Christ is the hope for the broken-hearted. Pain is real. He felt it. Heartbreak is inevitable. He experienced it. Tears come. His did. Betrayal happens. He was betrayed.
He knows. He sees. He understands. And, He loves deeply, in ways we can’t even fathom. When your heart breaks at Christmas, when the pain comes, when the whole thing seems like more than you can bear, you can look to the manger. You can look to the cross. And, you can remember the hope that comes with His birth.
The pain may not leave. But, His hope will swaddle you tight. His gentle mercy will hold you until you can breathe again. What you long for this holiday may never be, but He is and is to come. You can trust that, even in your holiday hurts.
Be patient and kind to yourself. Give yourself extra time and space to process your hurt, and reach out to others around you if you need extra support.
Find a cause to invest in. There is a saying, “grief is just love with no place to go.” Find a cause that honours the memory of a loved one. Giving time or money to a suitable charity can be helpful, as it gives expression to the love in your heart.
Create new traditions. Hurt changes us. Sometimes it is helpful for us to change our traditions to create a new normal. If you have a holiday tradition that feels unbearable, don’t do it. Instead, consider doing something new… Creating new traditions can help alleviate some of the added sadness old traditions often bring.
Today, you may be overwhelmed, bruised and broken, but there is still goodness to be welcomed and blessings to be claimed this season, even in pain. There will be holidays in the future when you will feel stronger and lighter, and these very difficult days are part of the road to them, so accept whatever gifts God has for you. You may not fully open them for years, but unwrap them as the Spirit gives you strength, and watch the heaviness and hurt disappear.
“And in the same way the Spirit is a help to our feeble hearts: for we are not able to make prayer to God in the right way; but the Spirit puts our desires into words which are not in our power to say.” (Romans 8:26)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your greatness. Thank You that when I am weak, You are strong. Father, the devil is scheming and I know he desires to keep me from spending time with You and loved ones this holiday. Don’t let him win! Give me a measure of Your strength so that I might not give into discouragement, deception and doubt! Help me honour You in all my ways, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
While the rest of the world around us becomes excited and enamoured with our culture’s celebration of the Christmas holidays, some of us struggle through the holiday season – overcome with clouds of depression, and battles with fear and dread. Fractured relationships, divorce, dysfunction, compromised finances, loss of loved ones, isolation, loneliness, and any number of other circumstances become even harder to navigate, due to the often unrealistic expectations of the holiday. For many years in my life, loneliness magnifies, stress accelerates, busyness intensifies, and sadness overwhelms.
There is something about this holiday that intensifies all emotions. The hype begins in October and builds up in the weeks before Christmas and new year, often making it a very difficult time for those of us who have experience loss of any kind. If, like me, you find Christmas is a difficult time, then let’s see if we can figure out a better way of coping together.
Today, I write this word from the depths of my own pain and experience in hopes of helping those who struggle with this season for various reasons. God’s Word and His principles of love, power, and truth are woven into every element of encouragement. Practical suggestions and challenges are presented to help navigate this and every stressful and difficult season. My passion is to bring hope and healing to hearts that are hurting, helping them break free from the burdens of stress, depression and dread, and find a new way of joy and simplicity.
“The Lord is near the broken-hearted; He is the Saviour of those whose spirits are crushed down.” (Psalm 34:18)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I know only You can help this pain vanish away. Father, I plead for peace and serenity as I fight the pain I am feeling during this season. Send Your hand down to me, and fill me with Your strength. God, I cannot take this pain any longer without Your help! Release me from this hold and restore me. I trust in You to give me the strength to get through this time of the year. I pray that the pain will be gone! It will not hold me down, because I have the Lord on my side, in Jesus’ name! Amen.
Are you facing challenges in your relationships? Finances? Career? Does your soul need refreshing today? You can come to the Father to find what you need. God wants to refresh you. He wants to give you rest and peace. Think about that for a moment. What would cause you to rest? If you knew everything was going to be okay and would work out for your good, you would stop worrying and rest! Even if things don’t work out the way you planned, or on your timetable, you can trust that God will turn things around in your favour. Hallelujah!
