April 1, 2025

THE BLESSED LIFE

[8] To sum up, all of you, be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; [9] not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9 NASB2020)

When someone speaks or acts with evil toward us, we must view it from a different perspective if we ever hope to turn a curse into a blessing. The enemy uses people to speak curses over us, but if we respond with a curse in return, we align ourselves with it and remain bound by it. However, if we choose to counter a curse with a blessing, the power of that blessing breaks the curse. This not only frees us to live a blessed life but also allows the person being used by the enemy to experience a glimpse of that blessing as well. A blessed life is simply a life free from the curse. When evil comes our way, it seeks to draw us into agreement with it so that we receive its burden. Yet, every attack is also an opportunity to receive a blessing—if we choose to give one instead. A kind word, a hug, a smile, a helping hand, or even a small gift can release Heaven’s favor in ways beyond our imagination. However, we must remember this: our motive for returning a curse with a blessing should never be the expectation of receiving something in return. Instead, we should desire for others to experience the same undeserved forgiveness and grace that we ourselves have received. That is the true blessing.

Prayer:
Father, in our own strength, this is impossible—but by Your Spirit, all things are possible. When someone wrongs us, remind us that it is an opportunity to show them Your love, a love that defies understanding. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 2, 2025

RECEIVING LIFE

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)

The God of all creation had a plan from the beginning, to give His life for us so that we can live with Him in eternity. The message of salvation is simple; ask for forgiveness, receive His grace, and confess that Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, is your only Savior. There is no checklist, no balance sheet of morality, just true and uninhibited love between us and God. With this salvation, we can receive the abundant life that He has for us. This isn’t limited to eternity, this applies to our lives here and now. What a gift! He has Kingdom blessings, purpose, and peace for each and every person that is adopted into the family of God. We are not immune to suffering, afterall we are still in this fallen world, but we have the promise that God is with us always. He gives us everything that we need to endure and have joy, regardless of the circumstances. This full life is available to us at every moment and because He is a living God, He moves in each moment of our lives.

Prayer:
Father, You have given us life, and we receive it! We receive everything that comes with it. Your grace, Your presence, Your gifts, and Your purpose is ingrained into each fiber of our being. Thank You for giving us Your Son, the only perfect sacrifice for the sins that we have committed against You. You want us with You forever, and we want to be with You forever. We love You, Amen.

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April 3, 2025

THE BIG DOG

Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:11 NASB2020)

Just as God the Father allowed God the Son to be taken into custody, beaten, and ultimately crucified, He also allows us to endure trials throughout our lives. Jesus’ suffering had a divine purpose, and likewise, every trial God allows us to face serves a great purpose. We must never doubt that our Father is fully aware of the enemy’s schemes. There is no trap set against us that God has not permitted. He’s The Big Dog. But, just because He allows Satan to set a trap, doesn’t mean we have to step into it. Instead of simply praying for our trials to end, we should pray to understand what God is teaching us through them. Let us never forget that our Father is sovereign over all.

Prayer:

Father, forgive us for ever thinking that You are unaware of our struggles. Forgive us for believing that Satan and his forces act outside of Your authority. Only You allow or prevent circumstances in our lives. In the midst of our battles, help us to remember the same truth that Jesus held onto: “Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” You are in complete control. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 4, 2025

RECEIVING WISDOM

“In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.” (Proverbs 24:14 NLT)

The sweetness of wisdom is something to search for. Proverbs 2 says this about searching for wisdom. “If you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.” This is a treasure worth finding and we can have confidence that we WILL find it. The Lord also tells us in Matthew chapter 7 that if we seek, we will find. Wisdom isn’t simply having knowledge. It is taking the knowledge that we have and asking the Lord how to apply it. In every circumstance, He wants us to look for the wise path. Wisdom is a hedge of protection for our lives. We can rest in the truth that receiving wisdom will lead to a life filled with clarity and peace. We don’t have to worry about making the “right” choice. When the wisdom of God guides us, it will always be right. The straight and narrow path will be lit up with beacons of instruction. We can take a sigh of relief and enjoy the journey of walking side by side with God.

Prayer:
Father, we receive Your wisdom and it is sweet to us. Like honey on our tongue, it brings us delight. We are seeking it out and we know that the mysteries of Your ways become so clear when we listen to the wisdom of Your Word. Thank You for giving us guideposts and markers so that we don’t have to guess about what is wise and what isn’t. You don’t hide it from us but make it so obvious. We love You, Amen.

