Daily Devotion, Daily Wisdom

[baddison]

January 24, 2014

Devotional:
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the [fn]knowledge of Him. Ephesians 1:17 (NASB)

One of the best things we can pray for each other, and for ourselves, is that we might better know God. The Holy Spirit helps us better know God (1 Cor. 2), worship God (John 4), and speak to God (Rom. 8). Let's ask God to use his Spirit to help us know him, not just know about him. God is not only the Almighty Creator of all things; he is also our Father who cares about us deeply.

Prayer:
Holy Father, God of all mystery and glory, please open my mind and heart to know you better through the presence of your Holy Spirit within me. Please bless my physical and spiritual family with insight and illumination about you, your love, and your glory. We want to know you more fully and reflect your character and grace more completely. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
My son, do not forget my [fn]teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Proverbs 3:1-2 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

January 25, 2014

Devotional:
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 1 John 3:18 (NASB)

"Talk is cheap." "Actions speak louder than words." Let's show our love for our family, our friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ by the way we live and what we do for each other.

Prayer:
Loving and generous God, my Abba Father, please forgive me for letting my love for your children remain just a matter of words. Please give me the opportunity today to bless one of these brothers or sisters in Christ with a kind deed, a gentle action, or way to serve. I want to demonstrate my love just as my Savior did. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Wisdom:
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you. Exodus 20:12 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

January 27, 2014

Devotional:
How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You,
Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men! Psalm 31:19 (NASB)

Out of this psalm which begins in desperation, we find a crescendo of faith. While things may seem bleak, God will not abandon his children. Those who reverence God will not be forgotten. Far from ignoring his children, God has stored up his goodness which he will generously pour out on them to show that they are his. Those who take refuge in him will be protected and blessed. For those on this side of Jesus' resurrection, this promise of blessing and vindication take on added depth and meaning as well as deeper assurance!

Prayer:
O LORD, God of Abraham, Moses, Ruth, David, and Esther, I praise you for your proven faithfulness through the centuries. I thank you for the great heritage of faith that shows me that I can trust you to remember me with your grace, protect me by your power, and bless me with your goodness. Please give me courage to hang on to my faith no matter the trials and temptations I face. In Jesus' name I pray and place my trust in you. Amen.


Wisdom:
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

January 28, 2014

Devotional:
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will [fn]pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38 (NASB)

God is the God of all grace! (1 Peter 5:10) He loves to give, bless, and empower. One of God's chosen ways to do these three things is through us; he wants us to be conduits of his blessing. Like the faithful stewards in the parable of the talents (Matt. 25), when we are faithful in generously and faithfully using what he has given us to administer, he blesses us with more to use to help others and bring him glory. As we give, share, and bless, God continues to supply us with more than we can imagine! (see 2 Cor. 9:6-11 & Eph. 3:20-21)

Prayer:
Father, open my heart and help me be a more generous person. I want to use the many blessings and resources, which you have entrusted to me, to bless others and bring you glory. Please give me courage to not be afraid to use what you have given me in ways that are bold and extravagant in your service. I know that when my heart is pure and I share your grace, I will never be able to out give you! In Jesus' name I thank you. Amen.


Wisdom:
How blessed are those who keep [fn]justice, [fn]Who practice righteousness at all times! Psalm 106:3 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

January 29, 2013

Devotional:
My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the [fn]teaching of your mother; Proverbs 6:20 (NASB)

So often today, we discount the wisdom of those who have come before us and who want to share with us the collective wisdom that was handed down to them by their predecessors. Let's be especially attentive over the next few weeks of those who are older and have proven themselves faithful. At the same time, let's remind our children and our grandchildren how important obedience is to God, especially the obedience of children to their parents.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, I ask your forgiveness for the times that I have not properly respected the word and wisdom of my parents. I thank you for their love for me and their desire to guide me in your path. Please bless them with your grace and bless me as I seek to be more obedient to your will. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that [fn]he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

January 30, 2014

Devotional:
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NASB)

Our sin earns us death. God's grace gives us life. The difference between these two extremes? The Cross of Christ which spans the chasm of our sin and brings us to the mercy, forgiveness, and redemption of God!

