How can we pray for you today?

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” (Psalm 61:1-3)

During the month of February, you cannot help but notice attractive displays of hearts nearly everywhere you go. Card shops, jewelry stores, flower shops, and bakeries carry sentimental heart shaped items ranging from cards to eye-catching necklaces. We purchase such tangible items for our loved ones as an expression of our love.

What about spreading God’s hope, comfort, and love to those who are sick and dying? Sad to say, many avoid those who are physically fading, not knowing what to say or do during this stage of life. At this critical point, they don’t need a tangible item…they need hope, comfort, and love from others.

As followers of Christ, knowing which Bible passages to share to console those needing comfort during this transitional time makes a difference. A compassionate heart, filled with God’s truth and love, brings comfort to His beloved children as He prepares to bring them home. Their physical body may cease but spiritually they live on. Below are passages that will comfort those in need of hope and assurance of God’s promises during this transitional period.

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)    

 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)

Additional passages to read: Psalm 23, 27, 84, 91 & 103, Isaiah 40, 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 21-22.

Heavenly Father, May we be readily prepared to bestow hope, comfort and love to our loved ones during the end stages of life here on earth. May we not shrink, hide, nor fear death for we know that our real home is in heaven and we will live with you in eternity. In Jesus name, Amen     

 Question: Is there someone who you can share the message of hope with during this Valentine’s season?

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1. Understanding Your Relationship With Jesus Christ
2. Experiencing God’s Love
3. Power for Living
4. Growing in Your Relationship with Christ
Need prayer? How can we pray for you?

“With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

When we are going through a trial it’s hard to imagine how things will get better. God wants us to depend on Him in every trial we face. When we can’t, God can. Because God loves us as dearly loved children, He is willing and able to turn our situation around if we will depend on Him, trust in Him, and wait on Him.

In Genesis, when Pharaoh had a disturbing dream foreshadowing the seven years of famine that would come upon Egypt, he told Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” (Gen. 41:15) Joseph was the king’s last hope. I imagine the pressure on Joseph to interpret the king’s dream was intense.

Instead of making something up to humor the king, like other wise men probably did in hopes to save their neck, Joseph openly admits to Pharaoh “I cannot do it”. Clearly this was not the answer Pharaoh wanted to hear. However, Joseph goes on to say “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Gen. 41:16) “But God” — I bet those two words were music to Pharaoh’s ears. Joseph couldn’t give Pharaoh the answers he sought, but God would. Not only did God give Pharaoh the interpretation to his dream, He used Joseph mightily to prepare for the famine and exercise his gift of administration.

What are you facing today that only God can turn around? No matter what you are facing, no matter what you may face, no matter what your need—rest assured, when you can’t, God can. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5), but with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26).

God thank you that no matter how discouraging my circumstances may be, I can have hope because You can turn it all around and make a way when there was no way. Help me Lord to do my part to trust you and wait on your deliverance. Amen.

Question: When you need help, which Bible verses do you turn to for wisdom and assurance?

Where do you need to see God at work today? Come talk to a mentor.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

We both entered the doorway at the same time. She paused and looking at me, waved her arm in front of her gesturing me to go first.  Acknowledging my presence she let me lead the way.  In much the same way God has given us the wise instruction to acknowledge Him in all of our ways; to look to Him and let Him lead the way. With that instruction comes the promise that He will direct our paths.

Today as you go through your day, be mindful to acknowledge the Lord God in everything that concerns you. In doing so He will enter every situation and conversation ahead of you and He will direct the way.

As you wake up not feeling enthusiastic about going to work:

Lord, please go ahead of me today as I walk into work. Give me peace and confidence as I acknowledge You as the source of this provision for me. Guide my path through this day as I work diligently for You.

As you walk into a meeting, a conversation, a chance meeting on the street:

Lord, I step aside right now and ask You to step ahead of me and prepare the way so that my words and attitudes will bring Your light into this moment.

As you engage in your relationships and your work in your home:

Lord, thank you for my family. Right now I acknowledge that I need You to prepare the way as You go ahead of me into…  this supper hour/this hour that I work on my bills and finances/this time that I help the kids with their homework/this mountain of work that overwhelms me/this conversation I need to have with my spouse. Thank you for Your presence and Your promise.

As you feel weary and frustrated with tiredness and health issues:

Lord, I acknowledge You as my strength and my Great Physician. Please direct my path to greater health and give me Your strength and grace today.

Lord, I trust You with every detail of my life. I want to trust You more whole-heartedly every day. I know that my own understanding is so limited and I thank You that You see the whole picture. I ask You to go before me today, to remind me to acknowledge You throughout the events of my day. Thank you that You will guide me with Your wisdom and strength and You will make the way straight for me. I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, amen.

Question: How does it make you feel that God is directing every step of your day? Does that change how you will react and respond to your situations?