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April 5, 2025

DISTORTED TRUTH

[37] Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” [38] Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?” And after saying this, he came out again to the Jews and *said to them, “I find no grounds at all for charges in His case. (John 18:37-38 NASB2020)

When Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”, he was expressing his own uncertainty. This is exactly how Satan operates—twisting truth, distorting reality, and blending deception with just enough truth to make it appear convincing. Even the smallest falsehood can corrupt what is true. What we believe shapes our lives, influencing how we see the world and the choices we make. Our daily actions and the direction of our lives are a direct reflection of our beliefs. This is why God’s Word is essential—it is the ultimate truth. It never changes, never wavers, and remains our firm foundation in an ever-shifting world. To stay grounded, we must immerse ourselves in Scripture—reading it, memorizing it, believing it, obeying it, and speaking it over our lives. If we neglect the truth, the lies we encounter daily will gradually distort our beliefs. And what we believe, we ultimately live out.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for the priceless gift of Your Word. Forgive us for the times we have taken it for granted. Thank You for Jesus, the Living Word, who dwells within us and confirms the truth of Scripture. Deepen our love for Your Word and give us an unshakable hunger for truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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April 6, 2025

RECEIVING HOPE

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NLT)

The Word has so many verses about hope and all of the benefits that come with it. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” The source of this hope is the triune God, the Father, Son, and Spirit. We cannot have true hope without Him. When we receive His hope, we can have our dreams and desires fulfilled. We must remember that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. True hope is hoping in Him and trusting that He is the answer for all things. He is the source for every righteous desire and blessing. We can only receive hope when we receive Him, and He is a generous God. He has an outpouring for each and every day, a portion designated for every moment.

Prayer:
Father, we place our hope in You and You alone. We know that there is no other true source of hope. When we see life through Your eyes, we are confident that You have Your hands in everything. You are intentional and passionate about the desires of our hearts. We want to walk through every day with our eyes fixated on You, the problem solver, the peace giver. Thank You for hope. We receive it. We love you, Amen.

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April 7, 2025

FACING LIFE

[7] He then asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” [8] Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you are seeking Me, let these men go on their way.” (John 18:7-8 NASB2020)

As we stand in the courtroom, guilty of every sin we have ever committed, God the Judge lifts His gavel. But before He brings it down, Jesus steps forward and declares, “I am the One You are looking for. Let them go free. Place every charge against them onto Me. Punish Me for it all. They are innocent; I will bear their guilt.” Satan, the accuser, is furious. He knows that the only One Hell cannot hold is the One now being handed over to him. And just as it was foretold, it happened. Jesus took our punishment, seized the keys of Hell, and by His own power, rose from the dead—defeating sin and death forever.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for wrapping Yourself in flesh, stepping into the courtroom, declaring us innocent, and paying the full price for our sins. You have set us free from sin’s penalty—help us to live free from its power. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 8, 2025

RECEIVING CORRECTION

“And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 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 at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?” (Hebrews 12:5-9 NLT)

Correction is hard to receive sometimes. We don’t often like to see the things that the Lord points out in our lives. When He does, it’s not to bring shame or condemnation, it is to bring us into a deeper and fuller life. It is to give us the chance to experience the joy of a pure and spotless life. This isn’t the kind of life that is dull or without pleasure, it is a life where we can have all of the deepest desires of our hearts. When our Father corrects us, it is always for our benefit. We can often get defeated in a season of correction, feeling like no matter how hard we try, we will never get it right. Take heart, this life is a glorious and sometimes difficult process of sanctification. We will never be sinless but we can be confirmed to the image of Christ. We can love well, laugh hard, and offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God and each other. The fruit of the Spirit will pour out of us when we listen to the correction of our Father.

Prayer:
Father, we don’t often enjoy it when You correct us, but we are thankful for ir. We know that through correction we are able to steward the gift of life that You have given us. We ask for sensitive ears and hearts as we allow You to reveal areas in our lives that need correction. We ask for humility and surrender as we heed to what You want to do in us. Thank You for loving us enough to discipline us. We love You, Amen.

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April 9, 2025

THE MOUNTAIN TOP

[11] Then the king of Israel replied, “Tell him, ‘He who straps on his weapons had better not boast like one who takes them off.’ (1 Kings 20:11 NASB2020)

Let’s not be deceived by the pride of small victories. It is often when we are at our highest that we are most vulnerable to a great fall. It’s easy to remain humble in the valley, but true humility is tested on the mountaintop. No matter how high we climb, we must always give God the glory. The battle we fight will not be over until the final great war. Only then will we be able to lay down our weapons. The mountaintop is not a place to relax, let down our guard, or boast in our success. Instead, it is the best vantage point—a place to watch, to be alert, and to prepare. But to watch, we must be looking. Be careful not to lose focus in the excitement of success. Take advantage of seasons where the battle isn’t as fierce, using them to gain perspective, seek God’s wisdom, and strengthen yourself for what’s ahead.

