| Day 1 |
| John 1:10- He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. How this still fits our world today. Jesus created the world and everything in it. He created the heavens
and everything that exists. He created people. Not just in general. He created each person in their mothers womb carefully making them to fulfill a role in this life. You may not be happy with how He created you but it is actually a blessing. The life you are living is preparing you for a special job that no one else but you can fulfill. You are special! As you begin your day ask the Lord to help you see what He is preparing for you to do. Whatever it is you can look forward to someday hearing Jesus say to you, "Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into your reward." |
| Day 2 |
| John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: Do you believe in the name of Jesus? Do you say that name with worship and praise or is it just
another swear word coming out of your mouth? It can't be both. If you recognize Jesus as fully God you can not misuse His name. If you do you are not really His. If speech is a problem for you make this the first day of cleaning it up. Ask Jesus to help you be aware each time you say something you shouldn't. Not just swearing. Words touch people deeply. Unkind words can hurt worst than physical beating. Hurtful words can stay with someone and damage their life. Don't speak in anger. Speak words of peace and love. |
| Day 3 |
| Acts 12:16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the
prison. Do you pray believing your prayers will be answered? Peter was arrested and put into jail with four squads of soldiers in charge of him. During the night an angel came and led him out of the jail. When Peter realized he wasn't dreaming but was really free he went to a house where the church was praying for Peters release. When he knocked on the door the girl who answered closed the door on him and went running to tell the others that Peter was at the door. No one believed it was Peter, They were praying for him to be released but did not believe their prayers were answered. I fear that we do this too. We pray but don't believe Jesus would do that for us. This weakens the church, the ministry, and
our testimony. We need to draw closer to Jesus. We must be open to the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to pray Believing! |
| Day 4 |
| When Jesus was out in the wilderness being tempted by the devil He faced the same temptations we face. He was hungry. Physically hungry. He could have turned stones into bread but that would be misusing His godly power for His
own comfort. Are you trying to control your weight, your cholesterol, your sugar. Are you tempted to eat those things you know you shouldn't? Easy to make excuses like I have a lot of work to do so I will grab whatever is close by. I will have a little extra and eat less later. I am an adult and should be able to eat what I want. Nothing is available I want so I will have the leftover dessert. Going out to eat with friends and want to eat what they do. When you are unhealthy, diabetic, obese, or heart attack you and only you are responsible. You could do what Jesus did and use scripture to get you through. God is there to help when you turn to Him. |
| Day 5 |
| Are you a Christian? Are you sure? For many years I thought I was. I believed in God. I prayed. I went to church. I tried to be a good person. None of those things made me a Christian. I believed Jesus died on the cross to pay
the price for people sins. That didn't make me a Christian. It wasn't until I went to a church that preached accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and giving Him your life that I was able to become a Christian. It's sad but many people sitting in churches worshipping are not Christians and need to change that before it's too late. Only by Jesus can you get into heaven. The gift of salvation means nothing if we don't do what is needed to accept it. Are you a Christian? |
| Day 6 |
| This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Rejoice in the morning? I'm tired and I have to get up and go to work. Rejoice that you are not one of the many praying to find a job. I have to fix
breakfast and pack lunches. Rejoice you are not one of the parents watching their children starve to death because there is no food. I have to get my kids to school. Rejoice that you are not in a country where you have to pay or your children don't get an education. Rejoice that you have transportation methods to get them there. I have to clean the house. Rejoice you don't live in a mud hut in the woods some where. Some of us have so much more than others but think they should have more. If you want to really rejoice give some of what you have to those who don't have. Then you will rejoice knowing you made a difference in this world. |
| Day 7 |
| Hebrews 12:1-Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses ...... let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Nothing we do is in secret. God sees everything we do. Most of the time other people see
everything we do. People see, hear, and are affected by things we do. If people know you are a Christian they will be quick to notice if you are kind, pleasant and trust worthy. Non Christians are quick to see our mistakes and hold them against all Christians. If baby Christians see us do something questionable they can feel, if it's okay for them to do then it must be okay for me to do. We can hurt many people each day without knowing it. For many people we are the only Jesus they see so what kind of Jesus are we showing them? A worldly lie or a God they want to meet? |
| Day 8 |
| Luke 5:4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at
