitment to contaminate us. We must stay vigilant and on guard because there are people who are watching us to see if the faith we claim and profess is the faith we live out each day.

PRAYER:

Lord, today I ask for the Refiner’s Fire to cleanse my heart again. “Purify my heart, let me be as gold and precious silver. Purify my heart, let me be as gold, pure gold. Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire is to be holy; set apart for You, Lord. I choose to be holy; set apart for You, my Master, ready to do Your will.” In the strong name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Day 21 - October 21st

SCRIPTURE:

In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Romans 14:5-10 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (v. 8)

THOUGHTS:

In my finite mind I struggle to understand the concept of forever. I love life and living each day to its fullest. And yet, I realize that as I grow older the days of my life are definitely numbered and I have a lot more behind me that I do in front of me. While realizing that, I live with the knowledge that when I die, I get to go to live forever with the Lord because I am His possession. Everything that I have in this world is temporary except for the love of the Lord, and it is forever. So, live or die, either way I win. Thank You, Lord! Now to help my family, friends, and loved ones get ready to go…

PRAYER:

Forever Father, thank You for saving me from my life of sin and setting my feet on the Solid Rock, Christ Jesus. Thank You for His sacrifice on the cross for my sins. I look forward with anticipation to the day that I get to add my voice to the choir of heaven and sing Your praises forever. Until then, let my life honor You and help me share with others the Good News of Christ’s amazing love wherever I go for as long I You give me breath. In the strong name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Day 20 - October 20th

SCRIPTURE:

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

(v. 10)

THOUGHTS:

A masterpiece – of all the things I’ve compared my life to, I’ve never considered it to be a masterpiece. Masterpieces are works of art and extremely valuable. But I am. God’s Word here says so. The Psalmist even tells me that I am “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (139:14, NIV)  When God set His hand and His mind to creating me, He finished and smiled, and thought to Himself, “Wow, what an amazing piece of workmanship!” Now, what we need to do is to put His craftsmanship on display and intentionally live for Him and not like the rest of the world.

PRAYER:

Creator Sustainer, thanks for all of the work that You’ve put in on me. Open my eyes and help me to recognize the opportunities that I have to put my life on display for You to others. I want to live for You without any reservations. Help me not to be shy, but rather to be bold, when it comes to sharing my faith. I want others to see Christ in all of my life so that they can be drawn to You and respond to Your love, acceptance, and forgiveness in their lives too. In the strong name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.  

Day 19 - October 19th

SCRIPTURE:

Lord, how great is your mercy;

    let me be revived by following your regulations.

Many persecute and trouble me,

    yet I have not swerved from your laws.

Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart,

    because they care nothing for your word.

See how I love your commandments, Lord.

    Give back my life because of your unfailing love.

The very essence of your words is truth;

    all your just regulations will stand forever.

                                   Psalm 119:156-160 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever. (v. 160)

THOUGHTS:

The very essence of who we are is supposed to be a reflection of the very essence of who God is. His morality and holiness are neither temporary nor changeable because His essence and nature are eternal and unchangeable. His very essence stretches across the boundaries of time and space to meet all peoples, races, and cultures right where they live. We must never try to adapt God’s will to our times. We must make the most of our time here on earth by accepting God’s words of truth and allowing them to guide and direct our lives here on Planet Earth, so that we can live with Him in a Heaven that’s to come. 

PRAYER:

Almighty God, I come to You today to yield my very essence to You and You alone. Mold me into the image of Jesus Christ, so that my life reflects Your character and Your compassion. Give to me the wisdom I need to see through the temptations of today and to always do what honors You, both now and forever. This I pray in the strong name of my older brother, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Day 18 - October 18th

SCRIPTURE:

Your laws are wonderful.

    No wonder I obey them!

The teaching of your word gives light,

    so even the simple can understand.

I pant with expectation,

    longing for your commands.

Come and show me your mercy,

    as you do for all who love your name.

Guide my steps by your word,

    so I will not be overcome by evil.

Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;

    then I can obey your commandments.

Look upon me with love;

    teach me your decrees.

Rivers of tears gush from my eyes

    because people disobey your instructions.

                             Psalm 119:129-136 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. (v. 130)

THOUGHTS:

A GPS is a wonderful thing…as long as you are able to follow the directions. Mine has a favorite saying, “Recalculating.”  Sometimes the right road is not as difficult to find as we think. We just need to know where to begin our search. The Christian also has a GPS – God’s Positioning System. It’s commonly called the Holy Bible. Reading it is a must if you want to find the starting point, know the route to take, receive in-course corrections, and reach your final destination. The right way may not be easily found but it is clearly marked for those who are willing to look for it.

PRAYER:

Abba Father, thank You for giving us Your words in Scripture that reveal Your will for all mankind. Bless me each time I open it with fresh words of instruction and encouragement. May I find both the answers for my questions and Your will for my life. Illuminate my simple mind and help me to understand how much You want me to succeed.

Day 17 - October 17th

SCRIPTURE:

How can a young person stay pure?

    By obeying your word.

I have tried hard to find you—

    don’t let me wander from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart,

    that I might not sin against you.

I praise you, O Lord;

    teach me your decrees.

I have recited aloud

    all the regulations you have given us.

I have rejoiced in your laws

    as much as in riches.

I will study your commandments

    and reflect on your ways.

I will delight in your decrees

    and not forget your word.

