1/9 Hebrews 12:8-13
8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. 9 Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever ? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening — it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.
LIVE
Live a godly life. People are looking at you as an example. Be a good example for Christ. Do the next right thing. We never know whom we may be impacting so live your life with resolve. Let Jesus have moment by moment control of your life.
Category - Devotionals
1/8 Hebrews 12:5-7
5 And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined?
LISTEN
Listen as the Lord teaches you. He will do what is required to help you stay on the godly path. When the Lord disciplines you listen carefully, learn the lesson thoroughly and follow Jesus. He will never leave you and will equip you to deal with your life today.
1/7 Hebrews 12:1-4
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. 3 Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
SIN
Sin is our enemy. It is easy to get sidetracked and mired down in sin. Don’t do it. The Lord will lead you in the correct path. Stay alert and stay close to Jesus. The Lord will see you through. Trust the Lord and focus you life and your heart on Him.
1/6 Psalm 37:34-40
34 Don’t be impatient for the LORD to act! Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed. 35 I myself have seen it happen — proud and evil people thriving like mighty trees. 36 But when I looked again, they were gone! Though I searched for them, I could not find them! 37 Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future lies before those who love peace. 38 But the wicked will be destroyed; they have no future. 39 The LORD saves the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him.
SAVES
The Lord saves the godly. He is your salvation. Trust in the Lord and live confidently in Him. The future is sure for the children of God.
1/5 Psalm 37:28-33
28 For the LORD loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will perish. 29 The godly will inherit the land and will live there forever. 30 The godly offer good counsel; they know what is right from wrong. 31 They fill their hearts with God’s law, so they will never slip from his path. 32 Those who are evil spy on the godly, waiting for an excuse to kill them. 33 But the LORD will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are brought before the judge.
WHATEVER
Whatever you face for the New Year the Lord will see you through. He will give you the wisdom, mercy and grace that you need to live each day in victory. And if your final day comes in this world this year Jesus will be with you. Absent from the body present with Jesus. Trust the Lord for He loves you.
1/4 Psalm 37:22-27
22 Those blessed by the LORD will inherit the land, but those cursed by him will die. 23 The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly forsaken, nor seen their children begging for bread. 26 The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. 27 Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
Jesus is our righteousness. He brings us into the family of God. He will care for us forever guiding us by His loving hand. Directing our path so that we will maintain a life committed to Jesus. Ask the Lord to sustain you for Jesus loves you.
1/3 Psalm 37:16-21
16 It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and possess much. 17 For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the LORD takes care of the godly. 18 Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, and they will receive a reward that lasts forever. 19 They will survive through hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. 20 But the wicked will perish. The LORD’s enemies are like flowers in a field — they will disappear like smoke. 21 The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.
GODLY
The Lord will take care of you. Note that the godly are on His mind all of the time and He will not forget you. From this day and forever more the Lord will take care of you. Forget about the wicked and their pursuits. They seem to prosper now but that is only for a very short time. There is a day of judgment and everyone that denies Jesus will face it without His presence.
1/2 Psalm 37:10-15
10 In a little while, the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. 11 Those who are gentle and lowly will possess the land; they will live in prosperous security. 12 The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance. 13 But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming. 14 The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right. 15 But they will be stabbed through the heart with their own swords, and their bows will be broken.
REALITY
The reality is that God is in control. It may seem that everything is falling apart. Your plans may appear to be falling apart. God is in control. As we grow in our faith and mature in our relationship with the Lord one thing becomes crystal clear-God is in control.
1/1 Psalm 37:1-9
1 A psalm of David. Don’t worry about the wicked. Don’t envy those who do wrong. 2 For like grass, they soon fade away. Like springtime flowers, they soon wither. 3 Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. 4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. 5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. 6 He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. 7 Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. 8 Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others — it only leads to harm. 9 For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.
WAIT
We live in a fast society. Food, travel and interaction happen in a very short period of time. We don’t control God He controls us. He has a plan for our life. Don’t fret about the pace of events trust the Lord. Let’s resolve this year to wait upon the Lord.
12/31 Matthew 11:28-29
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”
HUMBLE
If the Lord of life is humble then you can be too. Don’t consider your victory in Christ as something to Lord over others. Instead grow in Christ and use His wisdom, mercy and grace to serve your fellowman. People count with Jesus therefore they should count with you. Choose humility and serve the Lord.