 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:4-6)

How is your heart this morning? Are you feeling like rejoicing?  “Rejoice” may not be the first word that springs to your mind as you awaken in the morning.  Yet that is exactly what God’s word calls us to do, and with good reason.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our tendency to allow the clamor of the day and the never-ending “to do” list to consume us and eat away at our joy.

He knows our tendency to be “edgy” with those around us when we feel pressured or overwhelmed. He knows anxiety can be quick to come pounding at our heart’s door. That’s why He gives us specifics of “how to” along with the command to “rejoice”. He knows us … and He gives us His wisdom. Listen:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:4-6) 

First, we make a clear cut choice to “rejoice in the Lord.” When our eyes open and the day begins to flood in we can make a deliberate choice to focus our thoughts on the Lord Jesus Christ and all He offers us as our feet hit the floor.

You can pray, “Thank you Lord, that You offer to me all that I need today. Help me rest in the confident expectation that You are right beside me.” 

Because the Lord is right beside you, offering what you need today, you can allow gentleness, not edginess, to be your response to those around you.

“Thank you Lord, that Your gentleness can be on my lips and can change my attitudes today.  Let gentleness, poured upon my heart by Your Holy Spirit, be evident where edginess usually reigns”. 

As the day rolls out and anxious thoughts begin to surface, remember that the Lord is near. Begin to thank Him for the good things in your day. Thank Him for the strength and wisdom He alone can give you. Begin to quietly present your requests to Him in the midst of your present need and in the bumpy parts of your day.

“Thank you Lord, that You alone are big enough to handle all that concerns me today. I give you this concern right now and ask for Your wisdom and strength. I trust Your unfailing love for me today as You work in my circumstances. Help me keep my eyes focused on You, My God and my Savior; my Help and my Strength.”

Then watch the amazing peace of Jesus that will guard your heart and your mind and cover you as you walk through even the most difficult of days… and your heart will rejoice! It’s a complete circle. Be mindful of your choices today.

It’s easy to forget to make that early morning choice to focus on the Lord and all He offers as we step into our day and the morning news greets us.

Some ways to help may include:

*Choosing worship music to wake up too.

*Saying a prayer, before your feet hit the floor, and thanking Jesus that He is right beside you and will guide and give you wisdom and strength today.

* Writing the above Bible verse or a favorite one on a stickie and putting it on your makeup mirror or where you brush your teeth.

Anytime of the day you can pause and pray to Jesus and ask Him for the strength and wisdom He alone can bring. As you choose to rejoice in His presence with You He will be right there to let His peace guard your heart and mind!  Thank you Jesus!

Questions: Are you struggling to rejoice? What truths did you learn from this devotional that you can incorporate into your life today?

God had so much in store for Abram. He was going to change his name, and then make him the father of the nations. His descendents would be as numerous as the stars and they would be called the children of God. Abram was a major step in the process of restoring the relationship God had once shared with His people before the Fall.

Eventually from Abram’s seed would be born Jesus, the Messiah, who would fulfill that process. God had chosen Abram for all of this. But, Abram could look no further than his own wish to be a father. He said to God, “If you can’t grant me my heart’s desire then I don’t want anything else.”

Sound familiar? Is there something you have been fervently praying for which God has yet to give you? Are you so concentrating on getting that one thing that you are missing the big picture He offers? If so, then you may fall into the same trap Abram did. He tried to intervene with his servant Hagar and usher things along. “God said I could be a father. I’ll just help Him out by doing it my way. Surely He will bless that. I’m doing His will, right?” The result was Ishmael, not Isaac. Arabs and Jews have been in conflict ever since. They are still battling over God’s favor and promised land.

Too often we hear a message we know is from God—in a dream, in a sermon, in a hymn, from a friend—that seems to be an answer to prayer. We take it as a resounding “Yes”, then dash off to grab it without waiting for the instructions of how to obtain it God’s way. There may be steps He wants us to go through for our own good. But we jump the gun, then wonder why it turns out wrong. “But, God, I was so sure. . . .”

Or, like Abram, we are so bent on receiving that one thing, we miss out on all He is trying to give us along the way. We’ve squinted our eyes so tight in wishing we don’t see His presence in our lives and the little blessings He provides. Like a pouty child near Christmas we whine, “If you love me, really love me, you’ll give me this.” We miss the small ways He shows His love to us all the time.

We ask, “What will you give me?” instead of “Thank you for loving me so much  to give me _________. You fill in the blanks. Think of the blessings starting with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and ending with the last breath you just exhaled. Daunting exercise, isn’t it? If you can only come up with two or three, pray for God to reveal more to you. Then trust He will. It may take a while, they are so numerous.

Perhaps if we all concentrated more on His grace and mercy, and were thankful for what He has already bestowed upon us, then we’d be a step closer to receiving not so much what we desire, but what He desires for us, which is far better. And along the way, we just might get our “Isaac”—that which we so desperately wanted. Then, like Abram, even if God asks us to give it back to Him, we will have the faith to say, “Yes, Lord. Thy will be done. I trust in Your love and promise.”

