Christ died for the ungodly – that’s everyone!

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Notice it says Christ died for the ungodly, that’s not the Christians. He died for those of the world that had not yet received the gift of Grace from God. Jesus didn’t die for us because He had no choice, He died for us because He loved us beyond our comprehension and our own knowledge. Jesus died for us, but not because He had some high hopes for who we are or what we would be. No, He died for us because He knew exactly who we are and what we would be without Him. But praise be to God, we are now God’s righteousness in Him, because He took our sin and gave us God’s grace (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

MY PRAYER…
Holy Father God, thank You for Jesus, my Savior. No words are adequate to express my love and devotion to You for such an incredible gift! The best I can offer is to present myself a living sacrifice unto You. Father take this earthly vessel and by Your Holy Spirit and power change me into a vessel of honor, one that You can use and flow through to touch Your people. Father, I ask in Jesus name that You continue to use me to Your Glory. Through Jesus I give and live my thanks to You.
Amen

Receive God’s Precious Grace

In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Ephesians 1:7 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Forgiveness. What a sweet, priceless and precious gift. What we could NOT fix, make right, make up, or pay for; what was impossible for man, God did for us through Jesus. With Him each day is a fresh start, the past is gone, forgotten, blotted out. “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”, Psalm 103:12 But what a cost to God to achieve that forgiveness, His Son had to became our sacrificial lamb. He placed Himself upon the altar of God in our place. The question is: “Have you received that Grace?” It is a gift and MUST be received, you can chose not to receive you know. Many have not chosen to receive.

MY PRAYER…
Thank You, Father, for the anguish that it cost You to forgive my sins by the blood of Your Son. Thank You that You were willing to make a way where there was no way. Thank You for giving You’re best. I pledge today that I will not take lightly the cost of my sin and will live in appreciation of Your grace. Lord strengthen me by Your Holy Spirit that I may be able to live the way You would have me to live. Through Jesus, who sacrificed all for my salvation I pray.
Amen

Can you stand to the test of a true Christian?

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
We must stand the test, are we ‘True’ Christians? Anyone can make the claim that they are Christian, but will they pass the test? In the great finale, at the day of judgment, only ‘True’ Christians win at life ((Revelation 20:15 KJV) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.) That’s because none of us have the power to hold back our flesh’s greatest enemy, death. But we who are righteous by the blood of Jesus, we who are the children of the Most High God, we have been given the ultimate victory, eternal life, life that will not end. Yes, our physical body (our house that we live in now) will die, but because we are a spirit, and because we have been re-created one with God’s Spirit, we will have eternal life. The knowledge that we have that eternal life within us now, the Holy Spirit of God, that’s what gives us the power to persevere through trials unto the end. Jesus said in John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Not know about or know of, but know, personally know Jesus! There is a difference! You must know Him and have a personal relationship with Him, fellowship with Him, daily. The test of a ‘true’ Christian is whether or not you know God personally, not just know about Him!

MY PRAYER…
Thank You, Father, for giving me the assurance that when all is said and done, I will share in Your life and Your victory forever. Help me this day to live confidently, knowing that I have Your life, eternal life, within my very spirit right now. Help me, Father, to live out that eternal life here on earth until the day that my work is done and my race is finished and You welcome me home. Through Jesus, my Savior and Lord, I pray.
Amen

Do you struggle with the natural things of this world?

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:12-13 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
How often do we forget that we, as Christians, are not in a physical war, but a spiritual war? We, as Christians, do not have to struggle with the natural things, the worldly garbage that tries to attack us daily. It is so easy to forget or even not believe that there is a spiritual world, a world that is even more real than our natural physical world around us. Our enemy is deceptively cunning, take away the urgency of a threat and the danger appears to be gone. But he’s there, always, just waiting to stick his foot back in the doorway and wedge his way into your life. But why do we always wait for him to raise his head and make the first strike before we take action? Why don’t we make preemptive strikes of our own before he has a chance to attack, keep him on the run! The Bible says he will flee in terror when he knows we are in Jesus and Jesus is in us. Rather than try to guess his plans and counter all of his moves, Paul reminds us to simply take up the tools God has given us and stand up to the evil one at ALL times. Put the power of prayer in the name of Jesus to work in our lives. Always, always, make sure you have on the full armor of God before you go out into the natural world around us. From the helmet of salvation to the shoes of the Gospel and everything in between. Never go into battle with only part of your armor. Never start your day without putting on your armor first! Spend time in prayer every morning before you do anything else – take the time it’s worth it.

