Prayers of Good Hope

[HOLY] SPIRIT MAKES ALIVE” (2 Corinthians 3:6).

 

Lord God, I am dependent on Your Holy Spirit, Your Gift to me, every day, every hour, every moment.  How glad I am that Your Holy Spirit can do miracles.  He can make things that are dead in my life come alive: He can change my darkness into Light…my brokenness into Wholeness…my guilt into Blamelessness.

 

Father God, I need the supernatural touch of Your Gift in my life, right now.  I need Your Gift to create Your Love in my heart for those I have not been able to love.  I need Your Gift to create Your Forgiveness in my heart for those I have not been able to forgive.  I need Your Gift to create Your Patience in me, so I can deal with my circumstances correctly.

 

“NOT THAT WE ARE SUFFICIENT OF OURSELVES TO THINK ANY THING AS OF OURSELVES; BUT OUR SUFFICIENCY IS OF GOD” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

 

May I often realize my inadequacy…and submit to the Life, Love, and Light that Your Holy Spirit provides, daily.

 

I welcome You, Gift of God!

 

February 4  May You Love God Enough to Obey Him

 

Everlasting Father, I yearn to experience Your Presence, all the time.  I long to hear Your Voice, every day.  I know that this is only possible if I obey You…EVEN WITH MY THOUGHTS.

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

Almighty God, I love You with my entire spirit, soul, and body…EVEN WITH MY THOUGHTS.

 

Therefore, I bring my thoughts under Your obedience…moment-by-moment obedience: obedience to the promptings to follow Your Light…obedience to the urgings to accept Your Truth… obedience to the pressings to avail of Your Hope…obedience to the admonitions to appropriate Your Wisdom.

 

“IF ANYONE LOVES ME, HE WILL OBEY MY TEACHING…

AND I WILL SHOW MYSELF TO HIM”

 

Most High, my moment-by-moment obedience, EVEN OF MY THOUGHTS, renders Your moment-by-moment Revelation INTO MY THOUGHTS.

 

Thank you, God, that You yearn to reveal Yourself to me…that You long to unveil Your Love to me…that You wish to manifest Your Wholeness to me…that You yearn to demonstrate Your Power to me…that You long to expose Your Righteousness to me, and that all of this is possible through my moment-by-moment obedience to You…EVEN IN MY THOUGHTS.

 

“SO NOW WE SERVE NOT UNDER [OBEDIENCE TO] THE OLD CODE OF WRITTEN REGULATIONS, BUT [UNDER OBEDIENCE TO THE PROMPTINGS] OF THE SPIRIT IN NEWNESS [OF LIFE]” (Romans 7:6 AMP).

 

I love You, even with my thoughts!

 

 

February 5  Allow Your Father to Love You

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

Father, I know that love without deeds do not mean much.  I want to love you enough to obey You…even in my beliefs.

 

Lord, help me to understand that when someone is rude and inconsiderate towards me, it is not the disrespect and inconsideration that bother me the most, but my BELIEFS that result from the person’s behavior: that I am not loved or that I am not lovable.  Help me to see that, in times like these, it would not help anybody if I defended myself in order to prove that I AM loved and lovable.  Remind me, daily, that the only thing that really helps is to turn my beliefs over to You.

 

Most High, lead me into obedience: to focus on my own heart when someone disrespects and dishonors me by admitting that I feel unloved and unlovable. Let me turn to You for help, instead of running, hiding, and blaming my pain on my offenders.

 

How amazed I am, Perfect Father, that You honor our obedience by showing us Your Truth, Your Hope, and Your Love.

 

“HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER,

AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM

AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM”

 

I love You, God!

 

 

February 6  God Can Do More than what You Can Imagine

 

“NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, TO HIM BE GLORY” (Ephesians 3:20).

 

Jesus, I worship You for being my God of Power.  I worship You in Spirit and in Truth.

 

God of Power, I realize that I often want to help You figure things out for me.  I would ask You for help, but then I would imagine the solution.  I might sometimes even map out the whole plan for You of how You should solve my problems.  At the very least, I might give You some suggestions.  When I cannot visualize a solution, I might think to myself, “God must not have a solution either, since I cannot picture it myself.”

 

God, I want to let go of this pattern and trust that You, God of Power, can solve my problems without my help…that You will work things out in ways I do not understand.  Work Your Faith in me so that I would know that JUST BECAUSE I DO NOT SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE SOLUTION DOES NOT MEAN YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE.  Create in me a mind that believes that You can do immeasurably more than I ask or the solution I imagine.

 

“DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERY SITUATION, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD”

(Philippians 4:6).

 

Almighty God, establish Your Trust in my heart, so that I would not be anxious about anything, but in every situation present my request to You. Then, after I have laid my request at Your feet, lift my eyes to focus on You, God of Power, who is able to do immeasurably MORE than I can ever think or imagine.  Let it be done according to Your Power, God.

 

I worship You, God of Power!

 

 

Feb.7  May You be Strengthened

 

Perfect Father, today I just want to sit on Your lap and listen, absorb and embrace Your beautiful encouraging message of Hope and Power.

 

“I PRAY ALSO THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE ENLIGHTENED IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE HOPE TO WHICH HE HAS CALLED YOU, THE RICHES OF HIS GLORIOUS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS, AND HIS INCOMPARABLE GREAT POWER FOR US WHO BELIEVE. THAT POWER IS LIKE THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY STRENGTH, WHICH HE EXERTED IN CHRIST WHEN HE RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD AND SEATED HIM AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS, FAR ABOVE ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY, POWER AND DOMINION, AND EVERY TITLE THAT CAN BE GIVEN, NOT ONLY IN THE PRESENT AGE BUT ALSO IN THE ONE TO COME”

(Ephesians 1:18-21).

 

Enlighten the eyes of my heart, Father, that I may know Your Hope and Your incomparable great Power for my PAST sins, mistakes, and wounds…for my PRESENT iniquities and weaknesses…and for my FUTURE plans.

 

“THAT POWER IS LIKE THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY STRENGTH, WHICH HE EXERTED IN CHRIST WHEN HE RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD AND SEATED HIM AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS…”

 

Work Your mighty Strength in me, God of Power.  Raise me from the dead.  Make me alive.  Replenish my faith.  Restore my life.  Renew my mind.  Create in me a new heart. Heal my body.

 

May the eyes of my heart be enlightened in order that I may know the Hope to which You, God of Hope, has called me. May I know Your mighty Strength with which You can make anything come alive IN MY PAST…IN MY PRESENT…AND IN MY FUTURE.

 

I honor You, Mighty God!

 

Feb.8  All Authority Has Been Given to Jesus

 

“THEN JESUS CAME TO THEM AND SAID, ‘ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME’” (Matthew 28:18).

 

Precious Jesus, I behold Your Power and Your Glory.  All rule of Power has been given to You by the Perfect Father.  Your Authority is genuine and not counterfeit and no other force can hold up against it.

 

“CHRIST…FAR ABOVE ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY, POWER AND DOMINION, AND EVERY TITLE THAT CAN BE GIVEN, NOT ONLY IN THE PRESENT AGE BUT ALSO IN THE ONE TO COME” (Ephesians 1:21).

 

Lord Jesus, the father-of-lies, who is an impostor and deceiver, loves to feign authority to dishearten and frighten me.  He will try to convince me that SHAME is the authority that will always rule my life…that ABANDONMENT is the authority that will always reign in my life…that CONDEMNATION is the authority that will always prevail.

 

But all Authority on Heaven and on earth belongs to You, my Lord.  Your Authority applies to my PAST, my FUTURE, and the PRESENT age in which I am living.  Therefore, I call on You to demolish any counterfeit authority of shame, abandonment, or condemnation that the father-of-lies has set up against me.  Let it be done according to Your Power and Your Glory!

 

I worship You, God of all Authority!

 

 

February 9  God Provides a Way out

 

“NO TEMPTATION HAS SEIZED YOU EXCEPT WHAT IS COMMON TO MAN”

(1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Thank you, Most High, that no temptation has seized me here on earth except what is common to man.  Thank you, God, for reminding me that my enemy, the father-of-lies, does not appear as a little red man with horns, using black magic.  Instead, He uses deception: the principle of luring me into believing something that is not true. 

 

How comforted I am, Father, to know that although my adversary’s ways are disguised, they are not mysterious and insolvable.  How good to know that no temptation has seized me, except what is common to man: to turn to sinful habits and patterns to protect my heart.  Protect my mind from the father-of-lies, who uses my own thoughts and reasoning—my own understanding—as bait to lure me into sinful defense patterns to still my heartache.

 

“AND GOD IS FAITHFUL; HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. BUT WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT SO THAT YOU CAN STAND UP UNDER IT” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

God, Your Glory and Majesty are above Heaven and earth.  Although my adversary desires to stay hidden and secretive, his ways are not mysterious and hidden to You.  You know with certainty how the father-of-lies seduces and ensnares…AND YOU KNOW THE WAY OUT!

 

Thank you, Father, that You deliver us from evil.  Lead me to accept Your way out of the pain in my heart, instead of using my defense patterns as the way out against the father-of-lies’ negative, destructive thoughts in my mind.

 

Thank you, God, for providing a way out!

 

 

February 10  God Made You for Himself

 

“WHAT AGREEMENT IS THERE BETWEEN THE TEMPLE OF GOD AND IDOLS? FOR WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD. AS GOD HAS SAID: ‘I WILL LIVE WITH THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY WILL BE MY PEOPLE’” (2 Corinthians 6:16).

 

How unparalleled is Your Love, Perfect Father.  You made me for Yourself.  You delight in me.  You made me to interact with me…to establish a relationship with me…to be my Father, and for me to be Your child.

 

How amazing is Your Love that You lavish on me, Majesty.  I worship You for the perfect plan You had to make our relationship possible.  You sent Your Son, Jesus, to repurchase me from the father-of-lies, so You can have a relationship with me.  Jesus did not come on His own accord.  He came because You sent him.

 

“FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM” (John 3:17).

 

How marvelous are Your ways, Father.  I praise You for sending me Your Holy Spirit—the Counselor—to make the relationship between You and me possible.  The Holy Spirit did not come on His own accord.  He came because You sent Him.

 

“BUT THE COUNSELOR, THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS AND WILL REMIND YOU OF EVERYTHING I HAVE SAID TO YOU” (John 14:26).

 

I will walk with You, Most High.  I will be Your child.  Delight in me.  Be my father.  Be my God.  Be my Life.

 

Glory to You in the highest Heaven!

 

 

February 11  May You Experience the Love of Jesus

 

“MAY YOU EXPERIENCE THE LOVE OF CHRIST, THOUGH IT IS TOO GREAT TO UNDERSTAND FULLY. THEN YOU WILL BE MADE COMPLETE WITH ALL THE FULLNESS OF LIFE AND POWER THAT COMES FROM GOD” (Ephesians 3:19).

 

Perfect Father, I praise You for crowning me with Your Love through Your Son, Jesus Christ.  How amazing that I can experience the Love of Christ every day, wherever I go, whatever I do.  Thank you that I can talk to You, God, about everything and everyone in my life.  Sometimes I have specific questions.  Sometimes I feel hopeless.  Sometimes I am sad.  Sometimes I laugh.  Whatever happens in my life, I can share it all with You, God of Hope, AND EXPERIENCE YOUR LOVE.

 

Thank you that You are walking with me through this life, God.  Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, so that I may experience Your Love when I feel forsaken…when I feel rejected…when I feel sad.  Open the ears of my heart, Lord, so I may hear when You tell me that I matter and that I count. Let me embrace Your Presence when I go through the valley of the shadow of death.  Let me accept Your Acceptance.

 

May I daily experience the Love of Christ in my heart, though it is too great to fully understand with my mind.  Then I will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You.

 

I love You, God!

 

 

February 12  Your Worth Is Established by God

 

“HE HAD NO BEAUTY OR MAJESTY TO ATTRACT US TO HIM,

NOTHING IN HIS APPEARANCE THAT WE SHOULD DESIRE HIM.

HE WAS DESPISED AND REJECTED BY MEN,

A MAN OF SORROWS, AND FAMILIAR WITH SUFFERING.

LIKE ONE FROM WHOM MEN HIDE THEIR FACES

HE WAS DESPISED, AND WE ESTEEMED HIM NOT.

BUT HE WAS PIERCED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS,

HE WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR INIQUITIES;

THE PUNISHMENT THAT BROUGHT US PEACE WAS UPON HIM,

AND BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED”

(Isaiah 53:2-5).

Perfect Father, I worship You for establishing my worth.

I praise You for settling my value.

Thank you for the price tag You put on me.

That You paid for me with…Jesus.

Jesus was pierced…for me.

He was crushed…for me.

You did this, Father…for me.

How much I must be worth…to You!

 

I honor You, Most High!

 

 

February 13  Put Your Trust in God’s Love

 

Most High, how amazed I am that Your Love for me never ends.

 

“FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD” (Romans 8:38-39).

 

Lord God, how encouraged I am that Your Love surpasses knowledge.  Your Love surpasses the knowledge that someone rejected me…that someone abandoned me…that someone failed me.  Your Love surpasses death.  Your Love surpasses the circumstances of my past, my present, and my future.

 

“AND I PRAY THAT YOU, BEING ROOTED AND ESTABLISHED IN LOVE, MAY HAVE POWER, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE SAINTS, TO GRASP HOW WIDE AND LONG AND HIGH AND DEEP THE LOVE OF CHRIST IS, AND TO KNOW THIS LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE—THAT YOU MAY BE FILLED TO THE MEASURE OF ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD” (Ephesians 3:17-19).

 

Lift up my eyes above life and death, so I may grasp, together with all the saints, how wide and long and high and deep Your Love is for me. Lift up my eyes above the past, the present, and the future, so I may be rooted and established in Your Love and be filled to the measure of fullness by Your Love.

 

I love You, Father, for loving me!

 

February 14  Love Rejoices with the Truth

 

“LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND. IT DOES NOT ENVY, IT DOES NOT BOAST, IT IS NOT PROUD.  IT IS NOT RUDE, IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING, IT IS NOT EASILY ANGERED, IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS.  LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH.  IT ALWAYS PROTECTS, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES, NEVER FAILS” (1 Corinthians 13:1-7).

 

My Perfect Father, when someone’s love fails me, bring me to the place where I would not delight in evil, but rejoice with the Truth.  During these times, let me understand that when someone’s love fails me, that person is hurting with thoughts of abandonment, condemnation, and shame that come from the father-of-lies, and that he is trying to fix evil beliefs with evil solutions.

 

During times like these, let me rejoice with the Truth that Your Love never fails.  Your Love always protects…always trusts…always hopes…always perseveres.  Your Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the Truth.

 

“FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD”

(Romans 8:38-39).

 

Thank you, Perfect Father, that I may know that when someone’s love fails me, I can rejoice with the Truth that I am not separated from Your Love.  Remind me, during these times, that I do not have to fix evil beliefs with evil solutions and become angry, self-seeking, and rude. Instead, let me rejoice with Your Truth that sets us free from the beliefs of abandonment, shame, and condemnation that come from the father-of-lies.

 

I rejoice with the Truth!

 

 

February 15  Only He Who Does the Will of My Father

 

“NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS TO ME, ‘LORD, LORD,’ WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT ONLY HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.  MANY WILL SAY TO ME ON THAT DAY, ‘LORD, LORD, DID WE NOT PROPHESY IN YOUR NAME, AND IN YOUR NAME DRIVE OUT DEMONS AND PERFORM MANY MIRACLES?’  THEN I WILL TELL THEM PLAINLY, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU. AWAY FROM ME, YOU EVILDOERS!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

 

Father in Heaven, I long to do Your Will.  I long to be Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do the good works You have prepared for me since the beginning of time.

 

Deliver me from wanting to prophecy, drive out demons, and perform miracles, just for the sake of proving that I matter…that I count…that I am worthy.  Draw me into a close relationship with You, Perfect Father.

 

Release me from focusing on who I am NOT. Instead, show me who I am, created in You, Lord Jesus, as Your workmanship, to do Your Will.  Show me my real personality, stripped from the masks I wear to hide me from the father-of-lies’ beliefs that I am unworthy, unlovable, and unacceptable. Reveal to me my talents and my gifts, created in Christ Jesus, that I may use them to do Your Will.  Keep me from doing the good works that were not prepared for me, but to only focus on the good works that are waiting for me to be done.

 

Father-in Heaven, draw me into the Kingdom of Heaven…to do Your Will.

 

“FOR WE ARE GOD’S WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

May I do Your Will!

 

 

February 16  Hope for Hopelessness

 

“WE KNOW HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US, AND WE HAVE PUT OUR TRUST IN HIS LOVE. GOD IS LOVE, AND ALL WHO LIVE IN LOVE LIVE IN GOD, AND GOD LIVES IN THEM” (1 John 4:16).

 

Holy Father, we all struggle with hopelessness from time to time: beliefs that there are no solutions to our problems…that there are no open doors available…that there is no way out of our dilemmas.  But You have shown us that there is a way out of hopelessness: TO PUT OUR TRUST IN YOUR LOVE.

 

“AS THE FATHER HAS LOVED ME, SO HAVE I LOVED YOU.  IF YOU OBEY MY COMMANDS, YOU WILL REMAIN IN MY LOVE, JUST AS I HAVE OBEYED MY FATHER’S COMMANDS AND REMAIN IN HIS LOVE.  I HAVE TOLD YOU THIS SO THAT MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU AND THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE” (John 15:9-11).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You have shown us how to remain in Your Love by moment-by-moment obedience: obedience to Your counsel to avail of Your Wisdom, instead of our own perceptions…obedience to Your promptings to follow Your Light, instead of the darkness…obedience to Your urgings to accept Your Truth, instead of the lies from the father-of-lies.

 

May I only obey Your counsel, God, so I may remain in Your Love. Teach me to listen to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit, every day, a hundred times a day.  Keep me from following the wrong counsel of the father-of-lies—negative, destructive thoughts of unworthiness, failure, and defeat—so I would stay safe, away from the low place of hopelessness.

 

“IF YOU OBEY MY COMMANDS, YOU WILL REMAIN IN MY LOVE.”

 

I trust in Your Love!

 

 

February 17  There Is a Way out.

 

“AND GOD IS FAITHFUL; HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. BUT WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT SO THAT YOU CAN STAND UP UNDER IT” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

If I could define hopelessness, I would describe it as the place where there is no way out…where I am at a dead-end…where I have been tempted beyond what I can bear.

 

How comforting to know that, in Your perspective, Perfect Father, there is no such thing as hopelessness.  There is no place without hope, because You always provide a way out.  I am never tempted beyond what I can bear, because You have already provided for the answer.

 

“I PRAY ALSO THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE ENLIGHTENED IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY KNOW THE HOPE TO WHICH HE HAS CALLED YOU…HIS INCOMPARABLE GREAT POWER” (Ephesians 1:18-19).

 

May I get to know the Hope to which You have called me, Lord God: Your answer…Your provision…Your way out by Your own incomparable great Power.  May I stand up under Your Hope when the father-of-lies tells me that I am at a dead-end and there is no way out.

 

Almighty God, how encouraged I am that You have already provided for the answer—the way out.  Work Your Patience in me, so that I would wait for Your way out, instead of taking my own way out.

 

I will take Your way out!

 

 

February 18  A New Lifestyle

 

“DON’T YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU OFFER YOURSELVES TO SOMEONE TO OBEY HIM AS SLAVES, YOU ARE SLAVES TO THE ONE WHOM YOU OBEY—WHETHER YOU ARE SLAVES TO SIN, WHICH LEADS TO DEATH, OR TO OBEDIENCE, WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?” (Romans 6:16).

 

Perfect Father, You abound in Glory.  Today, I come to ask You to lead me into a new lifestyle. Deliver me from the lifestyle of obeying the lies of the father-of-lies, moment-by-moment, a hundred times a day. I need to live in a new and different way. Save me from accepting and believing every thought that enters my mind. I have become a slave to those thoughts: that I am not good enough…that I am not lovable…that I am not special.  They have started to rule my life.

 

Everlasting Father, teach me how to surrender the oppressing beliefs from the father-of-lies to You, instead of accepting, believing, and reacting to these negative thoughts.  Open my heart to Your Truth…Your Love…Your Revelation.  Work Your Obedience in me, so it could lead to Righteousness.

 

Perfect Father, I know that You have infinite different ways of telling me how much You love me, but it requires the lifestyle of surrendering every thought to You, in order to experience Your Revelations of Love, Truth, and Hope directly to my heart.  Thank you for calling me to a new lifestyle.

 

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life” (Romans 6:22).

 

I love You, God, for loving me!

 

 

February 19  It Is for Freedom that Christ Set Us Free

 

“IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST HAS SET US FREE. STAND FIRM, THEN, AND DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE BURDENED AGAIN BY A YOKE OF SLAVERY”

(Galatians 5:1).

 

Christ Jesus, today I throw my arms wide open and receive the freedom that You hold out to me: freedom from helplessness…freedom from hopelessness…freedom from powerlessness…freedom from shame… freedom from guilt…freedom from fear…freedom from abandonment…freedom from unworthiness…freedom from condemnation…freedom from sin.

 

“IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST HAS SET US FREE”

 

Lord Jesus, I invite Your Wisdom into my heart to set me free from the negative, destructive belief that I do not belong.

 

Redeemer, I invite Your Perspective into my mind to set me free from the oppressing belief that I do not count.

 

Savior, I invite Your Truth into my thoughts to set me free from the accusatory belief that I am a lesser being.

 

May I stand firm in Your freedom, and not allow the father-of-lies to lure me back into the slavery of abandonment, shame, and condemnation.

 

“SO IF THE SON SETS YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED”

(John 8:36).

 

I praise You, Jesus, for freedom!

 

 

February 20  Jesus, the Much More of Your Salvation

 

“FOR IF, WHEN WE WERE GOD’S ENEMIES, WE WERE RECONCILED TO HIM THROUGH THE DEATH OF HIS SON, HOW MUCH MORE, HAVING BEEN RECONCILED, SHALL WE BE SAVED THROUGH HIS LIFE!” (Romans 5:10).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that I can be reconciled to the Perfect Father through Your DEATH. But I want more. Lord Jesus, I invite You to come and live Your LIFE in me, so that I may receive the MUCH MORE Life—the Life that saves my heart from the accusatory beliefs from the father-of-lies.  I understand that this is not a one-time settlement, but a daily, moment-by-moment relationship with You.

 

Establish Your MUCH MORE Life in me, Lord Jesus, so I may be restored to MUCH MORE than I had been before the oppressing beliefs of abandonment filled my heart…before the accusatory beliefs of condemnation destroyed my relationships…before the belittling beliefs of shame entered my mind.

 

“I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE,

AND THAT THEY MAY HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY”

(John 10:10).

 

May I become like a well-watered garden, Lord God, because of Your MUCH MORE Love, Hope, and Truth—MUCH MORE than I can ask or imagine.

 

You are my Much More Life!

 

 

 

February 21  Be Released from Condemnation

 

“BECAUSE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE SET ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH” (Romans 8:2).

 

Perfect Father, we have all grown up with disapproval, criticism, or accusations from some source or another, and the father-of-lies uses this as an opportunity long after the occurrence, to tell us that we are bad…guilty…unfit for life, BECAUSE WE ARE CONDEMNED.

 

“THEREFORE, THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS” (Romans 8:1).

 

Whom have I, but You, God?  You sent Your Son, Jesus to exchange the Law of Sin and Death for a new law—THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS.  How splendid are Your ways, Majesty.

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that my mind is governed by beliefs of condemnation, and that I do not have the power to get rid of them.  In faith, I surrender the condemnation that has been hanging over me to Your Law. Do in me through this law what I cannot do through striving. Set me free from the painful beliefs that I am unworthy to be loved, and create in me new beliefs of acceptance.

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You will keep reminding me to submit beliefs of condemnation to you whenever they surface, UNTIL MY MIND IS FULLY GOVERNED BY YOU.

 

I accept the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus!

 

 

February 22  Go through the Right Door

 

“I AM THE DOOR: BY ME IF ANY MAN ENTER IN, HE SHALL BE SAVED, AND SHALL GO IN AND OUT, AND FIND PASTURE” (John 10:9).

 

Dear Lord Jesus, remind me, daily, that You are the door that I need to go through to be saved from myself: that I need to go through You, a hundred times a day, to be liberated from my own troubled mind…that I need to go through You, every day, to be rescued from a hardened heart…that I need to go through You, all the time, to be rescued from sinful defense habits and patterns. I cannot make it on my own, although I am a Christian.  You are the door through which I continually need to go in and out to find daily pasture.

 

“BUT YE HAVE NOT SO LEARNED CHRIST; IF SO BE THAT YE HAVE HEARD HIM, AND HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY HIM, AS THE TRUTH IS IN JESUS: THAT YE PUT OFF CONCERNING THE FORMER CONVERSATION THE OLD MAN, WHICH IS CORRUPT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL LUSTS; AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS.”  (Ephesians 4:20-24).

 

Lord Jesus, I need the Truth that is in You to rescue me from my darkened understanding, day and night.  I need You, moment-by-moment, to put off my OLD MAN, the negative destructive beliefs instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  I need You, each day, to change my attitude.  I need You to continually create in me a NEW MAN—one who is like You in true Righteousness and Holiness.  I cannot put on this NEW MAN by myself; I need You to put it on for me.

 

Lord Jesus, You are my door!

 

 

 

February 23  The Tree of Life

 

“I AM THE VINE; YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. IF A MAN REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM, HE WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING” (John 15:5).

 

Perfect Father, help me to see that there are two separate “worlds” out there: the “world” of Truth, and the “world” of deception.  I would be living in the Truth until suddenly a negative thought enters my mind; I accept it and fall into a deep pit of pain.  Everything is fine one moment… and utterly awful the next.  Once I have fallen into this pit of pain, nothing seems to come together for me.  Other negative thoughts start bothering me and soon despair enters.  This pit seems like a different world than the one of Love, Hope, and Truth that I was just living in a minute before.

 

“IF ANYONE DOES NOT REMAIN IN ME, HE IS LIKE A BRANCH THAT IS THROWN AWAY AND WITHERS; SUCH BRANCHES ARE PICKED UP, THROWN INTO THE FIRE AND BURNED” (John 15:6).

 

Everlasting Father, remind me, daily, that as soon as I am severed from You, the Tree of Life, I enter the world of deception, where the father-of-lies rules.  Here there are only hopelessness, hatred, and lies.  Here it is easy to wither very quickly.

 

“I HAVE GIVEN THEM THE GLORY THAT YOU GAVE ME, THAT THEY MAY BE ONE AS WE ARE ONE:  I IN THEM AND YOU IN ME. MAY THEY BE BROUGHT TO COMPLETE UNITY” (John 17:22-23).

 

Precious Jesus, let me stay connected to You, at all times.  May I always be aware that Your Truth is only one belief away…and that as soon as I am disconnected from your Truth, I am connected to a lie…and as soon as I am disconnected from the lie, I am connected to Your Truth.

 

May I continually be in You…and Your beliefs of Love, Hope, and Truth be in me.