Your word I will let down the net."6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. These were professional fishermen. They knew where and when and how to catch fish. Usually. They were humans who had no control over the results. By humbly obeying what Jesus told them to do they were majorly successful. We may have something we want to do and we have studied and learned how but on our own we can not guarantee it will happen. If we ask Jesus to guide us our chance of success is so much greater especially if we are doing what Jesus has called us to do. |
| Day 9 |
| Life revolves around one step. Babies stop being babies by standing up and taking that first step. Children step out into the world by taking that step out into the world without mom and dad. We become self sufficient by taking
that step and getting a job. You take a step to start a family by saying, 'I do.' We become Christians by taking the step of asking Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. After this we never have to take a step alone. Some steps are happy ones, some are sad, some are scary. Whatever the next step Jesus is right there taking it with us. If we are taking steps to grow spiritually He will guide our way. If it's a sad one He is our comfort. If it's a scary one He is our guarantee it is a step we need because Jesus is there taking it with us. The hardest steps bring the greatest growth and blessings. Trust Him and take the next step. |
| Day 10 |
| Some days we feel tired, discouraged, disappointed, or just wiped out. Life can be hard. Physical problems, work problems, family problems, financial problems. Always so much to deal with. We can only see where we are but Jesus
can see where we are going. We feel frustration but Jesus sees us being strengthened. As a human its hard to see that the problems we go through make us stronger. Just as physical exercise makes our body stronger, these problems cause us to go through things that make us stronger. It's hard to deal with things that are scary or heart breaking but if we belong to Jesus He will be right there as we go through them. Trust Him for strength and keep going. |
| Day 11 |
| Jesus promises, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). What is worry? It is the opposite of faith. It is
showing that you don't really trust Jesus to see you through. You are wrapped up in thinking only you can solve this problem. Jesus reassured us that we can have peace. We can place our problem in the hands of Jesus trusting Him to take care of things the way that is best. We can have peace. There is nothing that Jesus can not handle and He knows where its going and the things that will come from the problem and the solution. Sometimes it's not so hard to place our problem in His hands but it's a problem to leave it there and simply trust. Have peace |
| Day 12 |
| Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Notice this verse doesn't say we won't go through problems. It says we will walk through them safely. Daniel was thrown in the Lions den but he was not hurt. When three Hebrew youth were thrown into the furnace they were not touched by the fire as the Lord was in there with them. We will have times when we go through major illness, financial problems, catastrophic weather or many other things. Christians go through them. The difference is we don't go through them alone. We have Jesus right there with us to help us through. We can also be the re for people going through them. Be like Jesus and be there. |
| Day 13 |
| In the wake of hurricane Harvey isn't it great to see people all over the country coming together to help. Volunteers risking their lives making water rescues. People helping in shelters, gathering supplies, raising money. People helping people. Why
does it take a major disaster to bring this out. People have needs everyday. Food, shelter, a smile, a friendly conversation. So many people are dealing with rough problems and don't know where to turn. Lord, help us to be more aware of helping others everyday. It may not be a hurricane but life can be heart breaking to deal with. Lets be more ready to help others today and everyday. |
| Day 14 |
| Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Why should you love the Lord your God like that? Because that is how He loves you! He loves you more than you can begin to
imagine. He formed you in your mothers womb and watched and guided you. He has a perfect plan for your life. He gave you the personality and abilities to fit you to that plan. He is with you every second of your life. Best of all He wants to someday bring you home to spend all eternity with Him. Could you ask for anything more wonderful? Spend some quiet time with Him and draw closer. Wonderful things await you. |
| Day 15 |
| 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. The good things you do on this earth will
bring rewards in heaven. Not only eternity in the presence of Jesus in the perfection of heaven but we can earn rewards for what we do for the Lord here on earth. Someday we will each stand face to face with Jesus and if we are His he will judge the things we did on earth and we can receive rewards. He will not care how many ball games your saw, what football team you followed, or other earthly things. He will count how many people you helped, the times you obeyed His call, the times you walked in His path. |
| Day 16 |
| Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. This is so often misquoted. People find it hard to understand. Want others to have everything you want for you. Speak to people kindly as you want people to talk to you. Care about peoples lives
