Archived Daily Devotionals

If you are reduced to God being your only hope, you are in a good place. ~ Jim Laffoon

Scripture:
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Psalm 33:20-21 (New International Version)

Many people believe that hope is a useless emotion. They believe that hope is a thing that fairytales are built on. Hope is the innate ability to believe that something can happen out of nothing. Hope is defined as to want or expect something: to have a wish to get or do something or for something to happen or be true. It is a feeling that something desirable is likely to happen. What I have learned is that hope is necessary part of our existence.

Hope; like the air that we breathe and the water that we drink sustains us so that we can live to fight another day. Where there is no hope, the people perish. Hope is akin to faith. Neither can be seen but that doesn’t lessen the importance of either in our lives. Hope like faith is our ability to see beyond the natural and trust in the supernatural abilities of God. Hope like faith is the knowledge that there is something greater than what we can see, hear, feel and taste. Hope and faith are both roads that lead to God.

When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." Hope begins in the dark; the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.

The bible is a book of hope. It teaches us that no matter what you are going through, God is still in the midst of it all. It teaches us to see beyond the natural and to lift up our eyes toward the heavens where He resides.

Remember, Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence.

Be blessed

Prayer:
Father, there were times this past week that I became weak. Forgive me. I doubted Your word and Your promises. Forgive me. I allowed satan to deceive me with his lies. Forgive me. I wanted to give up, but You wouldn't let me. Thank You Father, for keeping me once again. Lord, I come boldly before Your throne of grace. Your word says that You give strength to the weary, so I ask that You would strengthen me Lord, for I am weary. Bless me Lord with Your presence, that my heart might be encouraged. Help me remember Your faithfulness and Your love that I might stand in faith against the issues that face me. I bind the schemes of the enemy to tear me down, and I rebuke the spirits that have been assigned to harass me. I ask You Lord to minister fresh strength and joy to me. I agree with Your word, that says, Your plans for me are to give me hope and a future. Father, protect Your saints against the spirit of depression during these perilous times. Let it be so Lord Jesus, according to Your will. I pray in Your mighty name, Amen!

Joy is a mystery because it can happen anywhere, anytime, even under the most unpromising circumstances, even in the midst of suffering with tears in its eyes.

Scripture:
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5 (NKJV)

Joy is more than just a word. Joy is an emotion that everyone would like to experience at some level. Many believe that joy can only be found in the greatest of life’s moments. However, many more will tell you that joy can be found in those little moments that are always so unexpected.

As a parent, my children have given me some of my greatest moments of joy. The moment that I first laid eyes on them, filled me with a joy so powerful, words couldn’t even begin to explain. And with each accomplishment they achieved, once again I would experience unspeakable joy.

When I fell in love, just spending time with that special person fills my heart with joy. The simple things that we do together are joyous because I enjoy those moments of happiness that spring from simply being in each other’s company bring.

Even when my heart is heavy, I can go to church and receive a word from that man or woman of God that I know was meant just for me that renews my spirit and fills me with a new sense of joy, hope and happiness. What many of you may not know is that I work at a funeral home. I see families broken by the death of a loved one. The tears are many but so is the joy and laughter. The tears are caused by grief and the laughter is generated by sweet memories and love. And for those family members who know that their loved one has gone home to Christ, they rejoice in the knowledge that their loved ones are at peace AND in joy with the Lord.

So no matter what you are faced with remember, weeping may endure for a night, but JOY comes in the morning.

Be blessed

Prayer:
Father, when trouble comes my way, help me to learn to trust in You. Lord, sometimes we forget that You are our ever present help in the time of trouble. Thank You Lord, for being there when we need You. Lord, when we begin to falter and start to worry about our problems, help us to remember to be still and pray. When the problems of life seem to overwhelm us, help us to remember You are right there with us. God help us to realize that weeping may endure for a night, and that sometimes it is necessary for trouble to assail us so that we can see You power and Your glory, manifested in our lives. Lord, We ask for strength today. The strength to stand and fight the good fight of faith yet another day. Lord, grant us peace today. Your peace that passes all understanding. Lord, fill our hearts with Your love. Your love that is not our selfish definition, but the love of Christ Jesus, that strengthens us. Now Lord, we come together on one accord to pray for one another. For no matter how heavy our cross seems, we recognize that we are blessed beyond our own imaginations. Bless our brothers and sisters in Christ. Bless our loved ones who have not come to know You yet. But most of all, we Bless Your holy name. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Unknown

Scripture:
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Psalm 34:18-20

Periodically we will all be faced trials and tribulations. From time to time it will seem as though God doesn't hear or just won't answer our prayers. Then, there are times when we are just plain old tired of fighting against this world.

Recently, I was reminded of a situation that the Prophet Elijah went through. Elijah was a prophet who did great things in the name of God. (See 1 Kings). One day Elijah was sent out to destroy the prophets of Baal. He killed all 450 prophets. When Jezebel heard what he had done she vowed to have him killed as well. Elijah, a great Prophet of the Living God, who had done great things in the name of God, just the day before, became scared and ran away to hide.

