Today’s Verse:  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. – Romans 8: 26  Have you ever thought to yourself, I don’t know how or what to pray? I don’t know how to word what I’m going through or feeling? I believe that we all have been there at one time or the other. Communicating to God what is happening in our lives, as difficult as it may be at time, is actually very important, just as it is in any relationship. But, those times when our lives and feelings are too much, like when we are lost for words, or simply do not know how to pray about what is happening, can feel discouraging. There is great news for those times because this is one part of our lives where the Holy Spirit interacts with us. The Spirit says the words we cannot say in prayer. This sense of deep understanding is beautiful and purposeful, aligning with God’s character. We are never misunderstood or misrepresented by the Spirit. How beautiful is it, that the deep, painful, longing groans of the human soul are understood and interpreted by the Spirit in prayer. I hope that you can join me in saying that I am thankful the Spirit resides in me. If that is not the case, there is no better time than the present to invite Him to come live inside you to bring you the comfort and help you need when you are at a loss for words when communicating with your Heavenly Father. – Commentary by Kristina Taylor  and Pastor Mike Today’s Prayer: Lord, our prayers when we do not know what to say are so important. I pray that instead of being discouraged by not knowing what to say, we are encouraged by knowing that we can simply sit in Your presence and the Spirit will pray for us. Thank You for this gift. Amen.

Today’s Verse: Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. – Ephesians 3:20  One of the best ways to summarize this verse is to say, “God is able.” When impossibilities try to block your way to where God wants you to be, remember the above passage. Jesus already foretold what it is like to live in this world, where there will be tribulations and persecutions. But here’s the good news about being a Christian, you are not fighting the battles on your own. God’s power is at work within you to accomplish the purpose He has called you to. Regardless of how unimaginable the trials may be, God is able to surpass everything that discourages us. His power has been proven and tested. Take a look at your surroundings and the skies above, for they are the work of His hand. So the next time the enemy attacks you with discouragement and negativity, share it with the Lord and know that He is by your side. – Commentary by Dionivie M. Tacder  Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for working within me. Help me to remain immovable even in the midst of trials. Strengthen my faith so that I can completely trust that You are able to do everything. Amen.

Today’s Verse: There was not a town that made peace with the Israelites, except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon; all were taken in battle. For it was the Lord’s doing to harden their hearts so that they would come against Israel in battle, in order that they might be utterly destroyed, and might receive no mercy, but be exterminated, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. – Joshua 11:19-20   When we read the phrase “the Lord hardened their hearts,” we have to wonder, does God harden the hearts of people so that they sin? So why did God harden their hearts? If you look at verse 19, it says, “Not a town made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites.” It means God was expecting them to change and make peace with Israel, but they did not. The word “hardened” means “to strengthen.” God did not cause them to sin; they already sinned and chose to remain in their sins, so God strengthened their stand, not forcing them to do what God wanted until they fell into God’s judgment. This story reminds us that God will not interfere with our free will if we choose to sin. He wants us to choose freely to forsake sin, come to Him and make peace with Him. Decide to make peace with God and ask for forgiveness, and He will forgive you and cleanse you (1 John 1:9). Commentary By Jeremy B. Trio  Today’s Prayer: Lord, I believe that Jesus came to set me free from my sins. Therefore, I surrender myself to Christ and ask Him to help me repent of my sins and please cleanse me. Amen

Today’s Verse: So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day; for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; it may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as the Lord said. – Joshua 14:12   After the inheritance was divided among different tribes and families, Caleb came to Joshua and reminded him of God’s promise He had made 40 years ago. Caleb and Joshua were two of the ten spies sent by God to Kadesh-Barnea who gave positive reports. Meanwhile, the remaining eight spies discouraged the people from going to the promised land because they had seen the sons of Anak (giants) living there. God promised Caleb the hill country that he asked for. Caleb was confident in fighting and driving the giants away because of his faith in God. He was already eighty-five years old. His strength, and above all his faith, remained the same as the day God had commissioned him to spy. Caleb had an unwavering faith, which is very inspiring and encouraging. God gave him the victory to drive the giants away and possess the land. The faith of Caleb reminds us that we can overcome anything as long as we seek, depend upon God, and claim His promises. Today’s Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my doubts, unbelief, and for the times my worries, and fears, keep me from trusting and depending on You. Help me to be like Caleb, whose faith was unwavering through the years. Amen.

Isaiah 12 says, “And in joy you shall draw water from the wells of salvation.” In Hebrew, the word for salvation is “y’shua,” from which you get the Hebrew name “Yeshua,” the real name of “Jesus.” It says, “And in joy you shall draw water from the wells of Y’shua, or “the wells of Jesus.” The Hebrew word for “water,” mayim isn’t singular, but plural. “And in joy you shall draw waters from the wells of Y’shua.” The wells of salvation, the wells of Messiah, aren’t filled with water, but with waters. In salvation, there are many waters to drink from. We draw continuously. We shall draw in joy. As there are many waters, there are many joys in salvation. You may have drawn from the wells of salvation years ago and you think that’s it. There’s no end to the wells of salvation, and no shortage to the waters that come out. Come once again to the wells of Yeshua and anew the new waters of salvation, the mayim which flows newly, every day. You will be refreshed, renewed and overflowing. For the wells of salvation are the mayim of Yeshua.

