Today’s Verse: He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3   We all at times have had physical illnesses and wounds that seemed to almost never heal, but by God’s grace, we eventually are able to recover physically, but serious illness or injury has the ability to wound our minds and hearts, that take considerably longer, and some live with painful memories, even fear or doubts for years. Even when we are being assured by the doctor and comforted by family, some are still afraid to be alone because they constantly worried that at any time their symptoms could return. When we keep dwelling on our wounds, we delay the healing as they stay fresh in our minds. Medications can suppress the agony, mundane activities can divert the pain, but they only provide temporary relief. If we desire true healing, only God can reach the depths of our hearts. So do not keep dwelling on past hurts and let go of old pain, animosity and resentment. Open up to our heavenly Father, invite him into your heart, and you will find true peace.   Today’s Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, I invite You into my heart and mind as I let go of all the pain and resentment that I have nurtured all these years. Heal my body, heal my mind, heal my soul and help my unbelief. Lord, please cleanse me from all unrighteousness and heal my broken heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today’s Verse: 
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him. – Colossians 2:6 

In this particular verse, the Apostle Paul reminded the church that they accepted Christ Jesus, not only as their savior but as their Lord. It means that they had made Christ the Lord and King of their lives. Because Christ rules in their lives as their King, they should live their lives in obedience to Him, as what subjects would typically do for their masters. This verse also reminds us that when we accepted Christ, we did not only receive His gift of salvation for us but also his Lordship over our lives. Christ must have pre-eminence in each of our lives so that He can direct us and lead us to the right path. Making Christ your Lord is a decision you make and it is evident by your obedience to Him. You obey not to avoid being punished or rewarded, but because we love Him and He is the Lord of your life. Remember Christ is the supreme authority of the entire universe, so it’s right for us to be under His dominion and loving care. – Commentary By Jeremy Trio

Today’s Prayer:
God, I acknowledge your Lordship over my life, that is why I want to surrender my life to You. I ask that You help me to live my life in obedience to Your Word, and will, and to give You glory. Amen.

Today’s Verse: 
O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in Him. – Psalm 34:8

As humans, we derive happiness from many things like achievements, gifts, surprises, etc. These are all good things God has given us. However, the happiness we feel from these worldly things is fleeting, we will have to achieve again, get another gift, or be surprised again. We can continuously be chasing temporary happiness.

However, our God provides us everlasting happiness in Him that surpasses understanding. It prevails through pain, darkness, confusion, and uncertainty. Psalm 89:15 says, “Happy are the people who know the festival shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.” How wonderful it is to realize that our God has a plan, our God makes the hard decisions, our God speaks to us, our God is never surprised. How wonderful it is to be in relationship with Him, talk with Him, and hear Him. Be assured He will guide us through life, and He has a wonderful plan for us all. – Commentary by Kristina Taylor

Today’s Prayer:
Lord, I pray Your people will rest in You. That they would find a balance between continual happiness in You while enjoying the blessings You give us in this world. Amen.

Today’s Verse:
and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5 

Getting rid of sin is one of the most requested prayers by Christians. We pray that God will deliver us from evil. Because in reality, we will fall into temptation when we lose control of our sinful nature.

The Bible teaches us to cast down every imagination that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. This means we need to quickly banish negative thoughts when they enter our minds. We have to pull them down so temptation won’t lead us to the next step, which is, putting our thoughts into action and sinning.

You are powerful in Christ and for that very reason, you can get rid of sin. Whenever the enemy starts tempting or causing negative thoughts to enter your mind, rebuke them in Jesus’ name, bring those thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ and quote scripture. When you do this, the enemy will flee. – Commentary by Dionivie M. Tacder

Today’s Prayer:
Holy Almighty God we humble ourselves before You and ask You to please forgive us our sins, (take a moment to recall them with sincerity and renounce them.) We repent and ask You to please forgive us and help us to do better.

The High Priest of Israel was told to wear holy garments: garments of blue and white, a breastplate of twelve precious gems, and a white turban framed by a golden crown with a golden plate on the front which read, “Holy to the Lord.” He was quite an impressive sight. And yet, on the holiest day of the year, in order to enter God’s presence, in order to make peace with God, in order to receive cleansing and blessings, the High Priest had to strip himself down, take off all the fine linens, all the precious jewels, all the gold, and enter the Holy of Holies dressed only in white linen.

That should teach us something wonderful.

Do you want to really enter God’s presence and find real peace?