Today, come to the Father with gratitude and thanksgiving. Thank God right now for taking your burdens and giving you peace through faith. Thank Him for loving you today and giving you a new start despite a difficult past. Thank Him for His faithfulness and hope of an awesome future! Please go out today with an attitude of expectancy and confidence. Remember, God always has a plan, you’re not alone, you can always can come to Him!
“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” (Matthew 11:28, AMP).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I come to You now giving You my cares, heartaches and burdens. Father, I thank You for working on my behalf and keeping me sane through some tough times. God, I thank You for loving me and setting me free in my mind. Thank You for giving me rest for my soul and peace in my heart today, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Has the devil ever visited you? Well, he visited Jesus, and there are some things we can learn from the encounter between Jesus and the devil.
Scripture says three times the devil tried to disguise a temptation as something good. Turning stones to bread would have sounded good to someone who had just fasted for 40 days. Satan also used Scripture, trying to twist its meaning to tempt Jesus, but He stood firm, drawing strength from God’s Word to resist the devil.
Then Satan tried to dazzle Jesus with an offer to give him all the power and authority he deserved. But Jesus turned to the Scriptures again, showing us that God’s Word is far stronger than Satan – and any temptations he can throw at us.
Today we learn, because the devil tempted Jesus, and Jesus was truly human. Jesus truly understands what it is like to struggle as we do. Jesus did not sin. Because Jesus did not sin, we know that He is truly God and powerful enough to save us. The Bible says, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one [Jesus] who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet he did not sin.”. This should give us hope that through Christ we can be victors over sin.
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for giving me advice in your Word that I need to resist the devil. Father, when I fall, thank you for providing the power that is forever strong enough to save and restore me. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, many of us seek sources of strength and guidance to navigate life’s twists and turns. For countless individuals, faith in Jesus Christ serves as an anchor, providing solace, hope, and a sense of purpose amidst the storms of life. In this blog, we explore the profound impact of having faith in Jesus and how it can transform our lives.
The Foundation of Faith
At its core, faith in Jesus is rooted in the belief that He is the Son of God, who came to Earth to offer salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him. This foundational truth forms the bedrock of Christian faith, shaping the way believers perceive the world and their place within it.
Finding Peace in Times of Trouble
One of the most profound aspects of faith in Jesus is the peace it brings, even in the midst of life’s greatest challenges. The Bible assures us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and those who trust in Him can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace provides comfort and strength, enabling believers to face adversity with courage and resilience.
Hope for the Future
Another transformative aspect of faith in Jesus is the hope it instills in believers’ hearts. The promise of eternal life with Him gives believers a confident expectation of a future filled with joy, fulfillment, and everlasting love. This hope transcends the temporary trials of this world, offering a glimpse of the glorious future that awaits those who belong to Christ.
Strength in Times of Weakness
In moments of weakness and despair, faith in Jesus offers strength and renewal. The Bible teaches that His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. Through prayer, meditation on His Word, and fellowship with other believers, individuals can draw upon the infinite strength of Jesus to overcome life’s challenges and persevere in faith.
Walking in Purpose and Fulfillment
Ultimately, faith in Jesus empowers believers to live lives of purpose and fulfillment. As followers of Christ, we are called to love and serve others, to share the good news of salvation, and to live out the values of compassion, justice, and humility. By aligning our lives with His will and following His example, we can experience a deep sense of fulfillment and meaning that transcends worldly pursuits.
Conclusion: Embracing the Power of Faith in Jesus
In conclusion, faith in Jesus Christ is a transformative force that has the power to change lives and shape destinies. It offers peace in times of trouble, hope for the future, strength in times of weakness, and a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can only be found in Him. As we journey through life, may we hold fast to our faith in Jesus, trusting in His promises and allowing His love to guide and sustain us every step of the way.
Have you ever looked back over your life and said ‘I’m far from home’? What happened when you realised?
In scripture, Naomi had been away from Bethlehem in the land of Judah for a long time. She and her husband had moved to Moab because of a famine, and their sons had grown up there and married. Naomi also experienced deep grief when her husband and then later her sons died.
Being a widow in those days was very difficult because a household depended on men to provide food, shelter, and support. So when Naomi heard that God had provided food in Bethlehem, she was motivated to go back there.
