Special Favor

Acts 15:11 - "We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the special favor of the Lord Jesus."

Paul is reminding the spostles and the church elders that we are saved by grace alone, and not by good deeds or anything to show our belief.  And that applies to everyone, including the Gentiles.

This holds true today, as it did then, and for all eternity.  God will restore us to His Kingdom through His Grace through our acceptance and faith in His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior.  I'm all in for that!

Dear Lord, thank You for saving me.  Thank You for loving an unloveable wretch like me.  I cannot live without Your love and grace.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Tribulations

Acts 14:22 - ...They encouraged them to continue in their faith, reminding them that they must enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations.

Paul and Barnabas made sure that the new believers understood that living for God was not an easy life because of the persecutions they would face.

Persecution comes with the territory.  If I want to serve God and teach His Word, I have to be prepared for being ridiculed and other tribulations.  Am I?

Dear Lord, give me the strength and wisdom to spread Your Word despite the tribulations I may face while doing so.  I want to serve You, God.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Forgiveness

Acts 13:38 - "Brothers listen!  In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins."

Barnabas and Saul were explaining to the Gentiles the path to salvation, and how Jesus came to rescue us all from certain death as foretold by the prophets.

How awesome is this?  Who could possible love someone so much that they sen their only child to certain death just to save a bunch of good for nothing's?  God does.  That's a special kind of love, and we are so blessed to have it.

Dear Lord, thank You for loving me with a special kind of love that no one else could possible give me.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Good News

Acts 12:24 - But God's Good News was spreading rapidly, and there were many new believers.

Despite Herod Agrippa's best efforts to the apostles' works, Christianity was spreading.  He imprisoned and killed them, but it didn't work.  God had other plans.

One of our main goals on this earth is to spread the Good News of God.  To make believers of the unbelievers.  I know I am not perfect, but I hope I can live up to God's plans for me.

Dear Lord, give me the wisdom and the words to spread Your Word to all those that need to hear it.  Let me spread Your Good News.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Cleansing

Psalm 19:12 - How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?  Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

David was a smart man.  He knew that God knows everything that was in our hearts before we did.  He wanted a pure heart, and knew that only God could give it to him.

As much as we all like to think we know what we're going to do, God knows before us.  I know that I'm the type that likes to plan everything out.  I need to be better about putting my trust in God to lead me where He wants me to be.

Dear Lord, guid me.  I am putting my trust in You, because I know You will lead me where I need to be.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Acceptance

Acts 10:15 - The voice spoke again, "If God says something is acceptable, don't say it isn't:"

God is telling Peter through this vision that what He calls clean, you must not call unclean.

It is not for us to decide what is good and pleasing and acceptbale to the Lord.  He will decide for us.  When we are left our own judgements, we get ourselves into trouble.

Thank You Lord for deciding for me.  I made my own decisions for a lot of years, and it got me nowhere, until I made the decision for You, and now I will go everywhere!  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Good Things

Psalm 16:2 - I said to the Lord, "You are my Master!  All the good things I have are from You."

David believed that everything he had he owed to God.  And this is true.  God protected and comforted him through the hardest times of his life.  All because He loved him.

Do I offer the proper praise to God for everything He has done for me in my life?  I sure hope so.  I know that I am nothing without Him.  And He is everything to me.

Dear Lord, thank You for every amazing thing You have done for me in my life.  You have made me the man I am today with Your unfailing love.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

God's Gift

Acts 8:20 - But Peter replied, "May your money perish with you for thinking God's gift can be bought."

In responding to Simon's attempt to buy God's gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter made it clear that the only thing that will bring God's gift upon you, are a pure heart and a true belief in Jesus.

God has something of mine more valuable and precious than any money I may have.  He has my heart.  I have given it to Him completely, and I feel His love and blessings because of it.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your wonderful gift of Salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ.  I would be nothing in this world without You and Him.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Love

Acts 7: 59-60 - And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  And he fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord don't charge them with this sin!"  And with that, he died.

Stephen was stoned to death for speaking the truth and reminding them what they had done to Jesus.  While this was happening, he followed Jesus' example of love and begged God not to hold this against them.

This is a shining example of loving like Jesus loved.  Am I capable of this?  Would I be able to pray for the salvation of my persecutors?  I believe with God's wisdom and guidance I could.

Dear Lord, please grant me the wisdom and guidance to love like Jesus loved.  I only want to bring you honor and glory forever.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Preaching

Acts 6:7 - God's message was preached in ever-widening circles.  The number of gelievers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted too.

Because the apostles were able to appoint people to take care of the food program, they were able to focus on their primry duty - bringing people to believe in Jesus.

While it is our duty as disciples of Christ to help the poor and less fortunate, our primary duty remains to testify about God's love and our faith in Jesus to bring more people to believe and be saved.

