“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)

We consider a country a kingdom when the monarch rules with absolute authority like in Saudi Arabia or Vatican City. The leader exercises his control over every aspect of life and his wishes in every realm. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to say, “Your kingdom come”.

Jesus was talking about God’s rule and dominion. In God’s kingdom, God reigns supreme with complete and recognized authority. Subjects fulfill God’s will, plan and purpose. Everyone and everything bows in submission to God.

Unlike the earthly domain we live in, God’s domain functions differently:
·    “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:28)
·    “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)
·    “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:31)

When we ask for God’s kingdom to come, it means we invite God’s dominion in our lives. We surrender our wills in order to carry out His will. We submit to His plan. God desires His kingdom – His rule and authority – be at work in those who seek Him. We don’t need to wait for eternity to begin experiencing God’s kingdom. Instead, we can live in His kingdom today.

Heavenly Father, We pray as Jesus directed us to pray. You are God in heaven. Holy is Your name. I ask Your kingdom to come in my heart, in my home and in my community. I want Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Questions: What area of your life do you need God’s kingdom to come? Why do we need God’s kingdom to come in our lives first, before we worry about others?

Timothy describes our day as “perilous times” in which people will be lovers of themselves, boasters, disobedient to parents, lacking self-control etc., having a form of godliness but denying its power (2Timothy 3:1-5). It is in the face of our permissive “you can believe anything and still go to heaven,” politically correct society, that we the people of God are called to take a stand for truth and righteousness. That is a challenge for us all, but particularly those who are called to stand on the front lines in very public ways.

As our schools continue down the slippery secular slope, leading our children to greater confusion in relation to spiritual truth, sexual orientation, and the very nature of life itself, it is significant and important that there are those who are continually standing in the gap through prayer.  Equally important are those who answer the call to be on the front line and to offer the truth, and speak up for that truth in the face of what can often be great opposition.

Recently I had the opportunity to talk with David Spencer who works with the Professional Learning community of Faith. This is a group of educators, administrators and admin staff who share a common faith in Jesus Christ. Their call is to encourage their colleagues in their Christian faith journey, learn effective ways to nurture the students, and
deliver curriculum from a perspective that aligns with the Word of God as presented in the Bible. They are located in the Peel Region of Ontario and are committed to making a difference for Christ in the schools of their province.

It is important that we stand together with those who are on the frontlines through prayer.  When we invest in another’s work in this way, we will reap the same blessing in our own areas.

For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know I will not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:7

On September 21, 2011 we lost a beloved member of our TruthMedia family.  Dorothy Brown served with us for many years, both as an email mentor and also as a member of the editorial team, working diligently to prepare the daily devotionals which you all enjoy every day.  Dorothy had a very aggressive cancer and by the time the doctors discovered that she was sick, she was already very sick.

When she wrote to me to tell me that she needed to take a break from entering the devos she wrote that she hoped to be back the next month.  Dorothy was 74 and she had no plans to slow down. God’s plans were bigger than hers and now, as her husband Norm so beautifully put it, she has been “promoted to glory”.

In 1 Corinthians Paul writes of the reality of Heaven, how in that moment all of the things we have believed will suddenly be right before our eyes.  We have glimpsed Jesus, but Dorothy has seen him face to face.  She knows Him in a deeper way than all her years of Bible study could ever have taught her.  I wonder what she asked Him first?

I do not know what you are facing today.  Are you celebrating? Are you worried? Did you get the house?  Are you waiting to hear about that job? Whatever the day holds, know this: we may see “through a glass darkly”, but God sees us exactly as we are.

We don’t need to fear tomorrow because God is already there. We don’t need to carry the burden of yesterday because God’s forgiveness has already rewritten our stories. We can, we must, live in the hope that a day is coming when we will see Him face to face, just like Dorothy.

Face to face.  Can you imagine it? What an incredible promise. What an amazing hope we have.

Would you join me in praying for Dorothy’s family today? Her husband Norm has been fighting his own cancer for several years.  His health situation is complicated and Dorothy was his primary care giver.  Please pray that God would make a way for him.  If you would like to be prayed for today, please use this link to submit a prayer request.  We would love to pray for you.