Isn’t it interesting to see how God works in our lives. Wherever we go, God watches over us. And sometimes, in dire situations, we may be drawn to seek him in renewed ways. In this story, as we learn later, God was drawing Naomi back to Judah because he had a special plan for her family. But Naomi didn’t know that at the time.
Today, like Naomi, you may be dealing with some adversity. Maybe it’s the death of a loved one or the unexpected loss of a job. Maybe it’s some trouble you brought on yourself. Whatever the case, difficult situations can lead us to focus on the goodness of God and how he provides us a spiritual home for us. Wherever you are at this moment, may God help you see that our true home can only be found in Him, through the gift of Christ, His Son.
She left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. (Ruth 1:7).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for the hope of an eternal home. Father, wherever I am in my life, help me to hear your voice and to know that my home is with you. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Today Americans celebrate the life of the great Christian leader, Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Below are four quotes from him that will give us hope in this hopeless time.
“I say to you today, my friends . . . even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
“. . . I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; ‘and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together’. . . . “
“ . . . With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”
Today these words of Dr King not only give us hope for now but in the years to come “This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. The land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring! . . .”
“Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 40:4-5).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, have mercy upon us. Father forgive us for what we could have been but failed to be. God, give us the intelligence to know your will and give us the courage to do your will. Please give us the devotion to love your will. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Newer translations of the Bible include a footnote with this story, saying that it is not found in the earliest manuscripts. I hope this “messiness” of the Bible does not trouble you. It shouldn’t. Rather, we can recognize that the perfect Word of God entered a messy world and picked up some scars, yet still tells us plainly that while no one is perfect, Jesus gives us space.
In scripture, Jesus gave space for this crowd to go home shame-faced. They expected to jeer and throw stones at a “fallen woman”. He challenged them to investigate their own hearts to see if they were sinless before throwing the first stone. Then he drew in the sand while they all slinked away, now seeing their faults a little more clearly.
Jesus gave space to the woman too. The officials dragged her before him to test his ability to judge, not realising that he would one day be the Judge over all. Jesus does not rush to judge this woman. He does not condone her actions but gives her space to change: “Go now and leave your life of sin”…
Today, just like the woman caught in adultery, Jesus gives us space to realize that sin does not have us trapped. We can, by his grace and Spirit, leave our sins behind. There is some space as this new year begins. To reflect on our sinful life and decide to get closer to Christ. Is this not a great idea for 2024?
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, as I reflect on the past year and move to the new year, help me leave my old sins behind and the guilt that goes with them. Thank you for your mercy. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
It’s a New Year, and we look forward in hope to a year filled with potential, but we also know there is uncertainty. A review of 2023 reminds us of the changes a year can bring. Some good, some very painful. What will happen in 2024?
We opened December asking, “What is the source of our hope?” And through Scripture, we have seen God in Jesus, meeting our deepest needs. Now in this New Year, we look once again to Jesus the Saviour who has come and who now reigns in heaven until the day he will return.
Words can only begin to describe the power and glory of our ascended Saviour. He is the Lord of life. John describes Him as standing in long flowing robes. Long robes were worn by royalty, or at times of celebration. They were a sign of victory, security, and work completed. A person fleeing danger, or a worker could not be encumbered with a long robe, but Christ stands in flowing robes.
Today there is no threat to God’s kingdom; His redemptive work is fully accomplished. Children of this victorious King have eternal security. As we enter the New Year, may we all declare, “My only comfort in life and death is that I belong to my faithful Saviour, Yahshua the Messiah!”
No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame. (Psalm 25:3).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, In a world of uncertainty, I thank you, for the comfort, hope, and peace I have because I belong to you. Father, thank you for being my security and allowing me to share in your victory. In Christ name, Amen.
Today you might find yourself remembering some of the triumphs and trials of the past year. Even if you have had wonderful successes in the past twelve months, you can probably remember some low points.
As you enter a new year, I hope you remember that God’s plans have always been to prosper you. He can transform ordinary events and difficult trials into key moments that help his plans to prosper. He is not out to harm us, but the dark moments we experience can be part of the most important lessons to help us grow nearer to him.