TODAY’S MISSION – Sit in the presence of God today. Draw from His never-ending supply of waters of salvation, of love, of joy, of whatever you need and be refreshed and renewed.

Today’s Verse:
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” – Genesis 2:18 

In the story of creation, the Bible points out that after creation God looks upon His work and deems it as good. After man was created, He elevates this appreciation by saying, “very good.” However, in this verse, God said, “it is not good for a man to be alone.” From a good God’s perspective, He wouldn’t just leave it that way, He took action. That is why later in the book God made a perfect match for the man, a woman, to whom Adam gave the name Eve. And suddenly the very situation that is not good in God’s sight became good, for Adam was no longer alone.

This story reminds us that God wants to correct the bad things He sees in our lives and turn it into something good. We may not always understand God’s plan or His timing but you can rest assured that no matter the situation, God wants to take action and wants only the best for us. – Commentary by Dionivie Tacder

Today’s Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I surrender all the messes in my life to You. Help me recover from them. Please let me experience Your goodness once again as You turn things around. I believe in You and thank You for being my loving and good God. Amen!

Today’s Verse:
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” – John 21:21 

When our children were small and discipline was needed, their invariable response was always like what about other siblings? Similarly if one would get something the other wants the other child would complain, “what about me?” Sometimes, rather than being grateful for all the blessings received, we are discontented and have an unhealthy concern with what others have that we don’t. It’s a detrimental comparison that results in unhappiness and frustration.

In this passage, after Jesus predicted Peter’s final days, Peter directed his attention to John and inquired from the Lord, ‘what about him?’ Don’t forget that each one of us is uniquely blessed by the Lord. He has set different paths for us to walk as well. To compare which one is greater or worse is simply unwise. When we practice this kind of negative mentality it is destructive and we lose track of what is truly important. – Commentary by Mark Natividad

Today’s Prayer:
Our Heavenly Father, please forgive me for becoming discontent and distracted with what others have, rather than being grateful for what I have. Please help me to stop comparing myself with others and to count the many blessings in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Today’s Verse: My child, if sinners entice you, do not consent.  – Proverbs 1:10  This advice sounds so simple, but this is a great reminder for all of us who believe in Christ. The world is getting more chaotic every year. Immorality is becoming more prevalent, our society’s norms are being eroded, and our ideas of right and wrong are being diminished. But God can transform all of us. Allow this verse to remind you again not to consent whenever sinners try to entice you. Our tempters may come at us with all forms of sin, anger, perversions, greed, etc. Our tempters may be close to us like our family, friends, and loved ones. But do not fall, turn away from sin, obey the words of our Father, and do not consent or give in to their temptations. God has an amazing plan for you and you won’t want to miss what He has in store for your future! – Commentary by Dionivie Tacder  Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for failing to obey Your words at times. Help me to overcome the temptations I encounter each day and allow Your grace to empower the weakest area of my life. Thank you for Your advice and for guiding me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

A fast-food franchise made famous the slogan, “Have it your way.” Unfortunately, we live in a fast food culture and subscribe to a fast food faith. What this means is: the subjectification of the Gospel. The Gospel isn’t really about God anymore but about what God can do for me. It’s not about the truth, but what I feel. If I feel it, it’s true. It’s not about the absolute, it’s about the subjective. We don’t mold our lives to conform to God’s absolute truth. Rather we mold our beliefs to conform the way we live our lives. The Bible has become as valuable to us as a hamburger. Have it your way.

Studies have been conducted that prove most fast food is not healthy for our physical bodies this is seen in the new adjusted menus offered for a more healthy approach and likewise, a Gospel that can be bent to conform to our lifestyle is not healthy for our spirit man. A fast food Gospel is no gospel at all, it benefits no one.

In order to be pleasing to God and live according to the scriptures, we must reject fast food Christianity – this subjectification of the Gospel. We’re not saved by a subjective truth. Such gospels and philosophies save no one. We’re saved by the Absolute Truth, the unchangeable God, and the unalterable Gospel. Reject the spirit of the age and live by the Holy Spirit. Let’s not bend the truth to fit our lives, but let’s conform our lives to fit the truth.

For the eternal and unchanging truth of God… is not a hamburger.

TODAY’S MISSION – Today, let your slogan be, “Do it God’s way”.

Today’s Verse:
Immediately the sentence was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from human society, ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagle’s feathers and nails became like bird’s claws. – Daniel 4:33 

Throughout history kings and emperors typically have not been humble. This is because they wielded a tremendous amount of power and considered themselves above others. However, emperor Marcus Aurelius did not; he had a servant that followed him and was instructed every time a citizen would bow down or say a word of praise, the servant would whisper in his ear, “You are just a man and will die someday.”

Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was arrogant and conceited. He sent three of Daniel’s closest Jewish friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to be burned alive in the fiery furnace for failing to worship the ninety-foot high golden statue he had erected. He witnessed first-hand how God delivered the three, but he remained arrogant. God humbled him, and for seven years, he lived like an animal eating grass and went about with his nails and hair uncut.

The Holy Bible warns us about the sin of pride and tells us stories about the proud, and how it never ends well for them. If we are not humble, rest assured that when the day of God’s reckoning arrives, He will humble us in unimaginable ways. – Commentary by Mark Natividad

Today’s Prayer:
Our Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I have been proud and conceited. I am sorry, please give me a humble spirit and wash away with Your Precious Blood all conceit and pride in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.