Prayer:
Father, it has always been You, it is You now, and it will always be You—period! It is good to strive for excellence, but only so that You receive the glory. In all that we do, help us. Without Your hand upon our work, it will fail. But when You are with us, no opposition can stand against what You have ordained. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 10, 2025

RECEIVING IDENTITY

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.’Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.’’ (1 Peter 2:9-10 NLT)

God is the God of new beginnings, new creations, reborn people. When we are lost, not responding to the voice of our Savior, we walk in the identity that the world gives us. That is a false identity, one that brings confusion and frustration. When we find Christ, submitting our hearts to Him and aligning our will with His will, we receive a whole new identity. One that has purpose and power. As the Holy Spirit works in us, naming us as only He can, something in us is sparked and we finally understand who He has created us to be. It may be easy to forget that we are new creations in Christ sometimes. The book of James talks about how we look in a mirror and see our reflection, then we turn around and forget what we look like. It takes intentionality to make sure that we don’t look away and forget who God has redeemed us to be. We are called to receive a whole new personhood, one that is marked with the seal of the blood of Christ. We are a royal priesthood, God’s own possession.

Prayer:
Father, we are so thankful that You make us new. We love that You invite us to receive new names, new purposes, and new identities. Thank You for now leaving us as we were, broken and lost people. We trust that when You reveal Yourself to us, our new nature is also revealed. Help us to not forget who we truly are. Help us to hear the names that You speak over us. We love you, Amen.

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April 11, 2025

LIFE OR DEATH

[21] Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long are you going to struggle with the two choices? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him so much as a word. (1 Kings 18:21 NASB 2020)

Each day, we make a choice—life or death, light or darkness, good or evil. The enemy’s greatest tactic is deception, making good appear bad and bad appear good. How long will we continue to fall for the same old tricks? Death can never bring life. It may be dressed up to look appealing, polished to seem valuable, but it will never satisfy the longing within us. Only peace, love, and joy can fill the void in our souls. Until we make peace with God, we will always feel an emptiness that nothing else can fill. God’s arm is outstretched, His hand open—waiting. But we must reach out and take hold of Him. We’ve tried everything else. Why not try Him?

Prayer:

Father, You set life before us, yet You also allow the enemy to present death. Help us to see the full picture, to recognize where each path leads. When we choose life, we experience Your goodness. And You, Lord, are so good. We love You! In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 12, 2025

RECEIVING GRACE

“But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:15-17 NLT)

When Adam and Eve sinned, the opportunity to have a sinless nature was stripped from all of humanity. From that point forward, we were bound to death through sin. That is, until Jesus came to earth with a glorious mission in mind, to save us from ourselves. Not only did He come to earth to pay the penalty of death, He came to give us grace, undeserved blessings. He gave us the ability to have full access to the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the soul of each person. The Holy Spirit shapes our mind, will, and emotions so that we are conformed more and more to the person of Jesus, the greatest Lover of all. Receiving grace looks like opening our hearts to the full capacity of God’s love for us, resting in the kindness of His many gifts. The gift of peace, the gift of being whole, the gift of being known. Receiving grace is more than just understanding that our debts were paid for, it’s gripping on tight to the totality of His love for us.

Prayer:
Father, You have given us a gift that we wouldn’t give in return, the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. He is the perfect Son, the kindest Companion, the one true Intercessor. You gave Him to us without any regrets, knowing that by His death, burial, and resurrection, we could be as close to You as He is. We are undone, overwhelmed, and consumed by the weight of that sacrifice. We receive every ounce of grace that You have for us. It is incalculable. There is nothing that can separate us from it, not powers, not principalities, nor height or depth, nor things seen or unseen, not even us. Father, You give us more than salvation from an eternity away from You. You give us every benefit that Your Son has by being Your Son. You give us full access to Your ear, Your mouth, and Your heart. How could we begin to Thank You? What words would be sufficient? The only thing we can do is receive it, bathing in the sea of Your affections. We love You because You first loved us. We bow, overcome with hope and joy. Amen.

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April 13, 2025

TRUTH FINDER

[16] Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. [17] The one woman said, “Pardon me, my lord: this woman and I live in the same house; and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. [18] And it happened on the third day after I gave birth, that this woman also gave birth to a child, and we were together. There was no stranger with us in the house, only the two of us in the house. [19] Then this woman’s son died in the night, because she lay on him. [20] So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from beside me while your servant was asleep, and she laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. [21] When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead! But when I examined him closely in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne!” [22] Then the other woman said, “No! For the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son.” But the first woman said, “No! For the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.” So they spoke before the king. [23] Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’ ” [24] And the king said, “Get me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. [25] And the king said, “Cut the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” [26] But the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son, and she said, “Pardon me, my lord! Give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” But the other woman was saying, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; cut him!” [27] Then the king replied, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.” [28] When all Israel heard about the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. (1 Kings 3:16-28 NASB 2020)

When Solomon faced a life-changing decision, he understood that love would reveal the truth. Love will always uncover what is real. Our flesh seeks self-gratification, but our regenerated spirit desires to please the Lord and put others first. When we walk in love—toward God and others—the right path will become clear when we reach a fork in the road. But if we fail to walk in love, our flesh will surely lead us down a path of destruction.