 

Lord Jesus, You are my Vine!

 

 

February 24  Take up Your Own Cross

 

“AND ANYONE WHO DOES NOT TAKE HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME IS NOT WORTHY OF ME.  WHOEVER FINDS HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, AND WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE WILL FIND IT” (Matthew 10:38-39).

 

Lord Jesus, enable me to take up my cross—my weakness….my affliction….my pain—and follow You.  Show me what to do with my cross.  Make me determined to take responsibility for my own burdens:  acknowledge my own anger, not the other person’s arrogance…admit my own pride, not the other person’s failures…. recognize my own hatred, not the other person’s faults.

 

Keep me from placing my cross on my enemy’s shoulders and hold others accountable for my burdens.  Instead, let me take up my cross, and follow You into Your Hope, Truth, and Love.

 

“WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE WILL FIND IT”

 

Lord Jesus, Light-of-the-World, shine Your Light on me, as I take up my darkness and expose it to You.  Prince-of-Peace, grant me Peace, as I take up my anxiety and hold it up to You.  Wonderful-Counselor, counsel me, as I take up my confusion and turn it over to You.

 

I honor You!

 

 

February 25  Look for God with All Your Heart

 

“YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART” (Jeremiah 29:13).

 

Everlasting Father, I am lost and need to be found by You.  How often have I tried to save myself from feeling like an insecure little child, but I could not carry it out.  How often have I tried to rescue myself from irrational behavior, but I could not perform it.  How often have I tried to free myself from my own mind, but I could not succeed.

 

Eternal God, I have come to the end of myself.  I cannot live with my tormented self anymore.  I am seeking You with all my heart.

 

“‘I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU,’ DECLARES THE LORD” (Jeremiah 29:14).

 

Thank you, God, that You want to be found…that I am always in Your thoughts.  You do not hide from me on purpose.  When I go through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me.

 

“‘I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU,’ DECLARES THE LORD, ‘AND WILL BRING YOU BACK FROM CAPTIVITY’” (Jeremiah 29:14).

 

God, let me be found by You. Bring me back from captivity—from the places of abandonment, shame, and condemnation—so I could dwell in Your Love, Hope, and Truth.  Carry me on eagles’ wings and bring me to myself—the Self that is Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

 

May I be found by You!

 

 

February 26  Doing Whatever Is Right in Your Own Eyes

 

“You shall not do according to all we do here [in the camp] this day, every man doing whatever looks right in his own eyes”

(Deuteronomy 12:8).

 

I love You, O God, my strength.  I shall not do whatever seems right in my own eyes.  Doing what is right in my own eyes means that I would go straight into defense mode when someone is rude to me.  Doing what is right in my own eyes means that I would believe every thought, positive or negative, that enters my mind.

 

Doing what is right in my own eyes means that I do not rely on Your opinion, Most High, when I feel my circumstances are hopeless.  Doing what is right in my own eyes means that I am led by the deceitful desires of the OLD MAN—the negative, destructive beliefs instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  Doing what is right in my own eyes means that I do not subject my interpretations to Your Truth.

 

“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:12-14).

 

God, I realize I have an obligation, but it is not to live according to my flesh nature—the negative, destructive OLD MAN beliefs.  My obligation is to do what is right in Your eyes: to live according to the positive, constructive NEW MAN beliefs of Acceptance, Belonging, and Worthiness.

 

I honor You with my will!

 

 

February 27  God is Your Covering

 

“WHEN THE WOMAN SAW THAT THE FRUIT OF THE TREE WAS GOOD FOR FOOD AND PLEASING TO THE EYE, AND ALSO DESIRABLE FOR GAINING WISDOM, SHE TOOK SOME AND ATE IT. SHE ALSO GAVE SOME TO HER HUSBAND, WHO WAS WITH HER, AND HE ATE IT.  THEN THE EYES OF BOTH OF THEM WERE OPENED, AND THEY REALIZED THEY WERE NAKED” (Genesis 3:6-7).

 

Everlasting Father, I realize that the woman did what seemed right in her own eyes: she saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food…and she ate it.  She accepted the suggestion the father-of-lies offered her—the bait that lured her away from her Father’s Covering of Love, Hope, and Truth.

 

“YOU SHALL NOT DO ACCORDING TO ALL WE DO HERE [IN THE CAMP] THIS DAY, EVERY MAN DOING WHATEVER LOOKS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES”

(Deuteronomy 12:8).

 

Father of the heavenly lights, give me understanding to know that when I do what is right in my own eyes, something significant happens: I become naked—void of Your Covering.  By accepting the counsel of the evil one—that I do not matter…that I am bad…that I have nothing to offer this world—I move out from under Your Covering of Truth, Love, and Hope.  And this leaves me vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks on my heart, of hopelessness, shame, and unworthiness.

 

“HE WILL COVER YOU WITH HIS FEATHERS, AND UNDER HIS WINGS YOU WILL FIND REFUGE; HIS FAITHFULNESS WILL BE YOUR SHIELD AND RAMPART” (Psalm 91:4).

 

Faithful Father, pull me back under Your Covering of Truth, Love, and Hope.  Under Your wings, I will be safe from the father-of-lies’ words of condemnation: “You are not good enough!”  Behind Your shield, I will be protected from the enemy’s accusation: “You do not belong!”  Behind Your embankment, I will be shielded from the evil one’s charge: “You are a disgrace!”  Let me always remember that You are faithful, Lord God, but that I have an obligation to stay under Your Covering and NOT do what is right in my own eyes.

 

I delight in Your Covering, O Lord!

 

 

February 28  The Covering of Hiding

 

“WHEN THE WOMAN SAW THAT THE FRUIT OF THE TREE WAS GOOD FOR FOOD AND PLEASING TO THE EYE, AND ALSO DESIRABLE FOR GAINING WISDOM, SHE TOOK SOME AND ATE IT. SHE ALSO GAVE SOME TO HER HUSBAND, WHO WAS WITH HER, AND HE ATE IT. THEN THE EYES OF BOTH OF THEM WERE OPENED, AND THEY REALIZED THEY WERE NAKED; SO THEY SEWED FIG LEAVES TOGETHER AND MADE COVERINGS FOR THEMSELVES” (Genesis 3:6-7).

 

Father of the fatherless, thank you for showing me that I need to be careful about the coverings I fabricate to cover my nakedness: to cover my feelings of shame, condemnation, and abandonment.

 

I realize that I can cover my feelings of abandonment, shame, and condemnation by hiding from them.  I can hide under a mask…hide under my job…hide under distractions.  The problem is that by hiding, the pain in my heart does not go away.  I always find myself dealing with the same pain again a week later…and then again a month later…even a year later.

 

“LIVE AS FREE MEN, BUT DO NOT USE YOUR FREEDOM AS A COVER-UP FOR EVIL; LIVE AS SERVANTS OF GOD” (1 Peter 2:16).

 

Perfect Father, call me out of my hiding places.  Strengthen me to face my pain and allow You to see it too. Enable me to trust You with my weaknesses.  Take away the lie that if I face my weaknesses, they would overwhelm me.  Break through the oppressing beliefs that I am not safe if I come out of hiding.  I authorize You to bring my heartache under Your Light of Truth, so I might be set free from darkness.

 

God, be my Covering!

 

March 1  What Did Jesus Do for You?

 

“FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE”

(John 3:16).

 

Lord Jesus, You are the God who saves me.  How encouraged I am to know that it does not matter what I have done in the past that are causing me to feel tainted, ashamed, and guilty, today.  The only thing that matters is what You, Jesus, did for me. How comforting to know that it does not matter what I have done to cause me to feel like a failure and loser.  The only thing that matters is what You, Jesus, did for me. How good to know that it does not matter what I have done to cause me to feel condemned and blamed. It is not what I did that matters.  The only thing that matters is what You, Jesus, did for me.

 

“FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM” (John 3:17).

 

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior.  How I rejoice that it does not matter what others have done to break my spirit…what others have done to pour pain and contempt on my life…what others have done to bring abandonment and rejection into my heart.  It is not what others did that matters.  The only thing that matters is what You, Jesus, did for me.

 

I declare Your Greatness, for Your saving Power is bigger than my own sins and mistakes and far greater than others’ sins and mistakes rendered to my life.

 

“FOR THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE WHAT WAS LOST” (Luke 19:10).

 

I praise You forever and ever, my Savior!

 

 

March 2  The Spirit of Truth

 

“BUT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, COMES, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH” (John 16:13).

 

Perfect Father, You know that I have an enemy—the father-of-lies.  I celebrate that You have not abandoned me here on this earth as an orphan to deal with the father-of-lies and his deception all by myself.  You furnished me with the Spirit of Truth. Therefore, I will not be shaken.

 

“HE WILL NOT SPEAK ON HIS OWN; HE WILL SPEAK ONLY WHAT HE HEARS, AND HE WILL TELL YOU WHAT IS YET TO COME. HE WILL BRING GLORY TO ME BY TAKING FROM WHAT IS MINE AND MAKING IT KNOWN TO YOU” (John 16:13-14).

 

Lord Jesus, how delighted I am that the Spirit of Truth does not stand on His own, but extracts His Truth from You, taking from what belongs to You and making it known to me.  Jesus, You are the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life.

 

“ALL THAT BELONGS TO THE FATHER IS MINE. THAT IS WHY I SAID THE SPIRIT WILL TAKE FROM WHAT IS MINE AND MAKE IT KNOWN TO YOU” (John 16:15).

 

How comforted I am, Perfect Father, that Jesus obtains everything from You.  All that belongs to You, belongs to Jesus.

 

How I rejoice, Lord God, that You stand by me—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—to make sure I am properly equipped with the Truth.  I am not alone in my battle against the OLD MAN—the negative, destructive beliefs instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.

 

However, I realize that my mind can be a bearer of the NEW MAN and Truth, or a bearer of the OLD MAN and negative, destructive beliefs, and that it is my responsibility to submit to Your Truth, O Lord.

 

I submit to You, God of Truth!

 

 

March 3  You Have an Obligation

 

“But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you” (Romans 8:10-11).

 

Most High, fill me with Your Spirit, so I may belong to You.  Make my spirit alive with Your Presence.  Let Your Righteousness dwell in my heart.

 

“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it” (Romans 8:12).

 

Almighty God, thank you for showing me my obligation: to live by Your Spirit…to surrender to Your Presence…to yield my thoughts, emotions, and actions to Your Righteousness that lives in my spirit.

 

“For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God”

(Romans 8:13-14).

 

Lord God, I authorize Your Spirit to lead my thoughts, to lead my emotions, and to lead my actions and reactions, because those who are led by Your Spirit are sons of God.  Be my Righteousness.  Be my God.

 

You are my God!

 

 

March 4  Truth Produces Sincere Love

 

“NOW THAT YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOURSELVES BY OBEYING THE TRUTH SO THAT YOU HAVE SINCERE LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHERS, LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY, FROM THE HEART. FOR YOU HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN, NOT OF PERISHABLE SEED, BUT OF IMPERISHABLE, THROUGH THE LIVING AND ENDURING WORD OF GOD”

(1 Peter 1:22-23).

 

Precious God, give me eyes to see that I need to purify myself, first, before I can love someone deeply…from my heart.  May I purify myself by accepting and believing the Truth about myself, other people, and about You.

 

Majesty, I desire to love deeply and sincerely from my heart.  Show me Your Truth about myself.  Show me who I really am, created as Your workmanship, so I may feel loved, accepted, and good.  I know that I am not able to love anyone deeply and sincerely from my heart if I believe that I am bad, unlovable, and unacceptable.

 

Most High, I desire to love You deeply from my heart.  I surrender my beliefs about You to Your Truth.  Sometimes I believe that You do not love me.  Sometimes my heart believes that You want to punish and harm me.  Sometimes I believe that You do not favor me.  Purify me by Your Truth, so that I may love You sincerely…from my heart.

 

May I surrender my heart to Your Truth every time my heart does not feel right about someone…every time someone hurts me…every time someone fails me.  Show me the Truth about the people in my life—their feelings of non-acceptance and unworthiness—so that I may love them deeply…from my heart.  

 

Purify me by the Truth!

 

 

March 5  Keep Watch!

 

“THEN HE RETURNED TO HIS DISCIPLES AND FOUND THEM SLEEPING.  ‘SIMON,’ HE SAID TO PETER, ‘ARE YOU ASLEEP? COULD YOU NOT KEEP WATCH FOR ONE HOUR?  WATCH AND PRAY SO THAT YOU WILL NOT FALL INTO TEMPTATION. THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, BUT THE BODY IS WEAK’” (Mark 14:37-38).

 

Dear Jesus, I have found out that I cannot keep watch for one hour.  When temptation comes, I think I am ready for it.  My spirit is so willing.  I even have a plan and everything ready to overcome the temptation.  However, when temptation comes, my body is too weak…and I fail.

 

Lord Jesus, without You I cannot do anything.  I cannot keep watch for one hour against temptation.  But thank you that everything is possible for You, my Lord. Remind me, when temptation comes, that I do not need to fight the temptation by myself. Remind me that all I need to do is cry out to You to save me from the oppressing beliefs of the father-of-lies.

 

“If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

 

Savior, I submit my natural tendency to fall asleep during temptation, to You.  Lord, may I be willing to offer my shame to you, when temptation comes. May I be willing to accept the Love You hold out to me, when temptation comes. May I receive the Comfort that you offer me.  May I embrace Your Righteousness that is available to me in the place of my sinful habits and patterns of escape. May I be willing to believe that You can save me in the moment of temptation…if I cry out to You.

 

You are my Lord and Savior!

 

 

March 6  Life Storms Are Opportunities

 

“BE JOYFUL IN HOPE, PATIENT IN AFFLICTION, FAITHFUL IN PRAYER”

(Romans 12:12).

 

Abba Father, bring me to the place where I would be patient during affliction, regarding distress with acceptance and tolerance.  Teach me not to consider the storms of life as something bad and harmful, trying to get out of them as soon as possible.  Rather, may I stay, be patient, and learn.

 

“FURTHERMORE WE HAVE HAD FATHERS OF OUR FLESH WHICH CORRECTED US, AND WE GAVE THEM REVERENCE: SHALL WE NOT MUCH RATHER BE IN SUBJECTION UNTO THE FATHER OF SPIRITS, AND LIVE?  FOR THEY VERILY FOR A FEW DAYS CHASTENED US AFTER THEIR OWN PLEASURE; BUT HE FOR OUR PROFIT, THAT WE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF HIS HOLINESS” (Hebrews 12:9-10).

 

Abba Father, may I consider my life storms as opportunities to become a partaker of Your Holiness: to embrace Your Truth…to experience Your Love…to obtain Your Hope.  May I consider storms as favorable circumstances to become free from crippling beliefs: that I am just a blob of nothingness…that I am just a piece of dirt…that I am worthless.

 

“NOW NO CHASTENING FOR THE PRESENT SEEMETH TO BE JOYOUS, BUT GRIEVOUS: NEVERTHELESS AFTERWARD IT YIELDETH THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO THEM WHICH ARE EXERCISED THEREBY” (Hebrews 12:11).

 

Abba Father, may I realize that if I hide from my own heart, run from my own pain, or blame my painful emotions on something or someone else, I will miss the opportunity to receive the peaceable fruit of Righteousness, which is given to those who have been trained by Your discipline.

 

“WHEREFORE LIFT UP THE HANDS WHICH HANG DOWN, AND THE FEEBLE KNEES; AND MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS FOR YOUR FEET, LEST THAT WHICH IS LAME BE TURNED OUT OF THE WAY; BUT LET IT RATHER BE HEALED” (Hebrews 12:12-13).

 

Abba Father!

 

 

March 7  Overcome Evil with God

 

“DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD”

 (Romans 12:21).

 

Everlasting Father, I delight in You.  May I not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

“THE GOOD MAN BRINGS GOOD THINGS OUT OF THE GOOD STORED UP IN HIS HEART, AND THE EVIL MAN BRINGS EVIL THINGS OUT OF THE EVIL STORED UP IN HIS HEART. FOR OUT OF THE OVERFLOW OF HIS HEART HIS MOUTH SPEAKS”

(Luke 6:45).

 

Perfect Father, wash out my eyes to see that I can only overcome evil with good if good has been stored up in my heart, for out of the overflow of my heart I will act and react.  If my heart has been filled with the OLD MAN, the negative destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies, I will only act and react out of hatred, hopelessness, jealousy, and fear.  However, if my heart has been filled with the NEW MAN, Jesus, who is created in true Righteousness and Holiness, I will act and react with Love, Hope, and Truth.

 

“LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS AND PRAISE YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN” (Matthew 5:16).

 

Perfect Father, I look to You for Love, Hope, and Truth, because these qualities are in Your son, Jesus, and You sent the Spirit of Your son into my heart.  I do not bring these qualities into existence by myself, even after I become a Christian.  Exchange my hatred for Your Love.  Exchange my hopelessness for Your Hope.  Exchange the negative, destructive beliefs instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies for Your Truth.

 

“THE GOOD MAN BRINGS GOOD THINGS OUT OF THE GOOD STORED UP IN HIS HEART.”

 

Lord Jesus, You are my Love, Hope, and Truth!

 

 

March 8  May You Know the Truth

 

“NOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE SUBTLE AND CRAFTY THAN ANY LIVING CREATURE OF THE FIELD WHICH THE LORD GOD HAD MADE” (Genesis 3:1).

 

Precious Jesus, I have come to experience that the enemy, the father-of-lies, is indeed very crafty.  Help me to see that, although many different things happened to me throughout my life, it was not what people said or did to me that influenced me the most, but what I came to believe about myself in response to what others said and did to me.  Help me to understand that what shaped my life the most were not circumstances and abuse, but what the crafty one told me about myself during these happenings: that I am hopeless…that I am helpless…that I am powerless.

 

“THEREFORE PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD, SO THAT WHEN THE DAY OF EVIL COMES, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STAND YOUR GROUND, AND AFTER YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING, TO STAND. STAND FIRM THEN, WITH THE BELT OF TRUTH BUCKLED AROUND YOUR WAIST” (Ephesians 6:13-14).

 

Lord Jesus, how I value Your Truth!  The truth people give me is not nearly as powerful as the Truth You disclose.  When people tell me the truth, the belief in my mind instilled by the crafty one might continue to exist, but when You tell me the Truth, I am released from what I came to believe about myself: that I am an alien…that I am deformed…that I am not special.

 

“AND YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE”

(John 8:31).

 

Lord Jesus, be my Truth!

 

 

March 9  You Have a Purpose

 

“AS THE FATHER HAS LOVED ME, SO HAVE I LOVED YOU. NOW REMAIN IN MY LOVE. IF YOU OBEY MY COMMANDS, YOU WILL REMAIN IN MY LOVE, JUST AS I HAVE OBEYED MY FATHER’S COMMANDS AND REMAIN IN HIS LOVE.  I HAVE TOLD YOU THIS SO THAT MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU AND THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE” (John 15:9-11).

 

Abba Father, to have a purpose is a very important part of my life, because You made me this way—to want a purpose.

 

My life falls apart as soon as I do not feel loved by You, Abba Father.  It is then when I become very sad.  It is then when I think this life is not worth it.  It is then when I feel purposeless.

 

“AS THE FATHER HAS LOVED ME, SO HAVE I LOVED YOU.  NOW REMAIN IN MY LOVE…JUST AS I…REMAIN IN HIS LOVE”

 

Perfect Father, thank you for showing me that my fist purpose is to remain in Your Love through Jesus, Your son.  Your Love is my lifeline!  Without it, life is full of hopelessness and hatred.  Without it, being a Christian does not make sense.  Without it, I have no joy.

 

“I HAVE TOLD YOU THIS SO THAT MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU AND THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE”

 

Most High, draw me into Your perfect Love, so my joy may be complete.  Fulfill my desire for Your Love through Your son, Jesus, so my heart may be healed. Help me to realize that it is my responsibility to come to You to be loved, instead of looking for Your Love in all the wrong places.

 

“THE FATHER HIMSELF LOVES YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE LOVED ME AND HAVE BELIEVED THAT I CAME FROM GOD” (John 16:27).

 

Thank you, God, for Your Love!

 

March 10  The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus

 

“FOR IF, WHEN WE WERE GOD’S ENEMIES, WE WERE RECONCILED TO HIM THROUGH THE DEATH OF HIS SON, HOW MUCH MORE, HAVING BEEN RECONCILED, SHALL WE BE SAVED THROUGH HIS LIFE! (Romans 5:10).

 

Precious Jesus, I praise You for forgiving me my sins. And I praise You that there is MORE, MUCH MORE than forgiveness, that is still available to me. How good to know that You are not done with Your job in me…that I am not left to do the rest by myself.  I was reconciled to the Perfect Father through Your death. Now I can to be saved through Your Life.

 

“THROUGH CHRIST JESUS THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE SET ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH” (Romans 8:2).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me that fear, hatred, and jealousy do not live in my heart as single separate entities.  These emotions are reactions to the OLD MAN, the set of negative, destructive beliefs instilled in me by the father-of-lies.  These emotions will only go away if the negative, destructive beliefs are replaced with new positive, constructive beliefs.

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Savior, I rejoice that You came to redeem me from the OLD MAN beliefs that live in my mind.

I bring the OLD MAN to You to be crucified, so that I may be set free from these oppressing beliefs of the father-of-lies and their influence in my life.

 

Thank you, Savior, for saving me!

March 11  So Have I Loved You

 

“HE WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, NOT HOLDING TO THE TRUTH, FOR THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. WHEN HE LIES, HE SPEAKS HIS NATIVE LANGUAGE, FOR HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES.  YET BECAUSE I TELL THE TRUTH, YOU DO NOT BELIEVE ME!” (John 8:44-45).

 

Perfect Father, protect me from evil. Keep me from falling for the murderer’s lie: that You do not love me, because I am not worthy to be loved. May I always remember that there is no truth in him.

 

“THAT THEY MAY BE ONE AS WE ARE ONE:  I IN THEM AND YOU IN ME. MAY THEY BE BROUGHT TO COMPLETE UNITY TO LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT YOU SENT ME AND HAVE LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME” (John 17:22-23).

 

Perfect Father, protect me from believing the father-of-lies’ oppressing beliefs when he tells me that You DO love me, but only under the CONDITION that I show no pain, but, when my pain shows, You would stop loving me.

 

“FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD” (Romans 8:38-39).

 

Lord God, I rejoice over You with thanksgiving! Nothing separates me from Your Love…not even my own pain of abandonment, shame, or condemnation.

 

“HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD! AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE!” (1 John 3:1).

 

I love you, Father, for loving me!

.

March 12  God Cares about Your Heart

 

“BUT THE LORD SAID TO SAMUEL, ‘…THE LORD DOES NOT LOOK AT THE THINGS MAN LOOKS AT.  MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART” (1 Samuel 16:7).

 

Everlasting Father, thank you that You care about my heart.  You care about the abandonment that lives there…the betrayal that hurts so much…the rejection that was so unfair.  You know about the scar of shame—that painful emotion caused by guilt and the belief that I am fatally flawed.  You care so much about my heart that You sent Your Light, Jesus, to shine in my heart when the darkness threatens to take over.

 

“FOR GOD, WHO SAID, ‘LET LIGHT SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS,’ MADE HIS LIGHT SHINE IN OUR HEARTS TO GIVE US THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

 

Perfect Father, thank you that You care about the anxiety that lives in my heart—that fearful concern about the future.

 

“DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED. TRUST IN GOD; TRUST ALSO IN ME”

(John 14:1).

 

How You must care about my heart, Most High.  You know about my struggle against the father-of-lies…and You did something about it: You sent Your son to overcome him and the law of sin and death.

 

“I HAVE TOLD YOU THESE THINGS, SO THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THIS WORLD, YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. BUT TAKE HEART! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD” (John 16:33).

 

Thank you, O Lord, that You care so much about my heart, that You search it often to find out what is going on…and then provide a Helper, the Holy Spirit, to intercede for my heart.

 

“AND HE WHO SEARCHES OUR HEARTS KNOWS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT, BECAUSE THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR THE SAINTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOD’S WILL” (Romans 8:27).

 

Lord, thank you for Your Light!

March 13  Know Your Perfect Father

 

“I HAVE MADE YOU KNOWN TO THEM, AND WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE YOU KNOWN” (John 17:26).

 

I love you, Lord Jesus, for making the Perfect Father known to me?

 

“MAY THEY BE BROUGHT TO COMPLETE UNITY TO LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT YOU SENT ME AND HAVE LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME”

(John 17:23).

 

Nothing satisfies my longing, but Your Love, Father of Heaven and earth, for You love me as much as You love Your son, Jesus.

 

“YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, WILL REWARD YOU”

(Matthew 6:4).

 

Abba Father, I worship You with gladness, because You see and You know everything, and You are holding my reward in Your hand.

 

“YOUR FATHER KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU ASK HIM”

(Matthew 6:8).

 

How encouraged I am that You, Everlasting Father, know what I need…even when I don’t.

 

“HE WENT ON TO SAY, ‘THIS IS WHY I TOLD YOU THAT NO ONE CAN COME TO ME UNLESS THE FATHER HAS ENABLED HIM’” (John 6:65).

 

How amazing is Your Love, Perfect Father. You enable me to come to the Lord Jesus, so He could heal me from abandonment, shame, and condemnation.

 

Thank you, Father, that I may know You!

 

 

March 14  Why Do I Still Sin?

 

Dear God, since I have received Jesus as my Savior, why am I still struggling with sin?  Did Jesus not save me from sin?  Why do I still hate?  Why am I still jealous?  Why do I covet?  Why do I sometimes feel that I am being controlled by the father-of-lies himself?

 

“But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).

 

Precious Savior, I realize that the reason why I still sin after I have received You as my Savior is that my mind, which controls my body, is still dead.  My mind is still filled with the OLD MAN—the negative, destructive beliefs instilled by the father-of-lies since childhood.  I still live under the beliefs that I am not special, that I am not good enough, that I am a failure.  This causes me to sin: to hate…to be jealous…to covet.

 

“WE KNOW THAT OUR OLD (UNRENEWED) SELF WAS NAILED TO THE CROSS WITH HIM IN ORDER THAT [OUR] BODY [WHICH IS THE INSTRUMENT] OF SIN MIGHT BE MADE INEFFECTIVE AND INACTIVE FOR EVIL, THAT WE MIGHT NO LONGER BE THE SLAVES OF SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Jesus, I will not despair.  You not only saved my spirit, but my mind as well, that I might no longer be a slave to the lies of the father-of-lies.

 

“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation…if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:12-13).

 

Precious Savior, today I understand that I have a commitment…a duty…a responsibility: to bring my mind with all its wrong beliefs, to You, moment-by-moment, so that You can bring it Truth.  My mind will then be set free from the negative, destructive beliefs of the enemy…and I will stop coveting, hating, and be jealous.

 

“THE MIND GOVERNED BY THE FLESH IS DEATH, BUT THE MIND GOVERNED BY THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE” (Romans 8:6).

 

I love you, Jesus, for saving me!