Father, When I am confused and can’t see the way forward remind me of Your promises.  You will never leave me or forsake me and the plans You have for me give me hope and a future. Remind me that You always see me as I am and that a day is coming when I will see You as You truly are. Thank you for Dorothy and for her example of a life well lived. Please be with Norm and restore him back to health.  Thank you for loving me more than I can understand.  Amen.

Question: How does the hope of Heaven change the way you see your day?

“Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and also we will possess with Christ what God has kept for him! For if we share Christ’s suffering, we will also share his glory! I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:17-18 (TEV)

A Harvard study found that the more long-term your thinking is, the more successful you will be in life. And the more short-term your thinking is, the less successful you will be.

Unsuccessful people only think about the here and now – what feels good now, what is nice now, and what gives results now. But if you think in the long-term, you will have greater success, because you are willing to put up with short-term pain to gain long-term benefits.

The reason America is in the financial mess it’s in right now is because of our inability to delay gratification. We don’t know how to say no. We say, “I want it and I want it now, even if I have to charge it and can’t pay for it,” and the debt has caught up with us. That’s what little kids do. They don’t know the difference between “no” and “not yet.” They have to have it now.

If you want God’s blessing on your life, you must focus on the long-term, not the short-term. You can’t allow hopelessness that comes from short-term thinking to take hold in your heart or you will get discouraged and give up too soon.

As Christians, we have the longest-term perspective of anybody – it’s called eternity – because we know life doesn’t end at death. We will transition to the eternal life which is going to go on forever and ever. So we live in light of eternity, not in light of current popularity, current comfort, and current conditions.

If you are feeling hopeless because of current struggles you are experiencing, keep in mind the words of the Apostle Paul: “[W]hat we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:17 TEV).

In heaven, there will be rewards for you based on the stewardship of your time, money, talents, and the things that God put in your hands. Did you manage them well? Did you use them wisely? Did you live for the here and now with short-term thinking, or did you focus on the long-term and store up treasure in heaven?

Question: How far ahead are you living for?

Almighty God has given us the privilege of helping our loved ones by our prayers.

For a purpose known by God alone, through a spiritual process beyond our understanding, God has ordained that our prayers have power to assist those in trouble.

It is a mystery that we do not understand, yet through the Bible, the very words of God, we know it to be true.

“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:19-20, NIV).

In these words Paul has penned, there is direction for our prayers for our friends.

Deliverance:
Our earnest and most fervent prayers should be for their deliverance. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he gave them these words, “Deliver us from evil.” We pray that God would deliver our loved ones who suffer from cancer or other illnesses if that is His will. But also we pray He would deliver them from pain, deliver them from fear, and most of all that He would deliver them from the power of the evil one who wishes to conquer them by this trouble.

In no way be ashamed:
Some we know are facing death. Though the hope of heaven is real for every believer, still they walk a difficult road where there is no one to explain how to do it.  The process is as mysterious as it is painful. We can pray that they will in no way be ashamed. Regardless of what a day brings, we can call on our Heavenly Father to show them how to think and speak and act with the grace they desire to show.

Sufficient courage:
None of us knows how we will respond in a terrifying and excruciating experience. Will we remain faithful to God? Will we trust in His goodness regardless of circumstance? Will anger or fear or guilt overwhelm us?  We must diligently pray that our friends will have sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ will be exalted in their lives.

God, we pray for our loved ones who are suffering. Deliver them.  Let them in no way be ashamed.  Give them sufficient courage to walk the path You have put before them. Amen.

Questions: How have you been helped by someone else’s prayers? How can you be more diligent in praying for those who are suffering?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for January 29th, AM.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2011.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

In our Christian journey it is good and proper, at most times and in most circumstances, to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown, and onward is the goal. Whether it be for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love, the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith.

Looking into the future we see sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed. The soul will be made perfect, and fit to partake in the inheritance promised to God’s saints.