Prayer:
Father, walking in Your love brings countless blessings, but one of the greatest is hearing Your voice. When we can hear You clearly, we avoid so many unnecessary detours that waste precious time. As we choose to walk in love toward EVERYONE, speak to us. Commune with us. Sit with us. Spend time with us. We need You! In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 14, 2025

RECEIVING PRAISE

“‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’” (Luke 19:17 NLT)

When the Lord gave us new hearts and a new purpose at salvation, He invited us into the greatest mission of all time, love people into the kingdom of God. Teach them the truth and nurture their hearts to maturity. Jesus used a parable in Luke 19 to show us what a faithful servant looks like. The Master gave us all the resources necessary to multiply His greatest wealth, the saved souls of humanity. He has sent us out with talents and gifts so that we invest into people, drawing more and more into a relationship with Him and others. He could just have done this Himself and cut us out of the process, but He wants us to join Him, experiencing the delight of watching others come alive. When we steward the things that He has given us, He is delighted. He’s delighted not because we were “good” but because through our obedience, many more people got to see the glory of His face and the gift of His grace! When we join His mission, He says, “Well done!” and we get to receive it! We can ignite with gladness when He praises us.

Prayer:
Father, we want to hear You say, “Well done!”. We are so excited to join You on the mission to save the world. We want everyone to experience what we get to. We want everyone to have freedom, hope, and a place in the kingdom of heaven! We take every resource that You have given us and run out to the world, ready to share it! We place our hands on the plow and get to work, doing the most beautiful work of all time. Help us to see the unsaved people of the world! Help us to have courage and know that You are right next to us, speaking instruction to our hearts. We are ready, send us! Amen.

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April 15, 2025

HIS SECRET PLACE

[1] So the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle, and they camped beside Ebenezer, while the Philistines camped in Aphek. [2] Then the Philistines drew up in battle formation to meet Israel. When the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield. [3] When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let’s take the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh, so that He may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” [4] So the people sent men to Shiloh, and from there they carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord of armies who is enthroned above the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. [5] And as the ark of the covenant of the Lord was coming into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth resounded. [6] And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, “What does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” Then they understood that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp. [7] So the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “God has come into the camp!” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. [8] Woe to us! Who will save us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. [9] Take courage and be men, Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been slaves to you; so be men and fight!” [10] So the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent; and the defeat was very great, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. [11] Moreover, the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died. (1 Samuel 4:1-11 NASB 2020)

The Israelites believed that simply bringing the Ark of the Covenant into battle would guarantee God’s protection. But God does not fight for us just because we carry a Bible on our dashboard or hold it in our hands. Even attending church every time the doors are open does not move the heart of the Lord on its own. Psalm 91 speaks of the Lord’s protection, but verse 14 reveals how we gain access to His heart: "Because they have loved Me, I will save them; I will set them securely on high, because they have known My name." The Lord desires to be loved, just as we do. In John 14:15, Jesus makes it clear how we prove our love for Him: "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." He simplifies it even further in Mark 12:30-31: "First, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Second, you shall love your neighbor as yourself." What does this look like in daily life? Loving the Lord means giving Him the first fruits of everything—especially our time. He desires intimacy with us. When we wake up, He wants us to seek Him before anything or anyone else. When we prioritize time with Him, it becomes easier to walk, talk, and commune with Him throughout the day. Loving our neighbor as ourselves means being the hands and feet of Jesus. Each day presents opportunities to put others before ourselves, to serve, to show kindness, and to forgive those who have wronged us. When we move the heart of our Father, He goes before us, scattering our enemies. He becomes our pillar of fire, our strong tower, our place of refuge and strength. He covers us with His feathers and hides us in the secret place of His tent. Who or what would dare barge into God's tent? And even if they did, who or what could find His secret place?

Prayer:
Father, forgive us for prioritizing routine and religion over intimacy with You. Help us to fall deeply in love with You. Strengthen us when our flesh is drawn to things You hate. Give us hearts that are completely captivated by You. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 16, 2025

RECEIVING MERCY

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6 ESV)

Mercy is this; not getting what we deserve to get. We deserve punishment, condemnation, eternal separation. Psalm 23 says that His mercy will FOLLOW us all the days of our life. Every step that we take, the mercy of God will be right behind us, erasing the offenses that we commit against Him. This should bring us incredible hope and peace. This means that when we fail, when we yoke ourselves to the flesh, when we choose to do the things that we know that we shouldn’t do, the mercy of God has severed the eternal weight of it. This isn’t to say that we won’t experience consequences, we surely will. This means that in the eyes of God, all of it holds no weight to the status of our salvation. We are covered, we are cleansed, we are justified. We can move forward with boldness, trusting that God’s mercy overshadows even our most painful and horrible choices. Receiving this mercy is one of the simplest and hardest things to do. We live in a world that is largely transactional. When we give something we get something, when we take something, we give something. It takes practice to remember that there is nothing that we can do to earn His mercy. We cannot buy our way to the mercy of God through apologies or good works, we have to humble ourselves like beggars and just ask for it. Then we have to trust that He doesn’t just give it to us once, but every day. He says that His mercies are new every morning. They cannot run out and we cannot run away from them. Praise the Lord!