 

 

March 15  Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

 

“TURN TO ME AND BE SAVED, ALL YOU ENDS OF THE EARTH;

FOR I AM GOD, AND THERE IS NO OTHER” (Isaiah 45:22).

 

Dear Jesus, when the waters in my life become uneven and bumpy, may I steadily fix my eyes on You, instead of concerning myself with the ups and downs of life around me.  I praise You that the instant I take my eyes off the circumstances and look to You, the hopelessness vanishes from sight.

 

Lord God, when the waters become even rougher and more turbulent, may I give no mind to the disturbing conditions, but willfully only keep Your face in view.  I thank You that the moment I look to You, the darkness is swallowed up.

 

Precious Savior, when the waters become tumultuous and violent, may I give no regard to the crisis, but intentionally rivet my eyes on You.  Let me always remember that the minute I look to You, the fear will evaporate, for You are God.  There is no other.

 

Lord, I turn to You!

 

 

March 16  What Do You Do with Jesus?

 

“‘WHAT SHALL I DO, THEN, WITH JESUS WHO IS CALLED CHRIST?’ PILATE ASKED.

THEY ALL ANSWERED, ‘CRUCIFY HIM!’”(Matthew 27:22).

 

What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?

 

“JESUS STOOD AND SAID IN A LOUD VOICE, ‘IF ANYONE IS THIRSTY, LET HIM COME TO ME AND DRINK’” (John 7:37).

 

Jesus, what do I do with You when I am thirsty: when I feel like an outcast…when I feel that nobody loves me…when I feel that this life does not make sense?  May I always remember to come to You to receive a drink of Your Hope, Love, and Truth.

 

“WHEN JESUS SPOKE AGAIN TO THE PEOPLE, HE SAID, ‘I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME WILL NEVER WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT WILL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE” (John 8:12).

 

Jesus, what do I do with You when the darkness of despair closes in around me and I feel there is nothing left to live for?  May I never hesitate to follow the Light of Life that You provide for my darkness.

 

“FOR IF, BY THE TRESPASS OF THE ONE MAN, DEATH REIGNED THROUGH THAT ONE MAN, HOW MUCH MORE WILL THOSE WHO RECEIVE GOD’S ABUNDANT PROVISION OF GRACE AND OF THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS REIGN IN LIFE THROUGH THE ONE MAN, JESUS CHRIST” (Romans 5:17).

 

Jesus, what do I do with You when I discover that I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it?  May I receive You as my abundant Provision of Grace and my Gift of Righteousness, every day, moment-by-moment.

 

I receive You, Lord Jesus!

 

 

March 17  Jesus was Abandoned on Your Behalf

 

“FROM THE SIXTH HOUR UNTIL THE NINTH HOUR DARKNESS CAME OVER ALL THE LAND. ABOUT THE NINTH HOUR JESUS CRIED OUT IN A LOUD VOICE, ‘ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?’—WHICH MEANS, ‘MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?’” (Matthew 27:45-46).

 

Jesus, I worship You with gladness.  You have become to me Immanuel—God with me.

 

Jesus, thank you that You have never forsaken me.  When I was accused, Your Comfort was available.  When I felt lost and scared, You were there to show me the way out.  When feelings of hopelessness and despair flooded my mind, You kept very close with Your Hope.  When I was being betrayed, You were faithful.  When I thought no one knew about the abuse, You were attentive so You could bring me Truth.  When I thought no one cared, You interceded for me.

 

“GOD HAS SAID, ‘NEVER WILL I LEAVE YOU; NEVER WILL I FORSAKE YOU’”

(Hebrew 13:5).

 

Jesus, how precious is Your Presence. When I go back to the places where I thought I had been forsaken, I find that You had been at my side, all along.  You were forsaken, so I would never be.

 

I praise you, Immanuel!

 

 

March 18  A Relationship of Obedience and Revelation

 

“JESUS GAVE THEM THIS ANSWER: ‘I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THE SON CAN DO NOTHING BY HIMSELF; HE CAN DO ONLY WHAT HE SEES HIS FATHER DOING, BECAUSE WHATEVER THE FATHER DOES THE SON ALSO DOES. FOR THE FATHER LOVES THE SON AND SHOWS HIM ALL HE DOES’” (John 5:19-20).

 

Lord Jesus, I am taking notice of the relationship between You and the Perfect Father.  I notice that You do not do anything by Yourself.  You only do what the Father shows You.  As a result, the Father reveals Himself to You—showing You MORE of what He does.

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME.  HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

Lord Jesus, I am taking notice of the relationship You want me to have with You: to love You and obey You in my actions as well as in my thoughts and perceptions—to only do what You show me to do.

 

“HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

I notice that if I love You, Lord Jesus, by only doing and thinking what You show me to do and think, You will reveal Yourself to me, even MORE.  I will perceive Your Love during times when I feel unloved.  I will experience Your Hope when I feel hopeless.  I will come to know Your Truth when I feel trapped in the lies of the father-of-lies.

 

May I have the same relationship with You as You had with the Father—a relationship of obedience and revelation.

 

I love You with my actions and thoughts!

 

 

March 19  He Makes His Secrets Known to You

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME.  HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

Precious God, how priceless is Your unfailing Love.  You long to reveal Your secrets to us—Your mysteries…Your ways.

 

“HOW PRICELESS IS YOUR UNFAILING LOVE! BOTH HIGH AND LOW AMONG MEN FIND REFUGE IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS” (Psalm 36:7).

 

Perfect Father, You understand the secret of how to feel loved.  Show me the sheltered places under Your wings where I can take refuge when I do not feel loved.  Gather my roots to grow deep down into Your everlasting Love.  Teach me how to remain in Your Love.

 

“SO IF THE SON SETS YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED” (John 8:36).

 

Lord Jesus, You grasp the secret of being set free from the OLD MAN, the negative, destructive beliefs instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  I pray that You will take what is Yours and make it known to me.  Lead me into the whole Truth, so that I will no longer be a slave to believing that I am fatally flawed.  Sanctify me with Your Truth, so that I may be free indeed.

 

“SINCE THEY DID NOT KNOW THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT COMES FROM GOD AND SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN, THEY DID NOT SUBMIT TO GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Romans 10:3).

 

Lord God, You understand the secret of Righteousness.  Teach me Your Righteousness, so I would not seek to establish my own.  I know that my own righteousness is counterfeit and contains no glory. It does not last.

 

Thank you for making Your secrets known to me!

 

March 20  Your OLD MAN Was Crucified

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for saving me from the OLD MAN—the set of negative, destructive beliefs instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies. These oppressing beliefs fill us with shame—a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety. Many times, the OLD MAN tells us that we are bad if we make mistakes…that we are bad if we feel sad…that we are bad if we do not succeed.

 

Open my eyes to see that the father-of-lies deforms my character, warps my nature, and disfigures my personality with his negative, destructive beliefs of shame…and then he makes me ashamed of who I have become through him.

 

“YOU ARE ALREADY CLEAN BECAUSE OF THE WORD I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU”

(John 15:3).

 

Lord Jesus, You are my Hope!  You have nailed the OLD MAN to the cross.  You got rid of shame on the cross. Shine Your Light of Truth on me, so I may understand that I do not have to feel ashamed of my mistakes anymore, because You have spoken me clean from the OLD MAN and its oppressing beliefs of shame with the words, “IT IS FINISHED.”

 

“WHEN HE HAD RECEIVED THE DRINK, JESUS SAID, ‘IT IS FINISHED.’ WITH THAT, HE BOWED HIS HEAD AND GAVE UP HIS SPIRIT” (John 19:30).

 

I honor You, my Savior!

 

 

March 21  Two Opposing Purposes

 

“FOR THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE FLESH DO MIND THE THINGS OF THE FLESH; BUT THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE SPIRIT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT” (Romans 8:5).

 

Perfect Father, You know how I am formed.  You understand that my life is based on one of two purposes:  the purpose of living according to the natural flesh…or the purpose of living in accordance with the Spirit of Jesus. 

 

“HE THAT COMMITTETH SIN IS OF THE DEVIL; FOR THE DEVIL SINNETH FROM THE BEGINNING” (1 John 3:8).

 

Perfect Father, help me to understand that the goal of these two purposes are opposing… conflicting… incompatible.  The natural flesh nature wants to please the father-of-lies…but the Spirit pleases the Perfect Father.  The natural flesh nature obeys the negative, destructive OLD MAN beliefs, instilled in our minds by the father-of-lies. The Spirit obeys the NEW MAN, Jesus.  I realize that at any given moment in my life, I am living either to please You, Perfect Father…or to please the father-of-lies.  There is no middle ground!

 

“FOR THIS PURPOSE THE SON OF GOD WAS MANIFESTED, THAT HE MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL” (1 John 3:8).

 

You, Father, are exalted forever for sending Your son, Jesus, to destroy the works of the father-of-lies—the OLD MAN and its influence on our hearts and minds.

 

“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation…if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will LIVE” (Romans 8:12-13).

 

Lord Jesus, remind me, daily, that I have an obligation: to live according to the natural flesh nature and obey the OLD MAN, or to live according to the Spirit and surrender the OLD MAN to Your son, Jesus to be put to death.

 

I honor You, Perfect Father!

March 22  Be Mindful When You Open the Door

 

“BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK; IF ANYONE HEARS AND LISTENS TO AND HEEDS MY VOICE AND OPENS THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN TO HIM AND WILL EAT WITH HIM, AND HE [WILL EAT] WITH ME” (Revelation 3:20).

 

Precious Jesus, remind me often to be mindful of to whom I open the door to my heart.  I know my heart is vulnerable…susceptible to attack…easily hurt.

 

“BUT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, COMES, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH. HE WILL NOT SPEAK ON HIS OWN; HE WILL SPEAK ONLY WHAT HE HEARS”

(John 16:13).

 

May I discern between the voice of Truth of the Holy Spirit and the empty voice of the father-of-lies.  Let me always remember that when the Spirit of Truth knocks, He will offer me Hope, Peace, and Joy.  He will never knock with a voice of despair.  When the Holy Spirit knocks, He will propose Light, Power, and Truth.  He will never suggest darkness, powerlessness, and deceit.  When the Spirit of Truth knocks, He will set before me Wholeness, Holiness, and Wisdom.  He will never put forward brokenness, unrighteousness, and confusion.

 

“HE WILL BRING GLORY TO ME BY TAKING FROM WHAT IS MINE AND MAKING IT KNOWN TO YOU.  ALL THAT BELONGS TO THE FATHER IS MINE” (John 16:14-15).

 

Lord Jesus, I long for Your fellowship when I unlock the door and let You in.  Discharge Your Hope to me.  Pour out Your Power.  Come right in and sit down to dine with me and my heart…and I will be filled with Wonder.

 

I honor You, Spirit of Truth!

 

March 23  Be Mindful When the Enemy Knocks

 

“THE THIEF COMES ONLY TO STEAL AND KILL AND DESTROY” (John 10:10).

 

Jesus, let me stay in Your Truth.  Let me be mindful when the father-of-lies knocks on the door of my heart.  I know my heart is vulnerable…susceptible to attack…easily hurt.

 

“He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him” (John 8:44).

 

Jesus, let me stay in Your Hope.  Let me keep my heart’s door shut, locked, bolted and barred, when the murderer knocks.  I know the accuser only needs a sliver of an opening to push the door wide open and rush in.  When he detects an opening, he loses no time.  He hauls with him everything he is able to drag in: condemnation…abandonment…and shame.

 

“When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

 

Savior, let me stay in Your Love.  Show me that once I have welcomed the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies into my heart, it is extremely hard to remove them again.  It is far better to keep the door to my heart shut from the start than to try and close it once I have given the father-of-lies right of entry.

 

Jesus, let me stay in Your Righteousness.  I know that it is through my thoughts the roaring lion finds an open door.  May I submit each thought to You for approval, before I start accepting, believing, and obeying it.  May I reject each thought that is not from You, thus keeping the door to my vulnerable heart shut and padlocked.

 

I honor You, Jesus, with my thoughts!

March 24  Do Not Mind Read

 

“SO I TELL YOU THIS, AND INSIST ON IT IN THE LORD, THAT YOU MUST NO LONGER LIVE AS THE GENTILES DO, IN THE FUTILITY OF THEIR THINKING.  THEY ARE DARKENED IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND SEPARATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD”

(Ephesians 4:17-18).

 

Savior, lead me by Your Truth.  Let me be watchful of mind reading.  Let me be aware that trying to read another person’s mind is a very dangerous open door for the father-of-lies to deliver rejection, unworthiness, and shame to my vulnerable heart.  Speculating and taking for granted another person’s reasons for enactment could give access to darkness of despair.  Assuming another person’s motives could unlock helplessness, powerlessness, and hopelessness.

 

“YOU, HOWEVER, DID NOT COME TO KNOW CHRIST THAT WAY.   SURELY YOU HEARD OF HIM AND WERE TAUGHT IN HIM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRUTH THAT IS IN JESUS” (Ephesians 4:20-21).

 

God of Light, call me to live in accordance with the Truth that is in You.  Remind me never to assume the truth…never to assume that I know why someone did or said something.

 

“THEREFORE, REJECTING ALL FALSITY AND BEING DONE NOW WITH IT, LET EVERYONE EXPRESS THE TRUTH WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, FOR WE ARE ALL PARTS OF ONE BODY AND MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER” (Ephesians 4:25).

 

Lord Jesus, be my only Truth.  May I put off mind reading, to be made new in the attitude of my mind by Your Truth.  May I do this every day, each time someone says something that is hurtful, so I might reject all falsities and walk in Your Truth.

 

May I be a bearer of Your Truth!

 

 

March 25  The OLD MAN and the NEW MAN

 

“THAT YE PUT OFF CONCERNING THE FORMER CONVERSATION THE OLD MAN, WHICH IS CORRUPT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL LUSTS” (Ephesians 4:22).

 

Precious Jesus, the OLD MAN has caused a lot of damage in our hearts. It has caused our hearts to be filled with suspicion, hatred, and jealousy, because of the beliefs of abandonment, shame, and condemnation with which the father-of-lies have filled our minds.  And then we have learned to deal with the OLD MAN with defense patterns of hiding, running, and blaming, because of the pain it has caused in our hearts.

 

“AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS” (Ephesians 4:23-24).

 

Lord Jesus, I covet the NEW ME, hidden in You.  I long to be renewed in the spirit of my mind, where the OLD MAN beliefs of abandonment, shame, and condemnation live.  How encouraged I am that this NEW ME, hidden in You, has no hatred, jealousy, and suspicion hidden in its heart.

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Lord God, exchange my OLD MAN for the NEW ME, hidden in You. Let me come to You, daily, to be exchanged, so I may have new beliefs, a healed heart, and new life patterns based on Your Love, Hope, and Truth.

 

Thank you, Jesus, for the NEW ME, hidden in You!

 

March 26  It Is Finished!

 

“NO, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US” (Romans 8:37).

 

I bring my heart into Your Presence, Lord Jesus: into Your Wholeness…into Your Holiness…into Your Truth.  Remove all condemnation in my heart, so I would not feel bad when I make a mistake.  Remove all shame in my heart, so I would not feel ashamed when I feel sad.  Remove all abandonment in my heart, so I would not be afraid to be alone.

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.  You, my Lord, have nailed all my shame, condemnation, and abandonment to the cross.  I have been spoken clean by Your words, “It is finished!”

 

“WHEN HE HAD RECEIVED THE DRINK, JESUS SAID, ‘IT IS FINISHED.’ WITH THAT, HE BOWED HIS HEAD AND GAVE UP HIS SPIRIT” (John 19:30).

 

I sing to You a new song, my Savior, because it is finished.  My condemnation has been overcome!  I have been spoken clean from the condemning words: “You are bad.” My shame has been defeated!  I have been spoken clean from the shameful words: “You are just a piece of dirt.”  My abandonment has been conquered!  I have been spoken clean from the disheartening words “You have been forsaken.”

 

Glory to Your Name!

 

 

March 27  Discipline Means Training to Correct

 

“OUR FATHERS DISCIPLINED US FOR A LITTLE WHILE AS THEY THOUGHT BEST; GOD DISCIPLINES US FOR OUR GOOD, THAT WE MAY SHARE IN HIS HOLINESS”

(Hebrew 12:10).

 

Perfect Father, I have many negative, destructive beliefs planted in my mind by the father-of-lies.  Sometimes, I flee from these beliefs when they are triggered by something or someone. Oftentimes, the only thing that matters to me is to hide my pain. However, today I want to learn to endure hardship as discipline from You, Lord God, instead of dealing with hardship as something that needs to be avoided.

 

“ENDURE HARDSHIP AS DISCIPLINE; GOD IS TREATING YOU AS SONS. FOR WHAT SON IS NOT DISCIPLINED BY HIS FATHER?” (Hebrew 12:7).

 

Most High, call me to stay in Your Presence when shame, condemnation, or abandonment is triggered, so You could treat me like a son or daughter.  Use the same shame, abandonment, and condemnation the enemy uses to HURT me…to HEAL me.

 

“MY SON, DO NOT MAKE LIGHT OF THE LORD’S DISCIPLINE, AND DO NOT LOSE HEART WHEN HE REBUKES YOU, BECAUSE THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES” (Hebrew 12:5-6).

 

Lord God, may I endure hardship as a training to correct, instead of running away, hiding, or blaming others for my hardship. Turn my abandonment into belonging, my shame into confidence, and my condemnation into acceptance.

 

“NO DISCIPLINE SEEMS PLEASANT AT THE TIME, BUT PAINFUL. LATER ON, HOWEVER, IT PRODUCES A HARVEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY IT” (Hebrew 12:11).

 

May I become trained, corrected, and healed by Your discipline, Perfect Father, so that it will produce a harvest of Righteousness and Peace in me.

 

Thank you, Father, that I may be Your child!

March 28  He Opens the Door for You

 

“I KNOW YOUR [RECORD OF] WORKS AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING.  SEE! I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU A DOOR WIDE OPEN WHICH NO ONE IS ABLE TO SHUT; I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BUT LITTLE POWER, AND YET YOU HAVE KEPT MY WORD AND GUARDED MY MESSAGE AND HAVE NOT RENOUNCED OR DENIED MY NAME”

(Revelation 3:8 AMP).

 

God of Power, I look to You for guidance.  I have not renounced or denied Your Name.  I have obeyed You and look to You to open the doors.  You are the only one who can open doors which no one can shut.  How glad I am that You are not dependent on any circumstance. I need You to open the doors in my life that have been shut for so long.

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

Thank you, my God, that nothing will close the doors You open: not my lack of power…not my lack of resources…not my lack of knowledge.  I only need to obey You…and follow!  Along with the open door, You will provide everything else I need.

 

“I WILL LEAD THE BLIND BY WAYS THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN, ALONG UNFAMILIAR PATHS I WILL GUIDE THEM; I WILL TURN THE DARKNESS INTO LIGHT BEFORE THEM AND MAKE THE ROUGH PLACES SMOOTH. THESE ARE THE THINGS I WILL DO; I WILL NOT FORSAKE THEM” (Isaiah 42:16).

 

Lord God, inhabit my heart.  Open the doors that have been shut, since I have little power. When You lead me along unfamiliar paths, let me fall in step behind You…obeying and following You without fear of failure.  When I cannot see, turn the darkness into Light before me.  Make the rough places smooth.  Help me to be still, knowing that You will not forsake me.

 

I love You, O Lord!

 

 

March 29  Do not Be Burdened by the Yoke of Condemnation

 

“THEREFORE, THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS,BECAUSE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE SET ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH” (Romans 8:1-2).

 

Precious Jesus, I praise you for the wondrous things You have done for my heart. Through Your finished work on the cross, You have set me free from the power of condemnation—being declared wrong, bad, and doomed.

 

“FOR GOD HAS DONE WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO, [ITS POWER] BEING WEAKENED BY THE FLESH [THE ENTIRE NATURE OF MAN WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT]. SENDING HIS OWN SON IN THE GUISE OF SINFUL FLESH AND AS AN OFFERING FOR SIN, [GOD] CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH [SUBDUED, OVERCAME, DEPRIVED IT OF ITS POWER OVER ALL WHO ACCEPT THAT SACRIFICE]”

(Romans 8:3 AMP).

 

You have done what I cannot do, O Lord, being weakened by my natural flesh nature.  You have deprived condemnation of its power over me.  Pull me out from under the law of sin and death into the freedom that You provide under the law of Your Spirit. Draw me close—under Your government of Truth, Love, and Hope.

 

“IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST HAS SET US FREE. STAND FIRM, THEN, AND DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE BURDENED AGAIN BY A YOKE OF SLAVERY” (Galatians 5:1).

 

God, let me stay in Your Holiness.  Let me dwell in Your Freedom.  Let me abide in You, for those who are governed by You are set free from being declared wrong, bad, and doomed.

 

You are my God!

March 30  Your Father in Heaven is the Taskmaster

 

“TAKE CARE NOT TO DO YOUR GOOD DEEDS PUBLICLY OR BEFORE MEN, IN ORDER TO BE SEEN BY THEM; OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE NO REWARD [RESERVED FOR AND AWAITING YOU] WITH AND FROM YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN”

(Matthew 6:1 AMP).

Perfect Father, how encouraged I am that You are aware of all the good works I do.  I know that the good works (and the purpose) that count are the ones that You, Father, have chosen for me before I was even formed.  I celebrate that You chose me for these specific tasks You had in mind.  Let me wake up each morning with wonder and excitement to do the good works You have prepared for me. 

 

“FOR WE ARE GOD’S WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Abba Father, I look to You for my reward.  Bring me to the place where I will do the good works You have prepared for me, for You…not the recipients of the good deeds.  You are my taskmaster…my employer…my manager.  I am only accountable to You.

 

“THEN YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, WILL REWARD YOU” (Matthew 6:4).

 

I serve You, God, with my good works!

 

 

March 31  Why Don’t You Stay?

 

Lord God, protect me from believing the lies of the father-of-lies: that I need to run from pain, because it is not safe to stay, since the pain would destroy me if I faced it…that I need to run from pain, because it is a sin to experience feelings of shame, condemnation, or abandonment and that I need to get out of my pain as soon as possible…that I need to run from pain, because if I run away from it, the pain will go away and I will be safe.

 

“NO TEMPTATION HAS SEIZED YOU EXCEPT WHAT IS COMMON TO MAN. AND GOD IS FAITHFUL; HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. BUT WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT SO THAT YOU CAN STAND UP UNDER IT” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

God of Hope, You are everything I need.  Let me stay in Your Presence when my pain comes, and experience Your Love, Hope, and Truth.  Let me always remember that You will not allow the father-of-lies to tempt me beyond what I can bear, and You Yourself will provide a way out of the pain, if I stayed long enough to experience Your way out.

 

God of Light, wash out my eyes to see that the pain is not the sin; it is merely the temptation from the father-of-lies to convince me to run and hide from You, so that I would not experience Your Love, Truth, and Hope in my life.  The sin is my wrong reaction to pain.

 

God of Comfort, help me to be still and know that if I run away from my pain instead of facing it, the pain would only get worse and lead me farther and farther away from You…into sin.  But, if I stayed and faced it, You would have a chance to heal me.

 

“I AM THE VINE; YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. IF A MAN REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM, HE WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING” (John 15:5).

 

Lord, I honor You, by staying!

April 1  Love One Another Deeply, from the Heart

 

“NOW THAT YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOURSELVES BY OBEYING THE TRUTH SO THAT YOU HAVE SINCERE LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHERS, LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY, FROM THE HEART” (1 Peter 1:22).

 

Most High, thank you for showing me that in order to love others in my life, I need a purified heart: a heart cleansed from rejection…released from abandonment…freed from disapproval.  May I always remember that as long as my heart is occupied with rejection, abandonment, and disapproval, I will have a tough time experiencing sincere love for others.

 

“SANCTIFY THEM BY THE TRUTH; YOUR WORD IS TRUTH” (John 17:17).

 

God of Light, I allow You to set me free from the power of past rejection: when I was ignored…when I had to carry all the blame…when I was pushed aside.  May Your Divine Truth set me free.

 

God of Truth, I permit You to set me free from the power of past abandonment: when someone important in my life left…when I had to fend for myself…when I had to take care of myself, because there was nobody else.  How good to know that it was not the circumstances that caused the damage in my heart, but the conclusions I formed in my mind as a result of what happened.

 

God Almighty, I authorize You to free me from the power of past criticism and disapproval: when I could not please my dad…when I was not good enough for my mother…when I was not accepted for being me.  Bring Your healing to my heart by replacing my conclusions about these events for Your Truth.

 

“BUT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, COMES, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH. HE WILL NOT SPEAK ON HIS OWN; HE WILL SPEAK ONLY WHAT HE HEARS”

(John 16:13).

 

I honor You, God of Truth!

 

 

April 2  Christ Was Crucified in Weakness

 

Most High, I cling to You.  May I not despair during times of weakness, for it is during the times that I am powerless, helpless, and hopeless that You have a chance to accomplish Your Power that can do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine, in me.

 

“NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, TO HIM BE GLORY” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

 

Father of the fatherless, I hold fast to You.  Use my times of weakness to extinguish my own will and to conform me to Your divine Will in my thoughts, my purpose, and my actions.

 

“NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS TO ME, ‘LORD, LORD,’ WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT ONLY HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN” (Matthew 7:21).

 

Everlasting Father, I set my hope in You.  Use my times of weakness to put an end to my own wisdom…the understanding of my own mind…the dependence on my own conclusions, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness in Your sight.

 

“FOR THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD IS FOOLISHNESS IN GOD’S SIGHT”

(1 Corinthians 3:19).

 

Use my times of weakness to bring me into Your Power…to bring me into Your Will…to bring me into Your Wisdom that comes from Heaven.

 

“FOR THOUGH HE WAS CRUCIFIED IN WEAKNESS,

YET HE LIVES BY THE POWER OF GOD”

(2 Corinthians 13:4).

 

I cling to You, Most High!

 

April 3  Your Mind

 

Dear God, work Your Righteousness in me.  Keep me from relying on my own mind to find answers to my problems…solutions to my unworthiness…explanations to my brokenness?  Keep me from running to my own mind when things go wrong…when someone insults me…when someone fails me.

 

“THE MIND OF SINFUL MAN IS DEATH” (Romans 8:6).

 

Lord God, You preserve all those who live in your Truth.  Keep me from living in the futility of my thinking, for my understanding is darkened by the beliefs of the father-of-lies.  Remind me, daily, that he uses my own darkened thoughts to separate me from Your abundant Life…from Your perfect Love…from Your sustaining Hope.

 

“SO I TELL YOU THIS, AND INSIST ON IT IN THE LORD, THAT YOU MUST NO LONGER LIVE AS THE GENTILES DO, IN THE FUTILITY OF THEIR THINKING.  THEY ARE DARKENED IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND SEPARATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD” (Ephesians 4:17-18).

 

Most High, wash my eyes out to see the Truth.  May I understand that my mind is a deathtrap to be used by the father-of-lies, at any given moment in time.  May I question every belief that lives in my mind.  May I demolish every argument in my mind that sets itself up against Your Perspective.