Looking further yet, the believer’s enlightened eye can see death’s river passed, the gloomy stream bridged, and the hills of light attained on which stands the celestial city. We perceive ourselves entering within the pearly gates, hailed as more than conquerors, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the arms of Jesus, glorified with Him, and made to sit together with him, even as he has overcome and has sat down with the Father on his throne.

The thought of this future can relieve the darkness of the past and the gloom of the present. The joys of heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of Earth. Hush, hush, my doubts! Death is but a narrow stream, and you will soon have crossed it. Time, how short! Eternity, how long! Death, how brief! Immortality, how endless! The road is so, so short! I shall soon be there.

“When the world my heart is rending
With its heaviest storm of care,
My glad thoughts to heaven ascending,
Find a refuge from despair.
Faith’s bright vision shall sustain me
Till life’s pilgrimage is past;
Fears may vex and troubles pain me,
I shall reach my home at last.”

Question: How does looking forward to the future help is in the present?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for May 2nd, AM.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2011.

“I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world.” John 17:15

It is a sweet and blessed event which will occur to all believers in God’s own time: Going home to be with Jesus. In a few more years the Lord’s soldiers, who are now fighting “the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) will be done with conflict, and will enter into the joy of their Lord.

But although Christ prays that His people will eventually be with Him where He is, He does not ask that they may be taken at once away from this world to heaven. He wishes them to stay here. Yet how frequently does the wearied pilgrim put up the prayer, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away and be at rest.” But Christ does not pray like that. He leaves us in His Father’s hands until, like corn fully ripe, we shall each be gathered into our Master’s presence.

Jesus does not plead for our instant removal by death. Our abiding in the flesh is needed for others if not profitable for ourselves. He asks that we be kept from evil, but He never asks for us to be admitted to the inheritance in glory until we are of full readiness.

Christians often want to die when they have any trouble. Ask them why, and they tell you, “Because we would be with the Lord.” I fear it is not so much because they are longing to be with the Lord, as because they desire to get rid of their troubles. If it were so, they would feel the same wish to die at other times when not under the pressure of trial. They want to go home, not so much for the Savior’s company, as to be at rest. Now it is quite right to desire to depart if we can do it in the same spirit that Paul did, because to be with Christ is far better, but the wish to escape from trouble is a selfish one. (Philippians 1:21-26)

Let your desire be to glorify God by your life here as long as He pleases, even though it is in the midst of toil, conflict, and suffering, leave Him to say when “it is enough.”

Question: How do you pray in times of toil, conflict, and suffering?

Do you want to go back to the basics of your faith? Try our study Knowing Jesus Personally.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Suffering is something we all experience at some point in our lives. We can suffer in many different ways. Our pain can be primarily physical, or we can suffer in mental or emotional ways. Suffering can be temporary, but it may still be very painful. We always feel very relieved when it comes to an end. Then there’s the severe, constant, unending physical suffering that goes on day after day, year after year. There may not be any hope that our circumstances will improve while on this earth. At times like this we might ask, “Does God care that I’m suffering?” “Are all His decisions loving and fair?” “Is God in control?” “Do I trust Him?” If we believe the Bible which says, God is in control of all things, He is loving and wise, perfect and just, then the answer to these questions is a definite “Yes!” We may not understand why we are suffering, but we can trust God, confident in knowing He will work all things out for our good. We may wonder, “Is anything being accomplished by this suffering?” “Why is God allowing it to happen?” There is purpose in suffering. Circumstances in our lives can be consequences of our own sin and the poor choices we make. But, sometimes we suffer when we haven’t done anything wrong. God wants us to use these adversities to refine, mature, complete and perfect us. If we’re wise, we will not waste this opportunity. The Bible says when suffering comes “count it all joy.”

I know that in my suffering, it gives me great joy and hope to know that because my sins are forgiven, not only will I see Jesus in Heaven, but I have Him with me now to comfort, encourage and guide me. Have you ever confessed your sins to God and committed your life to Him? Would you like to know you are forgiven and going to Heaven some day? If so, you can say a prayer like the one below:

Dear Jesus, I know I have sinned. Thank you for dying on the cross to take the punishment for my sins. I ask for your forgiveness, and I surrender my life to you Amen.

