Category - Devotionals

December 1 .. John 1: 1,2,& 14
Jesus is fully man and fully God. What Jesus did and what Jesus taught are a part of who He is. Jesus is the Creator of all things and in Him all things exist. He is the source of eternal life and without Him nothing exists. Jesus is the truth and the foundation of all truth. He came into this world in the flesh so that you would know that He loves you and that you are not alone. You can have a relationship with Him simply by recognizing that you are a sinner and asking Him to come into your heart and save you. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

December 2 Hebrews 1:1-2
The disciples said they walked with Him, worked with Him, listened to Him, and were taught by Him. They were part of the work He did on earth. Then, the third day after His crucifixion they saw Him alive. He conquered death. Jesus had provided for us beyond death. More importantly, Jesus wants us to know that He has provided for us in life. We count. We are loved.

December 3 John 6:35
Life is tough, unfair, and disappointing. We live for ourselves and wind up in the desert. Tired, hungry and disillusioned we try to build our own lives. Jesus is the master builder. He provides the food we need for life. He refreshes us at just the right time. Never late or short on supply, Jesus meets our need when the hour of testing arrives. We each must choose whether it will be our way or His way. Jesus will meet your need.

December 4 John 8:12
Everything was just fine and then suddenly kapow, the rug was pulled out from under me. Ever find yourself feeling that way? That’s because we walk in darkness. We don’t know what the next minute will bring.  When we focus on Jesus and trust in Him we walk in the light. Surprises will come but we will always be equipped to stand in the moment of surprise. Jesus shines into the darkness of the future. We are safe in His hands.

December 5 John 10: 7-10
Jesus is our Guarantor in life and in death. He assures us that in Him we will find eternal life. The Word of God declares that once we have Jesus in our hearts, we will always be His and that nothing can ever separate us from Him.  That my dear friend is abundant life.

December 6 John 10:14-15
For me He died. He knew the depth of my sin. He knew the failures I would commit. He knew that many times the only thing that would connect with me would be His love. Therefore, He resolutely walked to the cross for me. This was 2,000 years ago but is just as powerful and fresh as though it happened today. My sin put Him on the cross. Yours did too. He loves you.

December 7 John 11:25-26
Jesus has power over life and death. He forgives our sin. He provides access to the Father. There is no other way to the Father. When you believe that in Christ you have spiritual life death cannot conquer. Jesus said that we would live again. What a promise. What a savior.

December 8 John 14:6
Jesus provides direct access to the Father if we place our faith in Him. This is too simple for many to believe. Some create complex and foolish fairy tales to bet their life and eternity on. We can know and trust that our faith in Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Without Christ, we are dead in our trespasses and sin. This is a simple, direct and eternal truth. Christ is God’s everything.

December 9 John 15:5
The fruit that Jesus speaks of includes soul winning. But, in this same chapter, the Lord also mentions answered prayer, joy and love as fruit. The truth is that the fruit that Jesus speaks of is a full and growing relationship with a Holy God. You and I have access to the Lord in Christ. Indeed, Jesus is God. What a wonderful savior we have.

December 10 Deuteronomy 18:15
The coming of Jesus Christ to the earth to save us from our sin was not an after thought by God. It was always a part of God’s original plan. You are not an afterthought. Where you are and what you do is important to God. You are His representative. Be sure that as you face today’s challenges God included them and you in His original plan.

December 11 Isaiah 7:14
Blessed be the heart that hears this message from the very heart of God. A plan birthed before time began is revealed to a prophet. A message heard and shared by faith. For each one of us the Lord has a similar faith message. He loves us and has a wonderful plan for our lives. Blessed be the heart that by faith receives the love of God and by faith lives as the beloved of God. Love one another as he has loved you.

December 12 Galatians 4:4-5
God is in control of all things. His timing is accurate and perfect. Because of Christ we have the privilege of having an intimate relationship with this perfect and Holy God. He will respond to our prayers because He loves us. He will meet our need because we belong to Him. Trust His judgement and timing. Remember that He has our best interests in His heart.

December 13 Matthew 2:4-6
God has birthed in you His plan for your life. It is a grand plan of magnificent proportions because it includes the privilege of leading people dead in their trespasses and sins to eternal life. You are God’s only plan for some or many that you come into contact with. Someone you know will only be sensitive to the message that you can share. Share the message of God’s saving grace every chance you get. This message is simply telling someone else what the Lord has done for you. God is love.

December 14 Luke 1:26-28
Mary was young, poor and female. She had no formal theological training. God spoke to her. Gabriel, who had spoken to Daniel 500 years before, delivered a message from God to Mary. God valued Mary.

Do you feel unusable? What do you see as the reason for your alienation from God? Are you aware that our sin is the only thing that separates us from God? Jesus forgives our sin. Ask Him to forgive you. When He does, you are valued by God.

December 15 Luke 1:30-33
God sure is different than we are. He knows the future. We have a most difficult time dealing with the present. The Lord’s plan for our salvation was always His plan. He never had another plan. Jesus is God’s only way for us to come to Him. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and there is no other way to the Father but through Him.

December 16 Luke 1:46-49
The Lord is the champion of the poor, the oppressed and the despised. He is in love with all of His creation. He is seeking for each one of us to become more than simply His creation. God would that each one of us comes to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This makes us God’s children. And such we are in Christ. In Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. Come to Jesus today.

December 17 Matthew 1:68-70
God speaks to us when He decides to speak to us. Most of the time it will be when we least expect it. His attention to our lives is discussed many times in the Bible.