 

Abba, I look to You for answers to my problems, solutions to my unworthiness, and explanations to my brokenness.

 

I honor You, Most High!

 

 

 

April 4  May you Walk in the Light of the Truth

 

“THIS IS THE MESSAGE WE HAVE HEARD FROM HIM AND DECLARE TO YOU: GOD IS LIGHT; IN HIM THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL. IF WE CLAIM TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM YET WALK IN THE DARKNESS, WE LIE AND DO NOT LIVE BY THE TRUTH. BUT IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT, AS HE IS IN THE LIGHT, WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS, HIS SON, PURIFIES US FROM ALL SIN”

(1 John 1:5-7).

 

God of Light, help me to understand that to walk in the Light means to live by the Truth, daily, moment-by-moment.  The Light is the Truth.  The Truth turns darkness into Light.

 

“BUT WHOEVER LIVES BY THE TRUTH COMES INTO THE LIGHT” (John 3:21).

 

May I expose the darkness in my mind to the Light, my Lord.  May I lay open the accusatory beliefs from the father-of-lies that cause me to despair, so You may bring to Light the interpretations I have made about myself…the assumptions I have made about my friends and enemies…the beliefs I have formed about my circumstances.  I want to live by the Truth, so I can walk in the Light.

 

“FOR THE FRUIT OF THE LIGHT CONSISTS IN ALL GOODNESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH” (Ephesians 5:9).

 

I expose all beliefs to Your Light!

 

 

April 5  What is Sin?

 

Dear God, I am not a murderer.  I am not a liar.  I do not steal.  I do not even kill a spider.  So, when do I sin?

 

“DON’T YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU OFFER YOURSELVES TO SOMEONE TO OBEY HIM AS SLAVES, YOU ARE SLAVES TO THE ONE WHOM YOU OBEY—WHETHER YOU ARE SLAVES TO SIN, WHICH LEADS TO DEATH, OR TO OBEDIENCE, WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?” (Romans 6:16).

 

Savior, how encouraged I am to know that sin is the opposite of obedience: obedience to the guidance and counsel of Your Holy Spirit. Remind me, every day, to remain in Your Presence when the pain of shame, condemnation, or abandonment comes, instead of falling into my own rebellious behavior patterns of hiding, running, and blaming.

 

“AND EVERYTHING THAT DOES NOT COME FROM FAITH IS SIN” (Romans 14:23).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that I have a choice—that I can turn to one of two ways when I feel that I do not matter, that I do not count, and that I am not worthy to be loved.  I can turn to my own rebellious ways of saving myself from the pain of these lies…and consequently sin, or I can turn to You, Savior, to save me from these belittling lies of the father-of-lies.

 

Thank you, O Lord, that You do not expect me to save myself, but to obey You by following Your counsel and guidance into the Truth.  Save me from being bent on my own rebellious ways to save myself…and consequently waste away in my sin.

 

“MANY TIMES HE DELIVERED THEM, BUT THEY WERE BENT ON REBELLION AND THEY WASTED AWAY IN THEIR SIN” (Psalm 106:43).

 

I love You, God!

 

 

April 6  The OLD MAN and the NEW MAN

 

“IF INDEED YOU HAVE HEARD HIM AND HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY HIM, AS THE TRUTH IS IN JESUS: THAT YOU PUT OFF, CONCERNING YOUR FORMER CONDUCT, THE OLD MAN WHICH GROWS CORRUPT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL LUSTS AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND, AND THAT YOU PUT ON THE NEW MAN WHICH WAS CREATED ACCORDING TO GOD, IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS” (Ephesians 4:21-24).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching me about the OLD MAN in me: a corrupted part of me that was formed by deception…the Self nature that was shaped by the lies of the father-of-lies…negative, destructive beliefs of abandonment, condemnation, and shame that live in my mind.

 

Because of the OLD MAN that was formed in me by the enemy’s lies, I have built a defense mechanism around me, to protect me from these painful beliefs of abandonment, condemnation, and shame.  These habits and patterns of defense include mindreading, withdrawing, and always taking the blame for everyone’s faults.  Because I believe that my heart is bad, I spend a lot of time trying to prove that it is good.

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

How thankful I am for the GOOD NEWS:that You, Lord Jesus, nailed the OLD MAN, with its painful beliefs of abandonment, condemnation and shame, to the cross with Yourself.  You ended the reign of the OLD MAN with the words, “It is finished!”

 

Thank you that not only did You nail my negative, destructive OLD MAN beliefs to the cross, but You also came to create a NEW MAN in me: one who is created without the lies of the father-of-lies…in true righteousness and holiness.

 

May I always remember my obligation: to invite You, Lord Jesus, to exchange my negative, destructive OLD MAN beliefs for new beliefs of righteousness and holiness in You.

 

I praise You, Lord, for being the NEW MAN!

 

 

 

April 7  Forgive Them, for They Do Not Know What They Are Doing

 

“WHEN THEY CAME TO THE PLACE CALLED THE SKULL, THERE THEY CRUCIFIED HIM, ALONG WITH THE CRIMINALS—ONE ON HIS RIGHT, THE OTHER ON HIS LEFT. JESUS SAID, ‘FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.’  AND THEY DIVIDED UP HIS CLOTHES BY CASTING LOTS” (Luke 23:33-34).

 

Lord Jesus, teach me to forgive like You did.

 

Savior, help me to understand that a perpetrator does not know the extent of the hurt he is causing me when he lashes out at me or someone else.  Give me eyes to see that he is only focused on his own pain and reacting to his own heartache.  He does not get the full scope of the result of his offense.  He does not know what he is doing.

 

“FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING”

 

Jesus, speak Your Truth into my heart, so it could understand that when someone rejects me, the father-of-lies uses it as an open door to hurl all the rejection at me that has ever occurred during my life.  I do not only perceive the pain of the one offense, but the pain of a lifetime.  Let me realize that the father-of-lies is responsible for this…not my perpetrator.

 

Lord God, let Your Truth reveal to me that it is not what someone said or did to me that causes all the pain in my heart, but what I came to believe about myself as a result of what others said or did.  The father-of-lies is responsible for this…not my perpetrator.

 

“FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING”

 

May I let go and forgive as You did, O Lord, so the father-of-lies would not have his way with me.  May I surrender my beliefs that resulted from the offenses, to You, so that I will be able to say, “Father, forgive them, for they did not know what they were doing.”

 

I honor You, Father, by forgiving as Jesus did!

 

 

April 8  Forgiveness Is not Only a Decision

 

“IN ANGER HIS MASTER TURNED HIM OVER TO THE JAILERS TO BE TORTURED, UNTIL HE SHOULD PAY BACK ALL HE OWED.  THIS IS HOW MY HEAVENLY FATHER WILL TREAT EACH OF YOU UNLESS YOU FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER FROM YOUR HEART” (Matthew 18:34).

 

Most High, bring me out of the dark beliefs that the only way I can forgive from the heart is to disregard my feelings and to ignore my heart…to make forgiveness just a cold decision.  Help me to understand that in order to forgive from my heart I need to do the exact opposite: I need to focus on my heart.  I need to find out what it believes.  I need to face the pain.

 

“FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER FROM YOUR HEART”

 

Open my eyes to see that in order to forgive someone from my heart, I need a healed heart…and You, Jesus was broken so I can be healed!

 

God of the impossible, strengthen me so I would not be afraid to face any pain that is seated in my heart.  Let Your Truth minister to my heart so it can be healed…and I will be able to forgive from the heart.

 

“FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER FROM YOUR HEART”

 

I love You, Father, by forgiving from my heart!

 

 

April 9  Forgive from the Heart

 

“IN ANGER HIS MASTER TURNED HIM OVER TO THE JAILERS TO BE TORTURED, UNTIL HE SHOULD PAY BACK ALL HE OWED.  THIS IS HOW MY HEAVENLY FATHER WILL TREAT EACH OF YOU UNLESS YOU FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER FROM YOUR HEART” (Matthew 18:34).

 

God of the fatherless, in this life we have many accusers and many accusations hurled at us…and these hurt a lot.  Sometimes, the accusations hurt so much that we do not even think we would ever be able to walk upright again from the burden that was placed on our shoulders.  But, in spite of the burden of being accused, You want us to forgive…to forgive from our heart.”

 

Most High, I know that I cannot forgive from a broken heart.  Therefore, I ask You to heal my heart from the burden of being accused.  Work Your Power in me so that I can examine my heart carefully and detect all the other negative, destructive beliefs underneath the accusations that cause my heart to be broken.  Let me find all the beliefs of loneliness, rejection, and being unprotected and exposed to my perpetrators.

 

“FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER FROM YOUR HEART”

 

Lord Jesus, work Your Truth in my heart so I may be able to forgive from my heart; and when I cannot forgive, shine Your Light on me so I can find out what is really hindering me from forgiving.  I authorize You to bring me to the place in my heart that is hurting so much that it keeps me from forgiving.  When I find that place, may I expose it to You, Savior…so You could lead me into forgiveness.

 

Thank you, Jesus, for Your Power!

 

 

April 10  Bitterness—the Heart of Stone

 

“MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH ALL MEN AND TO BE HOLY; WITHOUT HOLINESS NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD. SEE TO IT THAT NO ONE MISSES THE GRACE OF GOD AND THAT NO BITTER ROOT GROWS UP TO CAUSE TROUBLE AND DEFILE MANY” (Hebrews 12:14-15).

 

Dear Savior, oftentimes, we go through experiences where someone affronts and vexes us and causes a lot of injury to our hearts.  We become bitter.  We bristle with resentment and animosity.  We become hostile, harsh, and sour.

 

Precious Jesus, shine Your Light in my heart so I can see the consequences of bitterness. Show me that bitterness in my heart is dangerous. It could destroy everything I have: my marriage…my friendships…my own life.  Bring me to the place where I may ask, “Is this bitterness and resentment in my heart really what I want?”

 

“I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART AND PUT A NEW SPIRIT IN YOU; I WILL REMOVE FROM YOU YOUR HEART OF STONE AND GIVE YOU A HEART OF FLESH”

(Ezekiel 36:26).

 

Precious Savior, lift my eyes above the circumstances, so I may see that it is not the stones people hurl at me that cause my bitterness, but the stones that grow in my own heart.  I pray that I may bring all the bitterness in my heart to You, since I do not have the power to release my heart from bitterness.  It is a God-sized job.  Remove my heart of stone and give me a new heart, O my Lord.  Put Your Spirit of Love in me.  I am willing.

 

“SEE TO IT THAT NO…BITTER ROOT GROWS UP TO CAUSE TO…DEFILE MANY”

 

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior!

 

 

 

April 11  But God Intended It for Good

 

“YOU INTENDED TO HARM ME, BUT GOD INTENDED IT FOR GOOD TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT IS NOW BEING DONE, THE SAVING OF MANY LIVES.” (Genesis 50:20).

 

God of Light, keep me in Your Light, so I would not despair of any evil done against me: the injury…the depravity…the immorality.  Bring me into Your understanding—that my perpetrators might have meant evil against me, but You will cancel the effects of any evil, no matter how bad…if I yield it to Your Power and Control.

 

“YOU INTENDED TO HARM ME, BUT GOD INTENDED IT FOR GOOD”

 

Almighty God, may I yield any evil done against me to Your Power, so that You may turn it into good in my heart and those of others.

 

I yield all abandonment I suffered to Your Love, so that You may turn it into belonging in my heart.  I submit all blame and condemnation I suffered to Your Righteousness, so that You may turn it into acceptance in my heart.  I bring You any shame I had experienced at the hand of smooth criminals and yield it to Your Truth, so that You can turn it into glory in my heart.

 

Lord Jesus, You are my Hope of Glory!

 

 

April 12  Jesus Did Not Come to Be Served….but to Serve

 

“THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RANSOM FOR MANY” (Matthew 20:28).

 

Jesus, I celebrate that You have been raised from the dead…to become my Life.

 

I marvel that You did not come to be served by me, first, but to serve me, first…to care for me, first…to minister to me, first.  In the first place it is not about what I do for You…but what You do for me.  At first, it is not about how useful I am to You, but how valuable You are to me.  I authorize You to exchange Your life for mine, so I can be unchained from sorrow…discharged from guilt…unyoked from the slavery of shameful habits.

 

“SO IT IS WRITTEN: ‘THE FIRST MAN ADAM BECAME A LIVING BEING; THE LAST ADAM, A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT’” (1 Corinthians 15:45).

 

How comforting to know that it is not about what I have done in the past that was wrong, but about what You, O Lord, have done in the past…that was right.  You died for me, and became alive for me, to live Your Life in me, so my spirit could come alive, too.

 

“THEN JESUS DECLARED, ‘I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. HE WHO COMES TO ME WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL NEVER BE THIRSTY’”

(John 6:35).

 

Bread of Life, I receive You in my heart so my hunger for Hope can be stilled…so my longing for Righteousness can be satisfied…so my yearning for Wholeness can be fulfilled.  I accept that it is only after I have received from You, that I can give back to You, because without You, I have no Life and no Light.

 

“IN HIM WAS LIFE, AND THAT LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN” (John 1:4).

 

I receive You, Jesus, as my Life!

 

 

April 13  Sometimes, You Have to Walk through the Mud

 

“LET US FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH, WHO FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS, SCORNING ITS SHAME, AND SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD. CONSIDER HIM WHO ENDURED SUCH OPPOSITION FROM SINFUL MEN, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT GROW WEARY AND LOSE HEART” (Hebrews 12:2-3).

 

Lord God, take away my fear, so I would not be afraid to walk through the mud in my life to get to the other side where the road is dry and smooth.  Let me take Your hand when the mud lies across the width of my path and there is no way around it, except to go through it.

 

God of Light, show me Your Perspective when I do not want to walk through the mud, because I believe that it will contaminate, corrupt, and stain me.  Open my eyes to see that beliefs of shame are already contaminating my mind, since it is not the circumstances that are causing the shame and stain, but what I came to believe about myself as a result of the circumstances.

 

Encourage me, my Lord, to walk through the mud, since I have already been spoken clean by Your Words “It is finished.”  Show me that there is nothing to fear and that I can face the childhood abuse, I can look the sexual offenses in the eye, and that I can confront the shame…the mistreatments…the foulness.  I will not be afraid to follow You through the mud to the other side, because when I walk through the mud, I offer You the chance to erase the stain from my mind, until I stand complete and perfect in Your Will.

 

“YOU ARE ALREADY CLEAN BECAUSE OF THE WORD I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU”

(JOHN 15:3).  “IT IS FINISHED” (John 19:30).

 

Thank you, Jesus, that I have been spoken clean!

 

 

 

April 14  Put Off the OLD MAN with His Deeds

 

“THE OLD MAN WHICH GROWS CORRUPT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL LUSTS” (Ephesians 4:22). 

 

Dear God, when these OLD MAN beliefs of condemnation, abandonment, and shame are triggered, they hurt so much that I want to bandagethe pain as soon as possible.  And the father-of-lies stands ready with the SOLUTION—sinful habits and patterns of hiding, running, and blaming others.  THESE ARE THE DEEDS OF THE OLD MAN in me.

 

“PUT OFF THE OLD MAN WITH HIS DEEDS” (Colossians 3:9).

 

Lord Jesus, how I rejoice that You did not come to only save me from the DEEDS of the OLD MAN, but from the OLD MAN, too, for if I only were to put off the DEEDS of the OLD MAN, the OLD MAN would still be in me, creating pain in my heart. He is a deceived personality, who is void of Your Love, Hope, and Truth, and feels very unacceptable and unlovable. HE NEEDS HIS DEFENSE PATTERNS of running, hiding, and blaming others, so he can take care of his pain.  If I take his defense patterns away, he will find new ones.  I cannot do this backwards.

 

Lord Jesus, I cannot better myself from the outside; I need to be exchanged on the inside. Come and put off the OLD MAN in me, and put on the NEW MAN in me, who is filled with new beliefs of Love, Truth, and Hope. Then, my sinful defense patterns will disappear, because it is only if there is someone NEW living in me with whole and holy beliefs that I do not need my sinful defense patterns anymore.  You, Lord Jesus, the NEW MAN, is my hope of glory!

 

“CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY” (Colossians 1:27).

 

Jesus, You are my Hope of Glory!

 

 

 

April 15  May You Forgive Yourself

 

“GODLY SORROW BRINGS REPENTANCE THAT LEADS TO SALVATION AND LEAVES NO REGRET, BUT WORLDLY SORROW BRINGS DEATH” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

 

Lord God, teach my heart to understand the difference between CONVICTION (convincing someone of an error) that comes from You, and CONDEMNATION (declaring someone as doomed) that comes from the father-of-lies.

 

Lord, may I always remember that when You convict someone, You provide a way out—REPENTANCE.  And repentance leads to salvation.  It delivers from evil.  It harvests Hope.  It results in Holiness.  It never brings regret.

 

Give me understanding, so I may recognize the tactics the father-of-lies uses to condemn: to steal, kill, and destroy…to deem a person unloved, unacceptable, and unworthy…to pull a person into hopelessness, WHERE THERE IS NO WAY OUT.

 

“THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO DO NOT WALK ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, BUT ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT.  FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HAS MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH” (Romans 8:1-2)

 

God of Mercy, I am filled with Joy.  Not only does conviction lead to salvation, but You also provide an escape from the father-of-lies’ condemnation.  You declare me FORGIVEN when the father-of-lies pronounces me GUILTY.  Help me to forgive myself, even though the father-of-lies will try to convince me that I need to keep paying for my mistakes.  I invite Your Presence and Participation into my guilt, O Lord.  Bring Truth to the accusatory beliefs that are keeping me captive to guilt. Work your salvation in me, so I may be able to accept your total forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

For there is no condemnation to those who are in You, Jesus!

 

 

April 16  You Cannot Out-Reason the Lies of the Enemy

 

Lord of Lords, help me to understand that without You I can do nothing.  Enable me to let go of the situation where someone blamed me…where someone offended me…where someone wounded my heart.  Release me from replaying the incident over and over in your mind, trying in vain to logicallyunderstand what had transpired.

 

“NOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE CRAFTY THAN ANY OF THE WILD ANIMALS THE LORD GOD HAD MADE” (Genesis 3:1).

 

Deliver me from thinking that I can logically out-reason the deception of the evil one with my mind, O God.  Remind me, daily, that my mind is not capable of out-reasoning the deception of the father-of-lies…ever.

 

“SANCTIFY THEM BY THE TRUTH” (John 17:17).

 

Lord Jesus, I celebrate that You have provided a way out of my dilemma: to live by the Truth.  I realize that Truth comes from You, God.  It is not an invention of the mind. It is not something I am able to imagine with my mind.  It is a gift from You, if I yield my situation and my beliefs to You. Let me experience my offenders and the hurt they have caused, through Your Truth.

 

“YOU WERE TAUGHT, WITH REGARD TO YOUR FORMER WAY OF LIFE, TO PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF, WHICH IS BEING CORRUPTED BY ITS DECEITFUL DESIRES; TO BE MADE NEW IN THE ATTITUDE OF YOUR MINDS, AND TO PUT ON THE NEW SELF, CREATED TO BE LIKE GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS”

(Ephesians 4:22-24).

 

May I put off the old self, whose mind is corrupted by the lies of the evil one, and exchange it for the new self, whose mind is made new by Your Truth…and Your Truth will set me free from feeling blamed, offended, and wounded.

 

Lord, sanctify me by the Truth!

 

 

April 17  It Is All about the Relationship

 

“YOU DILIGENTLY STUDY THE SCRIPTURES BECAUSE YOU THINK THAT BY THEM YOU POSSESS ETERNAL LIFE. THESE ARE THE SCRIPTURES THAT TESTIFY ABOUT ME, YET YOU REFUSE TO COME TO ME TO HAVE LIFE” (John 5:39-40).

 

Everlasting Father, thank you that the Scriptures testify about You.  But, above all, thank you for the personal intimate relationship that I may have with You. It is through this relationship that I not only know ABOUT you…but KNOW YOU, the God of my heart, my soul, my spirit, and my circumstances.

 

“SO IT IS WRITTEN: ‘THE FIRST MAN ADAM BECAME A LIVING BEING; THE LAST ADAM, A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT” (1 Corinthians 15:45).

 

Lord God, I embrace that You made me for Yourself.  You delight in our relationship…the connectedness….the closeness, and I do, too.  My cup runs over with gladness that You became a life-giving Spirit to me, in whom lives the God of Hope, the Spirit of Truth, the Lord of Peace, the Light of the World, and the God of all Comfort.

 

“HOWEVER, AS IT IS WRITTEN: ‘NO EYE HAS SEEN, NO EAR HAS HEARD, NO MIND HAS CONCEIVED WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM’ BUT GOD HAS REVEALED IT TO US BY HIS SPIRIT.  THE SPIRIT SEARCHES ALL THINGS, EVEN THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD. FOR WHO AMONG MEN KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF A MAN EXCEPT THE MAN’S SPIRIT WITHIN HIM? IN THE SAME WAY NO ONE KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF GOD EXCEPT THE SPIRIT OF GOD. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD BUT THE SPIRIT WHO IS FROM GOD, THAT WE MAY UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD HAS FREELY GIVEN US” (1 Corinthians 2:9-12).

 

How mysterious You are, O Lord. No one knows Your thoughts, except Your Spirit, who searches all things and knows Your heart.  What am I to You, Lord, that You would reveal Your thoughts to me through Your Spirit. And thus I experience Your Love, and Hope, and Truth, and Life abundantly.

 

How I love You, Lord!

 

April 18  Psalm 91…A Lifestyle by which to Live

 

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

² This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

He is my God, and I trust Him.

³ For He will rescue you from every trap

and protect you from deadly disease.

⁴ He will cover you with His feathers.

He will shelter you with His wings.

 

Perfect Father, I have come to abide in Your shelter:

Your shelter of Hope…Your shelter of Truth…Your shelter of Light.

I have come to receive rest from my hopelessness

….the fear….the darkness.

I declare You my refuge—my place of safety,

So I might be safe from evil and danger,

So I might be rescued from the traps of the father-of-lies.

His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

nor the arrow that flies in the day.

⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side,

though ten thousand are dying around you,

these evils will not touch you.

⁸ Just open your eyes,

and see how the wicked are punished.

Cover me with Your feathers, Lord God,

So I would not be dismayed when fear and abandonment attack at night.

Shelter me with Your wings,

So I would not feel the arrows of blame and shame that fly by day.

Protect me from the hurtful accusations that strike at midday,

So that no condemnation will touch me.

For I make You my hiding place.

 

⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge,

if you make the Most High your shelter.

 

I trust in You, my Lord!

 

 

April 19  Secure in Him

 

“HIS FAITHFUL PROMISES ARE YOUR ARMOR AND PROTECTION.

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE TERRORS OF THE NIGHT,

NOR THE ARROW THAT FLIES IN THE DAY.

DO NOT DREAD THE DISEASE THAT STALKS IN DARKNESS,

NOR THE DISASTER THAT STRIKES AT MIDDAY.

THOUGH A THOUSAND FALL AT YOUR SIDE,

THOUGH TEN THOUSAND ARE DYING AROUND YOU,

THESE EVILS WILL NOT TOUCH YOU”

(Psalm 91:4-7).

 

Most High, even if I am the only one left who is standing on Your promises, let me persevere…let me keep on doing what is right…let me be unyielding in my obedience to You.

 

Even though a thousand may fall at my side, yielding to the lies of the father-of-lies, keep me firm in Your Faith: unyielding in my surrender to the Truth…not leaning on the understanding of my own beliefs, thoughts, and circumstances…trusting You with all my heart.

 

Even though ten thousand may die around me, walking in the darkness of unrighteousness, hopelessness, and fear, may I continue to live as a child of the Light: overflowing with Hope through the power of Your Holy Spirit…remaining in You—my Righteousness.

 

Lord God, be my Love that lives inside me. Be my Life that flows through my heart. Be my Light for each step I take. Then, the fiery darts of the evil one will not touch me.  The accuser’s lies will not throw me to the ground.  The father-of-lies will not kill my Peace, steal my Hope, or destroy my Truth.  No, these evils will not touch me.

 

Your promises are my protection!

April 20  Why Don’t I Hear God’s Voice?

 

“BUT THEIR MINDS WERE MADE DULL, FOR TO THIS DAY THE SAME VEIL REMAINS WHEN THE OLD COVENANT IS READ. IT HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED, BECAUSE ONLY IN CHRIST IS IT TAKEN AWAY” (2 Corinthians 3:14).

 

Lord God, sometimes, You are like an object in a dense fog—out of focus…remote…distant.

 

Most High, when I am going through a difficult time, and I am unable to hear and see You, let me always remember that it is not because You have chosen to be unresponsive, unsociable, and unfriendly.  Remind me that You are not trying to hide Yourself from me.  You are not trying to make it hard for me to find You.  Make me aware that I cannot see You, because You have been obscured by my own understanding…veiled by my own interpretations…dimmed by my own mind.

 

God of Hope, when I go through a difficult time, remind me that You are close to me—just on the other side of the veil that my own understanding casts on everything and everyone around me.  In times like these, give me Your Understanding—that nothing will separate me from Your Love.

 

During times like these, fill me with Your Truth: that I can lift the veil that is hindering me from seeing and hearing You, by exchanging my own understanding for Yours…by surrendering my own perturbing perceptions to You…by turning to Your Perspective.

 

“BUT WHENEVER ANYONE TURNS TO THE LORD, THE VEIL IS TAKEN AWAY”

(2 Corinthians 3:16).

 

I turn to You, O Lord!

 

 

April 21  God is Love

 

“LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND. IT DOES NOT ENVY, IT DOES NOT BOAST, IT IS NOT PROUD. IT IS NOT RUDE, IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING, IT IS NOT EASILY ANGERED, IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS.  LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH.  IT ALWAYS PROTECTS, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES.  LOVE NEVER FAILS” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

 

Lord God, I celebrate You, because You are patient, even when my pain and weaknesses show and I struggle to surrender…because You are Love. You are kind and do not condemn as people do…because You are Love. You do not boast, but came to this earth to serve me and share everything You are and have with me…because You are Love.

 

Most High, how marvelous You are. You are not rude, but gentle…because You are Love.

You are not self-seeking, but came to impart Your own Righteousness to me…because You are Love. You are not easily angered, even when I come undone…because You are Love.

You keep no records of my wrongs, after I have asked forgiveness…because You are Love.

 

Mighty God, my heart rejoices at the thought that You do not delight in evil done against me or anybody else…because You are Love. You rejoice when I am set free by the Truth…because You are Love. You yearn to shield me from exposure to the deceit of the father-of-lies…because You are Love.

 

You always trust and hope that I will bring my pain and weaknesses to You, instead of hiding, running away, and blaming…because You are Love. May I never disappoint You.

 

“AND SO WE KNOW AND RELY ON THE LOVE GOD HAS FOR US. GOD IS LOVE.  WHOEVER LIVES IN LOVE LIVES IN GOD, AND GOD IN HIM” (1 John 4:16).

