Tag: notw

NotOfThisWorld

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Developing True Friendships

What Does the Bible Say About Friendship?

I’m so lonely Ray, I hear this over and over. We’re commanded to love each other in the same way God loved us, so I can’t help but think there’s a measure of Jesus in making new friends. As you open your life to new people, maybe it’s time to change acquaintances into true friends. 

Whether your life is overflowing with people, or your day-to-day existence is lonely, there’s room for another real friend. Most of us have more obligations than time, but most of us haven’t mastered managing our priorities. It’s not easy, but if you want to spend time on a relationship, chances are there is something you can change or remove to make room for it—whether it’s one night a month during which you do not binge-watch Netflix so you can hang with a friend. Or spending your coffee break catching up by phone. Or texting something just because you know it will make them laugh. Or occasionally waking up an hour early to exercise together before the rest of your house awakens. It’s worth the potential sacrifices. 

It’s not all about you. Share your own stories and be real—but remember that friendship is a two-way street. A one-sided friendship goes nowhere fast. Instead of wondering what you will get in return, ask yourself what you can offer. It changes the dynamics of the relationship and often results in reciprocal kindness. friendships die because one person resents putting forth all the effort, so decide now to be the person who does most of the work. People are busy, and their lack of communication may not be a rejection, but a normal response to a busy life. Don’t take it personally; try again. When you invest time in your friends, they’ll know they are valuable to you. 

Today in creating true friendship whether romantic or plutonic consider what scripture says, “above all, before all, and through it all—love one another.” It seems obvious and sounds trite, but it is true: love is the answer to nearly any question. In all things, err on the side of love. By doing so, you’ll brighten the life of anyone you’re involved with, and as you practice living the way Jesus taught, you’ll see more of Him in your friends, and they’ll see more of Him in you. 

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command… Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” – John 15:12-15, NLT 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thanks for being my friend. Father, teach me to love others the way you first loved me. As I build friendships with others, let them see You in the extent of my generosity, the authenticity of my kindness, and the depths of my love. God, all those things are only possible through you, the God who abides with me and calls me friend. I love You my friend Christ Amen. 

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Peace Be Still!

Three years ago, hurricane Dorian destroyed the island of Bahamas killing more than 50 people. It was the worst storm to ever hit the island. Many were homeless, some starving and hundreds were missing. What do you do when the storms of life seem to be raging against you? One time Jesus was with His disciples in a boat out on the sea of Galilee, when they encountered a great storm.

Christ’s disciples were very afraid and were losing hope, but Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. When the disciples woke Him up to see if He could help them, Jesus got up and simply spoke to the storm, “peace, be still!” And the seas were calm again. When difficult times come, you don’t have to be overwhelmed by the waves of worry or fear. Just as Jesus stood up and spoke to the storm, you have power in your words too. As a believer, the Bible tells us that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you.

Today, speak to your storm with authority. God’s miracle-working power is on the inside of you. He’s given you His authority to declare peace over your home, your mind, and your family. Throw unnecessary negatives overboard lest you sink. Remember, no matter what storms may come against you, greater is He that lives on the inside of you, and He’ll empower you to live in victory and peace in every area of your life! Hallelujah!

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit, and for giving me Your authority to rebuke the storms in my life. Father, show me what negatives must go in my life that may cause me to sink in the storm. God, I declare Your peace over every area of my life and thank You for working things out for my good, so I won’t be devoured by life’s storms, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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God Rewards The Faithful

Keeping Faith in God During Hard Times

Notice today’s verse doesn’t say that God rewards those who “deserve” it or have “earned” it. It doesn’t say that God rewards those who act perfectly and never make mistakes. No, God’s blessing isn’t based on our performance, it’s based on our faith, our belief in Him, and His goodness.

So, do you want a reward? Start believing, start spending more time meditating on God’s goodness and dwell on His faithfulness. Expect Him to act in your life. Spend some time seeking Him, reading the Psalms, and begin to praise and thank Him for all He is doing.

Today, open your eyes of faith and see all the wonderful things He has prepared for you. Let His Word shape your thoughts, and remember He is a rewarder! He wants to bless you today because you earnestly seek after Him!