Big things get our attention. The Father notices everything that happens in our lives. We get tripped up when we aren’t paying attention. God is always paying attention. When you get tripped up, we can turn to Jesus. Ask Him for the help you need. He is faithful in our time of need. Bless the name of the Lord.

December 18 Luke 1:68-70
Zechariah proclaims his great joy at the Lord’s activity. Prophecy is being fulfilled in Zechariah’s lifetime.

Zechariah proclaimed the glory of the Lord’s salvation. We are also called to proclaim the salvation of the Lord. We announce to others what Jesus has done in us. We tell others about the saving activity of God. They hear what we proclaim. We are a part of God’s prophecy. We are co-workers together with Christ. We feel defeated and are victorious. Our lives look little but they are a part of the saving activity of the Lord. God would that no one be lost. Our life and our proclamation is a part of that wonderful commitment of the Lord God to His creation. What a savior.

December 19 Luke 1:76-79
It is no secret what God can do. He has used others and He can use you. It takes surrender and willingness to serve. When you are faithful and trustworthy you are exactly what God thought of when He made you. Fearfully and wonderfully made, worthy and useful, full of the value that only God can make, that’s you, child of God. Jesus Christ is alive.

December 20 Luke 2:1-5
A virgin and a carpenter carrying the future of the world with them. Who would you have chosen to be involved with bringing salvation to the world? What would it cost? What would they give up? What would the world think of them?

God chooses you. He would that no one be lost. His will is that each one of us take the proclamation of the Gospel message to those that we come into contact with. Tell them the Good News… Messiah has come and he has come so that we might have forgiveness of sin and a relationship with God.

December 21 Luke2:6-7
This is the event that divides all of mankind. There is history before the birth of Christ and then history after the birth of Christ. This event is as powerful and fresh as if it was happening this very day. God can do anything. The Lord God has chosen to do everything for us in Christ. Bless the name of the Lord.

December 22 Luke 2:8-11
What do you do when there is no way out? Good news, God has made a way for you. The shepherds were elated by the news the angels brought. Life would no longer be an impossible journey. God had intervened. Now, the Lord Himself would be with them. The Savior of mankind had come.

This news is so wonderful that we can’t help but share it with others. Forgiveness for our sin is at hand. We are called to turn from our godless ways and discover the way in Jesus. Jesus is Lord.

December 23 Luke 2:11-14
The Jews were looking for deliverance from the Romans. Some were looking for deliverance from physical ailments. Jesus, the Messiah, delivers us from our sin. He makes that which is Godless, full of God. When we recognize our sin, ask for forgiveness and for Him to take control of our lives, He gives us a new heart, and we become new creatures in Christ. We are full of God. We are now on the Lord’s side.

December 24 Luke 2:16-20
Every time we seek to bless we find that we are blessed. Out of our concern for others comes real benefit for our souls. We need assurances about the value of our lives. God delivers those assurances in the midst of our following Him. We hear the promise and act upon it. In the process of our action, the Lord acts upon us. We seek the truth and it is with us. Blessing upon blessing covers the lives of those that strive to follow Jesus.

December 25 Isaiah 9:6
Praise the Lord. Praise Him with every breath that you take. Praise Him in your weakness. Shout joyfully in your defeat. Stand and sing His praise in your victory. Let every thought that you think praise the Lord. In all that you do praise Him.

The Lord has come. He is worthy of all your praise. It is good to praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

December 26 Luke 2:28-32
I am overwhelmed when I am confronted by my sin. I am stung by the fact that He died for me. He died that I might be released from the bondage of my sin. Now, I can choose to conquer sin. Before, I was dead in my sin. What a great blessing to be freed from the darkness and slavery of sin. Praise God I am free.

God’s Grace saves you. Focusing on works causes you to stumble. When you look at a person that is different than you, remember that Christ also died for him or her. Jesus came for all mankind. He would that every person might be saved. Not just people like us, but for people that love Him.

December 27 Psalm 103:1-2
Real blessing comes to those who see themselves in the truth. Without Jesus we are dead in our trespasses and sins. With Christ we have direct access to the Father. In Jesus we can grow in a personal relationship with the Lord of the Universe. Bless the name of the Lord for in Him we have everything that we need to live a victorious life. Bless the Lord O my soul.

December 28 Matthew 11:28
Now, our Christmas season comes to a grinding halt. After all of the excitement and family and revelry, there is a tendency to get depressed. This is natural and human and is caused by many different reasons but can be cured in our relationship with Jesus.

Find a quiet place and get before the Lord. Start this very day to map out a growth plan for you in the Lord. This should include daily Bible reading, a regular quiet time and an organized approach to prayer. Spend some time praying for others. Relax in the Lord. He will give you real peace and rest.

December 29 John 14:1-3
Be blessed today. You are free in Christ. Whatever bondage you were under now you are free.

In your quiet time, praise the Lord for the privilege of your relationship with Him and your freedom in Christ. This will infuse joy into your soul. Bless His Holy name. Jesus is Lord.

December 30 John 16:33
The world is full of worry and woe. Everyone is in search of peace. In spite of our struggles Jesus offers to us peace. We are charged with the responsibility of choosing His peace. It comes by obedience. The Lord is interested in our obedience. Jesus wants us to have what we need for an abundant life. Peace is a part of that and is the result of our obedience to the Word of God and the activity of God in our lives.

December 31 Isaiah 43:18-19
What was your year like? Did anything happen that you would like to change or get a chance to redo? In Jesus we get a redo. In Jesus we have the opportunity to fix the things we broke. We get a chance to change the things that should be changed and develop things that we have just started. When we cry out to the Lord He hears us. When we look for the new and better way he helps us. Jesus is in the survival business. In Him we have eternal life. Jesus is Lord.