This Prophet, one of God's chosen, became scared of one woman. Even though God had manifested himself in Elijah's life and used Elijah to do many things in his name, Elijah ran. Even though Elijah knew God for himself and had seen his power first hand, he felt helpless at the threat of one queen Jezebel.

I use this story because it reminded me that even those who have been on the battlefield for the Lord and have been used by God will become tired. I am reminded of not only Elijah, but of King David and of Job as well. But you know what saints of God? Even in their moments of darkness God was still there. Even when it seemed that there was little or no hope, God was still there. Even when it seemed that they couldn't go on another day, God was still there.

So Saints of God, remember, God is still there! He will never leave us nor forsake us! He hasn't failed us yet!

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Lord, we come to You seeking strength, guidance and a little more patience. Father, forgive us when we feel weak in our faith. Forgive us when we seem to give up and give out. Lord, we know that You are not a God of confusion. You have told us that You would never leave us nor forsake us. Thank You Lord for that word. Father, hide us under Your wings of salvation. Cover us in the blood. Keep us nearer God to thee. Lord, we ask that You would continue to bless our brothers and sisters. Those who are saved and those who have yet to get to know You for themselves. Lord, we pray for financial breakthroughs today. So many need so much, have mercy Lord. Breath on us Lord, cover us Lord, Have mercy on us Lord. We love You Father God and we are thankful for what we do have. We praise, uplift and bless Your holy name. As we submit our prayers and petitions in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

Remember, when one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. ~ Helen Keller

Scripture:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (New International Version)

Have you ever run into people who are always angry at the world around them? They complain about everything; their job, their spouse, their finances? You say it’s a beautiful day and they will say it’s too hot. You like your boss, they hate them. I mean, nothing and no one pleases them. You see them coming and just want to run the other way? Are you one of those people? Are you the type of person who tends NOT to see the good in anything?

I realized a long time ago that it was not up to anyone else to make me happy. The choice is mine. Every day you have a choice: Will it be a good day or a bad one? It really IS up to you. You can't control the external circumstances of your life; the bad news, the interruptions, the unexpected problems, various quandaries, etc., but you can control your response to them.

Not long ago, I spoke with a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer. Now this friend had been told by her doctors that she didn’t have very long to live. Rather than take to heart what the doctors said, her attitude is this; “I don’t care what the doctors say, I choose life.”

You see, my friend made a choice. Her choice was to fight back and live. My friend has such a beautiful spirit and she has always blessed me with it. Even when faced with her own mortality, she told me about how she uses her time at chemotherapy to testify to others who are there for the same treatment that she is. Rather than speak death and despair into her situation, she gives others hope by being a living testimony. To her, dying is not an option. Today, three years later; she is cancer free.

Remember, the power for happiness is in our hands, and no one else's.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father, there were times this past week that I became weak. Forgive me. I doubted Your word and Your promises. Forgive me. I allowed satan to deceive me with his lies. Forgive me. I wanted to give up, but You wouldn't let me. Thank You Father for keeping me once again. Lord, I come boldly before Your throne of grace. Your word says that You give strength to the weary, so I ask that You would strengthen those who may be weary. Bless us Lord with Your presence, that our hearts might be encouraged. Help us to remember Your faithfulness and Your love that we might stand in faith against the issues that face us. I bind the schemes of the enemy to tear me down, and I rebuke the spirits that have been assigned to harass me. I ask You Lord to minister fresh strength and joy to me. I agree with Your word, that says, Your plans for me are to give me hope and a future. Father, bless my sister and cover her in the blood of the lamb. The blood that heals, strengthens and protects Your saints. I ask that You would bless all of Your saints reading this prayer. Let it be so Lord Jesus, according to Your will. I pray in Your mighty name, Amen.

Remember, the only difference between stumbling blocks and steppingstones is the way in which we use them. ~ Unknown

Scripture:
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. Matthew 21:21 (New King James Version)

Saints, I don’t know if you are anything like me, but periodically, I will begin to doubt my purpose and abilities. You see, I have gone through some things that cause me to question if I have “the right stuff”. Do I have the right job skills, parenting skills and life skills?

When I lost my job, I began to doubt in my abilities to do the work. When my children do things that are contrary to how I have attempted to raise them, I will doubt whether or not I am a good parent. And sometimes when it comes to making the right decisions on how to live, I begin to question whether or not I am making right choices.

As I lay in bed late one night, doubting and questioning everything I have ever done since High School, I heard a voice say, “I have not given you a spirit of fear and you doubt you have fear. You fear because you are listening to the lies of the devil and the devil is a liar”.

You see Saints of God; my God reminded me that he has already given me everything that I need to make it in this world. He reminded me that he has given me all power and authority in Christ Jesus. He has given me access to the throne of grace.