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your Word which fills my heart and mind with faith. Father, I believe that You are good and that You are a rewarder, even when my faith is weak, and my behaviour isn’t great. God, I will put my trust in You, knowing that You have blessings in store for my future, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Hard Days

Life has become so hard. We have challenging days. Days that stretch us, sometimes beyond what we can bear. Sometimes these days appear as a series of little irritating events that build-up to one terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. On other days we wake up to find one huge, unexpected event that lands like a bomb in our life. 

From time to time, hard days find us busy and distracted as we try to fix everything that has gone wrong. Then we get caught up in our thoughts and feelings about our circumstances that it consumes us. Perhaps we attempt to hide away from the struggle of the day in the hopes that if we don’t think about it, it will all go away. 

Today instead of negative thinking, hard days can be opportunities for us to draw near to God. They are opportunities for us to depend on him and receive more of his grace. Challenging, days should remind us how desperate we are and how much we need our Saviour. 

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, help me! I am so weary and worn down. So many things are happening all at once and I don’t know what to do. Father, I am overwhelmed. Sometimes, it feels like I am standing in a fierce wind that is whipping and swirling around me and I can’t move because the force is so strong. It will knock me down. And what if I can’t get back up? God, please help me. Grant me hope, wisdom and strength during these hard days. In Christ’s name, Amen. 

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20/20 Vision

Do you have a vision for your life and your family’s life? The Bible says, “without a vision the people perish.” Today’s verse says, “the vision is for an appointed time.” That means there is a specific time already determined for the fulfilment of the desires God has placed in your mind and heart. The appointed time is the best time! We must trust that God can see the bigger picture for our lives. He knows what’s up ahead. He knows what we’re going to need, who we’re going to need, and when they need to show up.

Remember, if God did everything, we asked on our timetable, it would limit us, because sometimes what we’re asking for is too small. Sometimes the person we think we can’t live without, God knows they’re not going to be good for us in ten years, so He is closing the door right now. Sometimes the promotion we want so badly if God gave it to us right now, He knows it would keep us from a much bigger promotion in three years, or maybe a closer relationship with him.

Today, remember, God has the advantage of seeing it all – the bigger picture – the beginning and the end. The longer I live, the more I trust Him. The more I see His hand of faithfulness, the more I know that His plan is better than my plan. Today, trust that He knows what He’s doing. Trust that He has an appointed time for all that should take place in your life. Trust His will and His process and watch Your God-given vision and His promises come to pass in your life! Hallelujah!

“The vision is yet for an appointed time…” (Habakkuk 2:3, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I put my dreams, desires, hopes and longings into Your loving hands. Father, I trust that the vision You have given me is for an appointed time. God, give me patience and strength to trust Your process and timing. I know it’s best, so I will praise You until I see Your vision and Your promises come to pass in my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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We Will Face Disappointments

In life, we all will face disappointments. Maybe bad news concerning your health, job, or a relationship not working out – a setback! It’s easy to get discouraged, lose your enthusiasm, or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we’re going to be God’s best, we must have a “bounce-back” mentality. 

That means when you get knocked down, you don’t have to stay down. You get back up again. You must know that every time adversity comes against you, it’s a setup for a comeback. You may have got knocked down, but you haven’t been knocked out! Remember, as a believer, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on inside of you.

Today, there is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny. If you stay in faith and keep a good attitude, you will rise again. God will turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and you’ll move forward into His victory! Hallelujah!

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…” (Proverbs 24:16, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for setting me up for success in everything I do for You. Father, I choose to trust and rely on You, knowing that Your plans are for my good. Therefore, when life knocks me down, when disappointment comes my way, I won’t stay down, but I will bounce back, knowing my best days are up ahead, and I look forward to the blessings You have in store for me, in Christ’s name! Amen.

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When You Don’t Feel Worthy 

Idle Words

I’m so Glad, God does not weigh our actions and puts our sin on a scale to see if we’re worthy of approaching Him. If our sin level mattered, then no one would ever be worthy. But because of Christ, when God looks at us He sees His Son’s sinless life and innocent sacrifice. Therefore, because of the gospel, we are free to approach God and communicate with Him. 