November 1 .. Galatians 6:7-8
Things change. They can change for good or bad. Our thoughts are the seeds we plant to shape our future. Plant thoughts that bear the fruit of righteousness. Turn your thoughts to the Lord. Let Him have your attention and devotion. Good thoughts bear good change. Jesus stands beside us we go through change.

November 2 .. Galatians 5: 19-22
Are you constantly struggling to deal with deeds of the flesh in your life? The trouble is you. Go to a quiet place and meet with the Lord. Set a time for the meeting and ask the Lord to focus your mind and quiet your heart. Confess your deeds of the flesh to the Lord. Ask Him to enable you to change. Surrender your will to Him. From that moment forward walk on the Lord’s path. You will find Godly change begin to take hold in your life. The Lord is faithful.

November 3 .. 1 John 3:16-18
Love is not a feeling it is an action. When you tell people you love them and do something to hurt them you are lying. Saying you love doesn’t make it so. Doing for others says you love them. Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sin. Jesus loves you.

November 4 .. Luke 6:35
This is a hard saying for Sunday Christians. You cannot love those that mistreat you apart from the power of God in your life. We love those that hate us not because they are lovely but because we are forgiven. God’s forgiveness of our sin releases us from bondage to sin. We are saved to serve those that hate us.

November 5 .. John 15:13
We are called to live lives of diligent servitude. We are birthed into God’s kingdom so that we can serve. Our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the powers and principalities of the air. These evil minions seek to addict us to a self-centered, me-first lifestyle. Christ calls us to a servant lifestyle. There is a difference. Know how to tell? Whose feet have you washed today?

November 6 .. John 15:11
The winds of change may buffet us but Jesus is always with us. Jesus guards our heart. He brings an inner joy that overcomes failure. We may fail at everything we do but when we walk with the Lord he guards our joy. Consistent times with Christ the Lord fills us with indestructible joy.

November 7 .. John 16:20
We are misfits in this world. It promotes death we die for life. It favors greed we value selflessness. The world rejects forgiveness and instead honors might. Keep your eye on the future and live beside the Lord’s promises. You are not alone.

November 8 .. Hebrews 12:2
There is something in your life right now that is causing you deep pain and misery. For whatever reason you continue to fix this problem on your own. Lay it on the altar before Jesus. Everytime you face this problem stop where you are and quietly turn to Christ. Simply say to Jesus, Lord I’ve been trying to fix this on my own. Help me deal with this problem. Jesus endured the cross for you. Let Him have your pains and misery.

November 9 .. John 14:27
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Don’t fear the present for the Lord is here with you. Give Him your past, His forgiveness is complete and total. Forget the worry the future brings for when we get there, it will be now and He is with us. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.

November 10 .. Hebrews 12:14-15
A right relationship with God is the foundation for a right relationship with our fellow man. Sin always blocks our vision of the Lord. When we dislike the folks around us we create an opportunity for evil to grow. Resentment, jealousy, dissension, and immorality are the fruits of a selfish and bitter life. We should immediately repent and turn to the Lord. Do not be fooled, you can’t love the Lord and hate your fellowman.

November 11 .. Philippians 4:6-7
God has you first on His list. He will take care of you. Do you believe that? Then stop worrying. Everytime you feel a sense of anxiety, talk to the Lord instead of yourself. Put your emotions in His hands. Ask Him to give you an actively peaceful heart.

November 12 .. Ephesians 4:1-2
We feel unimportant. However, we are representatives of the Sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ. Humility, gentleness, patience, understanding, forgiveness, and peacefulness are all characteristics of Christ. People are watching you. Does your life resonate with Christ likeness?

November 13 .. Colossians 1:9-11
How in the world can we add additional stuff to lives that are already too busy? Ever find yourself in that shape? Christ calls us to a relationship with Him. This is a simpler lifestyle than the world fashions. In Christ we find the time and resources that we need to accomplish the task He has set before us. Focus on Jesus and He will focus on you.

November 14  .. 1 Peter 2:20
Who do you love? Jesus died on the Cross that you might have a relationship with God. He loves you. His love provides the opportunity for your relationship with the Father. Love is an action not a feeling. Do the right thing each time you face life’s challenges. This action of love brings a smile to the Face of God.

November 15 Proverbs 14:22
Always planning good is one of the characteristics of a wise person. We can choose what we plan to do. Good or evil is a choice that we must make in every plan that we prepare. But as for me and my house we will follow the Lord. Make plans for good each day.

November 16 Micah 6:8
Are you fair in your dealings with other people? When people wrong you are you merciful in your treatment and thoughts towards them? Are you learning to be humble? Pleasing God involves caring for each person in our lives. Jesus died that all might have life. Each person we come into contact with is a person that Christ died for. Obey God and look to your daily habits.

November 17 Colossians 3:12
I am interested in what God thinks. God thinks about people. He loves people. He is interested in all people receiving His love and knowing that God loves them. I deal with people many times each day. If I am interested in what God thinks, I will deal with these people in love. You should too.

November 18 Romans 12:2
This world is selfish. When we follow the ways of the world we become corrupt and useless. Daily we are called to renew our minds with the Word and presence of the Living Lord. This takes time and commitment. Today, as you struggle with the world be warned about your devotional life. No time with the Lord translates into defeat and impotence. Daily time with the Lord is our need.