Questions: Does God care that you are suffering? Why is God allowing the suffering to happen?

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). Are you facing a tough road today? Our mentors are available. Can we help?

We have many hopes here on earth, don’t we? Before my nephew, Conner, was born, we all had many hopes for his birth. Our biggest hope was that he would make it through OK and that my sister-in-law would also be OK. Well, Conner has surpassed our hopes and has progressed even beyond the doctors hopes at this point. That was a pretty big hope that God answered as part of His plans.

Something small that I hope for every year during winter time is Spring! Now, I know that many of you love your seasons, but I do not. I don’t like to be cold and that’s all there is to it. I like the weather to be warm, all the time. So, I am hoping for Spring to come again. That’s a pretty small hope, because it happens every year, right?

What about the hopes that don’t get answered? I don’t even have room to list all of those because we each have them, don’t we? But, we do have something that we can ALWAYS count on, something that is beyond this earth…..

So, here it is: “These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he makes a promise, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. These things encourage us who came to God for safety. They give us strength to hold on to the hope we have been given. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong. It enters behind the curtain in the Most Holy Place in heaven, where Jesus has gone ahead of us and for us. He has become the high priest forever, a priest like Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:18-20).

No matter what we hope for, or what we are facing today God is with us, our strong hope.

Questions: What are you hoping for? What about the hopes that don’t get answered?

Can we pray for you today?

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2).

Have you heard that old saying, “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away”? I have heard it whispered in hugs when tragedy hits. Not extremely consoling. Neither is this verse—at first. It says that any part of my life that God considers to be dead, He takes away. Then, even if it isn’t, He may still clip it away. Where is the giveth part? What if the part of me that isn’t producing Godly results is something I actually love to do? It may be a hobby, a little pleasure, or even an attitude or habit that has amused me.

Isn’t it interesting that the word “amused” also spells “am used”? Just because it is something I am used to doing or enjoying, doesn’t make it good. That doesn’t mean it will bear fruit, i.e. point to God working in my life. It is an area in my life that the Spirit will not touch because it doesn’t serve God. It isn’t being spiritually fed.

If we are to be grafted into Christ so we can be His hands and feet on this earth, then the rest of the body should follow suit. That includes our minds, our actions, our pleasures. If it isn’t serving a purpose unto Heaven, it will be cut off from the life-giving Spirit within us. God may take it away. He may rip it from our hands, and like a child who grabbed a candy bar, we wail that He is not being fair.

There may be another part of our lives that is a bit more of a gray area. Perhaps it won’t be as noticeable at first. But we will slowly lose interest in that task, pleasure, or hobby. Or we will reach a turning point which, as Christians, makes us realize that we are not serving God as well as we should. Something has to change. It may be an attitude, a habit, or even a ministry that has become a duty thing instead of a joy. Whatever it is, it is stifling our growth in Him.

Here come the pruning shears. Whack. So we will bear more fruit, God doesn’t want that particular thing sapping our time and energy. The Master Vine-dresser knows what is good for the vine, and what has potential to do good. And, if we stop to think about it, maybe this thing that is stifling our growth can be turned around to be used for God’s purpose. Perhaps it doesn’t need to whacked away, just trimmed a bit so it becomes more life giving and fulfilling.

What things? Things like habits or pastimes that amuse us like knitting all the time, wherever you go. Or watching DVD movies. Or reading. Playing video games. What if you knitted baby booties for the preemies in the neonatal ward, or for unwed mothers who choose not to abort? What if you had a family movie night in your home and invited in the neighbors to watch wholesome films? What if you read to underprivileged children, or help an adult learn to read? What if you helped organize a summer program where kids could play video games that are wholesome, get them up and moving and interacting with each other?

Where is the giveth part? It comes with the warm glow inside us when we know God has used us, and that humbling reality that He loves us enough to want to do so—that we matter to Him. It is when He makes us feel worthwhile enough to be used to His Glory.

Questions: What area of your life might need a bit of reshaping in order to be more useful to God? Will you let Him prune it?