In scripture when Isaiah was brought before the Lord, he fell down at his unworthiness and could not look at God. Isaiah had no merit to earn God’s favour, but through a gift, God made Isaiah righteous. Just as God removed Isaiah’s guilt with burning coal, He removes our guilt with the blood of His Son. This gift was a one-time gift, and you are made guiltless in God’s eyes. However, since those saved by Christ still live in a fallen world, we will still fall prey to sin. But when we pray for forgiveness, it draws us away from sin and pulls us closer to God. 

Today, don’t let sin keep you from praying. If you haven’t prayed today, or in a while, take 5 minutes and close your eyes – thank God for who He is, who He has made you to be. Ask Him to forgive every sin in your life, especially the sin that has been holding you back from Him. Then realise your worthiness and let His love pour over you and refresh you. 

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,” – Hebrews 4:16 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, You are worthy of all praise. You have given me life even though I am unworthy and undeserving. You have taken my sin and made me guiltless. At times I don’t feel guiltless, and my shame gets the best of me. You have made me your child and heir, and you have given me the greatest gift anyone could ask for—eternal life. Lord, please grant me mercy. Please grant me your strength to resist sin and spend more time in prayer and praise because in your presence is where I truly belong. In Christ’s name. Amen! 

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Happiness Today!

Today Is The Day To Be Happy

With our world in turmoil with war and a pandemic, it’s hard to be happy. It’s very easy to come up with excuses as to why we are not happy. All the time I hear things like, “as soon as I get out of debt, I’ll be happy.” Or “as soon as I lose weight”…” as soon as I get promoted…” as soon as my children start behaving…” No, if you don’t put your foot down and decide to be happy right now, there will always be something to keep you from being happy. Let’s get rid of the excuses and decide to enjoy life right now, beginning today! 

Today is when God wants you to be happy, not tomorrow. That’s why David said in the Psalms, “this is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it.” He was saying, “this is the day to be happy; not tomorrow, not when the weather clears up. Not next week, when I don’t have to work so hard. Not next month, when I make it through these difficult times.” No, choose to honour the Lord right now by choosing to enjoy your life. This is the day that the Lord has made! 

“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray Yahweh, thank You for this day. Thank You that yesterday has gone with its worry, stress, and sadness. Father, thank You for another day, another opportunity to praise and rejoice for Your kind mercy towards us. God, I choose to set my mind and heart on You and not on my problems, so I will be happy despite the situation. Almighty, this day I will rejoice and be glad, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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Blockage

Have you ever felt like every time you try to move forward in something, you hit a blockage, or something happens that throws you off course? Be encouraged today because God has gone before you! You may not see it, but He is preparing a way for you. He’s making your crooked places straight. He’s making your rough places smooth. You may be going through a difficult time right now, but it’s not the end, God has a detour around the blockage, and He has equipped you for this journey!

Remember, don’t focus on your circumstances, focus on the promises of God! Keep speaking words of faith because God promises to anoint your head with oil. He’ll cause your cup to run over. That means when you seek Him, He will refresh and anoint you to do what He’s called you to do.

Today, keep moving forward despite the blockage, God can make a way out of no way. Start by checking your attitude. Don’t go around complaining and focusing on the negative side of things. Instead, put on an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Thank Him for removing that blockage and for making your crooked places straight. Keep your eyes on Him and let Him lead you into victory all the days of your life!

“I will go before you and make the crooked places straight…” (Isaiah 45:2, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your goodness in my life. Father, thank You for preparing my path and for making my crooked places straight. God, I give You total permission to remove all the blockages in my life that are stopping me from moving forward. Restore my soul and lead me in the plan You have for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Christian Decor For Prayer Rooms

Sweet fellowship

Prayer rooms offer a time for reflection, a place to reflect on our faith and a place to pray. The decor can be a simple reminder of our faith, or it can be a beautiful room that offers a place for our prayers. If you want to create an inviting and comforting environment that enhances your spirituality and prayer time, it is important to create a space that feels like home. This is the reason why prayer room decor should always reflect individual taste. Whether you are a fan of modern or traditional decor, the companies such as Christian walls have a great selection of inspiring and inspirational Christian prayer room decor, to help you create the space you need to enjoy your daily prayer habit.