Prayer:
Father, we receive Your mercy! We hold onto it tightly. It is precious to us. We couldn’t run fast enough to outpace it. It is right on our heels. Thank You for Your mercy. We know that we deserve the full weight of our sin, but You wipe every one of them away. We pray that we would remember that it comes with one condition, that we receive it. You are so good to us. We love You, Amen.

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April 17, 2025

MEMORIES

As I sat at my desk, missing those who have gone home and cherishing those still here, I noticed something I had never seen before. Every item on my desk came from someone I love. To some, it may just be “stuff,” but to me, these things hold memories—precious reminders of the moments God has given me with the people who matter most. If we’re not careful, life will sweep us up in its busyness, leaving little time to pause, reflect, and be grateful. Gratitude is the key to an amazing day. God is always blessing us, always trying to open our eyes to how much He loves us. For a long time, these objects have sat on my desk, yet I never truly saw what He was trying to show me. It’s as if He is gently saying, “Son, stop. Look at how I’ve blessed you. Look at the people I’ve placed in your life who love you. Carry this awareness with you as you tackle the day, and you’ll win every time!”

Prayer:

Father, forgive us for rushing and allowing ourselves to become so busy that we don’t stop and see the blessings You shower upon us each and every day. How can we give You the praise You deserve when we’re unaware of Your goodness? We know how good You are, but sometimes it’s not a reality to us because we’re so distracted. Half of the things we’re distracted by don’t even matter. Thank You for placing things right in front of us to cause us to stop, remember, and acknowledge just how good You are. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen.

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RECEIVING GUIDANCE

“The LORD went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.” (Exodus 13:21-22 NLT)

It is always amazing to me that the Lord didn’t leave the Isrealites to wander alone after all of their rebellion. Not only did He not leave them, He guided them with obvious and constant signs. He does the same for us. When we ask Him to go before us in every situation, He guides us in ways that are unmistakable. It is no mystery to us. He is eager to guide us and wants us to travel to the places that flow with blessings. He wouldn’t lead us to an empty land, unless we rebel. If we refuse to receive His guidance, we will end up in the desert. The desert won’t be without provision, but it will certainly be less pleasurable than if we would have heeded His guidance in the first place. I have traveled many deserts, and I am sure to travel many more in my lifetime. I pray that I am quick to not only ask Him to go ahead of me, but submit to His guidance as he gives it.

Prayer:
Father, send us clouds and pillars of fire! We don’t want to wander but more than that, we don’t want to go where You aren’t. We want to follow You with all of our trust and head to the places that You have prepared for us in advance. Thank You for being so obvious. Sometimes we are dense, not picking up on the settle cues. You are good enough to shout when we close our ears. Help us respond quickly. We love You, Amen.

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April 19, 2025

THE LOST COMMANDMENT

[25] Now beside the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. [26] So when Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” [27] Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household. (John 19:25-27 NASB2020)

In the days when God’s people were judged by the law, they were given hundreds of commandments, rules, and regulations. Yet, only ten were engraved on stone tablets—ten divine instructions that carried the weight of heaven. Among them was this command: "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12) This command was not just a rule; it was a sacred duty. In those days, honoring one’s parents was as essential as drinking water—it was woven into the fabric of life. Even as Jesus hung on the cross, He demonstrated this honor, entrusting His mother to John’s care, saying, “Behold, your mother.” (John 19:27) But in today’s world, this command seems to have lost its place in many hearts. What has changed? Why do so many neglect this principle that was once held in such high regard? God values obedience to this command so deeply that He attached a promise to it. It is the only one of the Ten Commandments that comes with a direct blessing—long life. There's only one gift greater than the blessing of extended days and the joy of cherishing those who brought us into this world? Let us not forget the weight of this command. Let us return to honoring our mothers and fathers—not just out of obligation, but out of love and reverence for the God who gave us life.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the gift of our parents. Forgive us for the times we have failed to honor them as You have commanded. Help us to see the importance of this law—not as a burden, but as a guiding light. Give us hearts that cherish and obey Your word, just as David did. May we bring joy to You by walking in obedience. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.

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April 20, 2025

RECEIVING HIS PRESENCE

“I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” (Joshua 1:3-5 NLT)

Joshua was left with a large and overwhelming task when Moses died. His task was to bring the Israelites into the Promised Land. Millions of people were looking to Joshua to finally deliver them to the land that God had prepared for them. When Moses died, Joshua had to know that God was with him. How could he ever lead the people without the presence of God? The presence of God was precious to him. God reassured him. He promised that just as God was with Moses, He would be with Joshua too. God would not fail him, or abandon him. God knows that we cannot do anything in our own strength and He knows that we need Him with us. When we receive the truth that God is with us always and He won’t fail us or abandon us, we can do the impossible. We can lead our families, our friends, our co-workers, a whole nation, to the place that God has promised. With God, all things are possible. With God, there is no mountain that can’t be moved.