like you care about your own. Help people who need food, or shelter, or clothes. Do what you can to cheer people up when they are going through a tough time or at least be there for them. Listen when they want to talk. Let people know they matter. Help someone find a job. Use good manners whenever you are with people. When people ask you why you are so helpful and caring tell them that is Jesus in you. |
| Day 17 |
| God full of compassion Psa. 86:15. Jesus has compassion for us first because He created us, Then because He knows everything about us, and He lived as a human and knows what it is like. He knows what its like to work a job as He worked in Josephs
carpenter shop. He knows what it is like to be hungry, to be tired, to be hot or cold. He knows the comfort of family and friends. He also knows what its like to have people hate you, turn against you, misunderstand you. Jesus knows what its like to be homeless. He experienced life on earth. There isn't any thing we can't talk to Him about because He understands. He knows how we feel and He is there for us. Sometimes He helps solve problem and sometimes He walks with us as we grow by learning how to solve it. He is right there compassionately seeing us through. Lean on Him and listen to Him. |
| Day 18 |
| Tired! First thing in the morning or later in the day we get tired. Sometimes so tired we don't want to move. That's fine if you have time to rest but if you need to get moving we can get strength from Jesus. When we get our strength from Jesus He
renews us giving us energy. He can rest our minds. Jesus says," Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest." We may be pushing ourselves to do too much. He can show us what is not needed. When we turn our attention to Jesus He will renew our strength and guide us on. Sometimes just taking a quiet moment with Him is refreshing. Starting the day focusing on Jesus can get us off to a better start. Taking a moment during the day getting our focus back on Him can renew us. |
| Day 19 |
| Grace. We hear it but do we really know what it means? Every person is a sinner. We have all done things we should not have. Many times. We owe God a debt we could not pay. The wages of sin is death. Those who do not belong to Jesus die and go to
eternal punishment. Jesus loves us so much He died on the cross to take our punishment. Those who accept Jesus as savior and confess their sins to Him in repentance are cleansed by His blood and are totally clean of sin. We will go to heaven for eternity. That is grace. Receiving forgiveness we don't deserve instead of the punishment we do deserve. Only through Jesus. |
| Day 20 |
| Are you worried about the future? Tomorrow? Next month? Next year? The day the bills need to be paid? A big change in your life? So many things to deal with and not sure what will happen. Life can be so uncertain. We never know what might happen to
change our lives. An illness or injury. A death. It's so hard not to worry about what is ahead because we don't know. One thing we can be sure of. Whatever is coming Jesus knows and He is already preparing things. He knows what's coming, He knows how to handle it, He knows how it will end. We need to trust Him. Do you think any of those things are too hard for Jesus to handle. Place them and yourself in the hands of Jesus and have peace. |
| Day 21 |
| Good morning. As you wake up and start the day are you a Christian? Are you thanking God for the day and for your chance to live it? Or do Christian thoughts and actions get saved for church, or bible study, or running into the pastor during the week?
Are you worldly with worldly friends and Christian with Christian friends? Do you not think about Jesus except when something happens that makes you call out to him for help? Is the Sunday sermon the only bible message you get all week? If you are not 100% Christian every moment you are not really a Christian at all. Jesus is there with you at home, at work, at the beach, at the super market, and every where else you go. Are you there for Him? |
| Day 22 |
| The bible tells us that we are surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses. All the people we come in contact with through our lives, all the people are lives and ministries touch included. That also includes angels we can't see. Around us is spiritual
life we can't see. The angels watch people being saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is something they never experienced. Jesus sends them into the world to sometimes protect us from danger. Most people are never aware of seeing and angel but sometimes you can feel their presence. There is spiritual life going on all around us. We may not see it but it is there and can affect our lives. Think about how many are watching you as you go through your day. Are you working for Jesus or ignoring the truth? |
| Day 23 |
| Decisions. They can come quick and easy or slow and hard. Life is full of decisions. What should I study in school? What job would I like to do? Who should you marry? Should you have children, buy a house, a new car, change jobs,
etc. Our lives revolve around decisions. Some people find decisions easy to make some find them very hard. How well we make decisions affects our whole life and the lives of our family. Some people drift along not really making careful decisions and wonder why their life isn't going well. Certainly there is one decision that affects our life the most. It affects our lives now and through all eternity. That is the decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Without this no other decision will really matter. |
| Day 24 |
| God has a job for each one of us. He has placed you in a certain place for a reason. He has given you abilities to handle what is there for you to do. He is ready to help you do it. Do you work with someone going through a rough time?