The prayer room is a special place of worship for Christians, a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and to spend time with Him. A good prayer room should be quiet, serene, and peaceful. It should be comfortable, not cold, and not too hot. It should be decorated in a manner that is pleasing to the eye, and should contain all the right elements, so that your soul can be at peace, for example footprints in the sand wall art & decor can really put your focus back on God. The prayer room will become a place that is special to you. You will look forward to entering it, and you will enter it with joy, and you will leave it with a feeling of peace and contentment.

The goal of Christian wall art or decor is to give you an atmosphere that you feel is safe and inviting, while still holding a sense of church.

A prayer room is one of the most important parts of a church building. It is the room used by Christians to pray in, and it is where they want to focus on God. This is a room that is filled with religious symbols. The symbol that is used the most is the Cross, next to the Bible. This is because Christianity is about following God’s word and keeping his word, and the Cross is the symbol of His word.

Snowflakes to decorate the Prayer Room

In Winter, we can use snowflakes to decorate the Prayer Room. Winter is a time of year that offers many opportunities to decorate your Prayer Room. Since snowflakes are not only beautiful, but also special and meaningful, you can use them in a variety of ways to decorate your Prayer Room.

Snowflakes just look amazing when we hang them on the ceiling. You can decorate your prayer room for Christmas or during any other holiday season. Snowflakes can be used to decorate the walls with posters and pictures that you want to share with your friends and family.

There are some great options that you can choose from to decorate your prayer room. It is very easy to make a snowflake with paper. If you have the courage to learn, you’re gonna make it!

Religious symbols on the wall

Crosses are used in prayer rooms because of their association with Jesus Christ. There is a common misconception that Jesus only performed miracles, but in reality Jesus fulfilled all the requirements to be considered a true Messiah, including being a great moral teacher and having a unique relationship with God.

Crosses are commonly used in Christian religious buildings for our inspirational meaning. Crosses have been made to be a variety of shapes and sizes, but the most common is the Latin cross. Historically, the cross has been used as a symbol of the Christian faith, symbolising both the crucifixion of Jesus, and his resurrection.

A cross in a Christian prayer room is a symbol of the Christian faith. It can be found in churches, homes, or on the walls of a Christian prayer room. It is a strong Christian symbol that has also become a popular item for other interior design items for homes and businesses. It is a beautiful design that can be found in many homes, as it is a well-loved symbol of Christianity. In the prayer room, a cross is used to create a connection with God.

Bible Verses hangings on the wall

There are many different ways to decorate your Prayer Room, but most of them are much the same. There are, of course, inspirational quotes, like those from the Bible, in the room. The Christian tradition has always been about sharing the Bible’s love and authority with others. Throughout Sacred Scripture, the Bible is represented by art, music, and other works of the imagination. This is because the Bible is the Word of God, an invitation to higher consciousness, a lifelong journey with how grace is the center of all.

We can use Candles for decor

Candles have been used to decorate for centuries, but did you know that they can also be quite useful for prayer, particularly in the Christian faith? Christian candle decor can help you express your faith in Christ, and also help you to live out your faith by using the symbolism of light and symbolically burning a candle to commemorate or celebrate a rite or special occasion.

You may be aware that when the temple was being built, there were many special candles that were used as part of the ceremony. In fact, many of the special candles used were made from pure frankincense and myrrh, which can still be used today in the Church. However, you may not know how these candles were used for worship and prayer.

There are many reasons to get a candle as a way to decorate your Prayer room. The candles are excellent for lighting up the room and helping you to focus on your intentions. They can also help in setting a mood for the room.

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A Distraction?

Don’t get mad, it’s only a distraction? Many challenges in life are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone at work isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbour who always parks in front of your house and blocks your way. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the bigger picture. You can’t allow the little things to steal your joy and cause strife in your life.

Remember, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. But David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. He simply “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. Don’t focus on the distraction.

Today, truth be told, most frustrations aren’t even worth fighting over. Let’s keep our focus and turn away from strife because it’s only a distraction sent by the enemy to keep you from your God-given blessing!

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife…”(Proverbs 20:3, KJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Father, give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife and honour You. God, help me see the challenges for what they are, distractions from my eternal blessing. Jesus, I love You and bless You today and always, in Christ’s name! Amen.

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Don’t Worry ?