Prayer:
Father, we need You with us all the time! We need Your presence so that we can do the impossible. We trust that You are all around us and within us. We trust that You will not leave us, You will not fail us. We have confidence in Your consistency. Thank You for being so close. We love You, Amen.

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April 21, 2025

LONG-SUFFERING LOVE

[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. ( 1 John 5:3 NASB2020)

After spending over 20 years going in and out of prison, rehab, and all kinds of trouble, I look around and see the people who have never stopped loving me—just as much as they did before the struggles began. The depth of my gratitude for them is indescribable. Their unwavering, long-suffering love has been the greatest tool God has used to reveal His own love for me. We know that Christ laid down His life for us, but the reality is we weren’t there when it happened. We didn’t walk with Him like the disciples did. Can you imagine what they must have felt after spending three years by His side—growing closer to Him—only to witness His crucifixion, knowing He endured it for them? I thank God for the people in my life who have made His love tangible, who have shown me what it means to be loved unconditionally. Through them, God’s love has become real to me. And now, with Christ living in me, I know His love is just as real for me today as it was for the disciples who walked with Him. Just as I would do anything for those who have never given up on me, I should be willing to do anything for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When you truly love someone, it’s not a burden to do what they ask. For this is the love of God: that we follow His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. So, what is He asking us to do? Make His love a reality for others.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for placing people in our lives who have made themselves available for You to work through, making Your love a reality to us. Help us to be available to do the same for others. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 22, 2025

RECEIVING THE PRUNING

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” (John 15:1-4 NLT)

Pruning can be a painful and messy process. Cutting off both the living and the dead things in our lives can cause us discomfort. When we receive the pruning, the Lord tells us that we will naturally become more fruitful. We will grow new and healthier branches. He also tells us that we have been pruned and purified by the message of truth that He has given us. That message is the gospel. The good news of salvation from Satan, sin, and death of every kind has been given to us by Jesus. As we remain in Him and Him in us, the fruit of the Spirit will be found all over us. We cannot produce anything good when we are severed from Him. Receive the pruning, my friends. Become fresh, become fruitful, become lighter. Allow God to get rid of all the old and unnecessary things that you have stored up on yourself. Whether that looks like pruning unforgiveness, or business, or a bad habit, or even an unhealthy relationship, let God take it off. You’ll be better for it.

Prayer:
Father, prune away all of the ugly and old things. We want to come to life in the fullest measure. We want your fruit all over us so that our brothers, sisters, and the world can be nourished. We love it when You get Your hands on us, even if that means that it hurts in the process. We know pruning is always for our benefit. Thank You for being intentional as you make each cut. You are so precise. We love You, Amen.

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April 23, 2025

HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD

[1] Now the boy Samuel was attending to the service of the Lord before Eli. And word from the Lord was rare in those days; visions were infrequent. [2] But it happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to be poor and he could not see well), [3] and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was, [4] that the Lord called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.” [5] Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. [6] And the Lord called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son, go back and lie down.” [7] Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him. [8] So the Lord called Samuel again for the third time. And he got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. [9] And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3:1-9 NASB2020)

How blessed we are to have the Lord dwelling within us! In the past, people had to rely on prophets to hear from God, but today, we have the incredible privilege of hearing from Him personally. Yet, how often do we truly listen for His voice? God speaks to us in many ways—through others, our circumstances, and His Word. But the most intimate way He speaks is when He calls us by name. Do we recognize that still, small voice that only our hearts can hear? To truly hear Him, we must walk in the Spirit, believing not only that He dwells within us but that He speaks to us. May we have the same eager heart as Samuel, saying, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

Prayer:
Father, thank You for always desiring to speak to us and for patiently listening when we call. There is no greater joy than walking and talking with You. Yet, we know that when we give in to the desires of the flesh, our hearts grow dull to Your voice. Lord, remind us that nothing the world offers can compare to the intimacy we find in You. When the enemy tempts us, let us remember what we would be sacrificing. Keep our ears and hearts open, so we may always recognize and follow Your voice.

In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 24, 2025

RECEIVING LOVE

“We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.” (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 NLT)

God’s love does more than make us feel secure, at peace, hopeful, and encouraged. His love comes with power. The God who created all things instills His love and His power in us when He brings us to Himself. When we receive His love, the Holy Spirit enters in and does mighty things within us and all around us. God is always motivated by love. He is trying constantly to get us to grasp that concept. He wants us to love Him and love others, using the power of it to reconcile the whole world back to the Creator. If God is love and He is in us, then the love of God can radiate out of us. That is powerful!

Prayer:
Father, we have cheap words for love and it is impossible to understand perfect love in our earthly perspective. But we want to understand as much as possible. We want to explore all of the facets of it. If we know Your love better, we can know You better. Help us to wrap our heads around what it means to be loved by You. Help us to receive the full expression of it, even when we can’t understand it. We love You, Amen.