MY PRAYER…
Lord of the Universe, my Great Deliverer, thank you for protecting me from the evil one through Your great power. Give me a sense of urgency as I face the evil one and his schemes on a daily basis, but also increase my knowledge of his plans, his ways, and his schemes, that I may know how to stand. You said in Your Word that You would reveal mysteries unto us. Father, increase my confidence that Jesus has already defeated my foe. Help me to stand against this foe and show myself faithful to You. By Your Holy Spirit You have given me the strength, confidence, and knowledge to stand before any foe. Through Jesus my Lord and Savior I pray.
Amen

Being a Christian is a way of life not just a Sunday morning thing!

The fruit of the righteous [is
a] tree of life, And he who wins souls [is] wise.
Proverbs 11:30 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Are you producing fruit? Are you the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ? If you are born again you are. If you are you should be putting forth a tree of life loaded with fresh fruit abounding and waiting to be picked! You should be putting fourth everlasting life through Jesus Christ. Your lifestyle should show forth the fruits of Christian living. Being a Christian is not just a Sunday morning thing, it’s a way of life every day. It’s Jesus inside you shining forth His light through you! You should be walking the walk like Jesus did and not just talking the talk. You should be Christ-like in ALL you do and say! You should be winning souls for His Kingdom with the way you live your live on a day to day basis. That’s what He told us to do. That’s what being about the Father’s business is all about.

MY PRAYER…

Father, I thank You for making me the righteousness of Yourself by sending Jesus, Your Son, to cleanse me and make my pure before You. Thank You for sending me forth to bear much fruit and to teach the Gospel to all nations and kindred. Father, I thank You that You have sent Your servants to this county to reap a harvest of souls, to snatch them forth from the very hands of the wicked one. You have given us Your Word, and You have given us Your Holy Spirit, who is our Guide, our Comforter, our Teacher, and the Power in our lives that we need to go forth and be Your witness on the earth. In Jesus’ holy name I pray and thank You Lord.

Amen

Is Jesus proclaiming you before the Father?

If, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life.
Romans 5:10 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Jesus didn’t just die for my sins, He lives for me. In fact, He is at God’s right hand right now, claiming me as His own before the Father (see 1 John 2:1-2). He is telling the Father, “That one, Pastor Duane, he’s mine Dad, I bought him with my Blood! He has made me his Lord!” He is delivering me daily from sin’s dominion through His resurrection. If He was willing to die to save me, what will He withhold from me now that He lives, victorious over death and lives in me? Nothing, all that He had and has He has given freely unto me. Everything Jesus was and is today is also mine in & through Him! I am an heir to the Kingdom of God!

MY PRAYER…
Holy and Righteous Father, I thank You for Jesus, who is at Your side and who knows my heart, my struggles, and the world that I am in. I thank You for Your constant care and protection through all of my difficulties and struggles. I thank You for all of the triumphs I have through Jesus and Your Holy Spirit. Please make Your presence known even more clearly today than ever before as I strive to serve You with wholehearted devotion. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen

Are you settling for just some of what God has for you?

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 27:1 King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
If the Lord is your light and your salvation:
(salvation in the Hebrew 3444. yeshuw’ah, yesh-oo’-aw; fem. pass. part. of H3467; something saved, i.e. (abstr.) deliverance; hence aid, victory, prosperity:–deliverance, health, help (-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare) … etc.
If the Lord is your light and your salvation you will have no one to fear. He is your strength, your buckler, and your shield. No attack by the enemy, no onslaught of a so-called natural disaster and certainly no act of terrorism shall bring fear to one who truly has made the Lord their salvation. For Psalm 91:4 says ” He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” No sickness or disease, not even poverty shall come upon you for He is your Healer and your Provider. The word salvation includes it ALL people, deliverance, aid and victory, prosperity, health and healing, your welfare or well being, not just going to heaven when you die! My Bible says “On earth as it is in Heaven!” There is NO sickness and disease, lack or poverty in Heaven! Take the entire box of gifts, not just one thing out of it. It is time Christians are taught the truth about salvation and not just something a man (a religious doctrine of most churches) wants them to hear. Get to know God’s Word yourself. And it is ALL ALREADY DONE for us – DO NOT ask God to heal or prosper you! He already has, just thank Him for it and receive it!