With casualties going up in Ukraine, and the economy at its weakest ever, it’s easy to worry. What are you worrying about today?

Worrying means allowing something to revolve in your mind repeatedly until it stresses you out. God doesn’t want you to live worried or anxious about anything. He knows that worry steals your peace and joy. It affects every area of your life negatively. Have you heard the saying, “Don’t worry yourself sick?” That’s because worrying affects your physical and mental body. It even affects your sleep! 

The Bible says you won’t ever gain anything by worrying; in fact, you’ll lose precious moments that you can never get back again. The good news is that God has promised that you can have victory over worry. It starts by choosing to trust in Him. When you cast your cares on him, he will give you his peace, which will eradicate your worry. Hallelujah! 

Why not put an end to worry in your life. Choose to feed your faith and fill your mind with God’s promises of peace. As you focus on God’s Word and spend time in conversation with Him, He will drive out worry and fill your heart with faith and expectancy, and you will overcome in every area of your life! 

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27, NIV 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, today I permit You to put an end to worry in my life. Father, I have decided to feed my faith by studying Your promises and declaring Your Word over my life. God, help me to trust in You today and every day, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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How Can I Be a Better Christian?

Am I A True Christian?

As a Christian, it is important to know that you are a child of God and that God wants the best for you. Understanding what God expects from you can help you do more with your life. You can be a better Christian. Christianity is a large and diverse faith, which means there are many different ways to be a better Christian. Some people find meaning in the Bible, in prayer, in rituals or even in their relationship with God. But no matter what your beliefs, these are all good things to do. They will make you a better Christian.

There are times when we get so wrapped up in all the things that God allows us to do that we forget to do the things that are most important. We fail to memorize scripture or we fail to pray regularly even though prayer is the very foundation of our faith. What is the best thing about being a Christian? It is the ability to know that the Almighty God created us in His perfect image. We know that He loves us and wants the best for us. He wants us to be strong, healthy and happy. He wants us to be happy in our relationships, be able to serve others and to live a life of peace.

For many believers, the idea of being a better Christian is a rather abstract one. The Christian life is, in fact, one that is not all that easy to describe because it is about the transformation of the heart, mind and soul. Being a better Christian starts with becoming a better Christ-follower.

Read the Bible

God is the ultimate answer to everything we face in life. However, some people do not always believe this is true. We all know that we could probably do a lot better in our lives, but most of us fail to take the first step in making the changes we need to make. The Bible is the most influential book in the world, and it’s actually the most shared book of all time on the Internet. While we can’t all be scholars, we can all learn from the Bible and the principles it teaches. 

Pray

One of the most important things in life is to communicate with God and listen to him in return. Praying is a way to communicate with God. We must also pray. We must pray every day. You can pray in the morning and in the evening, but true Christians pray throughout the day as well. Sometimes, singing praise is a form of prayer. Listening to music on the radio can be a prayer. Talking to God when you are alone or with others is prayer. To become a better Christian, you must increase the number of times you pray and the number of times you listen to Him speaking to you.

Be Humble

We don’t have control over a lot of things that happen to us or around us. We do have control over how we respond to them. To become a better Christian, think about how you respond to situations. Jesus does not want us to be anxious or panicked. When Jesus was hung up on a cross, people mocked and made fun of him. He chose not to respond with anger. He has told us to turn the other cheek and to give our burdens to Him. He also does not want us to judge others. Let go of your stress and humbly ask God for help. Ask God for patience. Ask God for peace.

Be a Regular Member of the Church

The Christian church is called to be a people who are “the church”. We are called to bring people to Jesus Christ and help them experience a new life in Christ. We are called to share the Good News about Jesus Christ with others when we are engaged in them. We are called to be a community of believers. The church is a place for people of all walks of life to come together and be with one another. The church exists to help us grow in our faith, and that means we need regular reminders of its values, its teachings and guidance. A few simple steps to becoming a regular member of the church: 1. Be an “everyday member” of the local church. 2. Share the gospel with others. 3. Study the Bible and other Christian books to learn the Bible’s message. 4. Experience the love and peace of God by participating in the life of the church.

Being a good Christian, or a member of any church, is a huge goal that many of us have. However, there is much more to being a Light for Christ than just attending church and going through the motions. It’s a place where you can meet new friends, take part in meetings and activities, and grow in faith.