 

Most High, I rely on the Love You have for me…for it will never fail me.

May I live in You and You in me, so You may love others through me.

 

Your Love never fails!

April 22  Anger Is Not only Skin-Deep.

 

“FOR MAN’S ANGER DOES NOT BRING ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES” (James 1:20).

 

Lord God, I confess that my anger is only the bandage that covers my wounds.  If I were to peel the anger off, I would expose a festering ulcer in my heart, filled with unworthiness, condemnation, and abandonment.

 

“GET RID OF ALL BITTERNESS, RAGE AND ANGER, BRAWLING AND SLANDER, ALONG WITH EVERY FORM OF MALICE” (Ephesians 4:31).

 

Savior, put a longing in my heart to probe deeper into my heart to find out what is concealed under my anger.  Give me courage to investigate the understanding of my mind, so I may find the false beliefs from the father-of-lies.  I authorize You to scrutinize my heart for clues of unworthiness—feelings of “I do not measure up.”  Search my mind for clues of condemnation—feelings of “I am a disgrace.”  Examine my heart for clues of abandonment—feelings of “I am all alone.”  Let me always remember that anger does not stand alone!

 

“A FOOL GIVES FULL VENT TO HIS ANGER, BUT A WISE MAN KEEPS HIMSELF UNDER CONTROL” (Proverbs 29:11).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that “no temptation has seized me, except what is common to man.” You understand unworthiness. You are familiar with condemnation. You are acquainted with abandonment.  These “common-to-man” temptations that are hiding beneath my anger are not too powerful for You to handle. You know the way out.

 

Lord Jesus, I invite Your Presence and Participation into the ulcer underneath my anger. Cover it with Your bandage of Worth, Acceptance, and Love…and my anger will disappear.

 

“REFRAIN FROM ANGER AND TURN FROM WRATH; DO NOT FRET—IT LEADS ONLY TO EVIL” (Psalm 37:8).

 

I desire Your Righteousness!

 

 

April 23  Work out Your Own Salvation

 

“THEREFORE, MY BELOVED, AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED, NOT AS IN MY PRESENCE ONLY, BUT NOW MUCH MORE IN MY ABSENCE, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING” (Philippians 2:12).

 

Perfect Father, give me Your understanding, so I may know how to work out my own salvation with caution—taking ownership and responsibility for my own pain and weaknesses.  Strengthen my heart, so I may submit my own load of shame, abandonment, and condemnation to You for deliverance, instead of falling into anger and jealousy, blaming others for my own heartache.  Remind me, often, that I will have to give account for every careless word I have spoken in anger, jealousy, and hatred.

 

“BUT I TELL YOU THAT MEN WILL HAVE TO GIVE ACCOUNT ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT FOR EVERY CARELESS WORD THEY HAVE SPOKEN. FOR BY YOUR WORDS YOU WILL BE ACQUITTED, AND BY YOUR WORDS YOU WILL BE CONDEMNED” (Matthew 12:36-37).

 

Everlasting Father, I praise You for sending Your son, Jesus, to be my Savior. I accept Your Gift. I honor You for sending the Spirit of Truth to guide me into all Truth. I agree to turn in the lies the father-of-lies had planted in my mind, so I may be set free by the Truth.  I celebrate that You have sent Jesus to be the Light of my World. I submit my darkness to You, Lord Jesus.  I marvel that Your Power is made perfect in weakness. I acknowledge my weaknesses, so that Your Power may rest on me.

 

To You be honor and praise, forever more!

 

 

April 24  Jealousy—the Plank in Your Eye

 

“WHY DO YOU LOOK AT THE SPECK OF SAWDUST IN YOUR BROTHER’S EYE AND PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE PLANK IN YOUR OWN EYE?” (Matthew 7:3).

 

Lord, deliver me from jealousy.

 

“HOW CAN YOU SAY TO YOUR BROTHER, ‘LET ME TAKE THE SPECK OUT OF YOUR EYE,’ WHEN ALL THE TIME THERE IS A PLANK IN YOUR OWN EYE?” (Matthew 7:4).

 

Lord God, during attacks of jealousy in my heart, help me to recognize the plank in my own eye: the plank of feeling that I fall short compared to someone else…the plank of feeling I am not special compared to someone else…the plank of feeling that I am deemed bad.  When I am consumed with jealousy, may I stop focusing on the speck in my brother’s eye—his flaws, his mistakes, and his sin—but instead, focus on my own heart, so I may be delivered from my jealousy.

 

“YOU HYPOCRITE, FIRST TAKE THE PLANK OUT OF YOUR OWN EYE, AND THEN YOU WILL SEE CLEARLY TO REMOVE THE SPECK FROM YOUR BROTHER’S EYE”

(Matthew 7:5).

 

Most High, may I come to You, during attacks of jealousy in my heart, and allow Your Hope, Love, and Truth to clear up my own feelings and beliefs of shame, unworthiness, and rejection from the father-of-lies.  Then, I will notice that the speck in my brother’s eye is just that….a speck.

 

Glory to Your Name!

 

April 25  Child, You Are Fully Known

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME. NOW WE SEE BUT A POOR REFLECTION AS IN A MIRROR; THEN WE SHALL SEE FACE TO FACE. NOW I KNOW IN PART; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, EVEN AS I AM FULLY KNOWN” (1 Corinthians 13:11-12).

 

I thank you, Most High, for the wondrous way You have made my mind: that my mind can record beautiful memories…that my mind could record every experience since the time of birth very accurately.  Not only did my mind record the facts of beautiful childhood experiences, but also the emotions that were connected to those events.  And not only did the facts and emotions of these experiences get recorded, but also the interpretations that were concluded at the time of the events.

 

Perfect Father, let me never forget that my enemy is the father-of-lies. Let me never forget that the interpretations I made as a child were not necessarily true, since the father-of-lies always stood ready with his false conclusions when I made my interpretations as a child.  I know that unless I have surrendered these false interpretations to You, they are still in effect today.  And because of these wrong interpretations, I see but a poor reflection of myself. I only see in part.

 

Most High, how Hope fills my heart when I ponder that I am fully known by You.  Show me who I really am—the way You know me.  May I find the false interpretations I had made about myself as a child and surrender them to You, so You can show me the Truth. Then, I will see myself the way You see me.

You are worthy, Father, to receive honor and praise!

 

 

April 26  Do This in Order to Have Fellowship with God

 

“THIS IS THE MESSAGE WE HAVE HEARD FROM HIM AND DECLARE TO YOU: GOD IS LIGHT; IN HIM THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL. IF WE CLAIM TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM YET WALK IN THE DARKNESS, WE LIE AND DO NOT LIVE BY THE TRUTH”

(1 John 1:5-6).

 

Lord of Light, show me that it is more important to live by the Truth and have fellowship with You, than to win an argument.

 

Lift my eyes above the circumstances, so I may refrain from relying on my own opinion…just to win the argument.  May I humble myself when You tug at my heart and tell me that I have a false belief from the father-of-lies in my mind—that I do not count…that I am not worthy…that I am not loved—and therefore the argument.  May I surrender that belief to You, because it is more important for me to live by the Truth and have fellowship with you, Lord God, than to win an argument.

 

How marvelous is Your Light, O Lord!

April 27  The Birth of Sin

 

“WHEN TEMPTED, NO ONE SHOULD SAY, ‘GOD IS TEMPTING ME.’ FOR GOD CANNOT BE TEMPTED BY EVIL, NOR DOES HE TEMPT ANYONE” (James 1:13).

 

How unparalleled is Your Righteousness, O Lord! You do not tempt anyone, nor are You tempted by evil. You live by the Truth, because You ARE the TRUTH. The father-of-lies has no hold on You.

 

“BUT EACH ONE IS TEMPTED WHEN, BY HIS OWN EVIL DESIRE, HE IS DRAGGED AWAY AND ENTICED” (James 1:14).

 

Lord, work Your Understanding in me, so I may know my enemy: that I am tempted by the shame—I fall short—the father-of-lies had imbedded in my mind long ago…that I am tempted by the condemnation—I am deemed bad—that the father-of-lies had infused in my mind as a child…that I am tempted by the abandonment—I have been left—that the father-of-lies had lodged in my mind in the past.

 

“THEN, AFTER DESIRE HAS CONCEIVED, IT GIVES BIRTH TO SIN; AND SIN, WHEN IT IS FULL-GROWN, GIVES BIRTH TO DEATH” (James 1:15).

 

Perfect Father, protect me from the evil one, who tempts me with the purpose of luring me away from living in Your Love, Hope, and Truth, so I might accept his covering of hiding, running, and blaming. This would give birth to sin in my life…and eventually to death.

 

“BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO PERSEVERES UNDER TRIAL, BECAUSE WHEN HE HAS STOOD THE TEST, HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE THAT GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM” (James 1:12).

 

Teach me to stand fast in Your Presence during temptation, O Lord, so I may receive the Crown of Life from You.

 

You crown me with Life!

April 28  Meditate on These Things

 

“FINALLY, BRETHREN, WHATEVER THINGS ARE TRUE, WHATEVER THINGS ARE NOBLE, WHATEVER THINGS ARE JUST, WHATEVER THINGS ARE PURE, WHATEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY, WHATEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT, IF THERE IS ANY VIRTUE AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING PRAISEWORTHY—MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS”

(Philippians 4:8).

 

Most High, feed my mind with Your Truth that is not a figment of my imagination, but comes from Your Spirit and is wholesome and beneficial to my spirit, soul, and body. Protect me from the lies of the father-of-lies that kill, steal, and destroy.

 

“THE LORD DETESTS THE THOUGHTS OF THE WICKED, BUT THOSE OF THE PURE ARE PLEASING TO HIM” (Proverbs 15:26).

 

Lord Jesus, fill my thoughts with Your Love that keeps me whole.  Quiet my heart with Your Peace that transcends all understanding.  Establish Your Hope that quells all hopelessness, in my innermost.  Strengthen my soul with Your Power that is at work within me.  Feed my spirit with Your Wisdom from Heaven that is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

 

“BUT THE WISDOM THAT COMES FROM HEAVEN IS FIRST OF ALL PURE; THEN PEACE-LOVING, CONSIDERATE, SUBMISSIVE, FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUIT, IMPARTIAL AND SINCERE” (James 3:17).

 

Perfect Father, I celebrate You with whom all things are possible!  Lord Jesus, I proclaim You, without whom I am nothing!  Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, I exalt You!

 

I meditate on You, O Lord!

April 29  Allow Jesus to Forgive through You

 

“JESUS SAID, ‘FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING’” (Luke 23:34).

 

Lord of Glory, how great You are! You are the perfect Forgiver.  Even though Your offenders nailed You to the cross to die, You did not blame them.  You did not repay evil with evil.  You kept no record of their wrongs.  Instead, You forgave.

 

“GOD SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO OUR HEARTS” (Galatians 4:6).

 

How encouraged I am that You, the same Jesus who forgives perfectly, were sent by the Father to reside in my heart, to forgive those I am unable to forgive, through me.

 

Therefore, I surrender the person I am unable to forgive, to You, the perfect Forgiver, whose Spirit I have accepted into my heart.  Deliver me from the resentment I have stored up in my heart, my Lord.  Release me from the effects of the abomination done against me.

 

Lord Jesus, I am not able to forgive the many wrongs committed against me, but You are able, because You are the perfect Forgiver. You know how to forgive a debt.  You know how to forgive an enemy.  I authorize You to forgive them through me.

 

I honor You, perfect Forgiver!

 

 

April 30  Inherit Your Blessing

 

“FINALLY, ALL OF YOU, LIVE IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER; BE SYMPATHETIC, LOVE AS BROTHERS, BE COMPASSIONATE AND HUMBLE. DO NOT REPAY EVIL WITH EVIL OR INSULT WITH INSULT, BUT WITH BLESSING, BECAUSE TO THIS YOU WERE CALLED SO THAT YOU MAY INHERIT A BLESSING.HE MUST TURN FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD” (1 Peter 3:8-11).

 

Lord Jesus, release me from the belief that I need to look for a blessing from the person I had to forgive, but instead, to expect and inherit my blessing from You.

 

Lord, how good to know that You take notice of the forgiveness I grant to my perpetrators.  How encouraged I am that You pay attention when I do not repay insult with insult, even though I might even know that my offender is wrong and I might have many reasons to pay him back with another insult.  How comforted I am that You are a witness when I do not react sinfully to my enemy’s condemnation.

 

Perfect Father, I look forward to the blessing I am going to inherit from You for the times that I did not repay insult for insult and evil for evil, but I repaid evil and insult with a blessing.

 

“DO NOT REPAY EVIL WITH EVIL OR INSULT WITH INSULT, BUT WITH BLESSING, BECAUSE TO THIS YOU WERE CALLED SO THAT YOU MAY INHERIT A BLESSING”

 

Your Kingdom come!

May 1  Live in the Present

 

“FROM THE FULLNESS OF HIS GRACE WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED ONE BLESSING AFTER ANOTHER” (John 1:16).

 

I praise You, Lord God, for each blessing that is available to me from the fullness of Your Grace here in this place, this very moment.  Thank you that there is enough for me, right now…if I do not invite the past and the future to participate in the present.  From the fullness of Your Grace, You will also provide tomorrow’s blessings when tomorrow comes.

 

“THEREFORE DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, FOR TOMORROW WILL WORRY ABOUT ITSELF. EACH DAY HAS ENOUGH TROUBLE OF ITS OWN” (Matthew 6:34).

 

When the hopelessness comes, my Lord, remind me to live in the blessing of Hope that is available to me now, at this moment in time, through You.  Let me not anticipate the problems of tomorrow or waste away in the failures of yesterday, but come to You to be filled with Joy and Peace now, in the present, as I trust in You, so I may overflow with Hope through the power of Your Holy Spirit.

 

“GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD” (Matthew 6:11).

 

Lord of Peace, I receive Your blessing of Peace that is available to me right now, this very hour.  Keep me from melting away in the anxiety of the past or lose strength in the expectations of the future. Instead, let me always remember that You stand ready to give me Your Peace, at this moment in time, for my immediate circumstances.

 

I thank you for my daily bread!

 

 

May 2  Put Childish Ways Behind You

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

 

How wondrous have You made my mind, Majesty, to be able to record every experience since the time of birth very accurately: the facts, the emotions, and the interpretationsthat were concluded at the time of my childhood events.

 

But some of the childhood interpretations I made were false, and these false interpretations remained with me even during adulthood, causing me to think like that little child again…reason like that little child again…and talk like that little child again.

 

“GUIDE ME TO YOUR TRUTH AND TEACH ME, FOR YOU ARE GOD MY SAVIOR, AND MY HOPE IS IN YOU ALL DAY LONG” (Psalm 25:5).

 

Majesty, I honor You for sending the Spirit of Truth into my heart to lead me into all Truth and set me free from false childhood interpretations.  Show me which childhood interpretations in my life are false, even now, so I may surrender them to You to be replaced with Your Truth. Then, I will be able to put childish ways behind me.

 

Worthy is the Truth!

 

 

May 3  Come to God First

 

“COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST” (Matthew 11:28).

 

Lord Jesus, remind me to come to You, first when I am heavy laden, before I seek the advice and comfort of my friends and family.

 

“IF ANY MAN THIRST, LET HIM COME UNTO ME, AND DRINK” (John 7:37).

 

“FOR HE SATISFIES THE THIRSTY AND FILLS THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS” (Psalm 107:9).

 

Majesty, I am encouraged that You are standing by to satisfy my thirst and fill me with the good things that my friends and family cannot do for me.

 

“AND YE WILL NOT COME TO ME, THAT YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE” (John 5:40).

 

Lord Jesus, I come to You to have Life…Your Life!

 

“I AM COME A LIGHT INTO THE WORLD, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON ME SHOULD NOT ABIDE IN DARKNESS” (John 12:46).

 

I invite Your Light into my darkness, right now.

 

“CHRIST JESUS, WHO HAS BECOME FOR US WISDOM FROM GOD—THAT IS, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS AND REDEMPTION” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

 

I set my hope on You, Most High, to receive Your Wisdom—Righteousness, Holiness, and Redemption.

 

“MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE AS YOU TRUST IN HIM, SO THAT YOU MAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT” (Romans 15:13).

 

Lord of Hope, fill me with Your Hope from the inside out, so I may stand perfect and complete in Your Will.

 

“NOW MAY THE LORD OF PEACE HIMSELF GIVE YOU PEACE AT ALL TIMES AND IN EVERY WAY” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

 

Lord of Peace, establish Your Peace in my anxious heart.

 

You are the Light of my world!

May 4  Restore with Gentleness

 

“BROTHERS, IF SOMEONE IS CAUGHT IN A SIN, YOU WHO ARE SPIRITUAL SHOULD RESTORE HIM GENTLY. BUT WATCH YOURSELF, OR YOU ALSO MAY BE TEMPTED” (Galatians 6:1).

 

Lord Jesus, I praise You for Your Spirit who dwells in my heart.  I invite You to work Your Gentleness in me, so Your Gentleness will be evident to all through me.

 

Help me to understand that when someone thinks like a child, he will feel like a child, act like a child, and talk like a child. And he will hunger for love…Your Love. It is Your Understanding for which he yearns. It is Your Acceptance he craves. It is Your Comfort he needs.

 

But, instead of criticizing, condemning, and controlling, may I always remember that while someone is lying with his face in the dust, he is not able to reach Your outstretching hand of Love, Acceptance, and Comfort, because the heavy burden of hopelessness paralyzes him.

 

Therefore, may I be determined to encourage, bless, and understand, while I stoop down in gentleness and pick those up who are hurting, and introduce them to Your Love, Acceptance, and Comfort.

 

“HE GIVES STRENGTH TO THE WEARY AND INCREASES THE POWER OF THE WEAK”

(Isaiah 40:29).

 

Lord God, may Your Gentleness prevail.

 

“LET YOUR GENTLENESS BE EVIDENT TO ALL” (Philippians 4:5).

 

May Your gentleness be evident through me!

 

May 5  For All Times One Sacrifice

 

“HE IS THE ATONING SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS, AND NOT ONLY FOR OURS BUT ALSO FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD” (1 John 2:2).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you that You are the atoning Sacrifice for my sins, and not only mine, but the sins of the whole world: my family…my friends…my co-workers…my enemies.

 

“THEREFORE, MY BELOVED, AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED, NOT AS IN MY PRESENCE ONLY, BUT NOW MUCH MORE IN MY ABSENCE, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING” (Philippians 2:12).

 

Savior, help me to differentiate whether someone wants me to help him bring his pain to You, or whether someone wants to victimize—using ME as the atoning sacrifice to carry his sins.

 

“BUT WHEN THIS PRIEST HAD OFFERED FOR ALL TIME ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, HE SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD” (Hebrews 10:12).

 

Redeemer, may I point everybody who comes to me with their pain, to You, the atoning Sacrifice, who is sitting at the right hand of God.  Keep me from trying to be the sacrificial lamb for people, blocking those from experiencing You as the real Sacrifice. You are the only one who can pardon our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness…even the heartache we have been carrying around since childhood.

 

“IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST AND WILL FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND PURIFY US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS” (1 John 1:9).

 

I crown You as my atoning Sacrifice!

 

 

May 6  The Sins of the Fathers

 

“YOU SHALL NOT BOW DOWN TO THEM NOR SERVE THEM. FOR I, THE LORD YOUR GOD, AM A JEALOUS GOD, VISITING THE INIQUITY OF THE FATHERS UPON THE CHILDREN TO THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATIONS OF THOSE WHO HATE ME” (Deuteronomy 5:9).

 

Dear God, how encouraged I am that the sins of my ancestors do not need to carry over to me.  How comforted I am that the way my ancestors reacted to their life situations does not need to determine how I react to my life issues.  Even if my ancestors chose to serve the father-of-lies and his lies of abandonment, shame, and condemnation with sinful defense pattern of rage, alcoholismor other dependencies, I do not need to do the same.  I can choose to serve You, Most High!  Call me, very day, in each situation, to choose to surrender to You, instead of to the father-of-lies: to choose to submit to Your Truth, Hope, and Love, instead of to the beliefs of abandonment, shame, and condemnation that live in my mind.

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

Jesus, I make You my refuge, instead of choosing substance abuse, rage or any other sinful defense behavior to deal with my feelings and beliefs of abandonment, condemnation, and shame.  Let me live in the shadow of Your Presence and I shall not lack anything.  I praise You that each time I love You by submitting my heart to You, You will honor my obedience and show Yourself to me.

 

I bow down to You!

May 7  Your Heart Is the Wellspring of Life

 

“A MALICIOUS MAN DISGUISES HIMSELF WITH HIS LIPS, BUT IN HIS HEART HE HARBORS DECEIT.  THOUGH HIS SPEECH IS CHARMING, DO NOT BELIEVE HIM, FOR SEVEN ABOMINATIONS FILL HIS HEART” (Proverbs 26:24-25).

 

Dear God, reveal Your understanding to me, so I may realize that my heart is a reservoir that either holds the abominations of the father-of-lies…or Your Truth, Hope, and Love, and that I will know who has filled my heart by looking at my actions and reactions.

 

“CHRIST…FILLS ALL THINGS EVERYWHERE WITH HIMSELF” (Ephesians 1:23).

 

Redeemer, remind me, daily, to listen to my heart, moment-by-moment, and find out if it is harboring bouts of unworthiness…condemnation…rejection, because I know that this is an indication that my heart is filled with the accusatory abominations of the father-of-lies. Lord JESUS, You yearn to fill all things everywhere with Yourself.  Fill my heart with Yourself.

 

Savior, may I be willing to listen to my heart, often and examine it for traces of anger or jealousy, since this is an indication that my heart is filled with the many abominations of the father-of-lies.  Lord JESUS, create a longing in my heart to be filled with You.

 

My Lord, lead me to listen to my heart, repeatedly and look for signs of hopelessness and depression, for this, also, is an indication that my heart is filled with the countless abominations of the father-of-lies.  Lord JESUS, I bring You my heart. Fill it with Yourself, because it is important to know who and what live in my heart.

 

“ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART, FOR IT IS THE WELLSPRING OF LIFE”(Proverbs 4:23).

 

May I guard my heart!

 

May 8   Cut the Ropes that Hold Your Life Patterns

 

“SO THE SOLDIERS CUT THE ROPES THAT HELD THE LIFEBOAT AND LET IT FALL AWAY” (Acts 27:32).

 

Lord Jesus, today I want to cut the ropes that are holding my lifeboat of sinful behavior patterns and habits afloat…and let it fall away.

 

Savior, bring me to the place where I would cut the ropes that are keeping my Self alive, because oftentimes, my Self loves to sulk, spending time in dejection and hopelessness when things don’t go its way.  Self is not self-controlled, but often surrenders to uncontrolled anger and rage when it is provoked.  Self responds to its deceitful desires with patterns of over-indulgence, mind-reading and forsaking its tasks whenever it is aroused.

 

“HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE, SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS; BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED FOR YOU WERE LIKE SHEEP GOING ASTRAY, BUT NOW YOU HAVE RETURNED TO THE SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER OF YOUR SOULS” (1 Peter 2:24-25).

 

Lord Jesus, shine Your Light on me, so I may realize that I do not need to keep Self with its deceitful desires alive.  You bore my sins on the cross, so that I might die to Self’s sinful behavior patterns and allow Your Righteousness to live through me.

 

“THEREFORE, RID YOURSELVES OF ALL MALICE AND ALL DECEIT, HYPOCRISY, ENVY, AND SLANDER OF EVERY KIND. LIKE NEWBORN BABIES, CRAVE PURE SPIRITUAL MILK, SO THAT BY IT YOU MAY GROW UP IN YOUR SALVATION, NOW THAT YOU HAVE TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GOOD” (1 Peter 2:1-3).

 

I come to You, Redeemer, to rid me of Self, who is full of malice and deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander.  Like a newborn baby, I crave pure spiritual milk, so I may grow up in my salvation.

 

I return to You, Lord Jesus!

 

May 9  We Are Being Given over to Death for Jesus’ Sake

 

“FOR WE WHO ARE ALIVE ARE ALWAYS BEING GIVEN OVER TO DEATH FOR JESUS’ SAKE, SO THAT HIS LIFE MAY BE REVEALED IN OUR MORTAL BODY”

(2 Corinthians 4:11).

 

Lord God, there are times during each day that my negative, destructive beliefs make me feel threatened, humiliated, or deprived.  Sometimes, my spirit feels faint in me and I feel discouraged, alone, and afraid. Lord Jesus, during times like these, call me to hand the OLD MAN in me over to you, to be crucified.

 

“LET US THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS

AND THE SIN THAT SO EASILY ENTANGLES,

AND LET US RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE THE RACE MARKED OUT FOR US”

(Hebrews 12:1).

 

Lord Jesus, may I throw off everything that hinders the NEW MAN—Your nature in me—from being born in me.  May I throw off the OLD MAN by exposing my negative, destructive beliefs to You, every day, a hundred times a day, whenever they are provoked.  Then the sin that is born from these accusatory beliefs will not entangle me.  Instead, I will be able to run with perseverance the race marked out for me.

 

May I throw off every belief that hinders!

May 10  To Love God Is to Obey Him

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME” (John 14:21).

 

Lord God, help me to understand that to love You is to obey You: to not surrender to my childhood pain, but to surrender my childhood pain to You.

 

May I obey You by bringing all my childhood feelings and beliefs of abandonment, rejection, and shame to You.  May I obey You by bringing You all my childhood beliefs of being an outcast…an alien…an object, instead of acting and reacting to these beliefs in anger, fear, and hatred.

 

Majesty, I wish to honor You by not avoiding the burden of despair in my heart that was born in my childhood.  Let me love You by not denying the problem of abandonment in my heart that came when I was left as a child.  May I obey You by not simply enduring the emotions of rejection in my heart that started when I was accused as a child. Call me to embrace the childhood beliefs that still cause me pain…and bring them to You.

 

“‘BECAUSE HE LOVES ME,’ SAYS THE LORD, ‘I WILL RESCUE HIM; I WILL PROTECT HIM, FOR HE ACKNOWLEDGES MY NAME.  HE WILL CALL UPON ME, AND I WILL ANSWER HIM; I WILL BE WITH HIM IN TROUBLE, I WILL DELIVER HIM AND HONOR HIM’” (Psalm 91:14-15).

 

I praise You for Your promises, O Lord. Because I love You with obedience, You promise to rescue me from the lies of abandonment.  You will protect me from the effects of condemnation.  You will answer me when I lay my beliefs of shame at Your feet.  You will make Your Presence known during my sorrow.  You will deliver me from the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies.  You will honor me. Hallowed be Your Name!

 

I love You with Obedience, my Lord!

 

 

May 11  Endure through every Circumstance

 

“WE GIVE GREAT HONOR TO THOSE WHO ENDURE UNDER SUFFERING. FOR INSTANCE, YOU KNOW ABOUT JOB, A MAN OF GREAT ENDURANCE. YOU CAN SEE HOW THE LORD WAS KIND TO HIM AT THE END, FOR THE LORD IS FULL OF TENDERNESS AND MERCY” (James 5:11)

 

O Lord, lay Your hand upon me, so that I might learn to endure: to persevere and persist in a state or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.