Today ponder on this thought: God has a way of saving His world that we may find hard to understand. He introduced His Son into the world and brought about our salvation in a way that could easily be overlooked by this secular world. Yet He has changed the world, and His Kingdom keeps growing. That same God comes into our lives and draws us into His plans for a hope-filled future! Thank you, God!
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, my life is in your hands. Father, I praise you for the joys you have brought me in the past year, and for the ways you refined me through the trials in my life. Lord, prepare me to be part of your work in the year ahead. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
When Christ was born, a great company of angels announced his birth. He was the Son of God, after all, he deserved a grand supernatural entrance into the world. They sang a glorious song and must have looked amazing as they shone in the night sky.
But the angels announced the Saviour’s birth to a group of peasants, not the rich and famous. They were not a grand audience to receive the King of all nations, “Yahshua the Messiah.” Nevertheless, His birth was announced to the lowly.
It’s fitting that Christ’s birth was announced to a lowly group of people. For the Messiah’s coming was to bring God’s love to the loveless, hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless like us and to fulfil the dreams of the lowly, meek, and humble. Another purpose of Christ’s coming was to restore people like us to a relationship with God. So, the shepherds were just the right kind of people to hear this news.
This world desperately needs God. We desperately need God. But no matter how hard we try, we cannot get to God on merit. The good news of this season is that God has come to us. Hallelujah! The good news of the nativity is that in Yahweh, the hopes of the world are fulfilled. Let’s make this good news the focus of our New Year celebration!
Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11).
Let’s Pray
Yahshua, with the angels, I give you glory and praise. With the shepherds, I thank you that by your grace you have come to the lowly and alone like me and all my family and friends. Help me to never loose sight of this truth as I reflect on the birth of Jesus. In His name I pray, Amen.
“Take up your cross and follow me,” Christ said. We shouldn’t expect the Christian life to be easy and comfortable because believers aren’t exempt from trials. Becoming a Christian may result in increased trouble and suffering. Peter refers to such hardship as a “fiery ordeal,” and tells us not to be surprised by it. God uses our suffering for His purpose, and He walks through it with us. Hope during affliction is possible when we understand what God is achieving in the situation. Here are four reasons the Christian may go through trials.
1. The heavenly Father sometimes uses painful experiences to purify us. Trials drive us to the Lord and open our eyes to sins that we have tolerated. His discipline is not designed to crush us but to produce “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11).
2. God uses suffering to display his power. Trials humble us by revealing our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). They teach us to depend on the Lord for the power to persevere and mature
3. Our suffering has eternal benefits. Earthly affliction “is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
4. The Lord at times allows difficulty as a way of testing us. His goal is to produce increased faith, endurance, and devotion to Him. Rather than complaining, we should exult in our tribulations, knowing that they are producing proven character within us (Romans 5:3-4).
Today, be encouraged and view your next trial from God’s perspective. Though you may not feel it at the time, the Lord is with you. He is your hope and sufficiency.
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are [a]reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [b]On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 1 Peter 4:12-14
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, as I go through the trials of life, help me to realize that you are always with me in all things; that I have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds me for eternity. In the security of your embrace, in Christ’s name Amen.
Have you heard of the acronym WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)? Loving one another isn’t a matter of a warm, fuzzy feeling, weak knees and a pounding heart. It’s a matter of doing the right thing because that’s what Jesus would do. Sometimes, we do things Christ’s way, and it can result in unpleasant outcomes for us. Loving often calls for doing the unexpected.
Living the WWJD life makes us disciples of Jesus. Therefore, love is not something we can just opt to do or not do. It is a command from our Master, who showed us how to love. If we are asked why we are showing love, we should answer, “Because we’re disciples of someone who loves us. We do it for Jesus’ sake.” We can only show love by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. Then we’re able, like Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King, to serve Christ by loving and serving others.
Today, loving “one another” is often challenging. It may call us to love the strong-willed child or an ageing parent or spouse angry with dementia. At home or church, it may involve loving someone who is always negative and critical. At work, it may be the co-worker claiming to be indispensable while barely doing their job. It may mean foregoing a new coat so that someone else can have one. The “one another” in our lives could be someone we don’t even know, but who comes to love Jesus because of something we did. Whom will you show Jesus’ love to today? Remember, we do what Jesus Do… We love all.
