Dying Daily to Self

 Verse of the Day

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

1 Corinthians 15:31

Meditation

Christians are called to live selflessly, trusting God to provide the grace to do the right thing. This is not easy, but it brings joy, peace, and justice before God. We must "die to self" daily and not live for our own desires. This is the best way to make a difference in the world.

Prayer

Lord, I'm not perfect, but I know that, like Paul, I can overcome my selfishness. Please give me the strength to become more unselfish. Show me how to rid myself of my selfishness so that I can be a vessel for your work. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Jesus Enters the Synagogue

 Gospel of the Day

Today we will be reading in the book of Mark in chapter 3 verses 1-6.

And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.   Mark 3:1-6

Let's Talk About It

So, Jesus is confronted in a synagogue by Pharisees and teachers of the law who watch to see if he will heal a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath to find a reason to accuse him. Jesus asks them a question about the law: is it lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath? When they remain silent, revealing their hard-heartedness and malicious intent, Jesus heals the man, restoring his hand to normal. This act infuriates the Pharisees and Herodians, who begin to plot Jesus's destruction. Jesus was demonstrating his authority over the law by choosing to do good and save a life, even on the Sabbath. This passage illustrates the clash between rigid adherence to religious law and Jesus's compassionate mission to restore and heal. There are many religions out there and many have rules and laws to follow and conform to, but Jesus is the ultimate healer and restorer. I am thankful I follow Jesus who is willing to not conform to religious beliefs alone and rules but is willing to still heal and restore and save lives despite what laws are in place. Jesus is here for anyone and everyone who wants to receive salvation. You can come to Jesus anytime and anyplace to receive healing. He is always able and always faithful.

 

Forget About It! God's Got You!

 Verse of the Day

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 94:19

Meditation

I wrote my worries down, prayed, and put them in a "God Box". Over time, I forgot what I wrote and trusted God more. He cares for me and provides renewed hope and joy. I now surrender my worries to Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come to You in our times of need, asking that You open our eyes to Your love and faithfulness. Help us to trust in You and surrender our struggles to You, so that our faith may grow. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Good Shepherd

 Verse of the Day

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:27 

Meditation

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows and cares for His sheep. He is willing to give up His life for us and provides us with a way to safety. He desires an intimate relationship with us, and if we trust Him, He will provide for us and guide us. He is our Shepherd, and we can choose to follow Him.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being my guide and protector. I pray that I may be able to better understand Your will and be closer to You. May I be able to recognize Your voice and follow it faithfully. In Your name, amen.

Trust God with your Future

 Verse of the Day

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

Ecclesiastes 10:14

Meditation

Trust in God for the future. Seek Him and commit your plans to Him. Jules Verne, born on this day in 1828, showed us the power of imagination and trusting our instincts. He created a new kind of literature that predicted a future that, in many ways, came true. #TrustGod #CommitYourFuture

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I humbly ask for Your guidance and wisdom. Help me to think and plan wisely. I place my trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Great Sea Calmer

 Verse of the Day

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

Meditation

As Christians, we have the power of faith to calm any storm that comes our way. Jesus showed us this by believing in his own power and commanding the storm to be still. We don't have to be afraid when life throws us a curveball, because Jesus is with us and has the power to stop it. When the storm came, the disciples of Jesus cried out to him for help.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I'm so grateful for your willingness to come into my life and help me through every storm. I'm thankful for your strength and power, and I trust that you will never let me down. When storms come, I know I can always turn to you for help. So today, I'm asking you to help me find peace in my family, job, career, and education.

He is the master of the wind. He can calm a storm with just spoken words or a wave of His hand. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. Through Jesus Christ our Savior God can be reached. So do not worry about the little storms or even the big ones that come into your life, just trust that He will calm it. This scripture reminds me of an old song that I've heard many times in church..

"My boat of life sails on a troubled sea

Ever there's a wind in my sail

But I have a friend who watches over me

When the breeze turns into a gale

I know the master of the wind

I know the maker of the rain

He can calm the storm

And make the sun shine again

I know the master of the wind..."

Master of the Wind

Song by Becky Issacs 2022

Lyrics taken from Google

Come Read the Gospel with Me

 Gospel of the Day

Today we will be reading in Matthew 2:13-18 as follows:

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

God's warnings are protections for you. Jesus being just brought into this world and already someone seeking to destroy him. God warns Joseph to take Jesus and Mary out of Bethlehem and into Egypt for a time. During that time, King Herod is angry with the wise men did not return unto him and orders that all the male babies and children aged 2 and under be killed. It was not Jesus' time to die just yet. It is clear to me that all of us are born into a sinful world and our destruction is constantly coming after us. The enemy went to work right away after Jesus' birth but he was not successful in killing the son of God. Thank God for his protection and thankful for God fearing parents like Joseph and obeying God when he was warned. 

Thank you for reading with me today. I hope you'll check out more on my blog and find something interesting. 

Just Life Lately

 Lately I have been dealing with some anxiety and worry. In this season of my life there is just so much going on. School is back in session for my two older kids and I'm struggling to get my 4-year-old to potty train. She is just not ready, I guess. That seems to be the trend with my kids. Finances always seem to be overwhelming the closer it gets to the holidays. There's Halloween costumes to buy and planning all the Thanksgiving dinners we will have to attend which is a lot considering my husband and I both come from divorced family households. We do however have our own plan for Christmas dinners this year. We are always so overwhelmed with all of the dinners we have to go to and the gifts we have to purchase each year for each different dinner, so we have decided to only attend his parents, my parents, and Christmas at home with our own kids this year. I feel like it will cut down on a lot of the anxiety and worry of trying to make every dinner and definitely help with the cost of gifts this year. The way I see it that is money we could be spending on our own children's gifts. I know most people plan their gift spending early in the year but somehow, we always end up procrastinating. Either way it always gets finished right on time. My oldest may soon be approaching the not believing in Santa anymore but hopefully he won't ruin the magic for my other two children. Maybe we can keep the magic alive for another few years. They are growing up on us too fast. My oldest will hit double digits this year and I am just in shock that it's been a decade since they first placed that little baby in my arms. Time is thief. The days are long, but the years are short. That phrase is definitely ringing true. I know this blog post is just all over the place but that's literally how things have been lately. I feel like I need to take a week-long vacation or a nap. This season is just overwhelming, and I'm trying to pray through it and hold on to God's promises and just trust that everything is going to be ok. Yall pray for me. 