 

“KEEP YOURSELVES IN GOD’S LOVE AS YOU WAIT FOR THE MERCY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO BRING YOU TO ETERNAL LIFE” (Jude 1:21).

 

O Sovereign Lord, You are my God.  Strengthen my weakened spirit so I may persist in the state of Your Love, in spite of the counterinfluences of the people around me, in spite of the opposition of the father-of-lies, and in spite of the discouragement in my heart.

 

“LOVE IS PATIENT AND KIND. LOVE IS NOT JEALOUS OR BOASTFUL OR PROUD OR RUDE. IT DOES NOT DEMAND ITS OWN WAY. IT IS NOT IRRITABLE, AND IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF BEING WRONGED. IT DOES NOT REJOICE ABOUT INJUSTICE BUT REJOICES WHENEVER THE TRUTH WINS OUT. LOVE NEVER GIVES UP, NEVER LOSES FAITH, IS ALWAYS HOPEFUL, AND ENDURES THROUGH EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE”

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

 

Most High, Your Love is patient.  I open my heart for Your Love to work Your Patience in me.  Your Love does not demand its own way.  I embrace Your Love in my heart to keep me from demanding my own way.  Your Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  Work Your Love in me, so I would never give up, never lose faith, always be hopeful and endure through every circumstance.

 

“GOD IS LOVE” (1 John 4:8).

May I persist in Your Love!

 

May 12  May Christ’s Light Shine in your Darkness

 

“WHOSE MINDS THE GOD OF THIS AGE HAS BLINDED, WHO DO NOT BELIEVE, LEST THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST, WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD, SHOULD SHINE ON THEM.” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

 

Most High, shine Your Light on my darkened mind, so I may receive the Glory of Your son, Jesus Christ, into my own understanding.

 

“BUT THE MINISTRY JESUS HAS RECEIVED IS AS SUPERIOR TO THEIRS AS THE COVENANT OF WHICH HE IS MEDIATOR IS SUPERIOR TO THE OLD ONE, AND IT IS FOUNDED ON BETTER PROMISES” (Hebrews 8:6).

 

Lord Jesus, the ministry You have received from the Perfect Father is superior to any other ministry that is available to me and to any ministry I can come up by myself. I open my heart wide…to receive Your ministry: YOU IN ME.

 

“I HAVE BECOME ITS SERVANT BY THE COMMISSION GOD GAVE ME TO PRESENT TO YOU THE WORD OF GOD IN ITS FULLNESS—THE MYSTERY THAT HAS BEEN KEPT HIDDEN FOR AGES AND GENERATIONS, BUT IS NOW DISCLOSED TO THE SAINTS. TO THEM GOD HAS CHOSEN TO MAKE KNOWN AMONG THE GENTILES THE GLORIOUS RICHES OF THIS MYSTERY, WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY” (Colossians 1:25-27).

 

Thank you, Majesty, that the mystery that had been kept hidden for ages was disclosed to my heart—“Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.”  Come into the innermost places of my mind and heart, and fill me with everything You came to do and be on this earth—the fullness of Your Glory!

 

You are my Hope of Glory, Lord!

 

May 13  The Shame of the Old Man

 

“IF I AM GUILTY—WOE TO ME! EVEN IF I AM INNOCENT, I CANNOT LIFT MY HEAD, FOR I AM FULL OF SHAME AND DROWNED IN MY AFFLICTION” (Job 10:15).

 

Lord Jesus, I realize that it is the father-of-lies intention to fill us with shame and drown us in affliction by the OLD MAN he shaped in us: a corrupted personality filled with beliefs of abandonment, condemnation, and shame.

 

“YOU ARE ALREADY CLEAN BECAUSE OF THE WORD I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU”

 (John 15:3).

 

Savior, I revere Your Name.  I praise You for what You have done for me.  You have done something that I cannot do for myself.  You have spoken me clean from the OLD MAN beliefs with the words, “IT IS FINISHED!”

 

I thank you that I do not have to strive to become good.  I do not have to pretend to be someone else.  I do not have to work to become worthy.  All I have to do is come to You…to be spoken clean.

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Lord Jesus, those who look to You are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  I lay my OLD MAN—the abandoned, condemned, and shamed person the father-of-lies has formed in me—at Your feet. Thank you that You have already nailed these negative, destructive beliefs that are causing me to hang my head in shame, on the cross with You.  I will lift up my head and be radiant.

 

“THOSE WHO LOOK TO HIM ARE RADIANT; THEIR FACES ARE NEVER COVERED WITH SHAME” (Psalm 34:5).

 

Lord Jesus, I look to You!

 

 

May 14  Child, Know the Truth

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME. NOW WE SEE BUT A POOR REFLECTION AS IN A MIRROR; THEN WE SHALL SEE FACE TO FACE. NOW I KNOW IN PART; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, EVEN AS I AM FULLY KNOWN” (1 Corinthians 13:11-12).

 

Sovereign God, I invite Your Presence and Participation into the feelings and belief in my mind that I do not matter…that I do not count…that nothing I do or say makes a difference.

 

“HE WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, NOT HOLDING TO THE TRUTH, FOR THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. WHEN HE LIES, HE SPEAKS HIS NATIVE LANGUAGE, FOR HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES” (John 8:44).

 

I praise You, Perfect Father, that Your Truth is mightier than any negative, destructive belief from the murderer. Let me not be afraid to go to the place where the father-of-lies had introduced his accusatory belief “You do not matter” for the first time, because it is here that Your Truth will meet me.

 

“BUY THE TRUTH AND DO NOT SELL IT-WISDOM, INSTRUCTION AND INSIGHT AS WELL” (Proverbs 23:23).

 

May I be a bearer of Truth!

 

 

May 15  The Enemy Likes to Hide

 

“BE SELF-CONTROLLED AND ALERT. YOUR ENEMY THE DEVIL PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DEVOUR” (1 Peter 5:8).

 

Perfect Father, thank you that You sent me a Gift—the Spirit of Truth—to break through the lies of the father of lies, so I may tread upon the lion when he attacks. Remind me, daily, that I DO have a weapon against the roaring lion—to turn to Your Perspective when he attacks with oppressing beliefs “your mother does not love you…your parents do not care about you…your dad thinks you are a failure.”

 

“YOU WILL TREAD UPON THE LION AND THE COBRA; YOU WILL TRAMPLE THE GREAT LION AND THE SERPENT.  ‘BECAUSE HE LOVES ME,’ SAYS THE LORD, ‘I WILL RESCUE HIM; I WILL PROTECT HIM, FOR HE ACKNOWLEDGES MY NAME’”

(Psalm 91:13:14).

 

Lord God, may I stop blaming others for the oppressing beliefs in my mind, because this will not take the pain away that is in my heart.  Instead, blaming others will only cause others to have pain too, reacting to me in defense.  May I be self-controlled and alert, loving You enough to bring each oppressing belief to You, so You may protect me from the evil one and his deception.

 

How great Thow art!

 

 

May 16  Receive Your Father’s Love

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

 

Most High, how I realize that when I do not feel loved, I am prone to think like a child…reason like a child…and talk like a child.

 

Lord God, you know how I am formed.  You understand that “I am not loved” is a BELIEF in my mind and a HURT in my heart.  It is not a circumstance.  It is an opinion I have accepted as TRUE because of something someone said or did.  And this belief “I am not loved” sometimes transfers to You, God as the belief “I am not loved by God”…and this hurts my heart the most.

 

“I HAVE GIVEN THEM THE GLORY THAT YOU GAVE ME, THAT THEY MAY BE ONE AS WE ARE ONE: I IN THEM AND YOU IN ME. MAY THEY BE BROUGHT TO COMPLETE UNITY TO LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT YOU SENT ME AND HAVE LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME” (John 17:22-23).

 

Perfect Father, I praise You that Your Love is an everlasting Love.  Your Love is unmatched.  Your Love is above earth and Heaven. How my heart fills with wonder when I ponder that You love me even as You love Your Son, Jesus.  Therefore, I invite Your Presence and Participation into my childhood incidences through which the belief “I am not loved” entered my heart.  May I become one with You and experience Your Presence during these childhood incidences, so my mind may be renewed with a new belief: “I am loved by the Perfect Father.”

You are worthy, O Lord!

 

May 17  You Will Trample the Great Lion

 

“BE SELF-CONTROLLED AND ALERT. YOUR ENEMY THE DEVIL PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DEVOUR” (1 Peter 5:8).

 

Most High, how often I live in the world of deception instead of in the world of Truth.

 

How often I would love to step over the line into the world of Truth, but I do not see the Way. All I see is the roaring lion. All I see are the lies of the father-of-lies.

 

Lord Jesus, when I am caught in the world of deception, call out to me, so I may see You—the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Show me the chain by which You are holding the roaring lion, so I may stop being afraid. Talk to me during times of defeat, so I may hear You say, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. I am in control of the lion. You can enter through Me.”

 

“YOU WILL TREAD UPON THE LION AND THE COBRA; YOU WILL TRAMPLE THE GREAT LION AND THE SERPENT.  BECAUSE HE LOVES ME,’ SAYS THE LORD, ‘I WILL RESCUE HIM; I WILL PROTECT HIM, FOR HE ACKNOWLEDGES MY NAME’”

(Psalm 91:13, 14).

 

You are my Way!

 

 

May 18  Focus on the Route of Escape God Has Provided

“NO TEMPTATION HAS SEIZED YOU EXCEPT WHAT IS COMMON TO MAN. AND GOD IS FAITHFUL; HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. BUT WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT SO THAT YOU CAN STAND UP UNDER IT” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Most High, help me to be still and know that a temptation is an invitation from the father-of-lies to entice me to do what is wrong. The evil one will throw a piece of evidence at me that indicates the probability or improbability of an event.  His goal: to entice me to focus on what is seen—the circumstance—instead of You, my High Priest.

 

“SUCH A HIGH PRIEST MEETS OUR NEED—ONE WHO IS HOLY, BLAMELESS, PURE, SET APART FROM SINNERS, EXALTED ABOVE THE HEAVENS.  UNLIKE THE OTHER HIGH PRIESTS, HE DOES NOT NEED TO OFFER SACRIFICES DAY AFTER DAY, FIRST FOR HIS OWN SINS, AND THEN FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE.  HE SACRIFICED FOR THEIR SINS ONCE FOR ALL WHEN HE OFFERED HIMSELF” (Hebrews 7:26-27).

 

Majesty, remind me, often, that things are not what they seem—that circumstances are not a good presentation of the Truth.  Work Your Patience in me to focus on You, my High Priest, even though my mind begs to react to the evidence of the circumstance. May I think on the Hope You provide…not the hopelessness. May I think on the Love that is available to me…not the hatred.   May I think on the Truth…not the lies.  May I focus on You, High Priest, who meets all my needs when I come to You, so I may stand up under the negative, destructive belief of the father-of-lies amidst the circumstance.

 

“SO WE FIX OUR EYES NOT ON WHAT IS SEEN, BUT ON WHAT IS UNSEEN, SINCE WHAT IS SEEN IS TEMPORARY, BUT WHAT IS UNSEEN IS ETERNAL” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

 

I bow down to You, my High Priest!

 

May 19  May God Speak to You

 

“BE JOYFUL IN HOPE, PATIENT IN AFFLICTION, FAITHFUL IN PRAYER”

(Romans 12:12).

 

Lord God, let me hear Your Voice, as I learn to be patient in affliction—steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity. Help me to wait patiently for You to deliver me from my torment, by telling me the Truth. Work Your Patience in me, so I would not become hasty or impetuous and turn to harmful ways, for those who suffer You deliver in their suffering; You speaks to them in their affliction.

 

Sovereign God, work Your Faithfulness in me, so I would be faithful in prayer during my affliction, listening for Your Voice. Show me my heart, so I can put my feelings into words. Help me to identify the negative, destructive beliefs that live in my mind, as I expose these to You.  Open the doors to Your throne room, so I may present my requests to You.

 

“DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERY SITUATION, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD”

(Philippians 4:6).

 

I nurture Your Love for me, O Lord, for Your Love will not disappoint me. Fill me with Joy and Peace as I trust in You.  May I overflow with Hope by the Power of Your Spirit…even during my affliction.

 

“EVENING, MORNING AND NOON I CRY OUT IN DISTRESS, AND HE HEARS MY VOICE.” (Psalm55:17).

 

I come to You with thanksgiving!

 

May 20 Be Patient in Affliction

“BE JOYFUL IN HOPE, PATIENT IN AFFLICTION, FAITHFUL IN PRAYER”

(Romans 12:12).

May I be patient in affliction.  Gracious God, keep me from turning to damaging ways, trying to ease my pain by hiding from it. Instead, may I hide in the shelter of Your embrace, for my obedience to invite Your Presence into my pain unlocks Your Truth for my heart.

 

“FOR IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE HE WILL KEEP ME SAFE IN HIS DWELLING; HE WILL HIDE ME IN THE SHELTER OF HIS TABERNACLE AND SET ME HIGH UPON A ROCK” (Psalm 27:5).

 

May I be patient in suffering.  Father, keep me from turning to destructive ways, trying in vain to relieve my pain by running from it.  Instead, may I run to the safety of Your arms, relinquishing my own understanding for Yours, for it is Your Truth that will deliver me from my torment.

 

“THE NAME OF THE LORD IS A STRONG TOWER; THE RIGHTEOUS RUN TO IT AND ARE SAFE” (Proverbs 18:10).

 

May I be patient in sorrow.  Savior, keep me from turning to unwholesome ways, trying to still my pain by blaming it on someone else.  Instead, may I take responsibility for my own pain and allow You to be my refuge and fortress—my God, in whom I trust, for my obedience to yield my interpretations to You dispenses Your Divine Hope to me.

 

“AND “HE WILL COVER YOU WITH HIS FEATHERS, AND UNDER HIS WINGS YOU WILL FIND REFUGE; HIS FAITHFULNESS WILL BE YOUR SHIELD AND RAMPART”

(Psalm 91:4).

 

Under Your wings I will find refuge!

 

May 21  Be Quick to Listen

 

“MY DEAR BROTHERS, TAKE NOTE OF THIS: EVERYONE SHOULD BE QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK AND SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY, FOR MAN’S ANGER DOES NOT BRING ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES” (James 1:19-20).

 

Lord Jesus, Counselor, teach me to help those who are hurting deeply, by being quick to listen…slow to speak…slow to become angry. Work Your Patience in me so I would listen carefully and observantly. Quiet my own heart, so I may be attentive to other people’s feelings and give my full attention to their interpretations.  Let Your Love dwell in me richly, so I may help them listen to their own hearts and help them find the negative, destructive beliefs instilled in their minds by the father-of-lies.

 

“WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US” (1 John 4:19).

 

Precious Jesus, You loved me FIRST!  You loved me when I was unlovable.  And the Perfect Father sent Your Spirit into my heart…to love others FIRST, while they are still unlovable.

 

“BUT THE COUNSELOR, THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS” (John 14:26).

 

Majesty, let me never forget that it is not MY advice that counts, or MY perception that is needed, but YOUR Perspective, O Counselor. You came to teach us the Truth about ourselves, others, and Yourself. You came to set us free.

 

Thank you for loving me first!

 

May 22  May You Know the True God

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME. NOW WE SEE BUT A POOR REFLECTION AS IN A MIRROR; THEN WE SHALL SEE FACE TO FACE. NOW I KNOW IN PART; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, EVEN AS I AM FULLY KNOWN” (1 Corinthians 13:11-12).

 

Perfect Father, You have commanded us to walk in the Truth.  May I obey, O Lord, by exposing all childhood interpretations that bring me pain, to You. Then I will know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent to bring me Understanding.

 

“IT HAS GIVEN ME GREAT JOY TO FIND SOME OF YOUR CHILDREN WALKING IN THE TRUTH, JUST AS THE FATHER COMMANDED US” (2 John 1:4).

 

Lord Jesus, God of Truth, I surrender my childhood interpretation to You that suggests that I am not good enough for You, because I was not good enough for my parents. Let Your Truth prevail over this accusatory belief of the father-of-lies. I submit my childhood conclusion to You that You would banish me when I make a mistake, like my father did when I was a child. Show me Your Perspective, O Lord. I yield my childhood understanding to You that You would keep me at arm’s length when I do not please you, the way my friends did when I was little. Give me Your Understanding, Lord, so I may know You, who are true. Then, I will know that You are not like any childhood dad or any childhood mom or any childhood friend.

 

From everlasting to everlasting is Your Truth!

 

 

May 23  The Love Language of Affirmation

 

Sovereign God, I invite Your Presence and Participation into the understanding of my mind: that I am insignificant…disposable…lacking in weight. These beliefs cause me to constantly look for ways to be affirmed and recognized as being worthy, loved, and needed by others.

 

“FOR HE SATISFIES THE THIRSTY AND FILLS THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS” (Psalm 107:9).

 

How great is Your Love, Father, that I may be called Your child. Nobody can affirm me like You, my Lord. Therefore, I turn my oppressing beliefs of insignificance over to You. Satisfy my hunger for affirmation, Lord God. Fill my heart with Your Love, Hope, and Truth.

 

“HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD!” (1 John 3:1).

 

Wash out my eyes to see that I count, Lord God, and that I matter, and that I carry weight. Then I will be strengthened. I will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring that never fails to produce water.

 

“THE LORD WILL GUIDE YOU ALWAYS; HE WILL SATISFY YOUR NEEDS IN A SUN-SCORCHED LAND AND WILL STRENGTHEN YOUR FRAME. YOU WILL BE LIKE A WELL-WATERED GARDEN, LIKE A SPRING WHOSE WATERS NEVER FAIL”

(Isaiah 58:11).

 

How great is Your Love!

May 24  God Understands You

 

“THE LORD DOES NOT LOOK AT THE THINGS MAN LOOKS AT. MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART” (1 Samuel 16:7).

 

Father of Compassion, I invite Your Presence into the hidden places of my heart where resentment, fear, and confusion still live because of unfair childhood experiences.

 

Father of All Comfort, quiet the anger and disappointment in the inner parts of my heart where I had been misunderstood as a child and given no chance to justify my actions.  Free me from the negative, destructive voice that tells me that there is no defense for my heart…that there is no release from the charge…that there is no way of setting things right.

 

“KNOW YE THAT THE LORD HE IS GOD: IT IS HE THAT HATH MADE US, AND NOT WE OURSELVES; WE ARE HIS PEOPLE, AND THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE”

(Psalm 100:3).

 

Perfect Father, thank you that You look at the heart.  How encouraged I am that You understand me…that You understood me all along, even when others could not see and understand my heart during childhood. Thank you that You were there!  How good to know that no thought can be hidden from You.

 

“I KNOW THAT THOU CANST DO EVERY THING, AND THAT NO THOUGHT CAN BE WITHHOLDEN FROM THEE” (Job 42:2).

 

Thank you, God, that You understand!

 

May 25  Freedom from Being a Scapegoat

 

“IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST HAS SET US FREE. STAND FIRM, THEN, AND DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE BURDENED AGAIN BY A YOKE OF SLAVERY” (Galatians 5:1).

 

Savior of the World, how joy fills my heart as I realize that I can bring You any burden.  Today, I lay on Your shoulders the pain of being a scapegoat—one that carries the blame for others.  Jesus, I invite You to console me for the times I had to be a nurturer when I was a mere child: playing the role of a parent, while I myself needed parenting…playing the role of care-taker, while I myself needed the care.

 

Lord God, I invite Your Wholeness into my heart for the times I had to be a scapegoat to someone as a child: the one receiving the wrath…the target of someone’s condemnation…the victim of someone’s insecurities.

 

Lift my heart out of the pit where it has been punished for another’s sins for a long time.  I did not deserve the harsh punishment.  I deserved to be forgiven, accepted, and comforted.

 

Thank you, my Lord, that You became the Scapegoat, so I may go free.  I invite you to take my place.  I accept the Freedom You are holding out to me: freedom from blame…freedom from guilt…freedom from the responsibility of being someone’s scapegoat.

 

Enable me to stand firm and not subject my heart to this yoke of slavery again.

 

“IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?  HE WHO DID NOT SPARE HIS OWN SON, BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL—HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO, ALONG WITH HIM, GRACIOUSLY GIVE US ALL THINGS?”  (Romans 8:31-32).

 

Thank you for being my Scapegoat, Jesus!

 

May 26  The Holy Spirit—The Gift from God

 

“IF YOU THEN, THOUGH YOU ARE EVIL, KNOW HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO YOUR CHILDREN, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM” (Luke 11:13).

 

Father in Heaven, thank you that You did not abandon me here on earth to cope with life by myself, but that You sent me Your Gift—the Holy Spirit.  I throw my arms wide open to receive this Gift from You.

 

“AT THAT TIME JESUS, FULL OF JOY THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT, SAID, ‘I PRAISE YOU, FATHER, LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH’” (Luke 10:21).

 

Holy Spirit, I invite Your JOY to penetrate through my sorrow and despair…through my circumstances…through the chaos and confusion in my life.  Holy Spirit, release Your JOY into my spirit…Your Truth into my mind…Your Comfort into my heart.

 

“BUT THE COUNSELOR, THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS” (John 14:26).

 

Holy Spirit, there is so much I need to learn.  Teach me to be patient in affliction.  Teach me to be faithful in prayer. Teach me to love the unlovable.  Teach me to endure while I wait for answers, have faith when I feel hopeless, and follow Your counsel to become whole and holy.

 

“BUT STEPHEN, FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, LOOKED UP TO HEAVEN AND SAW THE GLORY OF GOD, AND JESUS STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD” ( Acts 7:55).

 

Spirit of Truth, I am dependent of You for my truth, so I may experience the Glory of God in every circumstance of my life.

 

I praise You, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth!

 

 

May 27  The Holy Spirit—Your Father’s Gift

 

“IF YOU THEN, THOUGH YOU ARE EVIL, KNOW HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO YOUR CHILDREN, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM” (Luke 11:13)!

 

Thank you, Perfect Father, that You made the Holy Spirit available to me as a Gift from You.

 

“BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU; AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH” (Acts 1:8).

 

Holy Spirit, Gift from God, I invite Your Power into my mind and heart, for Your Power can do immeasurably more than I can ever ask or imagine.  Overcome the darkness in my mind. Overthrow the negative, destructive thoughts from the father-of-lies.  Raise me up to become a witness of Your Love, Hope, and Truth to the ends of the earth.

 

“AND HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT US, BECAUSE GOD HAS POURED OUT HIS LOVE INTO OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM HE HAS GIVEN US” (Romans 5:5).

 

Perfect Father, how encouraged I am that You have poured out Your Love into my heart by Your Spirit—the Love I need for the people in my life who are unlovable.

 

“YOU STIFF-NECKED PEOPLE, WITH UNCIRCUMCISED HEARTS AND EARS! YOU ARE JUST LIKE YOUR FATHERS: YOU ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT” (Acts 7:51).

 

Holy Spirit, I authorize You to bring Your Peace into my mind and heart for the circumstances in my life that seem so impossible.

 

Father, thank you for Your Gift!

 

May 28  The Holy Spirit Is Always Available

 

“IF YOU THEN, THOUGH YOU ARE EVIL, KNOW HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO YOUR CHILDREN, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM” (Luke 11:13)!

 

Father, how my heart rejoices that You gave me the Holy Spirit as a Gift to be with me…always. Thank you, Spirit of God, that You are always available: when I feel depressed…when I feel anxious…when I feel like making the wrong choices.

 

“FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT A MATTER OF EATING AND DRINKING, BUT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT” (Romans 14:17).

 

Most High, I hold fast to the blessing that every time I experience anxiety, PEACE is at my fingertips through Your Gift, the Holy Spirit. Every time I experience depression, JOY is in my reach through Your Gift, the Holy Spirit. Every time I feel like succumbing to unrighteousness, RIGHTEOUSNESS is obtainable through Your Gift, the Holy Spirit.

 

But, I realize my responsibility: to expose the negative, destructive thought that is causing the depression, to You, Lord God, so Your Spirit may exchange it for Your JOY. I understand my obligation: to expose the oppressing belief that is causing the panic, to You, Savior, to exchange it for Your PEACE. I acknowledge my duty: to expose the lie that is causing my unrighteous behavior, to You, my Redeemer, so Your Spirit may exchange it for Your Righteousness.

 

Most High, I cherish Your Gift!

 

 

May 29  Revelation Comes through Obedience

 

“SHOW ME YOUR WAYS, O LORD, TEACH ME YOUR PATHS” (Psalm 25:4).

 

Lord God, I seek revelation from You.  Show me what I should do about my affliction: about the person who has been persecuting me…about my relationship that is on the rocks…about the pain in my heart.

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

You teach that revelation comes through obedient surrendering, O Lord, therefore, I submit my persecutor to Your Love. I turn my failing relationship over to Your Power. I yield the pain in my heart to Your Authority.

 

“COMMIT TO THE LORD WHATEVER YOU DO, AND YOUR PLANS WILL SUCCEED”

(Proverbs 16:3).

 

Perfect Father, I acknowledge that I cannot fix my problem myself. You are my only solution, because what needs to happen is impossible for me, but completely possible for You. I am helpless, powerless, and hopeless without Your Presence and Participation in my affliction.

 

Therefore, I place my affliction under Your authority, Lord Jesus, because All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to You.

 

Holy Spirit, I give You access into the places in my heart that are too hard for me to give up on my own.

 

“AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM”

 

I expectantly await Your answers, my Lord.

 

I surrender all to You!

May 30  The Blessing!

Forgive me, O Lord, for having become depressed over the loss of my earthly father’s and mother’s love and acceptance.  Forgive me, my God, for having become lonely and protective after losing the blessing of an important person in my life.  Forgive me, Most High, for having become a perfectionist and a workaholic after missing a coveted blessing.  Forgive me for trying to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way.

 

“FROM THE FULLNESS OF HIS GRACE WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED ONE BLESSING AFTER ANOTHER” (John 1:16).

I praise You with gladness, Perfect Father, that through the fullness of Your Grace, You have made all the blessings available to me that I will ever need.  Through Your son, Jesus, and Your gift, the Holy Spirit, I have received the blessing of Love, the blessing of Hope, and the blessing of Acceptance. Glory to Your Name!

 

“HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD!” (1 John 3:1).

 

Perfect Father, I receive Your blessing:

 

“THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU,

HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE.

HE WILL TAKE GREAT DELIGHT IN YOU,

HE WILL QUIET YOU WITH HIS LOVE,

HE WILL REJOICE OVER YOU WITH SINGING”

(Zephaniah 3:17).

“FORGET THE FORMER THINGS;

DO NOT DWELL ON THE PAST.

 SEE, I AM DOING A NEW THING!”

(Isaiah 43:18-19)

I sing to You a new song!

 

 

May 31  The Father’s Blessing of Acceptance

 

Did you fail to obtain an important person’s blessing when you were a child?  Did you fail to obtain the acceptance of a father or a mother?  Did these circumstances leave you with a feeling of being overlooked…disregarded…passed over?  Do you feel there is an empty spot in your heart that can never be filled?