Then you have to strip yourself. You have to strip yourselves of your religiousness, your reputation, your busyness, your ministry, your status, your achievements – and come, just you, as a child, into His arms. You want God to be real to you, try being real to God. Come as you are for real and you will find your God as He is, for real. All the rest is clothing.
Scripture: Exodus 28:36

TODAY’S MISSION – Today, let the Lord see the real you. Set aside the adornments of your life and just come into His presence as you are to receive His blessings.

Thursday, July 8, 2021

What is the nature of the devil?

The English word “devil” comes from the Greek word “diabolos” which comes from two Greek words: “dia” which means “against,” and “bolos” which means “to cast.” Together you get “to cast against” – “diabolos” – devil. This is the primary nature of the devil, to cast against. What does he cast? Words… thoughts…. notions; not performing scary special effects, but rather to slander, to defame, to libel, to charge, to impute, to accuse. If this is the very nature of satan, how much more must you, as a child of God, stay away from anything that remotely resembles it? Your nature must be the opposite. You must not only have anything to do with the enemy’s nature, but actively oppose, undo, and overturn it. Have nothing to do with gossip or slander. They cannot proceed from your mouth, nor can they enter your ears. You cannot receive them. You must actively oppose such words by stopping them in others and undoing them with words of life. Renounce all gossip from your lips and ears, and fight the devil with words of love. Anything less… is diabolical.

TODAY’S MISSION – Fight the good fight of faith today, take the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God–undo the enemy’s words with the Lord’s.

Today’s Verse:
Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. – Colossians 3:13 

Being in a church or a Christian group and yes, even family can be a challenge. If you remain in a particular group or fellowship for a long time, you will discover the various personalities of people who are in that specific group. Sometimes you might feel discomfort, as some will begin to have complaints about one another. Eventually, cold wars set in and you will be surprised that what should be a group is now divided into many portions.

In this verse, the Apostle Paul said that we should bear with one another and forgive each other if you have complaints. Forgiveness is the secret to the harmony of a group. Yes, people can and will make lots of mistakes. As Christians, we should carefully admonish them and help them to get back on track.

One very important thing to remember is who we are, remember the sins that we have committed, and all the times the Lord forgave us. He was very patient with our faults and disobedience, and so we should also do the same for others.  

Today’s Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for the times I was impatient and unforgiving. Help me to forgive and to strive for peace and harmony with my fellow brothers and sisters. Amen.

Today’s Verse:
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. – James 1:22

The apostle James lovingly warns and corrects the believers who don’t live according to the will of God. The verse above is one of the sincere admonitions he wrote for us so that we can reflect and be gently corrected by the scriptures. James is aware of how slippery the world will become and that it would lead many believers away from doing what the Bible teaches. The Holy Spirit directed him to write these words to beseech us not to deceive ourselves by merely becoming just hearers only. God wants His blessings to overflow in us. This is the wisest way to live our lives, to be both hearers and doers of God’s word. – Commentary by Dionivie M. Tacder

Today’s Prayer:
Father in heaven, empower me with your grace to be a doer of your infallible word. May it serve its purpose in my life to bring me to my destiny. Change my heart to be compassionate like Jesus. Amen!

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. — John 17:3

Thoughts on Today’s Verse….

Eternal life begins, now! That is one of Jesus’ messages in the Gospel of John. For sure, we don’t get to enjoy all of the blessings that await us when we go home to the Father. But, Jesus wants us to know and to experience his love and the Father’s presence in our lives, now! He even prayed it for us! So let’s seek the Father — not to just know about him, but to know him! He longs to draw near to us and will do so as we draw near to him! He is at work in us, so the real issue isn’t his nearness, but our awareness of his presence and work. Let’s open our eyes and our hearts to our Father, and ask him to reveal his presence to us!

My Prayer…

It amazes me, Heavenly Father, that you let me approach you, the Almighty and Holy God. I am humbled by your promise to be at work in my life. Forgive me for the times that I have been so full of myself that I have not acknowledged your presence and grace. Make me more aware of your providential care and your daily presence in me through your Spirit. Open my eyes and heart, dear LORD, that I may know you more fully. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Verse:
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. – James 1:22

The apostle James lovingly warns and corrects the believers who don’t live according to the will of God. The verse above is one of the sincere admonitions he wrote for us so that we can reflect and be gently corrected by the scriptures. James is aware of how slippery the world will become and that it would lead many believers away from doing what the Bible teaches.

The Holy Spirit directed him to write these words to beseech us not to deceive ourselves by merely becoming just hearers only. God wants His blessings to overflow in us. This is the wisest way to live our lives, to be both hearers and doers of God’s word. – Commentary by Dionivie M. Tacder

Today’s Prayer:
Father in heaven, empower me with Your grace to be a doer of your infallible word. May it serve its purpose in my life to bring me to do Your will. Amen!