Dear Lord, I ask You to use me in whatever way You see fit to bring You the honor and glory that You so richly deserve.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Protection

Psalm 14:6 - The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the Lord will protect His people.

Evil people will try again and again to hurt you and cause you problems, but God will protect you as long as you believe and put your trust in Him.

I gladly put my trust in God.  My faith has grown over the last year or so to the point that I have no fear of anything any man may do to me.  My fear is in the Lord.

Dear God, thank You for protecting me and giving me the courage to not fear anything from man, but only from You.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Salvation

Acts 4:12 - There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.

Peter made it very clear to the Pharisees, and in a bold way, that Jesus was the cornerstone of life.  That He was the Messiah.  He had no fear in declaring this, because he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

We should all be so bold.  I have no problem sharing my belief and faith with others.  And I pray that God will give me the strength to be as bold as Peter if I'm asked to testify about my belief and faith.

Dear God, I seek You in all I do.  Let every step I take be for Your Glory, and let every word I speak be for your praise.  Please continue to give me the strength I need for this.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Cleansed

Acts 3:19 - Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins.

Peter is telling the people that if they leave their sins behind and put their trust in God, they will be cleansed and saved.

I have gladly put my trust and faith in God.  I know I am not perfect - far from it.  But I know God loves me and He wants only good for me.

Dear Lord, thank You for loving me.  Thank You for steering me on the path to Your love.  I hope I'm able to give You the proper honor and glory forever.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Forgiveness

Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Let go and let God.  Repent, be baptized and allow the Holy Spirit to enter you and give you eternal life with God and His Son Jesus in His Glorious Kingdom.

Being baptized was an amazing day for me.  God blessed me and so many others on that Easter Sunday.  I hope I will live up to my end of the bargain.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your many wonderful blessings on me and everyone else in this world.  Help me stay on the right path to Your Grace.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Celebrating

Psalm 21:13 - We praise You, Lord, for all Your glorious power.  With music and singing we celebrate Your mighty acts.

God's power, like His love, is absolute and infinite.  Praising His power with song is a great way to speak to Him.

One of my favorite things in this world is praise and worship music.  One of my favorite times at church every week is praise and worship.  I feel a very special connection with God during the singing.

Dear Lord, thank You for allowing me to connect with You during the special time of praise and worship.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Message

Luke 24:47 - "With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sin for all who turn to me'."

If we believe and trust in the Lord.  And if we give our heart and lives to Him completely, He will forgive our sins and allow us to enter His Glorious Kingdom for all eternity.

I am happy to give it all to Jesus.  He has blessed me so much in my life, I can't imagine not having this relationship with Him.

Dear God, I give it all to You.  I know I will overcome everything with You Lord, and I thank You for the wonderful blessings in my life.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Forgiveness

Luke 23:34 - Jesus said, "Forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing."  And the soldiers gambled for His clothes by throwing dice.

To the very end of His life, Jesus was showing His ultimate love by asking God to forgive the men who were killing Him.

How amazing this kind of love is.  Jesus loved everyone so much that He asked God to forgive His killers.  This is how I hope to be.  I'm still working on this with God's guidance and patience.

Dear God, please continue Your guidance and patience so that I may learn to truly love like Jesus loved.  I know You want this.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Suffering

Luke 22:42 - "Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.  Yet I want Your will, not mine."

Jesus knew what was about to happen to Him, and He was afraid.  But at the same time, He knew that in God's will was the only way to eternal life.

When I get frustrated at a situation in my life, for a moment, I will ask myself why is this happening.  Then I tell myself it is God's will, so there will be no problems.

Dear Lord, I ask You to use me for Your glory.  I want to serve You and Your will however You desire.  Show me the way.  Your will be done.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Victory

Luke 21:19 - "By standing firm, you will win your souls."

By standing strong for our faith in Jesus, we will gain the ultimate victory of life eternal with Jesus in His Glorious Kingdom.

I look forward to the day when I'm asked to stand for what I believe.  I believe in God and His Son Jesus.  And because of that, I will fear nothing of what any man may do to me.

Dear God, I love You.  I look forward to being able to stand up to my persecutors and proclaim my love for You and Your ultimate victory.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Cornerstone

Luke 20:17 - Jesus looked at them and said, "Then what do the Scriptures mean?  The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone."

Jesus is the cornerstone.  He is the stone that was rejected because the people wouldn't believe that He was who He said He was.

Jesus is my savior.  He is my cornerstone.  I put all my faith and hope in Him.  I hope thag one day everyone else will do the same.

Dear Lord, I know You love me.  And I know that You have great things planned for me.  Use me Lord.  All my faith and hope is in You.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Hopes

Psalm 10:17 - Lord, You know the hopes of the helpless.  Surely You will listen to their cries and comfort them.