November 19 Philippians 4:8
God’s Word is the change agent in our lives. We need to pay careful attention when we read the Word of God in our daily devotions. Consistent, continual reading of the Word of God prepares our minds, convicts us of our sin and directs our hearts. This kind of preparation enables us to stand in the time of temptation instead of walking with temptation.

November 20 1 Timothy 5:25
We are called to live Godly lives. Whether we are noticed or obscure we cannot escape this basic Christian responsibility. The promise we have from the Lord is that everything we do for the cause of Christ will be revealed. Some acts will be revealed in this life and some in the life to come. The Lord has His reasons and we know they are good. He loves each one of us as if we were the only one. What a savior. You are beloved of God.

November 21 Matthew 25:21
God expects our faithfulness. Are you in a little place? God wants you to know that there are no little places in His kingdom. Are you in a big place? God wants you to know that He has put you there to be faithful to Him. Temptation will find you wherever you are. The Lord calls each one of us to be found faithful where we are. Our faithfulness cannot wait until we are where we would like to be. Bloom where the Lord plants you, in Jesus name.

November 22 Revelation 2:10
Satan is our adversary. Do not be confused when tribulation comes your way, it is not from the Lord, it is from Satan. If you are struggling like a puppet on a string call out to the Lord for help. Stand fast and hold on to the promises of God for the Lord will come to your aid. He may bring comfort or change but He will come to you. The Lord is a loving and caring Father and He will not neglect a single one of His children.

November 23 2 Timothy 2:13
Jesus’ faithfulness deserves our deepest gratitude. His faithfulness to us is not dependent on our actions. There will be a time when our faith is weak. Maybe there will even be a time when we are unfaithful to the Lord. When we discover our situation and repent the grief will be deep. The heart of the Lord Jesus Christ is focused on us as individuals. He loves us based on His promise and not our performance. Love is the way that Jesus is and faithfulness is the way that He responds.

November 24 Titus 3:1-2
Christians cannot survive in a wicked society without the power of God controlling their lives. We would wake up everyday wondering what to do or say, never sure if we were doing the right thing. When Jesus comes into our lives He brings the power of God without measure. We will have what we need for every situation. It takes great power to be a peaceful, Godly citizen in a wicked society. In Jesus you have that power. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

November 25 Galatians 6:1
We cannot afford to have pharisaical attitudes towards others when they sin. This is an open door for Satan to attack us. What we should do is reach out a helping hand with the knowledge that, but for the grace of God we too could be in the same mess. Fellow Christians that have fallen need our forgiveness and help. Our love for them will help them as they go through the process of repentance and restoration. When we help the fallen we are doing the Lord’s work in Jesus name.

November 26 1 Peter 3:15
Christ is the Lord, whether or not we make Him Lord of our lives. We must be willing to spend the time to get to know the Lord or we will be doomed to third party conversations about Jesus. For us to speak about the Lord in a kind and gentle way, we must know Him. When we have a constant relationship with the Lord, we will have something to say when someone asks us about out faith. Our faith is not what we think about but what we do. Jesus will lead you by your hand every single day.

November 27 1 Corinthians 9:27
It is easy to tell others how to live and then forget to take our own advice. When we preach Christ and fail to practice a Christlike life we turn off other Christians and disqualify ourselves from helping others. Hypocrisy is a disease that is easy to see in others but hard to recognize in our own lives. Live by the Word of God and He will point our your sin. Jesus loves you.

November 28 1 Timothy 4:7
Our spiritual health is critically important. We cannot face temptation or survive tragedies without being in a strong spiritual condition. Check your spiritual strength. Are you practicing your faith everyday? Is the Word of God your constant companion? When you stumble do your curse or pray? Get on a good spiritual training program. Only you by the power of the Lord Jesus can change your spiritual health.

November 29 2 Peter 1:5-8
Faith is not a belief in certain facts. Godly faith is our actions that result in growth in character, moral lifestyle, knowing Christ better, self-control, patience, godliness and loving others. Change to become like Christ takes hard work and careful attention. We should regularly review how we living and what we are doing in the light of God’s love for us in Christ. God empowers and enables, we choose each day whether we will accept God’s leadership and grow.

November 30 Galatians 6:9
Weariness is an attack on our souls. When we become weary, we are prone to look at things through our own eyes and our own strength. This calls for immediate attention on our part. Get before the Lord in prayer and ask Him to bring you the strength to overcome your weariness. He will send exactly what you need and you will survive. Our lives are sometimes simply a matter of survival. Jesus is the conqueror, we are His and in Christ we can survive.

10/1/98 Exodus 20:20
God is God. You aren’t. We should look at the way we are making decisions and running our lives. Is God first? Do you consult Him before or after you make your decision? Fear God first and stop sinning.

10/2/98 Leviticus 25:17
We respect God by respecting each other. Anyone who says, “I am in the light” but rejects another is still in darkness. Christ died for you when you were still dead in your trespasses and sin. We should love as He loved. Praise the Lord Jesus, our Savior.

10/3-4/98 Deuteronomy 6:24
Obedience is required for a growing relationship with the Lord. He wants us to know Him. We climb the steps of that relationship by consistently doing what He tells us to do. Our hearts learn peace our lives reflect the Lord’s mercy. Bless you today with peace and mercy in Jesus Name.

10/5/98 Deuteronomy 7:19
Keep a spiritual diary. Record the miracles that God works in your life. List answered prayers. Remember them. Reflect upon God’s great work in your life when times get rough. He is there. Satan cannot defeat you for you are the beloved child of God. The Holy Spirit is working victory in your life right now. Jesus is Lord.