MY PRAYER…
Loving Father, I commit myself to You and to Your care. I will abide in Your shadow and You shall be my refuge and my fortress. I shall not be afraid for Your perfect love casts out all fear. I know that You shall never leave me nor forsake me, so I put all my cares and trust in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen

Do you know God’s plan for your life?

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Before we were formed in our mother’s womb, God had already planned our life with Him. He had already ordained that we would be priests and kings in His Kingdom. But because He is a just and a loving God He has allowed us to have our own way. We can choose to follow His Word, which is His will for us or we can choose to do our own thing and have own way. If we choose His way and His will He will prosper us and give us a future with Him, but if we choose our own thing then His hand is not in it and we will not receive what He has for us nor will we be blessed coming in and going out. Instead we leave ourselves open for what is referred to in Deuteronomy 28:15-68, as the “CURSE”. The ‘Curse’ is not from God, comes because we have removed God from our lives through our choices. But God tells us to choose life or death…and then even tells us which one to choose …”life”. The question is: “Which are you choosing? ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO HIM?”

MY PRAYER…
In my struggles, O Lord, help me find the grace You have already given me. Lord help me to fulfill the plan and purpose that You wrote in the book of my life before I was born. Lord help me to see, through Your Holy Spirit and Your Word what You have planned for me. Father, by Your Spirit reveal the mysteries of Your plan for me to me. By your grace and through my Lord and Savior, Jesus, I pray.
Amen

Do you possess ALL that God has already given to you?

Therefore you shall keep every commandment which I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land which you cross over to possess,
Deuteronomy 11:8 New King James Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
God is telling His people here to go in and possess the land that He has given to them. But there were conditions. How would they remain strong? They must keep His commandments so that they would be strong. Even though this was said to His people before they crossed the Jordan into the land He had given them it still applies to us today. So many people in the World today, especially many Christians, have forgotten God’s Commandments, not just the Ten Commandments (there are actually 613 commandments in His Word), but all of His Word. His whole Word is His Commandments to us. Morals are in rampant decay everywhere and lifestyles that not only appall men, but are abhorred by God abound everywhere and people think it should be okay. States are changing their laws to allow men to marry men & women to marry women and God is outraged by this! There is even denominations that are allowing homosexuals and lesbians to be ministers in their churches! This is WRONG! It goes against God’s Word! These so-called Christians are NO more Christ-like than the world of heathens around us are. Christians must keep God’s Word in their hearts, so that we can be strong also. We must walk with integrity in our heart before both God and man, that we can go in and take possession of what God has already given us. Search out His Word and find out ALL that He has already given you. Ensure that you are circumspect and with integrity before man and God, then using the Word of God that you have hidden in your heart go in and take possession of what is yours! It belongs to Christians, not the worldly.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

It’s God’s Word not mine!

MY PRAYER…
Most Holy God, thank You for Your Word and the many promises You have given us through Your Word. Help us to see those promises. Help us Father to remove the veil that has hidden them from Your church through the years. Help us Lord to be strong through Your Word and by Your Holy Spirit, lead and guide us in integrity before You, to do all that You have commanded us to do. Let You Holy Spirit lead us to all that You have already given us through Your word. In Jesus name, I pray.
Amen

Do you speak the truth in love?

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Ephesians 4:15 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Speaking the truth is hard enough. But do you mean I have to do it in love also? Yes, according to God’s Word, if I am to be Christ’s man or woman, I must speak to others as He did. I must have compassion and love (AGAPE) for those whom I speak with, but they must be told the truth, God’s truth. As we mature in the things of God we become more Christ inside minded. We begin to live and feel, and think and act as Christ did even when He came against what they were doing in the natural, He did it in love. He loved the people, but not necessarily what they were doing. It’s okay to hate evil, but we must love people.

MY PRAYER…
Father, forgive me for the bitterness in my heart and the unfairness on my lips. Through Your Holy Spirit, help me better use my speech to bless others and to glorify You. Remove from me any bitterness of heart. May I speak Your truth with Your love and compassion today and everyday in all my conversations. Through Jesus, who is Truth and Love, I pray.
Amen