God’s Love Puts Others First
July 31, 2010
Truth: You and I live in a “me first” generation where people focus their time and energy on self-benefiting plans and dreams. But God’s ways are different. He has made us to love others, to think the best of them, to care for one another and to bless those in need. When we follow His ways we experience the power of His presence.
Scripture: Our Scripture reading today is Ezekiel 23-34 and the key verse is: “The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.” Ezekiel 34:1-6
Prayer: Heavenly Father, How grateful I am today that Your love extends to me. Teach me to look after the needs of others just as You love and care for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God Fulfills His Word
July 30, 2010
Truth: It can seem at times like God has pushed “pause” or given a “delay” to the promises of His word. In reality, in Jesus all the promises of God are now a YES and AMEN. When His promises seem to on hold ask God to reveal more of Himself to you so that You can know and understand His purposes more fully.
Scripture: Our Scripture reading today is Ezekiel 12-23 and the key verse is: “The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’? Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel. But I the LORD will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious house, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign LORD.’ “
Ezekiel 12:21-25
Prayer: Eternal God, I ask that You would align my thoughts, my will and my life to the power of Your word. Help me to see the fulfillment of Your promises in my life! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God Reigns
July 29, 2010
Truth: God reigns – today, tomorrow and forever. He has always been in charge and always will be. He is not threatened by the words of men and their gods. He alone reigns forever and ever. How awesome is it that the God who reigns chooses to love and cherish you!
Scripture: Our Scripture reading today is Lamentations 2 – Ezekiel 11 and the key verse is: “You, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.” Lamentations 5:19
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You reign! Today, tomorrow and forever. I rest in You knowing that Your words are true, Your wisdom is right and Your kindness is just. Teach me today to live with the mercy You give and extend Your love to those I see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By God’s Grace
July 28, 2010
Truth: Many believe that by their own strength they can muster the courage and strength to withstand the storms of life and navigate well. But actually the opposite is true. Left to ourselves we are always lost, our hearts are broken, and our destiny shattered. But God’s grace enables us to find Him and to follow His path toward a life that is holy and pure.
Dwight L. Moody said this: “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”
Scripture: Our Scripture reading today is Jeremiah 48 – Lamentations 1 and the key verse is: “How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave.” Lamentations 1:1
Prayer: Gracious Father, Today I choose to receive Your grace and acknowledge that You alone are my King and my God. I will follow You alone and look to You as my source of direction, guidance and comfort. Thank You for being with me in every situation! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God Answers
July 27, 2010
Truth: The twists and turns of life often bring surprising questions to our minds. Too often we attempt to solve these riddles of life on our own instead of turning to the one who created life itself. The best way forward is to call on God, because He promise to hear attentively and to respond to your need.
Scripture: Our Scripture reading today is Jeremiah 33-47 and the key verse is: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
Prayer: Gracious Father, thank You for being alive and attentive to my needs. I admit to You that sometimes it is difficult for me to realize that You always desire good for me. Today I will call to You and then expect Your revelation to make sense of my today and my tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Parent Source: MTV and Culture, Text Rage, Silly Bands, Who is Drake
July 26, 2010
God’s Word has Power
July 26, 2010
Truth: There are many promises made every day by well-intentioned people. Some of their words will come to pass and some will not. But the words of the Eternal God have infinite power, will never fail and are always at work to accomplish His mission.
Scripture: Our Scripture reading today is Jeremiah 23-32 and the key verse is: ““Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the LORD. “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:28-29
Prayer: Eternal God, I am thankful that Your word is true. Always true and never failing. What You promise will come to pass and what You decree will be. I humble myself today under the authority of Your loving Son and the power of Your word. Help me to be obedient as I grow in my relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Life-Giving Conversations – Eric Watt
July 25, 2010
Life-Giving Conversations – Eric Watt – PowerPoint
There is No One Like Our God
July 25, 2010
Truth: The world is full of man-made idols and ideologies that cripple our thoughts and deaden our hearts. But God is both life giving and lives forevermore. When we pray, He listens because He is there to love and guide us toward all truth and love. He alone is God.
Scripture: Our Scripture reading today is Jeremiah 10-22 and the key verse is: “Who should not revere you, O King of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you. They are all senseless and foolish; they are taught by worthless wooden idols.” Jeremiah 10:7-8
Prayer: Holy and Eternal God, Today I place my complete allegiance and commitment to You. I will no longer follow any idols or ideologies that come between me and You, or the truth of Your word. Help me to remain faithful to You and to share Your goodness with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God has a Destiny for You
July 24, 2010
Truth: You are not here by chance or the product of a coincidence. God formed you, designed you, and has something uniquely good for you to do while you are here on this earth. Never allow any other message to be true in your life – God loves you and He has incredible plans for your life.
Scripture: Our Scripture reading today is Isaiah 66 – Jeremiah 9 and the key verse is: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
Prayer: Eternal and Ever Powerful God, Thank You for loving me and creating me uniquely to accomplish something for You on this earth. Many of those around me live in despair because they have been taught that fate has pre-determined their days. Or even worse, that there is no meaning for their lives. Help me, God to live in the truth of Your word and to remember today that You have set me apart to glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.