10/6/98 Deuteronomy 10:12
One mind, one heart, one focus is the Lord’s call. Be His and care for no other. The Lord doesn’t wait in our decision line. Concentrate on Him. Respect, follow, love, worship and obey Him for the Lord is the only way. Call on Him today, Lord help me to follow you, in Jesus name.

10/7/98 1 Samuel 12:24
We can thank God each day we live for the breath of life. All that we are is a gift from Him. The Lord created us for good and wants to give us good things. Think on this. Search your heart for those good gifts that the Lord has for you and has given you. He leads us each day in victory over our sin. Bless the name of the Lord.

10/8/98 2 Chronicles 19:7
We each have friends that we care for a lot. When they disappoint us, we get our feelings hurt. Sometimes we judge them based on our hurt and not their actions. God is not like that. He is just and fair. He is fully informed of all the circumstances. Be careful when you judge a friend. Deal with them with love the way the Lord deals with you.

10/9/98 2 Chronicles 26:5
The Lord is not fooled by what we say. He knows our hearts. We should seek His council and advise in all of our activities. He is the Lord and there is no other. Only by looking to Him for our decisions do we have access to wisdom.

10/10-11/98 Psalm 25:14
When we fear the Lord, we are recognizing His attributes. He is holy, almighty, righteous, pure, all knowing, all-powerful, and all wise. Friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear Him. We grow in our fear of the Lord by reading His Word and spending time with Him. Please, spend time with the Lord today so that you can stand in the face of tomorrow’s trial.

10/12/98 Psalms 23:4
Death is an unbeatable foe. Neither you nor I can struggle against the cold finality of death. Only the Lord Jesus can make a difference when we face life’s final journey. He is the God of Life, our shepherd. He changes the uncertainty of life to certainty. His comfort is eternal.

10/13/98 Psalms 27:1
Has your life become a dark night? Is life closing in around you with no light in sight? Turn to Jesus. He is the light. He can make a way in the darkness. He can turn night into day. How does He do this? He changes you.

10/14/98 Isaiah 35:4
Weakness is not a terminal disease. We struggle with sin everyday. Sometimes we fall and seek His forgiveness and cleansing immediately and other times it takes awhile for the Lord to get our attention. Jesus Christ the Lord will conquer our sin and bring victory each time we call. We are weak but He is strong. His power is waiting on our call.

10/15/98 Isaiah 41:10
Have you been to the Lord for His cleansing power? Can you look at your life and see the consistent activity of God in all that you do? The wonderful blessing from the Lord is that when we find we have strayed from Him, we can repent and change. The Lord is committed to you because of Jesus work on the Cross. His blood cleanses us from all unrighteous

10/16/98 Isaiah 43:1
Is your job the pitts? Are your children impossible? Has everything you count precious and dear become a problem? Is the Word dry when you read it? Do your prayers go unanswered? Remember that the Lord created you and is with you even when it doesn’t feel like it. Let the redeemed of the Lord say, Jesus is Lord. Be encouraged, you are not alone.

10/17-18/98 Jeremiah 17:8
As you develop that dependent relationship with the Lord, you will find that the cares and worries of everyday life will become bearable. No longer will they have the hold on your heart that they once had. Peace will become your ally. Confidence will be your theme song. Day by day you will be nourished and encouraged in this life and reassured for the life to come. Jesus is Lord of life.

10/19/98 Luke 8:25
We can put our full trust and confidence in Jesus. Do you need a miracle? He can provide just exactly what you need. Not what you want, what you need. Sometimes we are in need of growth and that usually involves pain. Sometimes comfort is the days need. Or maybe, you just need to be changed; miraculously He can do that too. Put your need in the hands of Jesus. He is a need meeting Lord.

10/20/98 John 3:20
Has anyone done you wrong lately? If they have, you are probably still thinking about how badly you were treated, how unfair life is and how you are going to get even. Sin! Stop right now and confess that as sin. Ask the Lord to forgive you, to forgive the person who wronged you and to help you forgive them.

10/21/98 Romans 8:15
Most of us have a past that causes us grief. We’ve made mistakes and maybe even done some things that we wished we hadn’t done but we did. Our enemy, that old deceiver Satan, knows these things that cause us anguish and is quick to remind us of them. When he does, take that thought to the Father. Ask Him to relieve you of that guilt and anguish. And He will. The Lord loves you.

10/22/98 1 John 4:18
When fear comes calling, remind yourself of God’s love. He physically demonstrated His love for you by His life. He expressed His victory by the resurrection. You participate in that victory because of His love. That same love will see you through troubled times. His love will quiet your fears and give you confidence to meet your needs.

10/23/98 Deuteronomy 20:4
When we think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan we can praise Him with all our heart. Everything we need for righteous living is provided in Christ. Jesus is God’s everything. Victory against the enemy, even when the enemy is us is provided. The Lord is on our side. Who or what can stand against us? Our victory is in Jesus.

10/24-25/98 2 Samuel 22:36
Victory is a work that the Lord makes available for each one of us. He provides salvation as a grace gift. His involvement in our lives doesn’t end when we are saved. He lives in us to enable us to survive, and grow and be victorious. His Holy Spirit directs our paths. Everything we need for righteous living is provided in our relationship with Jesus. When we face defeat, He is there to bring victory. When we are ready to throw in the towel, He is there to encourage us and give us another chance. Our God loves us and provides for us in Christ the Lord.

10/26/98 Psalms 60:12
Sin is the enemy. Some of our sins are immorality, impure thoughts, lust, idolatry, anger, quarrelling, jealousy, selfishness, envy, hate, evil actions, and many more. The key to victory is the phrase “with God.” We are powerless He is powerful. He gives us the victory in our daily lives when we are with Him.