God knows everything that is going on in our hearts and minds.  He knows when we are down and need comfort, and He is ready, willing and able to give us the comfort we need.

During these tough times in my life, I lean on God's strength more than usual.  He lifts me up and gets me through the days.  And I'm stronger because of it.

Dear Lord, thank You for the strength You give me.  Thank You for Your comfort and support.  You make me a better person, and I want to share that.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Faith

Luke 18:17 - "I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God."

We must have faith like a child if we want to have eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

My faith has grown so strong over the last year.  I don't question God's love for me and I don't question God's plan for me either.  I pray that my faith will continue to grow like this so that I may experience God's love like He intended for me.

Dear God, please continue to grant me Your wisdom and grace.  I want to know You more and be closer to You.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Saving

Luke 17:33 - "Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it."

Once you have been born again through Jesus, you cannot go baack to your old ways.  If you try to hold on to your sins and old ways, your life will be pointless and end in darkness.  But if you give up your old ways and follow Jesus, you will live forever in His Kingdom.

It's a struggle for me sometimes not to return to my old ways.  By no means am I perfect, but when I catch myself, I pray and tell myself that my old life has nothing for me, and God has everything for me.

Dear God, thank You for giving me something to look forward to.  Without You, I am nothing.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Reward

Luke 16:9 - "I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends.  In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in Heaven."

Using your talents and resources to benefit others is your path to the Kingdom of Heaven.  They only have earthly value, so there is no point in holding on to them.

I know God will show me how He wants me to use my talents and resources for the benefit of others.  Everything will happen in His time, and I will be patient while I wait and pray.

Dear God, I ask for You to use me.  Use me to serve You and to lead others to You.  I only want to do good for the benefit of others.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Repentance

Luke 15:10 - "In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents."

It's great to have 9 out of 10 be repentant, but 10 out of 10 is even better.  That's what God wants.  He wants us all.  That will give Him the greatest joy.

In most things in life, a 90% success rate is considered fantastic.  But God has higher standards.  He wants 100%.  We should hold ourselves to higher standards as well.

Dear Lord, I know I am not worthy of You.  I am a sinner and I fall short.  Please continue Your patience as I strive to a higher standard for Your glory.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Humbled

Luke 14:11 - For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.

God will honor those who are humble and give Him the praise and glory He deserves.  But God will also humble the proud who believe they have no need for God's love.

I've always believed there are twyo types of people in the world:  Those who are humble and those who are about to be.  I want to continue to expeerience God's love and faor, so I choose 'humble'.

Dear Lord, thank You so much for teaching me humility.  I want to know Your love, and I know I can only do that through Your Grace.  Amen!



God Bless!!!

The Door

Luke 13:24 - The door to Heaven is narrow.  Work hard to get in, because many will try to enter.

Getting in to the Kingdom of God requires hard work.  Not just anyone can get in, but most everyone will try.

I work hard every day to show my love and honor for God, but I always believe I can do more and work harder.

Dear God, I thank You for Your gift of salvation and give You all the honor and praise You deserve.  Please continue to shine Your grace upon me.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Needs

Luke 12:31 - He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

God will provide for your every need as long as you give Him your whole heart and make your relationship with Him your first priority.

God is my first priority.  I know I can't achieve anything worth achieving without Him.  And I know that with Him,  I can achieve anything.

Dear Lord, I want You to be my Number One.  I know that I will accomplish all things through Christ who gives me the strength.  Thank You God.  Amen!

God Bless!!!

Seeking

Luke 11:10 - For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

If you seek Him, you will find Him.  God wants you, but you have to come to Him.  If you look for Him and ask for His forgiveness and love, He will grant it and save you.

I seek God every day.  I ask for His guidance and forgiveness every chance I get.  He has gotten me through so far, I trust He will continue to do so.

Dear Lord, I thank You for my life and ask that You continue to guide and protect me as I walk down this path that You have set before me.  In Jesus' precious and holy name, Amen!



God Bless!!!

A Plea

Psalm 6:9 - The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.

When we ask in true faith and humility, God answers.  He is always listening.  We may not get the answers we want, but that's because we're not asking the right questions.

During my prayers, when I'm asking about something, I always include, "Your will be done Lord, not mine."  He has a path for me, and He will show me the way.

Dear God, please continue to guide me where You want me to be.  I know You have good things planned for me.  Your will be done.  Amen!



God Bless!!!

Message

Luke 9:26 - "If a person is ashamed of me and my message, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in my glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels."

There was no mistaking Jesus in this passage.  If you deny Him to your fellow man, he will deny you before God.

I could never deny my love and faith in Jesus.  He has meant so much to me in my life.  I can just hope my actions show Him the proper glory and praise.

Dear Lord, I praise You and glorify You above all others.  Please use me to share Your love and Your message to everyone that needs to hear it.  Amen!



God Bless!!!