Prayer:
Holy Father, thank you for saving me through Jesus. Lord Jesus, thank you for paying the price for my sins. Blessed Holy Spirit, thank you for cleansing me and making me God's holy dwelling place. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
Let the peace of Christ [fn]rule in your hearts, to which [fn]indeed you were called in one body; and [fn]be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

January 31, 2014

Devotional:
Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me [fn]to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And [fn]besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the [fn]strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:23-26 (NASB)

In times of confusion, we can take comfort that while we may not understand everything while here on earth (read Psalm 73:1-22), God will be faithful. Everything we have and know here on earth is subject to decay, but our relationship with the LORD is our strength forever. He will not abandon, fail, or forget us.

Prayer:
Almighty God, thank you for being with me always, especially in those moments when life is most confusing and my fears most troubling. Please give me faith to not only ask you honest questions, but to also trust you even when things don't look like they are all that good for those who believe in you. Please help my faith hold firm as I wait for your mighty vindication of your people. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
An [fn]excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones. Proverbs 12:4 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 1, 2014

Devotional:
“For this reason I say to you, [fn]do not be worried about your [fn]life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25 (NASB)

Food and clothing are some of the biggest worries of our human existence. They have been for centuries. God reminds us, however, that no matter how important these may seem to be in our world, life is really much bigger than these things and God wants us to trust that he will supply them when we trust in him.

Prayer:
Father, please help me rein in my envious and covetous heart. I know my desire for things makes me anxious and near-sighted in my faith. Give me a more expansive view of your Kingdom so I can use your blessings to help others. In the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.


Wisdom:
“Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 3, 2013

Devotional:
Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the [fn]onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be [fn]your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. Proverbs 3:25-26 (NASB)

What guards your heart from fear? Only one protector is sure and faithful, his name is the LORD. He is our confidence and protector. As Paul said so powerfully long ago, prayer and the Holy Spirit are our assurance of God's deliverance. Either we will be delivered from death to serve God powerfully or we will be delivered through death to share with him in eternity. We will not be snared when our fate and future remain in God's hands!

Prayer:
Almighty Deliverer, please give me courage to live for you with passion, no matter the cost. I trust in you to deliver me. In Jesus' name I confidently pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him. Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 4, 2014

Devotional:
“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:37-40 (NASB)

When we help those who can't help themselves -- those who have gotten themselves in trouble, those who have been falsely accused, those who are facing death -- we are helping Jesus himself. What would Jesus do? He would be helping someone find God out of their hopelessness and despair.

Prayer:
Father, please give me wisdom to see my opportunities to serve your people as I try to help them understand your incredible grace. In the name of my Redeemer, Savior, and Friend, Jesus. Amen.


Wisdom:
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 5, 2014

Devotional:
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Proverbs 10:6

Righteousness brings us great blessings. Violence becomes its own vile reward, bringing to those who use it what they have done to others. So what's our choice? Blessing or violence? Encouragement or a foul mouth?

Prayer:
Father, I want to live your life to please you, to bring your Kingdom a blessing, and to help others see that violence is destructive to themselves, to others, and also to the little children. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. 1 John 4:21

 

[baddison]

February 6, 2014

Devotional:
For the LORD loves [fn]justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the [fn]descendants of the wicked will be cut off. Psalm 37:28

God is committed to his people. He loves justice, and those who pursue it. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his character in their lives. God has promised that he will honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has promised elsewhere, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you!"

Prayer:
Eternal and Faithful Father, thank you for your great promises. I am thrilled at the reminder of your faithful presence in my life. I fully believe that I can entrust my future to you and that you will bring me into your presence with victory and great joy. Thank you for my sure and steadfast hope. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3

 

[baddison]

February 7, 2014

Devotional:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Seek! That is the focus word in this verse. This word is a robust word, describing a passionate pursuit of something to make it our own. The Kingdom, and the righteousness of those in this Kingdom, is not our wish, our hope, our dream -- it is our passion. We will pursue it at all costs. We will pursue it with passion. This will be our consuming effort until we make it our own, or better yet, find it our home!