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April 25, 2025

THE THIRSTING SOUL

[37] Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. [38] The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ” (John 7:37-38 NASB2020)

When I think about thirst, I picture someone lost in the middle of a desert, desperately searching for water. In that moment, nothing else—money, houses, cars, or fine clothing—would matter. Their only focus would be on finding the water that could save their life. This is the condition of a soul without the living water of Christ. So many are spiritually dehydrated, desperately trying to quench their thirst with everything except the one thing that can truly satisfy. The emptiness they feel deep within is their soul crying out for the only water that gives life. Yet, instead of turning to Christ, they chase after temporary things—like a traveler in the desert running toward a mirage. They throw themselves into what seems like an oasis, only to find it was never real—just dry sand, just death.

Prayer:
Father, so many souls are wandering in a desert, dying of thirst. They chase mirage after mirage, coming closer and closer to the brink of destruction. Lord, let rivers of living water flow through us, that we may lead them to the true source of life. Let them drink deeply and never thirst again. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 26, 2025

RECEIVING VICTORY

“My enemies did their best to kill me, but the LORD rescued me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done.” (Psalm 118:13-17 NLT)

God never loses. He never fights a battle that He won’t win. Whether that’s a battle that we need Him to do in us or for us, if it aligns with His nature, character, and will, He is sure to do it. God is almighty! We can receive victory while He does the fighting. Sometimes He asks us to participate, slaying the enemies left and right. Sometimes He asks us to just be still and watch Him execute His might. With one word, He flattens all obstacles. As the Creator, He rules over it all. With His might He brought all things into this world, and with one word, He can bring all things out of it.

Prayer:
Father, we need You to fight for us. We cannot do it on our own. If You aren’t fighting, we know we will lose. In You we have victory over everything that You have victory over. Thank You for providing us with armor for our daily battles and thank You that sometimes, we don’t need to do anything other than to praise You when You do all the work. We love You, Amen.

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April 27, 2025

THE UNSHAKABLE FOUNDATION

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. (Proverbs 10:25 NASB2020)

The storms of life can be devastating. Sometimes, we are the ones enduring them. Other times, we watch from a distance as they crash into the lives of others. And sometimes, we step into the storm to help those who are struggling to hold on. Some storms bring such unbearable pain that it feels as if our very souls are being torn apart. I remember the year I sat in jail, awaiting trial. I had just finished four years of a five-year prison sentence, only to find myself facing 25 to 99 more. As if that weren’t enough, I had just learned that my sister—missing for four years—was dead. A month later, my grandfather, the man I was closest to in this world, passed away. Grief consumed me. My soul was drowning in pain and regret. Surrounded by people who cared only for themselves, I felt utterly alone. Everyone who had ever loved me was far away, living their lives. I had lost everything. And just when I thought I couldn’t bear any more, I faced the biggest trial of my life—literally. That’s when I realized I couldn’t go on without God’s help. I had known the Lord before, but I had drifted so far that my relationship with Him was nearly nonexistent. Then came the moment of surrender. I told Him: "Lord, I don’t care about what I want anymore. If You want me to spend the rest of my life in prison, then that’s where I want to be. If You want me to go home, then I’ll go home. All I know is that I need Your peace, Your love, and Your joy. If I have those things, life will be beautiful—no matter where I am. Even in the middle of the storm." And when I finally let go, Peace, Love, and Joy flooded in. The fear of the unknown disappeared. I no longer worried about God’s plans for my future—my only job was to stay filled with Him and pour into others, wherever He placed me. Then, the Lord did what most thought was impossible—He opened the prison doors for me. I was grateful that His plan was to use me on the outside, but I knew that my purpose would have remained the same no matter where I was. We must never forget our commitment to lay down our lives daily. And if we do forget, life will surely remind us. But no storm—no matter how fierce—can destroy the foundation beneath us. It may take everything else, but it can never move the rock we stand on. That foundation is Jesus Christ. As long as we have Him, we have all we will ever need.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being all we need, no matter what we face. No storm is greater than You. Help us to stand firm on the foundation of Jesus Christ, trusting that You are always in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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April 28, 2025

IT’S THE SOIL THAT MATTERS

“One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5“A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” (Luke 8:4-8 NLT)

Spring is finally here and I'm anxious to see what my new bag of wildflower seeds will present in a few weeks. But before the planting begins the preparing of the soil is imperative and crucial to what I harvest. The same is true in our spiritual life.

In Psalms 65: 9 It tells us the river of God is full of water and when we allow that river ( the Holy Spirit) to flow into our heart (soil) he will enrich it and provide growth. In verse 10 It goes on to inform us that if we should allow our soil to become hard he is faithful and will abundantly water the ridges or hurts with soft showers and once again bless its growth.