These three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love. — 1 Corinthians 13:13
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for loving me when I don’t deserve it. Father, help me to see others as you see them and do for them what you would do. Please help me to be a person who shows that I follow the example You gave me. All for Your glory and honour I love You, in Christ name, Amen.
We pray because we want something to change in our lives. Every day, we are attacked by many different circumstances — financial insecurities, health problems, or even relationship issues.
Most of us find prayer “a remedy” to these problems. But what if the answer is different from what we expected?
That’s probably why God used many people in the Bible about prayers being answered. These faithful heroes begged God to intervene in their troubled lives, which He reasonably did.
As you read along, observe these two things:
The reason why that person prayed (intention and attitude)
How has God powerfully answered the prayer
And who knows? It may also change the way you pray and receive God’s answer.
The Heroes Who Prayed
Hannah
In Bible times, when a woman is barren, it brings deep shame to the family. This is because children are seen as God’s gift, and being infertile is a challenging situation.
Like Hannah, you may be in a position where everything is hopeless. You may have already questioned God why you feel that “deep shame”.
But, recorded in 1 Samuel 1:11 (NIV) is Hannah’s prayer of faith.
She said, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
As you see, Hannah already claimed that God would fulfill His promise in her life even before she was pregnant. Sure enough, Samuel went down in history as Israel’s greatest prophet.
Just like Hannah, you can manifest God’s promise in your life and let Him be God.
Daniel
Imagine being in a place where no one knows you, and you’re being kept as a slave. You might have questioned God and blamed Him for your circumstance.
But Daniel reacted otherwise.
He knew God and how to communicate with and listen to God. Also, he made God his Friend in a country where he knew no one. Daniel 2:27-28 (ESV) describes Daniel as one great man.
It says, Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:”
Daniel was successful because He gave God all the credit. And because of that, he became chief administrator of the whole Medo-Persian kingdom!
Daniel might have become proud and arrogant. But, he understood that he was just a servant in the hands of an omnipotent God.
And that understanding came from his personal connection with God through prayer.
Jairus
Let’s talk about something more serious—death.
Jairus had a dying daughter. According to Mark 5:23 (NIV), he pleaded earnestly with Jesus, saying, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put Your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”
All of us are desperate for healing, especially when it is our loved ones who are at stake. We tend to pray and bargain with God to heal them from whatever they’re suffering.
In this story of Jairus, maybe God is just testing our faith. His daughter already died before Jesus arrived at his home!
But Jesus had more than a cure in mind when He urged Jairus to believe. When Jesus entered the house, He resurrected the girl from the dead.
Jesus wants to go above and beyond our expectations—He wants to revive our faith!
Elisha
Have you ever been in a situation where you are responsible for something yet don’t know what to do next?
Elisha did. God gave Elisha prophetic skills and abilities, and these threatened the king. He sent a troop to encircle Elisha’s city and initiate an assault. This news caused Elisha’s servant to panic.
There may be moments when God entrusts us with something, and along with it are circumstances that can harm us.
Instead of panicking, Elisha told his servant. “Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16, NIV)
God answered Elisha’s prayer by blinding the opposing army. He then led his people out of the city.
You will also have the confidence to accomplish anything God asks of you. This is possible if we seek His protection surrounding us, knowing that our circumstances are blind to His might!
Joseph
The slave who turned into one of the best leaders in Egypt.
The Bible states that Joseph had a close relationship with God, and this is because of his prayer life. Because of this, even his master saw how close he was to God and found favor in him.
Genesis 39:2-4 (ESV) describes how Joseph is with his relationship with God.
It says, “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.”
Because of his faithful prayer life, God used him to govern Egypt and deliver them out of famine.
You might relate to Joseph in a way. Your business is not doing good, you have failing grades at school, or a really good friend betrayed you.
Regardless of how bad your situation is, remember that the God who led Joseph from rags to riches will definitely give you a way out, too. Just pray.
David
David was known to be the man after God’s own heart. But, how did he become one?
What does his prayer life look like? David was just like any of us. He committed mistakes, and he admits that he has deeply sinned against God.