Brothers and sisters, each of us will have doubts about our lives, but the word of God has already assured us that if we just trust in the Lord, this too shall pass.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Lord, with Your blood, You wiped away my sins leaving me promises to enjoy in faith until You come back to claim me as Your own. It takes patience to live in faith, and I confess that sometimes my patience runs thin. I wonder why You don’t act in ways that I can see and understand. Why is there so much evil and suffering in this world that discourage both the faithful and the unfaithful? I don’t understand. Help me to realize that my understanding is not necessary for the completion of Your plan. You understand everything; all I need to do is have faith. In the meantime, keep me free from wavering, Lord. Your faithfulness is perfect, and Your will be done. Lord, I thank you for Your word that speaks to my soul when I am weary. I thank You father, for I know and realize that there is no testimony without a test. I thank You Lord, for even when I am weak, You are still strong. Lord, we bless Your name and submit our prayer in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Do not fear the winds of adversity. Remember: A kite rises against the wind rather than with it. ~ Unknown

Scripture:
O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it. Isaiah 30:19-21 (New International Version)

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word adversity as a state, condition, or instance of serious or continued difficulty or adverse fortune. The powers that be describe it as an economic downturn. We here in Michigan recognize it as a way of life.

You see adversity in not new to us. We have been struggling with “adversity” for a number of years. Almost everyone I know here in my home state has been touched by it or we know someone else that has been touched by it. We live with adversity on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, it is just now that others across this great country are beginning to experience our world. Many people believe that we did it to ourselves. And that the financial crisis we are experiencing is born out of greed and our inability to budget our money. What they fail to realize is that when if one part of the body is crippled, the whole body is affected.

However, there is something else that I have noticed about our great state, the resurgence of the church. People have begun turning back to God. Gone are the excuses that we used to make about why we aren’t in church. “I worked too many hours this week, I’m tired.” “Why do I need to go to church? I’m already blessed.” Or one of my favorites; “What does it matter, I don’t need to go to church, I’m fine just the way things are.” Ever heard or used any of those excuses?

Saints of God, we are in a bad place when we think we don’t need God, or when we don’t take time for God. It’s ironic that when we are doing well, we feel as though we don’t need Him. But the moment things start going wrong, we are all up in church telling God all about our troubles and begging Him to help us.

Now the good thing about our God is that He will listen to us and even help us when we are sincere in our prayers. And sometimes the winds of adversity have to blow through our lives to get our attention and bring us back to the one who will supply all of our needs.

The above scripture says; “whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.”

And remember; "Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity."

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, we come before the throne of grace with praise and thanksgiving on our tongues and in our hearts. We come asking Lord, for peace that passes all understanding. We come asking for strength to stand in the face of adversity. But most of all, we come asking with humbled hearts and minds, that You would hear our prayers and our petitions. Master, we need You to speak to the winds of adversity that are blowing against us, peace be still. We come asking that You hold on to our hands and the storms of life toss us about. We come asking that You would hide us under the wings of Your salvation as the roaring lions draws near in an effort to devour us. Lord, we ask that You would keep all of our families, friends, co-workers and brothers and sisters in perfect peace this and everyday. Bless us right now in the name of Jesus. Our prayers are not complete until we let You know just how much we love You. Our prayers on not complete until we sing songs of praise to You alone. Lord, we lift Your name on high, we give You all of our love, all of our praise and sing songs of praise all the day long. Thank You Lord for one more day. Bless You Lord. Hallelujah, Praise God thank You Jesus, Amen.

Remember, to live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." ~ Thomas Campbell

Scripture:
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:24 (New International Version)

The fourth of July is a day when the America’s gather together in celebration of its independence from England. It is also a day when we call to remembrance all those who died in war to help insure that America remains free.

Some of us celebrate by attending parades, watching fireworks and gathering together with family and friends to enjoy the fruits of our labors. We eat, drink and make merry. Unfortunately, many of us don’t know why. We do what we do out of tradition; the tradition of celebrations that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Unfortunately, the same holds true for many of the traditions we celebrate in the church, including the Lord’s Supper. Many who came up in the church traditionally observe the celebration of the Lord’s Supper because that’s what we have been taught to do. We eat the bread and drink the wine, in celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But do we truly understand the significance of what we are doing?

The bread that we break and eat as a part of the ceremony is representative of the body of Christ. The message of the bread is one of us being set free from or delivered out of our sin through Christ’s death on the cross. The body of Christ was broken for our sins. The wine is representative if the Blood of Christ. The blood of Christ was shed to wash away our sins. We practice this ceremony to remind us that Jesus Christ was broken and bled so that we could be reconciled to the kingdom of God.

So even though we practice certain ceremonies, celebrate with various holidays, we must always remember that it is not only out of tradition that we do these things, but they have a much deeper meaning. They represent our freedom; freedom from tyranny and freedom from sin and eternal death.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, we come kneeling before the mercy seat asking for Your favor. Lord, we ask that You would continue to cover us and hide us under the wings of Your salvation. Dear Lord, we ask that You would touch the hearts and minds of all Your Saints. So that we may always remember to whom we belong. We thank You Father for keeping us safe from all hurt, harm and danger yet another day. Father God we thank You for fresh grace and mercy. We thank You for watching over our loved ones. We thank You most of all for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose body was broken and whose blood was shed so that we could be reconciled unto the Kingdom of God. Thank You Lord for He who was sacrificed so that I could be saved. It is in His name we pray, Amen.