Try to get a chance to talk to them. Sometimes just talking about a problem helps so much and you just need to listen and care. Maybe at some point they will let you pray with them. Do you see someone looking down and sad. A friendly smile and hello can change someone's mood. Someone searching for God and needs encouragement. Be there. There are so many things we can do to help others and it all is just being there and caring. Change someone's life today for the better. |
| Day 25 |
| What is a friend? A true friend loves us for who we are, enjoys being with us, cares about what happens to us, wants the best for us. A friend laughs with us, cries with us, celebrates with us, mourns with us. A friend looks forward to walking through
life with us. A friend loves us. The bible says, "no greater love than a friend laying down His life for a friend." Wow! How many friends do you have that would lay down their life for you? How many friends do you have that you would lay down your life for? Not many I would guess. We as Christians have one that not only would, but He did. And He does all those other things and more. Jesus! |
| Day 26 |
| It can be easy to trust in Jesus when things are going well. We feel happy and content and it's easy to thank Jesus and trust Him. What about when our life is suddenly changed in heart breaking ways. When we are knocked off our feet with sorrow. Jesus
is still the same. He is still loving us and allowing things that will help us grow and become closer to Him and more like Him. This is the time when we need to humbly tell Jesus we love and trust Him. We can ask Him to help us through and we will find that peace beyond understanding. He will help us deal with things and bring good from them. Smile thru your tears, believe in spite of you heart break, trust. You will find Him holding you close and truly giving you peace. |
| Day 27 |
| Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison
and go to visit you?'" The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' — Matthew 25:37-40. That person begging on the corner that people pass by- yes he may be a fake but hand him something to eat in Jesus" name. It is wise to keep some non perishable snacks with you to do this with. Are they a fake? That's between them and Jesus. You have done the right thing. A smile, a few kind words to a homeless person, or someone sad. You do the right thing. That is what counts. |
| Day 28 |
| Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? — Matthew 6:25, I would give to a food bank but I
don't have anything extra. I would donate clothes but I need them all. I would give time serving but I work all day and I need time for me. I got a raise in pay, now I can buy those movies I want. If we put others first before ourselves we find such joy serving Jesus and His people it is so much better than what we can do for ourselves. When we give freely Jesus sends things to us by totally unexpected ways. When we are serving Him, He takes care of us. Think about the people who have so much less or even nothing of their own. You can change someone's life. |
| Day 29 |
| For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. — Matthew 18:20. Together in a worship service, a bible study, a prayer group. Ministering to people in the hospital, nursing home, on the street. No matter where we are serving
Jesus is there. A couple of Christians talking together about problems, or just enjoying each others company. What if you have no way to connect together with other Christians. Talk on the phone, message on line, there are ways to come together in spirit without being together physically. Jesus is still there with you. You are never alone if you have Jesus and He can connect you to other Christians. |
| Day 30 |
| This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14. Often we hear people say they stopped praying because their prayers weren't answered. What did they pray for? Are they a
Christian with a relationship with Jesus. God hears the prayers of His children. Was the thing asked for good for the person, helpful in growing spiritually, or some worldly whim. Was it ignored or is it something that takes time to answer right. Is it something that in the long run would be bad for us. Maybe by waiting God has something even better when the time is right. Prayer is powerful when used right in the name of Jesus. |
| Day 31 |
| Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. A question often asked is, How do I know Gods
will? First we must belong to Jesus. Really, deeply, spiritually, mentally. That last one can be very hard. We are bombarded with the lies of the world every day. Eat this, do this, own this, buy this and you will be happy. We must turn our minds off to this nonsense and fill them with the truth of God. As we become more and more His He will be able to guide us toward His will. Doing His will is the key to happiness and joy. |
| Day 32 |
| Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. This earthly life can get heavy at times. So many problems
can hit. So many scary things to deal with. Storms, earthquakes, talk of war, money shortages, job problems. So many things but God reassures us. Yes we will deal with many scary problems but God is in control. He has already won the war so as long as we stick with Him we are guaranteed a happy ending. An eternity in the presense of God in the perfection of heaven. Our time on earth is so short compared to eternity. Hold on to hope. |
| Day 33 |
| 2Timothy4:3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.4 They will turn their ears
away from the truth and turn aside to myths. Many people don't want to hear the truth of God or only part of it. People want to put their happiness first. Working for material wealth. Sleep in on Sunday. Watch garbage on television or movies. Drink too much. Use vulgar language. They find a false teacher that tickles their ears telling them God wants us to be rich, God wants us to be happy, and God will forgive what we do. If you are not living for God and His truth you are living for the devil and his lies. |
| Day 34 |
| Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley, aI will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. We hear this so often but do we really hear the words? God doesn't have us running ourselves into exhaustion. We are called to take time to rest. Let ourselves be refreshed and rested. Take time to enjoy the beauty of God's creation. Rest, quiet, peace. Our minds and bodies need this. God intends for us to have these times. If you are complaining about how tired and worn out you are come away and rest. |
| Day 35 |
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| Day 36 |
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| Day 37 |
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