Prayer:
Forgive me, dear God, for letting my passion for your Kingdom and your character get pushed to the side. Awaken me each morning with a sense of passion for your work and your will for that day. Father, I want to be a passionate seeker, please make me restless for your Kingdom as my home. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:14

 

[baddison]

February 8, 2014

Devotional:
A Song of Ascents, of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. Psalm 127:1

"It's all up to you!" That's the prevailing mindset for high achievers in our world. But it is wrong. Our efforts to build and be a part of something great are ultimately in vain if the Lord doesn't bless our them. They may flourish for a time under our intense efforts, but if the plans and the construction of great things is not from the Lord, they will not stand the test of time.

Prayer:
Almighty God and Eternal Father, forgive me for trying to make everything happen by my own efforts and relentless work. You can do far more to advance my work for your kingdom than all my worry and fretfulness could ever do. Please take the lead in every aspect of my life; defeat me in efforts not in harmony with your will and please empower those efforts which will bring you glory and others closer to your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 1 Peter 1:24

 

[baddison]

February 10, 2014

Devotional:
Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, John 17:1 (NASB)

John 17 is one of the most moving chapters in all the Bible. Jesus knows he is going to die. He knows he is spending his last few hours before his death with disciples who do not understand what he is about to do and why he is about to do it. Jesus has two key goals in mind as he prepares himself, and his disciples, for their life ahead without him. He wants them to be one so they can remain strong and influence the world for God. He wants what he does to bring glory to the Father. While he faces humiliation and abandonment, his desire is to bless others. We are going to face hardship. What will be our goal? Hmm, no wonder we are reminded to fix our eyes on Jesus and follow his example.

Prayer:
Loving Father, I cannot fathom the mysteries of anguish and grace that touched your heart as Jesus made his way to the Cross with such honesty and selflessness. Lord Jesus, I cannot thank you enough for leaving me a powerful example of how to endure life's heaviest burdens. Please make my life a blessing to others and give me courage to serve and to bless even in times that are hard. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
We urge you, brethren, admonish the [fn]unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 11, 2014

Devotional:
and My people [fn]who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NASB)

God told Solomon that the Temple would be a place his people could come and be assured that their prayers would be heard if they honestly and humbly would seek God. This promise is true still, to this very day, for while God's physical Temple isn't standing, his spiritual one is found in the gathering of his people (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16; Matt. 18:20). What a great blessing and what a powerful gift for us today! We know that when we gather with believers and humble ourselves before God and seek his presence he will hear us. Rather than wait for a grandiose, world-wide effort to start, why not get together regularly with others who will join us in this prayer effort?

Prayer:
Loving Father, earnestly I seek your presence now. Please forgive me for my sin. Please use me to be an influence for good in my time. Most of all, Father, please move to bring revival and healing to our time, our people, and our land. We desperately need your guidance, blessing, and character in our government and among our people. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not [fn]bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. James 1:26 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 12, 2014

Devotional:
“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 (NASB)

Eternal life begins, now! That is one of Jesus' messages in the Gospel of John. For sure, we don't get to enjoy all of the blessings that await us when we go home to the Father. But, Jesus wants us to know and to experience his love and the Father's presence in our lives, now! He even prayed it for us! So let's seek the Father -- not to just know about him, but to know him! He longs to draw near to us and will do so as we draw near to him! He is at work in us, so the real issue isn't his nearness, but our awareness of his presence and work. Let's open our eyes and our hearts to our Father, and ask him to reveal his presence to us!

Prayer:
It amazes me, Heavenly Father, that you let me approach you, the Almighty and Holy God. I am humbled by your promise to be at work in my life. Forgive me for the times that I have been so full of myself that I have not acknowledged your presence and grace. Make me more aware of your providential care and your daily presence in me through your Spirit. Open my eyes and heart, dear LORD, that I may know you more fully. In the name of Jesus. Amen.


Wisdom:
But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” Luke 18:27 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 13, 2014

Devotional:
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NASB)

Let's admit it. Most of us would like for spiritual growth to be easy. We want our ability to withstand temptation to require little effort. We want the Holy Spirit to do the work and God to protect us from too much stress and strain. Thankfully, God does empower us through his Holy Spirit. However, he does remind us that for the Spirit to work powerfully in our lives, we must intentionally submit our wills to God and we must resist the devil. If we will put up a fight against him and his temptations, he will flee from us. Let's do our part, trusting that God will more than uphold his promises!