10/27/98 1 Corinthians 15:54-55
The law has lost its death grip on us. We cannot keep the law but in Christ it cannot destroy us. Christ freed us from our sin. He died that we might be set free by God’s grace and not our works. Thank God we are free. Praise Jesus the Lord from whom all blessings flow.

10/28/98 1 John 5:4
Overcoming the world is never easy. But, we are not alone. We start our journey with Jesus, face our challenges everyday with Jesus and when we die we will go to be with Jesus. Jesus is God’s everything. When our burden is too great to bear, this same Jesus will be there to help us carry our load. Jesus is our burden bearer. Amen?

10/29/98 Luke 10:17
You want power, stay with Jesus. You need wisdom, ask the Lord. Are you overwhelmed with doubt and fear and heartache? Turn to Jesus. He has the power to make the things that are wrong in our life right. He turns us right side up. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

10/30/98 Romans 8: 38-39
When you give your life to Jesus Christ your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. You are eternally a Citizen of Heaven. Our struggle here will not affect our citizenship. You belong to the Lord. Nothing can change that. What a joy divine, Jesus is mine and I am His.

10/31/98 Revelation 20:10
Satan’s threats are limited. He does not have eternal power. The victory has been won and Satan has lost. What we need, the Lord provides. We make a choice everyday of our life. Will we take up our cross and follow the Lord in victory or will we do our own thing in defeat? You choose. Jesus is God’s everything.

(9/1) Acts 4:12
Salvation is a one way street. It runs from Jesus to the sinner. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, there is no other way to the Father but thru Christ. “For by grace are ye saved.” Salvation comes by trusting in Jesus to save you. Bless the name of the Lord.

(9/2) Acts 13:47
God gives us a new heart when we are saved. We become new creatures in Christ. Covenant blood courses through our bodies. We have a relationship to shout about. Tell everyone what the Lord has done for you.

(9/3) Romans 1:16
Secular society says you can’t know the way. God says that He is the way. Salvation is for everyone. When you go to Jesus with your problems, He answers you. Jesus wants you to tell the world what He has done for you. Bless the name of the Lord.

(9/4) Romans 13:11
Everybody dies. Your date with judgement will be sooner than you think. You’ve been saved. You know somebody that isn’t saved. You must tell them what the Lord has done for you. You don’t have much time. Do it now. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

(9/5-6) 2 Corinthians 1:6
The Lord’s children encourage each other. We do for our brothers and sisters in Christ what was done for us. When we live what we have been taught, those we care for are taught what we have learned. When it comes to developing a Christian lifestyle, actions are the books we study.

(9/7) 2 Corinthians 6:2
God was listening to you. Before you knew Him, when you were dead in your trespasses and sin, He was listening to your heart. You were broken and cried out, Lord save me. He heard you. He, the Lord, saved you. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

(9/8) 2 Corinthians 7:10
We will never have Jesus until Jesus is all we have. Surrender comes when we have exhausted all other options. We never deserve Christ. He is looking for us every day. Searching for the lost to bring them into the Kingdom. Are you pained by the way your life is going? Have you asked Jesus into your heart?

(9/9) Ephesians 1:13
Aren’t you glad that God seals you with the Holy Spirit? Satan, that old accuser, is always pointing out our sin. The Spirit compels us to confess our sin. Confession is agreeing with God, our sin is sin. The Lord forgives us. The Holy Spirit enables us to declare, Satan, the Lord rebuke you. I belong to Christ.

(9/10) Philippians 1:19
Our weaknesses and trials disappoint us. Those weaknesses and trails are the very things that God can use. When others pray for us we are strengthened and encouraged. That very idea should compel us to remember to pray for our friends, leaders and folks in need. Pray for me. God loves you.

(9/11) 1 Thessalonians 5:8
God loves you. You are saved by God’s grace. Wonderful grace that is far greater than anything you can think or imagine. Romans 8:38 declares that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Don’t be frightened or lose your confidence. God is on your side. God loves you. Jesus is Lord.

(9/12-13) 1 Thessalonians 5:9
Has someone told you that you are hopeless? That is a lie. God’s Word says that who so ever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Is there a need in your heart? God replaces hearts. Let Him replace your heart with a new heart. Let Jesus have control of your life. Surrender your self-directed way to God’s way. Confess to the Lord that you know you are a sinner. Ask Him to forgive you. Ask Him to come into your heart and save you. Thank the Lord for your salvation. God’s plan for your life is good. His plan begins with your salvation. Do it now. Jesus is Lord. He loves you!

(9/14) Hebrews 2:3
First hand accounts. Those that touched Him tell us: We are loved and blessed. God is concerned and involved. We are not alone. We can go into the Lord’s throne room. What a great salvation we have. We have victory in Jesus. Don’t forget you are accountable for this great privilege. Do the right thing.

(9/15) Hebrews 9:28
Christ died for us so that we would not have to die spiritually. He paved the way so that we might have a relationship with the Father. Whosoever may come. One day, in a second the heavens will be split asunder and the Lord of Glory will appear. In that moment judgement will have arrived. Those in Christ will go to be with him. The ones outside will be left behind, eternally. The Lord is good, all the time.

(9/16) 1 Peter 2:2
On my daily walk I came upon a 4-year old child who ran up to me in the street. My grandma’s coming he blurted out. I’m so excited. When you are going to God’s Word, be excited about what the Lord is going to say to you. Crave His instruction, intervention, presence and power. The Lord is good and worthy of our adoration. I’m so excited.

