Monday
It's Worth the Fight
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12 NLT).
Most will agree life can be a challenge. We are called to fight the good fight for the true faith. Some days it's a fight to stay focused on the truth. By knowing Christ, we have victory.
All we have to do is show up for the battle. Are you ready to go a few rounds? God has called you to the fight. It's time to answer the call.
Father God, give us the boldness to step out on our faith and fight the good fight. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday
Trials Equal Growth
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow (James 1:3 NLT).
We all go through our valleys in life. We have many trials and tribulations as we walk through this world. It's a part of our broken nature. Stuff will happen. We also must know this "stuff" happens to everyone. Even the strongest Christians will suffer in the valleys of life.
Satan hates a Christian and especially one who is truly following God's will. That is why it's so very important to regularly read Ephesians 6:10-18. These verses instruct us on how to fight the spiritual battle that rages around us. We must be vigilant in prayer for ourselves and our fellow believers. Prayer is vital, and we should be in a continual conversation with our Lord.
Be cheerful, brothers and sisters, as we fight the battles of life. God has already won the victory for us through His Son and all we need to do is walk each day with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Claim that victory! Take one step at a time by the grace of our God.
Father God, help us to study your Word and let us be strong in your truth. Instruct us on how to wage battle with the unseen world. Show us how to strap on your armor and how to be ready for war. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being our King and our Savior. Amen.
Wednesday
Jesus, the Only Way
This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is (2 Timothy 2:11-13 NLT).
Short and simple – it's all about Jesus!
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Thursday
Everyday!
The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted! (2 Samuel 22:47 NLT).
Jesus Christ is alive and can be involved in your everyday life.
He is an everyday Savior, not just a God who shows up at Christmas and Easter. Let Him be the center of your life, today. Don't wait. In fact, what are you waiting for? Are you waiting to get your life straight? You can't get anything straight without Him. You are just kidding yourself if you think that is possible.
There is also the truth that Jesus calls to us as we are, but loves us so much that He will not leave us as we are. Ask Him to come into your heart today. With Jesus, life and eternal life will change. If you try to make a life change without Christ, you might do good for a while, but sooner or later you will slip right back into your old ways.
Let Jesus be your King today. Are you tired of fighting this old world by yourself? Tired of trying to overcome alone? Jesus will be there, but you just have to ask Him to be there. Do it now. You will never regret it.
After all, our King lives. He is alive and is part of our everyday life because He is an everyday Savior!
Dear Lord, thank you for being available 24/7/365. In your name, we give praise and thanks. Amen.
Friday
It's Not Always Easy
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other (Romans 12:9-10 NLT).
Loving others is not always an easy thing to do. We hold misconceptions and harbor ill feelings, for some people. We are broken individuals, and we must remember others are also.
We must put ourselves in others' shoes and know we are all alike in our failures. We must also remember everyone is going through something in their lives. We are all fighting demons and life issues.
When your feet hit the floor each morning, take the step to love the people you may cross paths with that day. Put your prejudices behind you and live like a child of God.
Thank you, Lord, for giving us the ability to walk in step with you. Teach us, Lord, to love others as you love us. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Saturday
Knowing God's Plan
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things (Ecclesiastes 11:5 NLT).
If you think you know God's plan, you are kidding yourself. We can't even come close to understanding the why's of life and how He uses our triumphs and our failures, for His glory. He is always working behind the scenes.
Trust and have childlike faith in our Creator. He loves each of us more than we can ever understand.
Father God, thank you for always being involved in our lives. Thank you for your many blessings and the fact you are with us on the mountain tops and in the valleys of our lives. We love you and praise your holy name. Amen.
Sunday
The Beginning and the End
“I am the Alpha and the Omega — the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come — the Almighty One” (Revelation 1:8 NLT).
Jesus Christ, 24/7/365!
Nothing else needs to be said, let's pray together.
Lord, thank you for the wonderful plan you have laid out for us. You are an amazing God. You are almighty God. You are the Creator of all things. Thank you, Lord, for loving us and saving us from ourselves. Lord, we lift up the sick, the weak, the lost. May you touch them and meet all of their needs. Lord, we lift up our nation to you and pray you will bring us back to where we need to be, a Christian nation, founded on your commandments and your Word. We pray our leaders will consult you, Lord, for direction for our country and for their lives. We praise you, Lord! Lead us and direct us so we can be more like you today than yesterday. We pray in your mighty name and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Editor's Note: Please visit "God Has a Gift for You" if you want more information about the gospel.)
This article originally appeared in The Stand.