Prayer:
Father, thank you for your presence and power in me through your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the Scriptures which reveal to me your will. Now, dear Father, I gladly submit my will to yours, asking you to do your will in me. Please use your people and your Spirit to motivate and inspire me to resist the devil and recognize his attempts to derail my commitment to you. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.


Wisdom:
but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 14, 2014

Devotional:
“I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD.”’ Ezekiel 38:23 (NASB)

"They will know that I am the LORD," is a familiar refrain in Ezekiel's prophecies. Here it is also a horrifying one to his people who have been rebellious, sinful, and wicked. God is holy. The people who claim him as their God had better reflect that glory and greatness. They had better magnify God's holiness. If they do not, God will do so even at their expense. God will be known as God. In a day when so many profane the name of God and use it so glibly in their reactions and frustration, this is a sobering reminder that even the name of God is holy. He will show his greatness and holiness.

Prayer:
Forgive me, God, for not reverencing you as I ought and as you deserve. Please send a wave of renewal among your people to honor you and your holiness with greater passion and a deeper sense of awe. You are holy, righteous, majestic, mighty, and great. Help me display my honor to you more faithfully in my life and words. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
How blessed are those whose way is [fn]blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD. Psalm 119:1 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 15, 2014

Devotional:
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective [fn]prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16b (NASB)

So many hearts, hopes, and homes are broken by sin. This brokenness infects our culture and invades our lives. God has provided both a deterrent to sin and a means of forgiveness for its guilt: honest and genuine confession of our sin. At the heart of confession is a passion to see sin for what it is in the eyes of God and to be anguished for our participation in it. No wonder confession is so healing (cf. 1 John 1:5-2:2). No wonder God wants us to confess our sin to each other and then come to him for each other's healing from sin and its damage. No wonder God grants such power to the prayer of a righteous person interceding for one led to confess. Let's confess our sin and leave it behind.

Prayer:
O loving Father, God of holiness and grace, please forgive me for my sin... (list specific sins you need to confess before God). Please lead me, dear Father, to the group of your children with whom I can lay down my burden of sin in confession and know that they will pray for my forgiveness and lead me to greater confidence in the power of your grace and the might of your Spirit to help me overcome the sin in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Wisdom:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 17,2014

Devotional:
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. Proverbs 31:10 (NASB)

What would happen if we valued our spouses? What would happen if we publicly valued a faithful wife more than a voluptuous starlet? What would happen if character was valued more than money? I believe it would transform our culture, enhance our marriages, and produce stronger and better adjusted children. I know God would be pleased!

Prayer:
Thank you, Holy Father, for the great women of faith I meet in Scripture. Thank you for the godly women I've met in your Kingdom. Please use me to show that I value godly women in my life, especially those who are wives of virtue and godly character. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 18, 2014

Devotional:
Not that I speak [fn]from want, for I have learned to be [fn]content in whatever circumstances I am. Philippians 4:11 (NASB)

Paul tells Timothy that one of life's greatest treasures is to find contentment in godliness (1 Tim. 6:6). With this treasure, our physical circumstances become far less important to us than the character we display in those circumstances. Our bottom line is less important than loving God from the bottom of our heart. Those who are wealthy and show godliness, a very difficult challenge according to Jesus, are those who have demonstrated that they are content to be godly and will be that kind of person with or without wealth. Those who are poor and are godly have demonstrated the same ability. So the bottom line is not how rich are we in money, but how rich are we in grace!

Prayer:
Steadfast and Faithful Father, still my restless and sometimes covetous heart and help me find my contentment in your presence and character in my life. In the name of Jesus. Amen.


Wisdom:
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 19, 2014

Devotional:
He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. Proverbs 16:20 (NASB)

Those who seek the instruction of God's wisdom and who trust in God for their life's blessings and values will find joyful prosperity. While this philosophy doesn't play well in the world of commercials, this understanding is the key to a blessed and prosperous life!

Prayer:
Wise and Eternal God, open my mind to your wisdom and my heart to your gracious presence. I trust my future with you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, [fn]set to Alamoth. A Song.
God is our refuge and strength, [fn]A very present help in [fn]trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 20, 2014

Devotional:
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NASB)

"Majority rules!" That's the edict of democracy. This has been a blessed political philosophy for so many people over the course of history. But, "majority rule" doesn't apply to the Kingdom of God. God sets the standard, not us. God's holiness is the goal, not just trying to be better than someone else. Most, regrettably, will never find the way of the Lord. They want it their way. One crucial problem with wanting things our way: it leads to ultimate disaster. God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life, is the only one who can set life's agenda. Let's ask for his help and guidance for our way!