Questions: What are you asking God for right now? Do you think you should also ask Him what He wants for you?

“The time has come,” [Jesus] said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)

Matthew calls it the kingdom of heaven. Mark, Luke, John and Paul refer to it as the kingdom of God. The gospel writers quote Jesus using the word kingdom 100 times. Jesus’ repeated emphasis tells us to pay attention.

What is the kingdom of heaven like? When or where will we experience the kingdom of God? How do we enter the kingdom of heaven? Who will inherit this kingdom? Dig into God’s word with me and discover the kingdom of God.

Jesus brings us good news from God. In fact, it’s one of the reasons He came. “But [Jesus] said, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’” (Luke 4:43-44)

Good news: A Savior has come to your rescue.
Good news: Jesus provides the way to freedom.
Good news: God will supply what you need.
Good news: Jesus mends broken hearts.
Good news: Your sins can be forgiven.
Good news: The kingdom of heaven accepts tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners.
Good news: God invites you to enter His kingdom.

Prior to Jesus – the long awaited Messiah – people relied on rules and sacrifices to make themselves right before God. With Jesus, all that changed. “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.” (Luke 16:16)

Whatever your situation – no matter where you live, who you are or what you’ve done – Jesus came to bring you the good news of the kingdom. Will you respond to His invitation?

Thank you, Holy God, for the good news of Your kingdom. Amen.

Questions: How has the good news changed your life? What happens to our Christian walk of faith when we forget this good news?

 Well, we know that the word of God is very important, but like seed without water it lies dormant until we add the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the reason why sometimes God’s written word can seem dull and makes no sense to us. To be able to properly read and understand the word we need to realize that it is a spiritual language, and can only be understood by the Spirit. It is the Spirit who teaches us and causes the word to come to life for us, as we surrender and invite him to fill and control us (1 John 2:27).

Don’t just be satisfied with having “knowledge” about what the bible says, add the Holy Spirit and move from words to power.  A seed is just a seed until you add water – but once you do… life starts to burst forth, food, trees, babies! God’s word is seed (Luke 8:11). We need to take the seed of the word, plant it in our lives, and by the power of the Holy Spirit expect a crop of hope, joy, healing, saved loved ones, healed relationships, victory, and success. Don’t settle for just knowing God’s word, add the water of the Spirit, and expect to “experience” everything promised to us through it.

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

“He went without knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8b, NLT)

It’s a new year – a new beginning, new unknown territory. It can be a scary journey at times. Will I have the courage to step out into the unknown as Abraham did? Will you?

As I stand here with my toes on the threshold of the new year I know that God knows where He and I are going. Do I then go forward in faith’s victory to possess this new year…or remain frozen in victim’s defeat, allowing it to possess me?

As Jesus once said to a man whom He was about to heal, “Step forward.” (Mark 3:3b NKJV) Will I step forward believing and trusting for the answer to that which I need, remembering what God has done for me in the past? Or will I hang back in the shadows afraid to move ahead, forgetting God’s providence?

Just as God told Isaiah, He says to you and me, “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like Me.” (Isaiah 46:9, NLT)

God will again make His provisions available in the new year for it is in His plan for each of us. He says, “I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (Jer. 29:11 Msg)

As God led every step of the Israelites’ journey to the new land, so He still leads us today. When we take those wobbly steps into the unknown, what will this new land hold for us?

We may encounter…

* joys unspeakable

* smooth paths of guidance

* lush pastures of provision

* hilltop experiences

* spiritual blessings in abundance

However, we may also encounter…

* desert dryness

* valley mists and fogs

* wilderness wanderings

* gremlins hiding behind bushes

* paths with potholes and pitfalls

* steep uphill climbs and dangerous downhill slides

Challenges will meet us at every turn, some easier to handle than others. But God will work in all the ups and downs of those trials, heartaches, and blessings.

He does this for us because of His compassion and mercy. Jeremiah tells us, “Yet there is one ray of hope: His compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His loving-kindness begins afresh each day.” (Lamentations 3:21-23, TLB)

Be assured that no matter what happens on your journey this year, He is the source of your fresh mercies every morning. He will never fail you. He will walk by your side along each rocky bend in the road and carry you through each heartache and loss. God will see you through to the end of next year. Will you live as Abraham? “By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country.” (Hebrews 11:9a, NKJV)

We live our outward days on earth as in a foreign country, for we abide in God’s Kingdom of promise within us. Therefore, each day brings a new threshold into eternity. How can we not welcome it with willing feet and open arms?  I am ready to step into the journey of each new day of this year, greeting each one in faith and with God’s mercy.

Questions: How about you? Are you ready? How will you greet the challenges of your new journey?

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