The Holy Spirit is working in our behalf from the moment of salvation until the very end of our spiritual journey for it is he who will help us tend our soil and give us the spiritual tools we need to reap a beautiful and plentiful outcome.

Luke 8: 5-7 tells us there will be some seed that will fall by the wayside that will be trampled down and become seeds for the birds of the air to devour. There are seeds that fall on rocks and quickly spring up, but they will wither away because they lack moisture. Then, there are those seeds that fall among thorns and when they spring up they are choked out.

I love to grow beautiful flowers and there have been a few times I've tried vegetables. In one way or another I can relate to all of these scriptures whether spiritually or in my earthly efforts. The one thing I am certain of is that if I remain persistent in working the soil it will become good ground. To keep our hearts supplied with what it needs for a healthy, loving relationship with God we must be faithful in prayer and studying God's Word.

In Luke 8:8 is where we find the good news of sowing and reaping. The seeds that fell on good ground, ground that has been tilled for planting, spring up and yield a crop of a hundredfold,

To keep our hearts tilled and ready for growth we must make ourselves available to God's Word as it will give us the direction and answers we need. If we really want to see a beautiful and prosperous harvest we have to first seek the kingdom of God through prayer and then in labor, When we put forth the effort we will see his glory fulfilled in our harvest.

Gardening is work that is continual. It requires rooting out and replanting on a regular basis and whether it's our home garden or the garden of our soul we must not become slack in well doing if we want to reap a bountiful crop.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for good soil. Thank You for the seed and the earth. Thank You for instruction. We want to have full gardens that glorify You. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.

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April 29, 2025

WHEN I CAN’T SEE IT AND WHEN I CAN’T FEEL IT

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

There are times in life when it seems, when it appears the situation we are facing is hopeless, but Jesus says, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26.

There is nothing Satan delights in more than getting us down and out or depressed because he wants our hope level, our resilience to be at an all time low. This is how he plans his attacks, but as our scripture verse in Romans tells us, the God of hope will fill us so that we might abound and it is all by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Keeping our hope activated is important and it takes work. It's kind of like a fire. You can have a good, robust fire going but if you don't keep stirring the wood and adding more wood when necessary it will eventually die out. Hope is much the same way. We can believe in God with all our heart but if we do not maintain our belief with prayer and reading God's Word our hope can become all but a flicker in life's difficult times. The Holy Spirit has promised to help us in keeping our hope and our trust in an all powerful God at a level Satan cannot attain.

How refreshing and encouraging it is to know and serve a God who is always working in our behalf. How wonderful it is to know we have a God who will stand with us and give us strength (2 Timothy 4:17) during every circumstance and every problem we face.

Prayer:
Dear most gracious Lord, I thank you that you are always available to work on my behalf. I thank you for sending the power of the Holy Spirit to be with me and for helping me to abound (to be sufficient} in all that I do. I ask you to work mightily in the lives of those who are needing answers to life's situations in Jesus name I pray.

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April 30, 2025

RECEIVING PROMISE

“But when she came to the man of God at the mountain, she fell to the ground before him and caught hold of his feet. Gehazi began to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone. She is deeply troubled, but the LORD has not told me what it is. ”Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? And didn’t I say, ‘Don’t deceive me and get my hopes up’?” Then Elisha said to Gehazi, “Get ready to travel; take my staff and go! Don’t talk to anyone along the way. Go quickly and lay the staff on the child’s face. ”But the boy’s mother said, “As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I won’t go home unless you go with me.” So Elisha returned with her. Gehazi hurried on ahead and laid the staff on the child’s face, but nothing happened. There was no sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and told him, “The child is still dead.” When Elisha arrived, the child was indeed dead, lying there on the prophet’s bed. He went in alone and shut the door behind him and prayed to the LORD. Then he lay down on the child’s body, placing his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands. And as he stretched out on him, the child’s body began to grow warm again! Elisha got up, walked back and forth across the room once, and then stretched himself out again on the child. This time the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes!” (2 Kings 4:27-35 NLT)

This scripture is the end of a story about a woman who is promised a son. When her son grows, he is out in a field with his father and he dies. The woman immediately goes to the prophet Elisha. She knows that he will do something. She had a promise from God. She believed that God was going to do something and had enough faith to chase that promise. Sometimes is feels like the promises of God have died. We have a choice, run to the Promise Giver and beg for Him to do something, having faith He will. Or we can surrender to the defeat, walking in doubt, anger, and fear. Why don’t we chase the promises of God? Why are we so quick to give up? Is it because we doubt the goodness of God? Is it because we doubt that we heard Him right in the first place? We can receive the promises! We can ask Him to resurrect them! He is able and willing.

Prayer:
Father, You promise great and wonderful things. Give us the faith to chase after them when we feel them slipping out of our hands. Thank You that You aren’t cruel, getting our hopes up only to disappoint us. You fulfill all of Your promises and we have faith that You make even the dead things come alive. We love You, Amen.

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Love Thy Neighbor

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