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Spiritual Hunger

Sin, Happiness, and Breaking Out of Spiritual Boredom

During the lockdown, many were lonely, depressed, and going hungry in the natural world. What do you do when you’re hungry and just not sure when or what will satisfy you? You may try to think of what to eat, but maybe you’re not sure when you will get it. Spiritual hunger works the same way. You may feel restless or unsettled, but you can’t quite figure out what will satisfy you. You may try to fill that need with other things— addictions, people, or negative behavior, but only God can fill that spiritual void, and He can also supply your physical and emotional needs. Reach out to him today.

In today’s verse, we are told what will fill the hunger in our souls – God’s righteousness. When you hunger and thirst for righteousness, which is God’s way of doing good things, you will be spiritually satisfied. But just like you must take time to eat in the natural, you must take time to “eat” or partake of God’s righteousness. Doing right and feasting on His Word.

Today and every day, take time and devote it to the Lord in prayer. State your physical needs, spend time in worship and in studying His Word. Stay in fellowship with other believers by attending church regularly, staying amongst the righteous, and doing righteous acts. As you focus your hunger on God’s righteousness, you will be filled and live satisfied in him all the days of your life.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

(Matthew 5:6, NIV)

Let’s Pray: Yahweh, thank you for the promise to fill my hunger both physically and spiritually. Father, I open my heart to you and ask that you draw me by Your Spirit. God, I beg you to teach me to walk in your ways of righteousness and right doing, that I may honor you and be satisfied, physically, emotionally, and spiritually all the days of my life. I receive this by faith right now. I blesyouou always, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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Living With Liars? ?

“I Was Calling God a Liar": Can You Love Jesus & Be Angry?

Today’s Psalm is about living amid relentless trouble and lies. It begins with distress and ends with war, anxiety, and pain. This psalm is a psalm used by ancient Israelites travelling to Jerusalem for a temple festival. These pilgrims’ journeys were long and difficult, and yet they undertook them gladly. They wanted to take this trip to escape the violence and lies that often surrounded them. This psalm draws them toward Jerusalem, to celebrate God’s truth. which brings peace. 

Often, we are surrounded and distressed by trouble on every hand. When that happens, there is only one way to turn, and that’s to God. The only way to escape the lies that often surround us is to turn to and meditate on the truth found in God’s Word. The psalmist says: “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.”  Hallelujah!  

Today, God’s faithfulness is clear to the believer who calls on God and seeks to live by God’s truth. That’s why so many Christians celebrate and worship the Lord. Because in God’s presence, there are blessings and restoration. Every time we approach God, we are stepping into the presence of the one who is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). It’s time to leave lying, deceit, and distress behind and cling to God.  

Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. — Psalm 120:2 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for being my truth and my way. Father, I’m often surrounded by liars and trouble. Please Lord breathe your words of life into me, that I may be protected from my enemies and restored in your presence. In Christ’s name. Amen. 

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Keep Your Obligations

In today’s scripture, David was in a better place when he asked whether anyone was left of the house of Saul. After many years of struggle, he had become king over Israel. David had secured Jerusalem as his city and had brought the ark of the covenant into it. The Lord had given David rest from his enemies and bought peace to Israel. On top of that, God had promised that a son of David would rule forever, a promise that would be fulfilled in Christ. 

However, David had an obligation. Long before, David had made a covenant with Jonathan his friend and Saul’s son. Others may have forgotten but David did not. David set out to find someone from Saul’s family to whom he could be kind. 

Today, we accumulate obligations. We make promises that we don’t fully keep despite our best intentions. We also accumulate hurts that we have never really forgiven. Worse yet, we often cause hurts for which we do not fully apologize. Over the years our spiritual debts pile up. The beginning of the year is a good time to consider what we have left undone, and our acceptance of Christ has assured us of God’s peace. With His Gift of peace, we can make peace. Are there any obligations you need to attend today? Stand on God’s word and keep your promises right now.  

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Samuel 9:1 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for keeping your promises and obligations to me. Father, I’m so glad your faithfulness endures forever. Lord, help me to be faithful, keeping the promises I make and forgiving others as I have been forgiven. In Christ’ name, Amen. 

 

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