Prayer Life

 Verse of the day

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  Ephesians 6:18 

Meditation

Prayers is a gift. Robert Hamlet wrote a song for his mom, who prayed for her sons. When she heard it, she prayed with him. Let's teach kids to pray daily. Show them God is with us, loving, guiding, and caring. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come to you asking for your help to trust in you every moment and to live in the assurance that you are always with me. I know I can do nothing without you, so I pledge to pray with my family to keep you near. Your love and care for my family is unparalleled. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Do You Feel Like Job?

I was so tired last night and almost decided to skip out on my nightly devotional but I felt the need to open up my app and read it. I am glad that I didn't skip it because it was exactly what I needed. Job was a very patient and overcoming man. He endured so much hurt and anguish but never once gave up on God. He trusted Him with his all. He was a very hopeful man in a time of trouble and heartache in his life. We all could take a lesson from Job. The last few years of my life have been hard and I've struggled with anxiety and depression from the trauma I've faced in my life. I've caught myself questioning God and why all of these things are happening to me. I've been clinging to hope that my situation will turn around for good and somedays I feel hopeful and other days I still doubt. God allowed Job to lose everything including his own family and friends. He suffered greatly and still held on to hope and trusted God no matter what else came his way. God restored Job and everything he lost God then multiplied it. Job came out of the valley and was back on the mountain top. He was a blessed man. We must all be like Job and keep pressing on and trusting God.

Verse of the day

In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job 1:22 

Meditation

This year has been hard with anxiety and depression. It's been a struggle to understand why these things happen. It's easy to try and explain them away, but like Job, we can find hope in knowing that God is always with us. Challenges just are, but God is too. He is the Creator and loving Sustainer of all life. Knowing this can give us hope to hold on.

Prayer

O God, wrap us in your loving arms when we feel like we are slipping away from you and our joy. May we always feel your presence. Amen.

Have You Heard the Gospel Today?

 Gospel of the Day

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. John 12:44-50  

Jesus was a perfect man. He walked this Earth as God in the flesh. He came to deliver good news to us all that even if when we die from this Earth we can live again. Eternal life. Can you imagine how wonderful Heaven must be? Jesus was a selfless man who gave His life for all of us so that we may be able to live eternally someday in Heaven. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. To come to the Father, God, you must first come through Jesus. We have eternal life and hope in Jesus Christ. You need only to believe that He is the son of God and to ask Him to come into your heart and be your Savior. Repent and turn from your sin and walk in the light. There is peace in Jesus. 

Studying in Luke

Verse of the day

And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. Luke 2:43

Meditation

Jesus chose to follow God's laws and take his place in Jerusalem to worship. He was our perfect substitute, taking our punishment so we could be blessed with a Savior. Consider the gift of a loving substitute who loves us so much. 

Prayer

 O Lord, my transgressions are plentiful, yet your compassion is even more abundant. May your perfect sacrifice on my behalf always bring me peace and happiness. Amen.

Hold Your Fork! Trust In Jesus! The Best is Yet to Come!

 Verse of the day

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

John 2:9-10

Meditation

Hold on to your fork! Jesus promises us an eternal home in heaven, even if life is filled with troubles. Trust that in Jesus, the best is yet to come! Trust God! Eternal hope!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I am so grateful for all the blessings you have bestowed upon me--the sustenance of daily bread, the grace of forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life. May I always be filled with thankfulness. Amen.

Secure in Jesus

 Verse of the day

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.   Luke 3:8

Meditation

Trust in Jesus alone for security. His perfect life and death on the cross are the only way to be forgiven and restored to God. Don't rely on our own efforts or family connections, but on Jesus. He is the only one who can save us from sin.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, grant me a heart that is truly repentant and help me to rely solely on you. Let me no longer find comfort in false security. May I cling to you and you alone. Amen. 

Christian Parents

Verse of the day

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

 Meditation

I was in church from a very early age but later when I was around 6 years old, my parents divorced. I wasn't consistently in church from that moment on, but I still attended some with my grandmother and later my new stepdad. I am thankful for those two people in my life because they continued to show me what praise and worship to God was. They instilled faith in me and taught me about the Lord. I may not have always followed Jesus the way I should have as I grew up, but I knew right from wrong from early on and that stuck with me to this day. Sometimes we stray but if we are taught early about the goodness of God and His ultimate love for us then we will always know who we can go to in times of trouble. Without the guidance and direction of my grandmother and stepdad there is no telling where I'd be today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for the people in our lives who show us love and support. We thank You for the blessing of their presence in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ask, Seek, Knock.

 Verse of the day

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Matthew 7:7

Meditation

If we ask of God what we need and want and have faith we will be granted with what we have asked of him. We need only to call on Him in times of need and He will answer. Even if the answer is no, there is no prayer that goes unheard or unanswered. God will open new doors for you and even shut a few that no longer serve your purpose in life. We can't always understand why He closes certain doors, but we must have faith and believe it was for our good. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for those who help us draw nearer to You. We thank You for always being there for us when we seek You. Amen.