 

“LET THE MORNING BRING ME WORD OF YOUR UNFAILING LOVE,

 FOR I HAVE PUT MY TRUST IN YOU.

 SHOW ME THE WAY I SHOULD GO,

 FOR TO YOU I LIFT UP MY SOUL”

(Psalm 143:8).

 

I bless you to acknowledge the emptiness in your heart: the void…the barrenness…the lack, and offer it to your Perfect Father, to fill with His Love.

 

Do not respond to your neediness by sucking others dry, trying to fill that lack.  No human, or object, or place can make up for the unmet need for acceptance.  You will end up as you started—disappointed and empty.  You will only drain others of their desire to listen and help, as they try in vain to satisfy your need for acceptance.

 

“THIS IS WHAT THE SOVEREIGN LORD, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, SAYS: ‘IN REPENTANCE AND REST IS YOUR SALVATION, IN QUIETNESS AND TRUST IS YOUR STRENGTH, BUT YOU WOULD HAVE NONE OF IT’” (Isaiah 30:15).

I bless you to recognize your need for acceptance as being genuine and valid.  Do not hide it.  Do not run from it.  Do not blame it on the person who neglected to bless you with acceptance and approval.

 

“FORGET THE FORMER THINGS;

 DO NOT DWELL ON THE PAST.

SEE, I AM DOING A NEW THING!”

(Isaiah 43:18-19).

Allow your Perfect Father to do a new thing: to fill the void of non-acceptance in your heart with His Acceptance, Love, and Approval, for He is the only one who can meet the unmet need of non-acceptance.

I bless you!

June 1  Present Your Request to God

“DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERY SITUATION, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD”

(Philippians 4:6).

Perfect Father, my heart is anxious…troubled with concern and disquietude. But You are asking me to bring my heart to You and to present my request to You.

Therefore, I bring You my concern…my trouble…my worry in the form of a petition—a serious request.  I do not want to focus on me and invent a reason why You should grant my request: that I am worthy of an answer…that I am obedient…that I have done everything right.  I simply focus on You, Perfect Father, and ask You to provide, because You are good and You are faithful.

 

“ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU; SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND; KNOCK AND THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED TO YOU. FOR EVERYONE WHO ASKS RECEIVES; THE ONE WHO SEEKS FINDS; AND TO THE ONE WHO KNOCKS, THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED” (Matthew 7:7-8).

 

Everlasting Father, thank you that You provide because You are my Father and I am Your child. You are just.  You reward those who look for You with all their heart.  You do not give a stone if Your child asks for bread and You do not give a snake if your child asks for a fish, because You are the Perfect Father.

 

“AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS” (Philippians 4:7).

 

I worship You with thanksgiving!

 

 

 

June 2  The Way of Life in Christ Jesus

 

“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT” (Proverbs 3:5).

 

Jesus, may I make “lean not on your own understanding” and “in all your ways acknowledge Him” a lifestyle—a way of living and a way of thinking, because You are the Truth, the Way, and the Life!

 

Shine Your Light on me, so I may know that every action, emotion, and purpose starts with a THOUGHT—an understanding. And a THOUGHT or understanding comes either from You,  Lord Jesus…or from the father-of-lies. There is no middle ground.

 

Lord Jesus, I have discovered that if I follow the thought or understanding that comes from the father-of-lies, I end up in anger, hatred, jealousy, fear, and despair. However, if I follow the thought or understanding that comes from You, I end up in Hope, Truth, and Love. This is the moment-by-moment “way of life in Christ Jesus” that I desire.

 

“FOR THIS REASON I AM SENDING TO YOU TIMOTHY, MY SON WHOM I LOVE, WHO IS FAITHFUL IN THE LORD. HE WILL REMIND YOU OF MY WAY OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHICH AGREES WITH WHAT I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH”

(1 Corinthians 4:17).

 

May I commit to this “way of life in Christ Jesus” in everything I think, everywhere I go.  May I do this every moment of my life, whenever a thought enters my mind, until it becomes a lifestyle—Your Lifestyle.

 

You are the Truth, the Way, and the Life!

 

June 3  Be Still to Hear God’s Voice

 

“BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS,

I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH” (Psalm 46:10).

 

Everlasting Father, I come before You in absolute stillness…complete silence

Leaving behind all noise

Casting aside all activity

Quieting all the voices in my mind.

I become still

so I may listen

becoming acquainted with Your voice

perceiving Your perspective

recognizing Your answer

understanding Your message.

 

“BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM”

(Psalm 37:7).

 

Most High, I wait patiently

As I identify my disturbing thoughts

As I describe my perturbed emotions

As I confess my own interpretations.

 

THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU; YOU NEED ONLY TO BE STILL”

(Exodus 14:14).

 

Father, I am still…so You might fight for me!

 

I am still!

 

June 4  The Sword of the Spirit

 

“FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND ACTIVE. SHARPER THAN ANY DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, IT PENETRATES EVEN TO DIVIDING SOUL AND SPIRIT, JOINTS AND MARROW; IT JUDGES THE THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES OF THE HEART”

(Hebrews 4:12).

 

Most High, I celebrate that Your Word is sharper than any sword, able to judge the voices of my mind—dividing good from evil.

 

I invite Your active Word to enter into the negative, destructive thoughts of my mind…and cut them out. Bring Your Living Word into my moment-by-moment perceptions…to slice the lies and deceit of the father-of-lies from my heart.  I submit my emotions to You, so I may experience how Your powerful Word extracts the sorrow, despair, anger, and jealousy from my soul.

 

“But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God’” (Luke 4:4).

 

Sovereign God, I am dependent on Your Word.  Slice the darkness from my mind, cut the hopelessness from my heart, and sever the brokenness from my spirit with the Sword of Your Spirit.

 

“TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD” (Ephesians 6:17).

 

I live by Your Words!

 

June 5  Work out Your Own Salvation (2)

 

“THEREFORE, MY BELOVED, AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED, NOT AS IN MY PRESENCE ONLY, BUT NOW MUCH MORE IN MY ABSENCE, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING” (Philippians 2:12).

 

Remind me, daily, Lord God, to work out my own salvation: to query my own beliefs of abandonment…to dispute my own interpretations of condemnation…to question my own understanding of shame, lest the father-of-lies have deposited these into my mind and heart to ensnare me.

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

Most High, may I love You enough to climb out of the hole where I have been hiding in fear, all my life. May I love You enough to allow You into the desolate places of my heart where nobody has ever been.  May I love You enough to take Your outstretched Hand, even though I have never trusted anyone else before.

 

May I love You enough, even today, to refute my own beliefs…my own interpretations…my own understanding, and lean on Yours!

 

“IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST AND WILL FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND PURIFY US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS” (1 John 1:9).

 

I praise You for Your promise: that if I love You, You will show Yourself to me…and cleanse me from all unrighteousness!

 

I love You, Lord!

June 6  The Misinterpretations of Childhood

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME” (1 Corinthians 13:11). 

 

Majesty, wash out my eyes to see that the father-of-lies rejoiced in and contributed to the misinterpretations of my life recordings.  When I was a child, he infused my mind with suspicion, fear, and unworthiness.  These misinterpretations became strongholds…patterns…a lifestyle.  I became a captive.

 

“DON’T YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU OFFER YOURSELVES TO SOMEONE TO OBEY HIM AS SLAVES, YOU ARE SLAVES TO THE ONE WHOM YOU OBEY—WHETHER YOU ARE SLAVES TO SIN, WHICH LEADS TO DEATH, OR TO OBEDIENCE, WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?” (Romans 6:16).

 

Most High, open my eyes to see that if I continually accept the lie “I am unworthy” into my mind, I would be ensnared by it.  If I continually embrace the lie “I am flawed” into my understanding, I would be enslaved by it.  If I continually welcome the lie “I don’t belong” into my heart, I would live by it.

 

God of Light, help me to understand that the father-of-lies had a goal during my childhood: to produce in me a distorted mind and a disturbed heart, for as I think in my heart, so I will be.

 

“FOR AS HE THINKS IN HIS HEART, SO IS HE” (Proverbs 23:7).

 

God of Truth, work Your Truth in my childhood interpretations, so I may think the Truth and act the Truth, for no lie comes from the Truth.

 

“NO LIE COMES FROM THE TRUTH” (1 John 2:21).

 

Let me stay in Your Truth!

 

June 7  Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ

 

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.  Now, when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard…Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said,…I wish to give to this last man the same as to you”

(Matthew 20: 2-14—The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard).

 

Most High, help me to focus on the job You gave ME to do…to see that it does not matter how big or important my job is compared to those of others…to understand that it does not matter how long I have been doing the job You gave me, compared to those of others.  All that matters is that I do the job You gave ME to do and that I do it for YOU!

 

Majesty, how encouraged I am to know that You will give me a complete reward for the job You gave me to do.  I will be paid according to what was expected of ME.  The success of my job is not measured by comparing it to those of others.  It is not a matter of ratio…correlation…comparative size or extent.

 

“BUT I AM AFRAID THAT JUST AS EVE WAS DECEIVED BY THE SERPENT’S CUNNING, YOUR MINDS MAY SOMEHOW BE LED ASTRAY FROM YOUR SINCERE AND PURE DEVOTION TO CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

 

Thank you, God, that each job You give stands alone.  It is complete… self-contained…whole.  It is not judged on the principles of comparison.  May I focus on the job You gave ME, and do it in sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Then, I will receive my entire reward, whether I am first or last…whether my job is long or short…whether my job is big or small.

 

May Your Kingdom Come!

 

 

June 8  Singleness of Heart and Action

 

“[FOR BEING AS HE IS] A MAN OF TWO MINDS (HESITATING, DUBIOUS, IRRESOLUTE), [HE IS] UNSTABLE AND UNRELIABLE AND UNCERTAIN ABOUT EVERYTHING [HE THINKS, FEELS, DECIDES]” (James 1:8 AMP).

 

Lord Jesus, Redeemer, I confess that I struggle with double-mindedness: hesitations… skepticism…incertitude?  I often start and action, then shrink from action, being unreliable in everything I think, feel, and decide.

 

“THEY WILL BE MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD. I WILL GIVE THEM SINGLENESS OF HEART AND ACTION, SO THAT THEY WILL ALWAYS FEAR ME FOR THEIR OWN GOOD AND THE GOOD OF THEIR CHILDREN AFTER THEM.  I WILL MAKE AN EVERLASTING COVENANT WITH THEM: I WILL NEVER STOP DOING GOOD TO THEM, AND I WILL INSPIRE THEM TO FEAR ME, SO THAT THEY WILL NEVER TURN AWAY FROM ME” (Jeremiah 32:38-40).

 

Most High, I confess that I have become a person of two minds, because I have allowed my THOUGHTS to follow You…AND the father-of-lies.

 

I am sorry, Lord, for my double mindedness. I repent. Give me singleness of heart and action, as I make You my only God in everything I think.  Make me stable, reliable, and certain about everything I feel, do, and decide. I realize that if I want to be reliable in my decisions, I need to be reliable in my thoughts, first, since my emotions, actions, and decisions are born in my thoughts.

 

Lord Jesus, be my God!

 

 

 

June 9  God’s Goodness and Love Will Follow You

 

“I WILL REJOICE IN DOING THEM GOOD AND WILL ASSUREDLY PLANT THEM IN THIS LAND WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL” (Jeremiah 32:41).

 

Dear God, I often run into situations where circumstances become too hard for me…where too many things have gone wrong…where I have messed up too many times…where the darkness is too dark or the fear is too severe.  In times like these, I tend to think that I have come to a dead end.  My resources have dried up.  I am at wit’s end. I am defeated.

 

“I WILL NEVER STOP DOING GOOD TO THEM, AND I WILL INSPIRE THEM TO FEAR ME, SO THAT THEY WILL NEVER TURN AWAY FROM ME” (Jeremiah 32:40).

 

Thank you, my Lord, that Your Goodness is unmatched. Thank you that Your Goodness prevails…even at the dead ends…to make a way where there is no way.

 

“THE HUMBLE WILL SEE THEIR GOD AT WORK AND BE GLAD.

LET ALL WHO SEEK GOD’S HELP BE ENCOURAGED” (Psalm 69:32).

 

Abba, I humble myself before You and seek Your help in my dead ends. Encourage me by showing me Your provision, so I may be glad.  Reveal Your Power, Your Love, and Your Goodness in my situation, as I trust You.

 

“SURELY GOODNESS AND LOVE WILL FOLLOW ME

ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE” (Psalm 23:6).

 

May Your Goodness and Love follow me wherever I go, whatever I do, to make a way in the dead ends of my life.

Your Goodness is unmatched!

June 10  Take Time to Wrestle with God

 

“THEN JACOB WAS LEFT ALONE; AND A MAN WRESTLED WITH HIM UNTIL THE BREAKING OF DAY. NOW WHEN HE SAW THAT HE DID NOT PREVAIL AGAINST HIM, HE TOUCHED THE SOCKET OF HIS HIP; AND THE SOCKET OF JACOB’S HIP WAS OUT OF JOINT AS HE WRESTLED WITH HIM. AND HE SAID, ‘LET ME GO, FOR THE DAY BREAKS.’ BUT HE SAID, ‘I WILL NOT LET YOU GO UNLESS YOU BLESS ME!’”

(Genesis 32:24-26).

 

God, I will not let You go until You bless me: until Your Hope penetrates my hopelessness…until Your Truth permeates the accusatory voice in my mind…until Your Presence fills my loneliness.  Lift the veil of negative, destructive beliefs with which the father-of-lies has blinded my eyes and deafened my ears, so I may experience Your Love, Hope, and Truth.

 

“THE LORD LOOKS DOWN FROM HEAVEN ON THE SONS OF MEN TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY WHO UNDERSTAND, ANY WHO SEEK GOD” (Psalm 14:2).

 

Look down from Heaven and see that I am seeking You, my Lord.  Shine Your Light of Truth on the darkness of deception in my mind. Make your Comfort known to my innermost being.  Work Your Power in my weakness.

 

I desire for more of Your Presence and Participation in my life, O God.  Nothing satisfies my longing, but You.  Bring my heart into Your wholeness.  Let me stay in Your Holiness.  I will not let You go until You bless me.

 

“HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM” (Hebrews 11:6).

 

I seek You, Lord!

 

 

 

June 11  Everything Has Its Time

 

“[ EVERYTHING HAS ITS TIME ] TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

 

Dear God, my heart is encouraged that You have a specific purpose for me for THIS segment of time in my life.  Help me to accept the season of time in which I am living right now and to embrace the purpose You have in mind for THIS season.  Let me not exchange this season for a different season of time—running ahead into the season that lies ahead, or staying behind in the season that is over.

 

My heart sings a new song as I realize that You are with me in THIS season of time, whether it is a time to break down or a time to build up, whether it is a time to keep or a time to throw away, whether it is a time to weep or a time to laugh.  I rejoice in Your Grace that is sufficient for this season of time…even if I am weak.

 

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

 

If it is time to be healed…may I succumb to it.  If it is time to lose…may I accept it.  If it is time to keep silent…may I surrender to it.  If it is time to speak…may I agree to it.  If it is time to love…may I submit to it, so I may stand complete in Your Will.

 

“HE HAS MADE EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

 

Thank you God for this season!

 

 

 

June 12  Carry around in Your Body the Death of Jesus

 

“WE ALWAYS CARRY AROUND IN OUR BODY THE DEATH OF JESUS, SO THAT THE LIFE OF JESUS MAY ALSO BE REVEALED IN OUR BODY” (2 Corinthians 4:10).

 

Savior, I surrender the obstacles in me that need to be given over to death, so I may receive Your Life.  I submit the beliefs to You that You do not favor me…that You do not take care of me…that You do not love me.  I yield to You the general sense of irritability, discontent, and despondency that live in my heart.  I turn over my jealousy, fear, and animosity, because before I can expect relief and revelation from You, I need to give these hindrances over to death first.

 

“FOR WE WHO ARE ALIVE ARE ALWAYS BEING GIVEN OVER TO DEATH FOR JESUS’ SAKE, SO THAT HIS LIFE MAY BE REVEALED IN OUR MORTAL BODY”

(2 Corinthians 4:11).

 

Lord Jesus, something needs to be surrendered and destroyed for the sake of something new to be created.  Therefore, I offer my own self-nature in exchange for Your Nature…my own sinful habits and behavior patterns in exchange for Your behavior patterns of Love…my own understanding in exchange for Your Truth.

 

“MOST ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS A GRAIN OF WHEAT FALLS INTO THE GROUND AND DIES, IT REMAINS ALONE; BUT IF IT DIES, IT PRODUCES MUCH GRAIN” (John 12:24).

 

God of Light, accomplish for the jealousy, fear, and animosity in me to fall into the ground and die. I cannot do this by myself.

 

“FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN” (Philippians 1:21).

 

May I give over to death everything in me that hinders and hurts, so that Your Life may be revealed in my body.

 

May Your Life be revealed in me!

 

June 13  Your Steps Are Directed by God

 

“A MAN’S STEPS ARE DIRECTED BY THE LORD.  HOW THEN CAN ANYONE UNDERSTAND HIS OWN WAY?” (Proverbs 20:24).

 

Dear God, how my heart fills with Hope when I ponder that my steps are directed by You, even if I do not understand why I am at specific places, at specific times, doing specific works.

 

AND “THE LORD WILL GUIDE YOU CONTINUALLY, GIVING YOU WATER WHEN YOU ARE DRY AND RESTORING YOUR STRENGTH.  YOU WILL BE LIKE A WELL-WATERED GARDEN, LIKE AN EVER-FLOWING SPRING” (Isaiah 58:11).

 

Abba, how mind-boggling are Your ways. You guide me continually, even though I do not understand.  You give me water when my Hope has dried up and restore my strength when I am immobilized with fear.  Let me be like a well-watered garden, flourishing in Your Presence.  Let me be like an ever-flowing spring, flowing with Joy in Your Hope, because You instruct me in the way I should go, every day, moment-by-moment.

 

“I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO; I WILL GUIDE YOU WITH MY EYE” (Psalm 32:8).

 

Nothing satisfies my longing, but You, God.  How my heart lifts with Hope when I ponder that You guide me with Your eye, even when I cannot see, and that You teach me in the way I should go, even when I do not know where I am going. You are the Perfect Father.  I am Your child.

 

Guide me with Your eye!

 

June 14  Jesus—God’s New Covering for You

 

“AND THE LORD GOD COMMANDED THE MAN, SAYING, “OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN YOU MAY FREELY EAT;  BUT OF THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL YOU SHALL NOT EAT, FOR IN THE DAY THAT YOU EAT OF IT YOU SHALL SURELY DIE” (Genesis 2:16-17).

 

Lord God, I have noticed that Your relationship with man in the beginning of time was based on OBEDIENCE.

 

“SO WHEN THE WOMAN SAW THAT THE TREE WAS GOOD FOR FOOD, THAT IT WAS PLEASANT TO THE EYES, AND A TREE DESIRABLE TO MAKE ONE WISE, SHE TOOK OF ITS FRUIT AND ATE. SHE ALSO GAVE TO HER HUSBAND WITH HER, AND HE ATE. THEN THE EYES OF BOTH OF THEM WERE OPENED, AND THEY KNEW THAT THEY WERE NAKED” (Genesis 3:6-7).

 

Most High, I have noticed man’s DISOBEDIENCE rendered him naked: void of Your covering…void of Your Righteousness.

 

“CHRIST JESUS, WHO HAS BECOME FOR US WISDOM FROM GOD—THAT IS, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS AND REDEMPTION” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

 

Majesty, how blessed I am that You have sent us a new covering—Jesus Christ—who has now become our Righteousness from You.

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

Lord God, open the eyes of my heart to see that Your relationship with us is still based on OBEDIENCE, even though You have made Righteousness available to us through Jesus Christ, because I now have the responsibility to RECEIVE Your Righteousness every day, moment-by-moment, in exchange for my unrighteousness.

 

Jesus, be my Righteousness!

 

June 15  Apart from Jesus You Can Do Nothing

 

“APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING” (John 15:5).

 

Jesus, I have been trying to do everything in my own strength, but it is not working. I have been trying to live a holy life without Your Presence and Participation.  I have been trying to think all the right thoughts without Your Opinion.  In vain, I have been trying to fill myself with hope, joy and trust.  I cannot do it.  Would You take over?  Would You instill Hope into the hopeless places, Joy in the joyless places and Trust in the trustless places of my heart? Would You infuse me with Your Faith?

 

“Lord Jesus, I can’t;

You never said I could.

Lord Jesus, You can;

And always said You would!!”

(Major Ian Thomas)

 

Jesus, I give up.  I throw in the towel.  I call it quits.  I know that I have been leaning on my own strength if I have been trying to go FORWARD…but have been going BACKWARDS, instead.  Apart from You I can do nothing! I surrender my Life to You with all its particular circumstances, its sinful habits and patterns and all its mistakes. I come just the way I am. Would you take over?

 

“NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKS IN US,  TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH BY CHRIST JESUS TO ALL GENERATIONS, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

 

Jesus, You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think.  Do IN me and FOR me and TO me according to Your Power that works in me.

 

Apart from You I can do nothing!

June 16  Forgetting the Past

 

“BUT I FOCUS ON THIS ONE THING: FORGETTING THE PAST AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD” (Philippians 3:13).

 

Dear God, speak into my spirit, so I may understand that it is not the PAST that is holding on to me, but the painful BELIEFS of the past.  When I was a child, the father-of-lies handed out lies whenever he found an opportunity, regardless whether the childhood circumstances were good or bad.  The circumstances were always favorable to him.

 

“FOR HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES” (John 8:44).

 

Precious God, I want to forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead, but the painful beliefs of the past are holding on to me very tightly: “You are not loved. You are not acceptable. You are not worthy.” As I lay these accusatory beliefs at Your feet, O Lord, exchange these lies of the past for Your Truth.  Teach me Your ways. Write Your Laws of Love, Hope, and Forgiveness on my heart. Then the past will lose its grip on me.

 

“TEACH ME YOUR WAYS, O LORD, THAT I MAY LIVE ACCORDING TO YOUR TRUTH!” (Psalm 86:11).

 

May I live according to Your Truth!

 

June 17  A Parent Can Reason Like a Child

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

 

God of Light, lead be by Your hand, so I may understand that even though a person is a parent, he can still think like a child, reason like a child, and feel like a child.  Sometimes it is hard for a parent to put childish things behind her, because during a parent’s childhood the evil one loved to promote lies like “You don’t belong…You are a mistake…You are different and defective.”  Work Your Understanding in me, so I may see that the accuser’s goal was for my own parents to become slaves to these negative, destructive beliefs, so they would carry over into their adulthood…and then to me.

 

Redeemer, feed my mind with Your Truth, so I may be released from the lie that everything that went wrong during my childhood was my fault: that I was the bad one…that I was responsible…that I was not reliable.  Renew my mind, so I may understand that when my parent condemned me, he could have been reacting from his own pain of shame.  Call me to the place where I may accept that when my parent abandoned me, she could have been responding from a place of feeling rejected.  Create in me a sound mind, so I may see that when my parent overly controlled, he could have been retaliating from a place of fear.

 

May I forgive my parents for their own pain. Instead, may I surrender them to You, so they too may obtain Truth to start thinking like an adult, reasoning like an adult, and talking like an adult.

I cling to Your Truth!

 

June 18  The Many Voices of Accusation

 

“IF I AM GUILTY—WOE TO ME!  EVEN IF I AM INNOCENT, I CANNOT LIFT MY HEAD, FOR I AM FULL OF SHAME AND DROWNED IN MY AFFLICTION”

 (Job 10:15).

 

Most High, let me never forget that when someone accuses me, I am not only being charged by a human, but also by the father-of-lies, because when someone accuses me of wrongdoing, the father-of-lies uses the opportunity to bring his own charge.  A person charges me with an offense “You did something bad.”  The father-of-lies charges me with a fault “You ARE bad.”  And THIS charge fills me with shame and drowns me in affliction, even if I am innocent.

 

“NO WEAPON FORGED AGAINST YOU WILL PREVAIL, AND YOU WILL REFUTE EVERY TONGUE THAT ACCUSES YOU. THIS IS THE HERITAGE OF THE SERVANTS OF THE LORD, AND THIS IS THEIR VINDICATION FROM ME,” DECLARES THE LORD”

(Isaiah 54:17).

 

Thank you Jesus that no weapon forged against me will prevail…not even the charge “You are bad!” How my heart fills with Hope when I ponder that the father-of-lies does not have the power to incriminate me.  He does not have the power to make me bad by laying his charge on me.  Just because the enemy brings a charge against me, does not mean I am guilty of it.

 

May I refute every tongue that accuses me.  May I refute the charge of incrimination the father-of-lies tries to lay on me when someone accuses me of wrongdoing.  May I surrender those voices of incrimination to You, God, and listen for Your Truth, because this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.  This is my vindication from You!

 

Thank you, Lord, for my vindication!

 

 

 

June 19  May Christ Make You Complete

 

Dear God, I am incomplete and imperfect, lacking many things.  And because of my deficiency and inadequacy, I often run into situations where I feel controlled by manipulative people… overpowered by controlling folks…violated by a friend’s lack of respect.

 

“CHRIST, WHO FILLS ALL THINGS EVERYWHERE WITH HIMSELF”

 (Ephesians 1:23).

 

Lord Jesus, I invite You to fill me with Yourself, so I would become complete…whole…Christ-contained.  Fill the gaps that leave me susceptible to feel overpowered and domineered whenever someone tries to exercise directing or restraining influence over me.

 

“NOW MAY THE GOD OF PEACE WHO BROUGHT UP OUR LORD JESUS FROM THE DEAD, THAT GREAT SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP, THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE EVERLASTING COVENANT, MAKE YOU COMPLETE IN EVERY GOOD WORK TO DO HIS WILL, WORKING IN YOU WHAT IS WELL PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, TO WHOM BE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

 

God of Peace, make me complete in every good work, to do Your Will.  Work in me what is well pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus Christ, so I may feel entirely fulfilled…lacking nothing.

 

“BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK, THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND COMPLETE, LACKING NOTHING” (James 1:4).

 

Dear God, let Your Patience have its perfect work in me, that I may be perfect and complete, filled with Your son, Jesus Christ, so that next time someone tries to control and manipulate me, he will find me complete in every good work, leaving no gaps to feel used and domineered.

 

Fill me with Yourself, Lord Jesus!

 

 

June 20  Rule in the Fear of God

 

“THE GOD OF ISRAEL SAID,

THE ROCK OF ISRAEL SPOKE TO ME:

‘HE WHO RULES OVER MEN MUST BE JUST,

RULING IN THE FEAR OF GOD’”

(2 Samuel 23:3).

 

Most High, work Your Righteousness in me.  Whenever I rule over someone, whether it is as a parent, a teacher, an employer, a caregiver, a landlord, an overseer, or a babysitter, let me be just…fair…honorable, ruling in the fear of God.  Let me treat those who are under my authority with fairness and respect, so they would treat others with respect and fairness as well.