(9/17) Revelation 7:10
Adam’s response to the Lord’s questioning was that she made me do it. Sin blinds our eyes and stains our lives. Sin is everywhere. Sin is inescapable. Salvation from sin comes from Jesus Christ. He cleanses us from all our sin. Jesus is the only way that we can find cleansing from our sin.

(9/18) Revelation 12:10
Trust in Christ. All of the resources that we need for our life are in Him. We have not been shortchanged. We are not at the mercy of the Evil Accuser. We have the Lord. In Him we can live and move and breathe and indeed find the path of survival. Hope in the Lord. Our salvation is complete in Christ.

(9/19-20) Job 11:18
Christ is all. He is all I need. He is adequate for every problem that I face. He is there when I fail. He is available when I am weak. He is equipped to help me when I think I am strong. He is mine when I want to go my own way. Hope in the Lord. He is well able to deal with each one of our lives.

(9/21) Psalm 9:18
Do not despair. The Lord is on your side. You are beloved of God. He is concerned about your troubles this very moment. Do not let the cares and worries of this life condemn you. You are a child of the King. Walk with Him and he will carry you. He will deliver you! Blessed be the name of the Lord.

(9/22) Psalm 25:3
Worried about God’s work in your life? Wait patiently upon him. He will not be late. He has not forgotten your striving to know him. He will not overlook you faithfulness. At the right time in the right way the Lord will arrive. His eyes are on you. Stay the course.

(9/23) Psalm 25:5
Only the Lord can lead us. Only the Holy Spirit can teach us. The Lord knows who we are and all about us. He created us. Jesus saves us. Hope in the Lord. He is trustworthy and true. God loves you.

(9/24) Psalm 25:21
Two powerful forces protect us along life’s way. Integrity forces us to admit that we are sinners saved by grace. Honesty requires that we learn the Lord’s way, and strive to walk in it. Here I am Lord and I confess my sin seeking your forgiveness. I will take your lessons to heart and put them to work in my life. Integrity and honesty protect us along life’s way.

(9/25) Psalm 31:24
We feel it. We think about it. We pray for it. Your faith is the confident assurance that what you feel, think about and pray will happen. Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the Father’s action that validates your hope. Jesus is alive. Jesus is providing for you this very moment. Seated at the right hand of the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ is interceding for you even as you listen to this message. Bless the name of the Lord.

(9/26-27) Psalm 33:18
Our Lord is watching over you. Troubles will come. If the Lord tarries, death is sure. But your relationship with the Lord High God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords is sure. He will never let you slip out of the palm of His hand. You are under His watchful eye. Nothing will ever happen in your life that surprises the Lord. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

(9/28) Ecclesiastes 9:4
Salvation is a choice. I must make that choice myself. No one else can choose for me. The Lord is good and gracious, seeking that we might be saved. It doesn’t matter your station in life. Good looks, great luck or wealth do not make a difference in that day of judgment. When we die, we can no longer choose. Choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior today. Do it now.

(9/29) Isaiah 40:31
God has all of the power and resources that you need. He is never too busy to listen to you. He is never weakened. He is always available to intervene and help. The Lord’s strength is the source of our strength. Are you weak and heavy laden? Stop right now and ask the Lord to help you. Call upon the Lord and He will hear your plea.

(9/30) Psalm 33:20
There are many good ideas and great people. Having a good idea or being a great person doesn’t save you. One writer friend of mine noted that Ghandi was the most righteous man in hell. Only Jesus can save you. And in that day, the day of judgement, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. Make Jesus Lord of your life today. Don’t wait. Do it now.

(8/4) Deuteronomy 7:9
Have you got a private hurt? Does this hurt continually sideline you in your spiritual growth? Is this hurt robbing you of your joy? Your God is the one and only God. Obey Him and let His love solve your hurt.

(8/5) Deuteronomy 32:4
When you are traveling in the Judean Desert a rock can provide shade from the blazing sun. So that you can see where you are going, you can use the rock to check your progress and as a guide. If enemies attack you, you can use the rock for protection. In our journey of life, God our Rock, gives us just what we need.

(8/6) 2 Samuel 22:26
We want people to see us as we would like to be. We deal with ourselves as we really are. God is not confused about the way that we really are. He sees our heart, He knows our intentions and He can change us if we deal with Him honestly. God is not fooled by the charades of our lives. Deal with the Lord with the understanding that He knows all things. Bless you as you strive to grow.

(8/7) Psalms 16:10
When we confess our sin and ask Christ to save us we are saved. When we come into the God’s Family, He treats us as a family member from that point on. Remember, when you are struggling in prayer, you are talking with your Father.

(8/8-9) Psalm 25:10
We live in a fallen world. Everything around us is in a process of decay. So are we.
It is easy for us to think that since everything we can see is decaying that God’s love could fail. It cannot fail. It is the very thing that we can count on. Paul expresses it best in Romans 8:39 “…nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Feel loved today. God loves you.

(8/10) Psalm 31:23  Love the Lord
Job said “the Lord gave me everything I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” Job recognized that there was a great deal that the Lord does that he would not understand. He also understood that his position in life, victor or loser, did not dictate his relationship with the Lord.

Are you winning? Do you feel closer to the Lord? Are you losing? Do you feel farther from the Lord? We cannot base our decisions on feelings. A life that is faithful is a life that is based on the promises and character of the Lord. He loves you and He is faithful.

