“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”
Luke 18:1
We server a God with perfect wisdom. Always pray and God will always do what’s best for us in His perfect knowledge. Then we move on and never give up no matter the situation knowing we are in God’s hands and He loves us!
Tom
“Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”
Proverbs 11:17
When we are kind we are blessed by God. It is something Jesus demonstrated and He expects us to be kind as well. In ways we do not always know God rewards our kindness! On the other hand we also will reap what we sow if we are cruel. So be very careful in the way you treat others!
Tom
Tell all!
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””
Acts 4:12
What is that name? Jesus!
Tom
Possibly the most difficult command of Jesus!
““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43-44
When you say you can’t remember this:
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.”
Luke 23:34
Jesus forgave those who beat him, mocked him, drove nails into him, and killed him.
He tells us to do the same!
““For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15
We must!
Tom
Taken from our daily bread devotional:
GENESIS 16:9-16
"You are the God who sees me," for [Hagar] said,
"I have now seen the One who sees me."
GENESIS 16:13]
GOD SEES YOU
"Get down!" my friend said firmly to her son after he climbed onto the church pew and waved his hands. "I want the pastor to see me," he innocently replied. "If I don't stand
up, he won't see me."
While standing on the pews is probably not encouraged in most churches, my friend's son had a good point. Standing and waving his hands was certainly one way to be seen and to capture the pastor's attention.
When we're trying to get God's attention, we don't have to worry about being seen by Him. God sees each of us all the time.
He's the same One who revealed Himself to Hagar when she was probably at the lowest, loneliest, most frustrating time in her life.
She'd been used as a pawn and given to Abram by his wife, Sarai, to produce a son (GENESIS 16:3). And when she did get pregnant, Abram allowed his wife to mistreat Hagar: "Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her" (V. 6).
The runaway slave found herself alone, pregnant, and miserable.
Yet in the midst of her desperation in the wilderness, God compassionately sent an angel to speak to her. The angel told her that God had "heard of [her] misery" (V. 11). She responded by saying, "You are the God who sees me" (V. 13).
What a realization-especially in the midst of the wilderness.
God saw Hagar and had compassion. And no matter how tough things are, He sees you.
What wilderness situations are you facing?
How does knowing that God sees you help you to keep going?
Dear God, thank You for seeing me. I know You're with me even during my toughest times.
Always remember…God sees you!
Tom
“But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand;
Psalms 31:14-15a
Everything we do we are to pray about and let God direct us. We are His servants and He is the one to give us directions. How often do we do this? Or how often do we do what we want and hope for his blessing? Let Him direct He is God!
Tom
“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
Matthew 28:6
Jesus defeated death and sin! Now what?
1. Be sure you are a faithful follower of Jesus!
2. Love God with everything you got!
3. Love others!
4. Share the gospel.
5. Be ready for His return.
These are things the Bible tells us so let’s get busy!
Tom
Resurrection Sunday
The stone was rolled away. He is Risen! (Matthew 28)
My Savior is alive and coming back soon!
Tom
Saturday
The world grew quiet. Jesus laid in the tomb as it was guarded and sealed with a stone. (Matthew 27:62-
66)
Think…..He is in the grave because of my sin. Thank you Lord for taking my place.
Tom
Good Friday
Jesus carried His cross, was crucified and placed in a tomb. (Matthew 27)
All for you. Read chapter and just let it sink in….all for you!
Tom
Maundy Thursday
The last supper with the disciples giving new meaning to Passover celebration. Jesus is taken by Roman soldiers. (Matthew 26:17-29)
Maundy means “washing of the feet”. Jesus was forever setting the example of putting others first by serving them even on the day before his death! Think on that today! Are we serving others to show them the love of God?
Tom
Wednesday
Judas betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:1-16
For the price of a slave Judas turns his back on the Lord. Sadly many do it for much less.
Tom
Tuesday
Jesus' authority was questioned by chief priests. He taught at the temple. (Matthew 21:18-25)
This is what took place on Tuesday of Holy Week. They were always trying to trap Jesus but Jesus was always a step ahead of them in their questions!
Tom
Holy Week started yesterday. Going to give us a walk through it. Take time to read think about the most important week in our faith! Praise Jesus our Lord for what He did for us!
Sunday-palm Sunday
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Crowds welcomed Him with "Hosana!" as they laid palm branches at His feet. (Matthew 21:1-9)
Monday
Jesus cleansed the temple, overthrew the tables of the money changers (Matthew 21:12-17)
Tom
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalms 23:1
As a Shepherd provides for His sheep, so God provides for us. The I shall not want means God provides for my needs! Can I get an Amen? God has always provided for my needs physically and spiritually! I trust Him and when He is ready to call me home with Him He will at exactly the right time as a great Shepherd would do!
I want nothing Lord for you give me what I need!
Tom
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”
Revelation 7:9
What a glimpse we have here of what heaven will be like. Every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before God because of what Jesus did for them upon the cross! Praise the Lord! May we learn from this to love others as Jesus loves all!!!
Tom
In a biblical context, "steadfastness" signifies unwavering faith, firm resolve, and enduring commitment to God and His teachings, often used in the context of enduring trials and remaining faithful.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3
Are you in peace? It all depends where your mind is….on God and His Word or the things of the world. Stay steadfast on Jesus and have perfect peace it is worth everything to do so!
Tom
“Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.”
Job 42:1-2
It is important for us to remember two things from these verses. The first is God can do everything. He is in complete control. Never forget that when it seems all is going crazy! Second, all of God’s purposes will be done. You can be a part or refuse which is not wise! For example He may lay on your heart to tell somebody about Jesus…you can and reap the blessings or you can refuse and lose the blessings and you have disobeyed God! But God will bring someone to share the gospel with that person if it is God’s purpose!!!
May we remember these two things and be obedient to God!
Tom
Continuing from yesterdays verses:
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:17
What is God’s will? Read your Bible and find out but to put it simply…Love God, Love others, share the gospel!
Now are you doing all 3? If not your being foolish!
Tom
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16
Chew on this today….how are you using your time…according to God not you? Are you using it wisely serving the Lord or foolishly on selfish desires?
Choose wisely my friends for we will answer to God!
Tom
“And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.””
Luke 12:15
Remember this today…the world teaches you it is all about how much you can get to make you happy! God says that true life is NOT found in material things but being in Jesus Christ!!
Is this you???
Tom