Prayer:
Father, have your way with my heart, my thoughts, my words, my time, my job, my family, and my life. I want to live in a way that pleases you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the [fn]king. 1 Peter 2:17 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 21, 2014

Devotional:
“I glorified You on the earth,[fn]having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. John 17:4 (NASB)

One of the most amazing things that Jesus ever said, he said to his Father in heaven: "I have completed the work you gave me to do..." In fact, when he breathed his last, he said; "It is finished." Let's live with the glory of God our highest priority! This is our purpose as God's children (cf. Eph. 1:6, 12, 14; 1 Peter. 2:9-10). The more we live by Kingdom priority (Matt. 6:33), the more we can rest assured that we can finish our lives with a line similar to Jesus!

Prayer:
Be glorified in me, dear LORD! Use me to bring others to know you and your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 22, 2014

Devotional:
“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them [fn]from [fn]the evil one. John 17:15 (NASB)

Jesus, in showing his love and care for his disciples in prayer before God, is our great example that we must, we should, and we can pray for God's spiritual protection on those we love.

Prayer:
Be glorified in me, dear LORD! Use me to bring others to know you and your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1-2 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 24, 2014

Devotional:
Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked. Psalm 37:16-17 (NASB)

What is your most important capital; your money or your character? I can assure you, this question will be asked of you a myriad of ways; quite often at the worst of all possible times when you are most vulnerable. Martin Luther supposedly said that the last thing to get converted in a man was his wallet. So will you choose the little of the righteous over the wealth of many wicked? Hmmm! Tough question in a pinch. So let's make that decision now before the circumstances change. God, his Kingdom, his will, and his righteousness come first, right?

Prayer:
Almighty God, creator and owner of everything, please give me a love for righteousness and a disdain for greed and covetousness. I want to serve you with an undivided heart that cannot be swayed by the material value of a decision. Please help me make my decisions based on what is pleasing to your will. Amen.



Wisdom:
Now faith is the [fn]assurance of things [fn]hoped for, the [fn]conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 25, 2014

Devotional:
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. Proverbs 20:22 (NASB)

Vengeance is an awful and painful way to respond to those whom we feel have wronged us. The LORD is our assurance of just rewards. Leave it to him. Escalating vindictiveness only leads to broken people and to broken lives. Worse yet, it leads to broken character.

Prayer:
Through your Spirit, Abba Father, please empower me to be patient for you to right injustices committed against me. Please help me to be more concerned about the salvation of the those who may have wronged me than I am about getting even. Please give me more of a heart like your Son, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. Psalm 119:2 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 26, 2014

Devotional:
“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:18 (NASB)

We are not here by accident! God has a purpose and plan for us. Jesus has sent us into the world to touch it with his redemption and make a positive impact on it for him.

Prayer:
O LORD God Almighty, please give me wisdom and courage to see your will for my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 1 John 3:11 (NASB)

 

[baddison]

February 27, 2014

Devotional:
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! Isaiah 43:1 (NASB)

We belong to the LORD, God of all creation and God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. 1 Pet. 2:9-10). We are recipients of God's grace and are blessed by his love for Israel's fathers. We do not have to fear because God is in control of our future, just as he worked through the history of his chosen people to send the Messiah. He will accompany us through the difficult trials we will face. He will make sure our redemption is realized. Why? Because we belong to him. We are his. He knows us. He formed us. God's people are his possession forever. We are children of the Almighty God!

Prayer:
Almighty and Sovereign LORD -- God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -- I praise you for your faithfulness to your promises. I thank you for your redemptive work through many generations. I deeply appreciate you sending your Son and our Messiah to redeem us. I praise you for inspiring the Scriptures to teach me your truth. Please know my deep gratitude for the blessing of belonging to you and knowing that I can trust my future with you. Please bless your people with an awesome sense of your abiding presence and use us to bring you glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Wisdom:
Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:27 (NASB)