(8/11) Psalm 33:4  Oops!
“I wish I hadn’t said that!” Have you ever found yourself thinking that? There is an old saying that we never have to apologize for what we don’t say.

God is perfect. He is without error. He never says anything that He doesn’t mean. Don’t worry about understanding what God is doing in your life. Trust the Lord.

(8/12) Psalm 37:28  Angry?
Do you ever get angry about evil in our society? Do you feel a sense of helplessness at those that are in high places living wicked lives? The Lord say “don’t worry about the wicked.” His promise is that we have much more than we realize, He, the Lord is on our side and championing our lives.

God is good, all the time.

(8/13) Psalm 86:16  Mercy
All men and women are sinners. Each of us sin everyday. Sin separates us from God. The Lord provides forgiveness for our sin. Lord, thank you for saving us and having mercy on us “for you, O Lord, help and comfort” us. You are a merciful and gracious God.

(8/14) Psalm 97:10  He Will
Are you struggling with a particularly evil habit in your life? Do you keep it hidden from others but always seem to be falling prey to its evil clutches? The Lord says hate evil. The Lord says that He will deliver you from the power of the wicked. God will keep His promises.

(8/15-16) Psalm 101:6 Heroes
Who are your heroes? When you are faced with a difficult decision and the response must be NOW, who do you act like?

God is in the business of reclaiming misdirected lives. Turn your strength over to the Lord and let Him use your weakness. Lord you are my hero! Help me Lord. And, He will.

(8/17) Psalm 111:7 Justice
God’s laws are perfect and true. Abortion is wrong. Euthanasia is evil. Assisting in a suicide is murder. God is weighing America on His scale of justice. We are reaping what we have sown.

Dear God, forgive our nation and us for our sin. Bless the name of the Lord.

(8/18) Psalm 116:16 Awareness
Oh the joy of experiencing peace with the Lord. Worry and pain are wiped away by His presence. Encouragement comes when we are aware of His attention. Our awareness enables the Lord to breathe renewal into our souls. Praise the Lord.

(8/19) Psalm 145:13 Unique
God made you unique. You have a calling on your life. God wants you to do what no one can do for you, serve Him. In our surrender to Him, we discover our service. In our service, we are gifted with freedom. “I will praise the Lord and everyone on earth will bless His holy name forever and forever.”

(8/20) Proverbs 2:8
Worry is a persistent problem in our society. We are worried about our kids, work, spouses, neighbors, church, pets, our past and our future.

Worry is wrong. My Father is in control of all things. Like a little child, I can follow Him, trust Him and live a worry free life. He guards my paths. I choose to trust Him.

(8/21) Proverbs 28:20
If it looks too good to be true, it is. Shortcuts take us through dangerous country. The easy way is the wrong way.

Yes, the right way often seems endless. It often looks like things will never work out. Our trials mount up and day after day difficulties continue. But, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials. God’s way is the right way.

(8/22-23) Isaiah 49:7
But God demonstrates His love towards us in that while we were dead in our trespasses and sin Christ died for us. The Righteous One died for me and for you. He died for us that we might have a loving, eternal relationship with the Father. The Chosen One has chosen. Are you willing?

(8/24) Isaiah 55:3
The salvation of the Lord is an eternal covenant that He makes with us. Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

A change of heart is the easiest difficult decision we will ever make. Give up control of your life. Ask the Lord to come into your heart. He will give you a new heart and a new life. Bless the name of the Lord.

(8/25) Matthew 25:21
Heroic spiritual lives are built one obedience at a time. God is interested in consistently faithful, obedient lives, not furious bursts of spirituality.

All of us have been taken in by the Yellowstone Christians, who look good and act good but last only for a short season. They never understand that faithfulness involves obedience. Do the right thing. Serve where you are. Don’t wait till tomorrow. Now.

(8/26) Romans 12:12
Keeping up with the Jones’s has become the great American pastime. Car, house, vacation and earnings are all evaluated to consider our worth. In the “Name it and Claim it” Christian lifestyle this type of sin is used to evaluate God’s blessings. “Is God giving us enough?”

The Word of God says that He, the Lord, is planning your life. Stand by the stuff and focus on Jesus for reassurances of the value and worth of your life. Oh, and when you pray, be sure to pray that the Lord will help you to survive. Not to change the Lord’s mind, but to remind you that the Lord is in charge.

(8/27) 1 Corinthians 1:9
Is the pain unbearable? Does your hurt grow and grow? Is loneliness a constant companion?

The Lord wants you to know that you can trust Him. The pain may not get better today but it will get better. The hurt may seem to increase but the Lord will bring relief. When you spend time with Him, your awareness of His presence grows and the loneliness disappears. He will deal with the problems in your life. No problem is too big for Jesus.

(8/28) 1 Corinthians 4:2
“A little here, a little there and no one will be the wiser. They don’t treat me right, I deserve this.” These are common thoughts for those who would rationalize their sin. A servant must do what his master demands. Each day the Lord presents us with needs and opportunities that challenge us to do the right thing. Be faithful in all you do. Jesus is coming soon.

(8/29-30) 1 Corinthians 10:13
Obey Jesus. Put the activities of your life on a Godward focus, consistently obeying Him. When trials come, and they will, the Lord will already have prepared you for victory. Run straight for the goal. Build purpose in every step. Have faith in the Lord.

(8/31) 2 Thessalonians 3:3
I am expected to seek the Lord. Bible study, prayer and a quiet time are the daily activities of the Christian Life that facilitate God working in me to become like Jesus. All of the activities and energies of my life are to be focused on the Lord. He is worthy and interested in my devotion. The Lord will deal with the evil one.