                                  Psalm 119:9-16 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. (v. 14)

THOUGHTS:

We go to the mailbox and quickly thumb through what we find there hoping that something of importance or value (something besides bills or junk mail) has found its way to us. But, as is most often the case, no. As Christians we find worth in those nuggets of truth that God reveals to us from our daily Scripture reading every bit as much as we do in getting a refund check in the mail. God’s truth is not limiting; it is freeing. It is His daily gift of love and direction to us and we need to value it just as much as we do a prized possession, or a savings account, or a close friend.  

PRAYER:

God of the Ages, thank You for breathing Your holy Word into the hearts and minds of Your scribes who let it flow into written words that touch Your people. Your words are light and life. Allow Your truth to come alive in our lives just as it does in our hearts and minds. In the strong name of Jesus, the Living Word, I pray. Amen.

Day 16 - October 16th

SCRIPTURE:

Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.  (v. 19-20)

THOUGHTS:

Who we are and how we look is a direct reflection on how we perceive God to be. He lives in us. How we treat our bodies is a part of our “reasonable act of worship” (Romans 12:1, NIV) to Him. God is challenging us here to not only refrain from sexual impurity but to glory Him in all we do with our bodies. We must honor the sacrifice Jesus made of His body through which the price was paid for our redemption and holiness.  

PRAYER:

Forever Father, I must admit to You that sometimes I forget how precious my body is to You. I focus so much on the spiritual that I lose sight of the physical. With the aging of my body, I am reminded that this is just temporary housing. And yet, until I am called to fill my reservation in Your Big House, I must do my best to appreciate it more and keep it a fit place for You to live. With Your help I promise to do my best. In the strong name of Jesus, my Training Partner, I pray. Amen.

Day 15 -October 15th

SCRIPTURE:

Praise the Lord!

Sing to the Lord a new song.

    Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.

O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.

    O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.

Praise his name with dancing,

    accompanied by tambourine and harp.

For the Lord delights in his people;

    he crowns the humble with victory.

Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them.

    Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.

                                             Psalm 149:1-5 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

For the Lord delights in his people; He crowns the humble with victory. (v. 4)

THOUGHTS:

Jesus left heaven, came to earth, and became a servant so that the last could be first and the least could be best. He died so that all of us would know just how important we are to Father God. Down through time the wealthy, arrogant, abusive, and powerful haven’t had much use for God, but they will one day. Our true worth is not found in how much we have or how much better we are than someone else. Our worth is found in our relationship with Christ and living a humble, victorious life for Him.

PRAYER:

Conquering King, I thank You for coming to our world, becoming a servant to God’s high calling, and saving us from our sins through Your death on the cross. One day I know that I will reign with You in heaven. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that You are Lord of All. Until then, help me not to forget those lost, last, and least in my world. In the holy and humble name of Jesus I pray these things. Amen. 

Day 14 - October 14th

SCRIPTURE:

God is our refuge and strength,

    always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come

    and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Let the oceans roar and foam.

    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

“Be still, and know that I am God!

    I will be honored by every nation.

    I will be honored throughout the world.”

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;

    the God of Israel is our fortress.

                                       Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (v. 1)

THOUGHTS:

Where do you turn when everything around you seems to crumble in a moment? When your friends fail you? When all hope seems to be lost? We turn to the Eternal God of all the ages, who is our Father. Beginning with Israel, He has always been our Protector and Deliverer from all those who would try to destroy or wipe out His Church. He will do the same for you, as well. He’s ready to help you through your times of trouble. Hear Him say, “Do not be afraid. I am with you.” (Isaiah 43:6)

PRAYER:

O Lord, thank You for being my hiding place and my strength. Thank You for hearing my cries for help and healing. Guide my feet into the paths that You would have me walk. And if I must walk through the dark valley ahead, please say close to me. Through all of this help me to grow into Christlikeness and to be an example to others who may have to endure this storm as well. May the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. I ask these things to be so through the strong name of Jesus. Amen.

Day 13 - October 13th

SCRIPTURE:

While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the Lord gave him this second message: “This is what the Lord says—the Lord who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is the Lord: Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: You have torn down the houses of this city and even the king’s palace to get materials to strengthen the walls against the siege ramps and swords of the enemy. You expect to fight the Babylonians, but the men of this city are already as good as dead, for I have determined to destroy them in my terrible anger. I have abandoned them because of all their wickedness.

“Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and give it prosperity and true peace. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and rebuild their towns. I will cleanse them of their sins against me and forgive all their sins of rebellion. Then this city will bring me joy, glory, and honor before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see all the good I do for my people, and they will tremble with awe at the peace and prosperity I provide for them.

Jeremiah 33:1-9 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

This is what the Lord says — the Lord who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is the Lord: “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” (v. 2-3)

THOUGHTS:

It is hard for us to begin to fathom all that God has planned for us, our lives, our church, our family, our community, our state, our nation, and our world. But rest assured of this – God has a plan. Think of the all the things that He knows that we don’t.  Think of all that He has done and can do. Still He invites us to speak (pray) to Him about His hidden secrets and offers to reveal them to us in His time. Remember, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

PRAYER:

Almighty God, there is so much that I don’t know and so many things that I can’t keep up with. But this one thing I know: I want to know Christ. I want to know His love, acceptance, and forgiveness in my life. I want to know the purifying presence of the Holy Spirit. And I want to know that at the end of my days I will see You face-to-face in heaven. My eyes, and ears, and heart are open. I am Yours, Lord. Word of God speak. In the strong name of Jesus I pray. Amen.