But what made David successful was how he acknowledged his mistake and confessed to God. Psalms 51:10 (ESV) says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
After having heartfelt repentance and a deep talk with God, he felt a sense of peace in his heart and accepted that God already forgave him.
In our journey to success, we might experience a lot of temptations and stumbling blocks along the way. But, our persistent surrender to God will make us successful in our day-to-day battle with trials.
Jesus
Really? The Man who saved the world from sin prayed, too?
Yes. Jesus was not exempted from the benefits of this ultimate secret. As recorded in the Scriptures, He spent many, many hours in prayer.
Jesus could’ve just skipped the prayer part and went on to save the world.
But, no.
Every day, in the early hours of the morning, He kneeled and prayed to God the Father for protection and guidance.
“But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray,” according to Luke 5:16 (ESV). By spending time with his Father regularly, Jesus stayed in touch with His desire and purpose.
Why did Jesus do this?
Because He wants to be an example of how powerful prayer is.
Even before He was crucified, He prayed and pleaded to God to let the circumstance pass. But He was willing to submit Himself for God’s leading and will, and that was how the most extraordinary love story started.
There is Power in Prayer
Prayer has worked wonders in the lives of people in the Bible, and it can work for you, too!
It will help you to:
Acquire peace of mind
Be patient
Become the person God wants you to become
God’s Word is transparent in how great heroes in the Bible are and how dependent they are on God. He wants us to be comforted that He always provides the best answers only if we allow His power to influence our lives.
Author Bio
Heroes 2 is a Bible trivia game released by the Hope Channel. It is a sequel to the game, Heroes, which was released in 2013. The latest game version is on 3D graphics and animation, enhanced with unique features and more challenging Bible questions. It comes in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. The game is available on both iOS and Android.
Everybody loves something new, from shoes to smartphones. Today’s verse says God is doing something new with you right now. Can you see the “brand-new thing” God is doing in your life? Sometimes it’s easy to see the hand of God moving, and sometimes the storms of life can cloud our vision. But no matter where you are in life today, meditate on this truth that God is working, even when you can’t see Him.
Just like a seed buried deep in the ground, it may seem dark and lonely, and there may be dirt all around, but that is the place where new springs forth. In your old stale, dark situation trust that God is doing a new thing! You can trust Him because He is faithful! His plan for you today is blessings. His plan is to give you a future and hope. His plan is to do a new thing in your life.
Today, let go of the thoughts of the old past, and push through your dirty life, and open your heart to the “brand-new thing” God has already started in your life. Ask Him to show you what He’s doing. Ask Him to reveal it to your heart and mind. So, seek Him with your whole heart and you will find Him, and see the brand-new thing He’s doing in you!
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun!” (Isaiah 43:19, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for pushing through my stale, dirty life and doing a new work in me, even when I’m not paying attention or deserve it. Father, thank You for the brand-new thing You have promised me. God, I open my heart and put all my faith and trust in You, now and always, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
With gun and knife crime high, with kids as young as 8 carrying drugs across the country, things are out of control right now. Our country, and across the entire world, are experiencing wide-spread devastation like never before seen in history. Some places are too hot, others too cold. Floods, diseases, and brokenness seems to be affecting all. The world needs prayer at this time.
We may not have all the answers about the world’s situation, but we can set our hearts and minds on what we do know. What we know is that God is faithful. What we know is that He is our Deliverer. What we know is that we can trust in Him. He is our hope, He is our peace, and He will carry us through. He promises that no matter what you we be facing, He will empower us to walk through it and overcome.
Today, when you don’t understand, when you don’t have answers, when you are in your darkest hour, God is your light of hope. God will bring restoration and order to your life again. Whether you’re in a storm, or experiencing another type of “trouble,” call on Him. He will deliver you, and in return, you will bring honour and praise to Him.
“…call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour Me.” (Psalm 50:15, NIV)
Let’s PrayYahweh, today I’m calling on You. Father, I trust that even in my personal darkness, and in the world’s darkest hours, You are my light of hope. God, give me Your peace that passes understanding. Bring order and restoration to my life. Heal this land of crime, abuse and natural devastation as Your people call upon You, in Christ’ Name! Amen.