 

“NO TEMPTATION HAS SEIZED YOU EXCEPT WHAT IS COMMON TO MAN. AND GOD IS FAITHFUL; HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. BUT WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT SO THAT YOU CAN STAND UP UNDER IT” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Majesty, I invite Your Presence and Participation into the places of my heart that have gotten wounded through people’s unfairness and disrespect.  Thank you that You are fair and faithful, even when people are not.  Let me always remember that the pain and anger in my heart are not a result of what had happened to me, but a result of what I came to believe about myself under the unfair ruler. Keep me from becoming rebellious and disobedient, looking for my own way out of the pain of unfairness.  Show me Your way out, so I can stand up under unfairness and disrespect.

 

“IT IS A JOY FOR THE JUST TO DO JUSTICE, BUT DESTRUCTION WILL COME TO THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY” (Proverbs 21:15).

 

You are just, O God!

 

June 21  The Only Thing That Counts Is Faith

 

“MARK MY WORDS! I, PAUL, TELL YOU THAT IF YOU LET YOURSELVES BE CIRCUMCISED, CHRIST WILL BE OF NO VALUE TO YOU AT ALL. AGAIN I DECLARE TO EVERY MAN WHO LETS HIMSELF BE CIRCUMCISED THAT HE IS OBLIGATED TO OBEY THE WHOLE LAW. YOU WHO ARE TRYING TO BE JUSTIFIED BY LAW HAVE BEEN ALIENATED FROM CHRIST; YOU HAVE FALLEN AWAY FROM GRACE” (Galatians 5:2-4).

 

How encouraged I am, Lord Jesus, that You know about my OLD SELF—the corrupted being in me, shaped by the father-of-lies’ beliefs of condemnation, shame, and abandonment. How glad I am that You know about the pain, shame, and distress in my heart, caused of the OLD SELF beliefs. How comforted I am that You know about the way I react to the OLD SELF beliefs, as I try in vain to make myself good, acceptable, and worthy in Your eyes.

 

“FOR WE KNOW THAT OUR OLD SELF WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM” (Romans 6:6).

 

Lord God, I receive the GOOD NEWS: that You nailed the OLD SELF to the cross, to give me Your Acceptability, Righteousness, and Worth by FAITH. Therefore, by Faith, I accept through Your Spirit Your Righteousness in place of my abandonment, shame, and condemnation. Thank you for Your Gift of Grace that comes by Faith.

 

“BUT BY FAITH WE EAGERLY AWAIT THROUGH THE SPIRIT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR WHICH WE HOPE. FOR IN CHRIST JESUS NEITHER CIRCUMCISION NOR UNCIRCUMCISION HAS ANY VALUE.  THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS IS FAITH EXPRESSING ITSELF THROUGH LOVE” (Galatians 5:5-6).

 

By Faith I receive Your Righteousness!

 

 

June 22  The Whole Gospel

 

“IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS” (1 John 1:9).

 

Jesus, Your forgiveness is unmatched!  How my heart rejoices that when I confess my sinful habits and patterns, You are faithful and just to forgive me my sins.

 

Savior, my heart marvels at Your Glory as I realize that You did not only come to forgive me for living out sinful defense patterns of hiding, running away, and blaming others, but that You also came to cleanse me…to decontaminate me…to purify me from the cause of these.

 

“CHRIST, WHO FILLS ALL THINGS EVERYWHERE WITH HIMSELF” (Ephesians 1:23).

 

Purify me, Savior, by filling me with Yourself.  Exchange the negative, destructive beliefs from the father-of-lies that make me hide, run, and blame, for Yourself.

 

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

 

I surrender my beliefs of hopelessness and powerlessness to You, Savior. Fill me you with Yourself.  I yield my beliefs of unworthiness and abandonment to You, Redeemer. Fill me with Yourself.  I submit my beliefs of condemnation and shame to You, O Lord. Fill me with Yourself, for You are pure and righteous and in You lives no hopelessness, shame, condemnation, or abandonment.  I praise You for cleansing me from all unrighteousness.

 

“FOR HE MADE HIM WHO KNEW NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US, THAT WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 

Become my Righteousness, O Lord!

 

 

June 23  “Lord, What about Him?”

 

“WHEN PETER SAW HIM, HE ASKED, ‘LORD, WHAT ABOUT HIM?’  JESUS ANSWERED, ‘IF I WANT HIM TO REMAIN ALIVE UNTIL I RETURN, WHAT IS THAT TO YOU? YOU MUST FOLLOW ME’” (John 21:22).

 

God of Hope, I am sorry that I often get distracted by other people’s actions and character: the ones with the fancy clothes in the fancy cars who seem to have it all together. My heart often cries out, “Lord, what about them?  Why can’t I be like them?”  Lord, help me to embrace Your Answer: “What is that to you? Your Hope comes from Me.  Don’t look around.  Keep your eyes on Me.  YOU must follow Me.”

 

God of Righteousness, I confess that I often become distracted by seemingly flawless people who seem to do everything perfectly.  Their marriages seem flawless.  Their children seem flawless too.  As I fall so short, I want to know from You, “Lord, what about them?  I am not like them.”  But Your answer brings me comfort, “What is that to you?  Your Righteousness comes from Me.  YOU must follow Me.”

 

“THEREFORE, MY BELOVED, AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED, NOT AS IN MY PRESENCE ONLY, BUT NOW MUCH MORE IN MY ABSENCE, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING” (Philippians 2:12).

 

Lord of Lords, thank you for the answer: that I am responsible to work out my own salvation, regardless of what other people are doing.  I am responsible to follow You and bring my own beliefs of shame, abandonment, and condemnation to You, regardless of what other people do with their heartache, their character, and their lives…because my Truth, Hope, and Righteousness come from You.

 

May I always follow You, O Lord!

 

 

 

June 24  Strongholds—the Hailstones in Your Life

 

“I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSINGS AND CURSES. NOW CHOOSE LIFE, SO THAT YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN MAY LIVE AND THAT YOU MAY LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, LISTEN TO HIS VOICE, AND HOLD FAST TO HIM. FOR THE LORD IS YOUR LIFE” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

 

Dear Lord my God, today I am reminded that a big hard hailstone starts as a speck of dust.  Under the right circumstances, a layer of ice builds up around the dust speck.  Then, as the little ice pellet cycles through the thundercloud multiple times, more and more layers accumulate, until a huge stone the size of an egg forms that can do a lot of damage.

 

Lord God, there are many strongholds in my life.  They all started innocently as specks of thoughts. Then, as I dwelled on these thoughts, layers of accusatory beliefs accumulated in my mind, until the power of the stronghold took me captive.

 

“FOR I WILL SURELY DELIVER YOU, AND YOU SHALL NOT FALL BY THE SWORD; BUT YOUR LIFE SHALL BE AS A PRIZE TO YOU, BECAUSE YOU HAVE PUT YOUR TRUST IN ME,” SAYS THE LORD” (Jeremiah 39:18).

 

Dear Lord my God, You are my Life.  I invite You into the strongholds of my life—to peel back the layers, one belief at a time.  I am willing to capture the specks of thoughts that accumulated to become the power of my strongholds.  I am willing to expose them to You, and listen to the Truth as You break down the lies the father-of-lies had built around my own understanding, and exchange them for Your Perspective.

 

God, I hold fast to You.  Deliver me from my strongholds, because I have put my trust in You.

 

I hold fast to You, O Lord!

 

 

 

June 25  Strength to the Powerless

 

“HE GIVES POWER TO THE WEAK AND STRENGTH TO THE POWERLESS” (Isaiah 40:29).

 

Perfect Father, help me to know the Truth when someone attacks me verbally or emotionally: that it is not the attack of the person that affects me the most, but the attack from the father-of-lies that paralyses. Help me to realize that it is not what people say to me that hurts the most, but what I come to believe about myself as a result of what someone said or did.  Sometimes this means that I feel powerless, helpless, and hopeless.

 

“BUT HE SAID TO ME, ‘MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

 

Everlasting Father, let me not be dismayed at the powerlessness I experience during verbal and emotional attacks. Let me not be distraught that I cannot help myself feel safe.  Let me not be distressed that I feel defenseless, unarmed, and attackable, for Your Power is made perfect in weakness. All I need to do is surrender these beliefs to You.

 

“AND IF THE SPIRIT OF HIM WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD IS LIVING IN YOU, HE WHO RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD WILL ALSO GIVE LIFE TO YOUR MORTAL BODIES THROUGH HIS SPIRIT, WHO LIVES IN YOU” (Romans 8:11).

 

Almighty God, may I capture the immensity of Your Power: that the same Power that raised Jesus from the dead has overcome the father-of-lies.  The same Power that raised Jesus from the dead can overcome my weakness.  The same Power that raised Jesus from the dead can overcome my powerlessness.

 

May I receive Your inexhaustible Power when I feel powerless.

 

I hold fast to You, O Lord!

 

 

 

June 26  More than Conquerors

 

“HERE ON EARTH, YOU WILL HAVE MANY TRIALS AND SORROWS” (John 16:33).

 

Majesty, You have warned me about the many trials and sorrows I would experience here on earth—storms of life that will come against me.  And when these storms come, I am tempted to build my own defense mechanisms: shelters to cover myself against busybodies…shields to ward off attacks from blamers…barricades to keep myself safe from evildoers.  Sometimes, I am so busy building walls of defense that there is no energy left to bear fruit.

 

“BUT TAKE HEART, BECAUSE I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD” (John 16:33).

 

Jesus, how comforted I am that You have overcome the world and if I rely on You I am more than a conqueror.  I do not have to be afraid, because You give me strength to overcome all obstacles and opposition. Become my defense, O Lord my God, that I may bear fruit for You, and through You.  Thank you that You have rebuked the devourer for my sake, so I do not have to use my own energy to create defense mechanisms of hiding, running away, or blaming others for my failures. Instead, I am able to use all my energy to bear fruit of Love, Patience, and Joy.

 

“‘AND I WILL REBUKE THE DEVOURER FOR YOUR SAKES, SO THAT HE WILL NOT DESTROY THE FRUIT OF YOUR GROUND, NOR SHALL THE VINE FAIL TO BEAR FRUIT FOR YOU IN THE FIELD,’ SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS” (Malachi 3:11).

 

You, O Lord, have overcome the world!

 

June 27  God, I Praise You

 

“PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF COMPASSION AND THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

 

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praise be to You for being the God of Compassion and the Lord of all Comfort.  You comfort me when I feel lonely.  When I go through the valley of the shadow of death, You assure me of Your Presence.  I have never been abandoned by You.  You have always been with me.  When I think everybody has left me, You are there.

 

“LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD, FOR HE COMMANDED AND THEY WERE CREATED” (Psalm 148:5).

 

Perfect Father, I praise You, for when I am hopeless, You command…and Hope is created.  When I am powerless, You command…and Power is brought to life.  When I am in darkness, You command…and Light shines out of my darkness.

 

“FOR AS THE EARTH BRINGS FORTH ITS BUD, AS THE GARDEN CAUSES THE THINGS THAT ARE SOWN IN IT TO SPRING FORTH, SO THE LORD GOD WILL CAUSE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PRAISE TO SPRING FORTH BEFORE ALL THE NATIONS”

 (Isaiah 61:11).

 

I praise You, Lord God, for You cause Your Righteousness to spring forth in me.  You fill me with Your Wisdom when I do not lean on my own understanding.  You give me Peace, all the time, and in every way.

 

“THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND MY SHIELD; MY HEART TRUSTED IN HIM, AND I AM HELPED; THEREFORE MY HEART GREATLY REJOICES, AND WITH MY SONG I WILL PRAISE HIM” (Psalm 28:7).

 

God, my heart greatly rejoices, for You are my Strength when I am bent over in my own weakness.  My heart trusts in You and I am helped.

 

With my song I will praise You!

 

June 28  The Presence of God

 

“YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE PATH OF LIFE;

YOU WILL FILL ME WITH JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE” (Psalm 16:11).

 

God of Hope, I invite Your Presence into the circumstances that have left me hopeless.

You are mighty to save.

God of Comfort, I invite Your Presence into the sadness that makes my heart tremble.

Fill me with Joy in Your Presence.

 

“THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU,

HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE.

HE WILL TAKE GREAT DELIGHT IN YOU,

HE WILL QUIET YOU WITH HIS LOVE,

HE WILL REJOICE OVER YOU WITH SINGING”

(Zephaniah 3:17).

 

God of Peace, I invite Your Presence into the rejection and condemnation sizzling in my heart.  Quiet me with Your Love.

God of Truth, I invite Your Presence into the pit of despair that reigns in my heart.

Make known to me the path of Life.

God of Life, I invite Your Presence into the loneliness and abandonment that rule in my heart.  Fill my heart with Your Spirit.

 

“JOY IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF TROUBLE,

BUT THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST”

William Vander Haven

 

You are with me, my Lord!

 

June 29  The Path of Life

 

“YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE PATH OF LIFE;

YOU WILL FILL ME WITH JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE” (Psalm 16:11).

 

Father of Compassion, deliver my mind from the painful beliefs from the father-of-lies that cause my feet to stumble: that I am not needed here on earth…that I am unnecessary…that I am dispensable. Thank you that you have made known to me the Path of Life.

 

“FOR YOU HAVE DELIVERED ME FROM DEATH AND MY FEET FROM STUMBLING, THAT I MAY WALK BEFORE GOD IN THE LIGHT OF LIFE” (Psalm 56:13).

 

All my inmost being praise You, Perfect Father. You sent the Light of the World to exchange the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies for Your Truth, if I expose these to You. May I walk before You in Your Light of Life.

 

“WHEN JESUS SPOKE AGAIN TO THE PEOPLE, HE SAID, ‘I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME WILL NEVER WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT WILL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE’” (John 8:12).

 

Lord Jesus, let me walk in the Light of Your Presence.  Instead of accepting my pain of abandonment, complying with my pain of shame, and submitting to my pain of condemnation. Instead, let me follow You, Light of the World, into the Truth.  You fill me with Joy in Your Presence.

 

Keep me on the Path of Life!

June 30  God Will Repay

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

 

Perfect Father, how much I realize that the goal of the father-of-lies during my childhood was to produce in me a distorted mind and a disturbed heart. He filled me with his oppressing beliefs:“You don’t belong”…You are a failure…You are fatally flawed” to keep me captive in child-like behavior.

 

“I WILL REPAY YOU FOR THE YEARS THE LOCUSTS HAVE EATEN” (Joel 2:25).

 

How marvelous is Your Power, God. You reimburse me for the childhood years the enemy has stolen from me.  How powerful is Your Truth. You make up for the childhood times I felt abandoned, alone, and isolated.  How unparalleled is Your Hope. You compensate for the childhood times I felt condemned and rejected.  You made reparation for all the childhood years I tried so hard to please…when my efforts made no difference.

 

“AND WE KNOW THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM” (Romans 8:28).

 

How great is Your Love, Father, that You work all things for good of those who love You. I offer You my distorted mind and disturbed heart, so You can work all my childhood experiences for the good.

 

You satisfy my desires with good things!

 

July 1  The Father Has Life in Himself

 

“FOR AS THE FATHER HAS LIFE IN HIMSELF, SO HE HAS GRANTED THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF” (John 5:26).

 

Everlasting Father, I celebrate that You have Life in Yourself, and that You granted Your Son, Jesus, to have Life in Himself, too, and that that Life is now available to me, as well, no matter what my circumstances or heart-ache might be.

 

“YET YOU REFUSE TO COME TO ME TO HAVE LIFE” (John 5:40).

 

Lord Jesus, I celebrate that I can have Life in Your Name for the negative, destructive beliefs: “I am dispensable…I am dishonorable…I am disgraced.” I come to You to receive Life for my spirit of despair, instead of trying to fix things myself, for I know that no amount of struggle, warfare, or arguing can get rid of the accusatory beliefs in my mind or the pain in my heart.  Let me enter into the Life You are offering me for my lifeless situation, instead of withdrawing from others in pain, for You offer Life in Your Name.

 

“THOU WILT SHEW ME THE PATH OF LIFE: IN THY PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY” (Psalm 16:11).

 

Perfect Father, remind me of Your Life that is available to me during times when I feel I would rather punish myself for the mistakes I have made.  Call me, so I would embrace Your Life during times when I feel powerless, helpless, and hopeless.  Let me yield to Your Life in Christ Jesus when I need it the most, instead of running away and refusing to accept the Life You are offering for my sorrow.

 

I come to You to receive Life!

 

July 2  Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

 

“JESUS REPLIED: ‘LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.  THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT.  AND THE SECOND IS LIKE IT: ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF’” (Matthew 22:37-39).

 

Lord Jesus, I have noticed that there is a set of lies living in my mind under the name of the OLD MAN that carries a painful, negative message of failure, defilement, and unworthiness.  This compilation of deceit includes degrading beliefs of “You are unimportant. You are unacceptable. You are unwanted.”

 

I have further noticed that because I feel unwanted, unacceptable, and unimportant, I have a hard time loving myself.  And because I have a hard time loving myself, I have a hard time loving my neighbor.

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Lord Jesus, how my heart leaps with joy that You have come to nail my negative, destructive OLD MAN beliefs of “You are unwanted…You are unimportant…You are unacceptable” to the cross, if I submit these beliefs to You.  Come and exchange these degrading beliefs with new beliefs of “You are loved.  You are accepted.  You are worthy.”  Then, I will be able to love myself.  And because I will be able to love myself, I will be able to love my neighbor, too.

 

“AND THE SECOND IS LIKE IT: ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF”

 

You are worthy, O Lord!

 

July 3  Selfish Ambitions

 

“He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him” (John 8:44).

 

Lord God, how often I feel that I am not needed.  How often I feel invisible.  How often I feel overlooked.  My heart has become heavy with the degrading beliefs that I am unnecessary…disposable…unwanted.

 

“When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

 

Savior, help me to understand that these beliefs had been instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  When he lies, he speaks his native language.  That is the only language he knows…and he has been lying to me since childhood.

 

But I have a problem, Lord God. Feeling  unnecessary, disposable, and unwanted has created pain in my heart.  And the pain has caused me to want to DO something, so I would BECOME someone who IS necessary, needed, and wanted.

 

“FOR WHERE YOU HAVE ENVY AND SELFISH AMBITION, THERE YOU FIND DISORDER AND EVERY EVIL PRACTICE” (James 3:16).

 

Lord God, I confess that because of feeling unnecessary, disposable, and unwanted, I have sinned against you, because of my ardent desire for fame, rank, and power.  I have become so busy harboring bitter envy and selfish ambition in my heart, that I have moved away from Your Love, Hope, and Truth.

 

I cry out to You, Redeemer. Save me from the father-of-lies’ beliefs of being unwanted. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all the unrighteousness from the inside out, for it is only when You remove these degrading beliefs of being unwanted that I will be able to let go of my selfish ambitions. Then, the father-of-lies would lose his hold on you, and I would become God-oriented instead of goal-oriented.

I honor You, my Redeemer!

 

 

July 4  May the Work of God be Displayed in Your Life

 

“‘NEITHER THIS MAN NOR HIS PARENTS SINNED,’ SAID JESUS, ‘BUT THIS HAPPENED SO THAT THE WORK OF GOD MIGHT BE DISPLAYED IN HIS LIFE’” (John 9:3).

 

Lord Jesus, I sing for joy that You can turn any circumstance in my life—past, present, or future—around to display Your Glory.

 

“BUT WE HAVE THIS TREASURE IN JARS OF CLAY TO SHOW THAT THIS ALL-SURPASSING POWER IS FROM GOD AND NOT FROM US” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

 

Lord of Lords, I fix my eyes on You, and not on what happened to me in the past as a child.  Help me to see that my childhood troubles can achieve for me and those around me an eternal glory that for outweighs everything that was said and done to me as a child, if I surrender the abandonment, shame, and condemnation in my heart to You.  For I was persecuted, but never abandoned; I was pressed from all sides, but not crushed; I was struck down, but not destroyed.

 

“FOR OUR LIGHT AND MOMENTARY TROUBLES ARE ACHIEVING FOR US AN ETERNAL GLORY THAT FAR OUTWEIGHS THEM ALL” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

 

Lord God, become my Treasure in this jar of clay. Display Your Work in my life: Your Light in my darkness…Your Hope in my hopelessness…Your Wisdom in my confusion…Your Righteousness in my sinfulness…Your Wholeness in my brokenness…Your Power in my weakness…Your Peace in my restlessness…Your Comfort in my sorrow.

 

Lord, You are my Treasure!

 

 

July 5  Will You Lay Down Your Life for Me?

 

“BUT EVERY SPIRIT THAT DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE JESUS IS NOT FROM GOD. THIS IS THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST, WHICH YOU HAVE HEARD IS COMING AND EVEN NOW IS ALREADY IN THE WORLD” (1 John 4:3).

 

Dear Lord, I confess that Self does not acknowledge You in its life. It seems to be its own person who runs its own life in me.  Self has its own will, its own desires, its own ambitions, its own defense, its own esteem, and its own righteousness.  Self seems to just want to do its own thing at its own time in its own way. Whenever it needs to do Your Will in Your Way and in Your timing, Self gets upset and sulks.

 

“THEN JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, ‘IF ANYONE WOULD COME AFTER ME, HE MUST DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME. FOR WHOEVER WANTS TO SAVE HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, BUT WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR ME WILL FIND IT’” (Matthew 16:24-25).

 

Sovereign Lord, only You can accomplish the laying down of Self in me, and I give You my consent to accomplish this in my life: to lay down my Self-esteem in exchange of Your Worthiness, my Self-righteousness in exchange for Your Righteousness, and my Self-defense in exchange for Your Defense. Establish Your Will for my life. Work Your Righteousness in my unrighteous thoughts and actions. Accomplish Your own Defense of Hope, Love, and Truth against the oppressing beliefs of the father-of-lies.

 

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, ‘WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME’”

(John 13:38).

 

I crown You the Lord of Lords!

 

July 6  The Man Who Loves His Life Will Lose It.

 

“THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE” (Galatians 6:8).

 

Lord of Glory, I confess that my Self—the sinful nature in me—seems to be its own person who runs its own life in me.  My Self seems to have its own will…its own esteem…and its own defense of criticism and condemnation.  My Self is very selfish, only caring about itself.  It always makes sure it comes out at the top, even if it has to step on others to accomplish this.

 

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

 

Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may see that the defense mechanism of criticism, condemnation, and control is not something praiseworthy, but only a means to please Self.

 

“THE MAN WHO LOVES HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, WHILE THE MAN WHO HATES HIS LIFE IN THIS WORLD WILL KEEP IT FOR ETERNAL LIFE” (John 12:25).

 

Savior, thank you that You came to save me from my selfish Self with its sinful defense mechanism of criticism, condemnation, and control. Lord, please forgive me for this behavior, and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Create in me Your Spirit of understanding, so I may reap Life instead of death and destruction.

 

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, ‘WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME’”

 (John 13:38).

 

Lord Jesus, may I become someone whose only focus is to finish the task You have given me: someone who would transfer Your Love, project Your Power, and deliver Your Message of Life.

 

I lay down my life for You!

 

 

 

July 7  Will You Lay Down Your Life of Mind-reading?

 

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, ‘WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME’”

 (John 13:38).

 

Lord Jesus, I want to be a bearer of Your Love and Acceptance.  Help me to lay down my life of dealing with my pain through the sinful defense mechanism of mind-reading.

 

“THE MAN WHO LOVES HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, WHILE THE MAN WHO HATES HIS LIFE IN THIS WORLD WILL KEEP IT FOR ETERNAL LIFE” (John 12:25).

 

Lord Jesus, You preserve all those who love You.  May I love You enough to lay down my life of mind-reading: assuming that I know what others are thinking about me…reading between the lines…gathering information to prove my presupposed point.

 

“THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE” (Galatians 6:8).

 

Lord, give me eyes to see that the father-of-lies, the master of deception, will take advantage of my mind-reading each time I succumb to it, and use it as an opportunity to drag misinterpretations into my mind, so that I would see myself and others in a false light.

 

Let me never forget that it matters what I sow, for if I sow to please my sinful nature through mind-reading, I will reap destruction, but if I sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit I will reap Truth.

 

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

 

Lord Jesus, remind me, daily to let go of my mind-reading, and not hold onto it as something precious and true, lest it hinders me to complete the task You have given me on this earth.

 

I lay down my life for You!

 

 

July 8  Will You Lay Down Your Life of Forsaking the Task?

 

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, ‘WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME’”

 (John 13:38).

 

Lord Jesus, how often do I deal with my pain by running away from a task, not following through, forsaking the job? Sometimes I give up so easily. I abandon hope. I throw in the towel.

 

“BECAUSE YOU ARE HIS SONS, GOD SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO OUR HEARTS, THE SPIRIT WHO CALLS OUT, ‘ABBA, FATHER’” (Galatians 4:6).

 

God of Hope, guide me with Your Counsel as I allow myself to feel the pain that instigates me to give up.  Let me find the negative, destructive beliefs the father-of-lies has planted in my mind to persuade me to desert my task.  Then, lift my eyes above the lies to hear Your Truth, so I might finish the race and complete the task You have given me.

 

How encouraged I am that You did not give up Your task to forgive me and to save me from the father-of-lies, O Lord. I invite Your Spirit of Hope and Endurance into my heart.

 

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

 

I lay down my life for You!

 

 

 

July 9  Will You Lay Down Your Life of Over-indulgence?

 

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, ‘WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME’”

 (John 13:38).

 

God of Glory, all Your works shall give thanks to You and all Your Saints shall praise You. They shall speak of Your mighty deeds, and of the glory of Your Kingdom.

 

Lord Jesus, I lay down my life of dealing with my pain through my defense mechanism of over-indulgence, turning to something or someone other than You to ease my pain.  Through my overdo and overuse, I am reaping destruction, but I long to reap Life through Your Spirit.

 

“THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE” (Galatians 6:8).

 

Lord Jesus, pour Your self-control over me to allow me to pause before I indulge, and feel the pain that instigates me to overdo and overuse.  Give me an understanding to identify the hurt and find the beliefs the father-of-lies has planted in my mind: the thinking that persuades me to run to FOOD to eliminate the heartache, to run to DRINK to shut out the hurt, or to run to DRUGS to squash the anguish.  Put a longing in my heart to surrender these interpretations to You in exchange for Your free-setting Truth, so I might finish the race and complete the task You have given me.

 

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

 

I lay down my life for You!

 

 

July 10  Will You Lay Down Your Life of Anger and Rage?

 

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, ‘WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME’”

 (John 13:38).

 

How great is Your Love for me, Lord Jesus, to lay down Your Life for me, so I could pick it up and make it my own.

 

“GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.  ‘I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP’” (John 10:11).

 

Savior, I confess that I sometimes become enraged at myself and those around me. Quiet my soul that I may see that my anger covers up unworthiness, condemnation, abandonment and shame in my heart. But You laid down Your Life for me, so I may pick it up and allow it to make me whole.

 

“THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE” (Galatians 6:8).

 

Lord Jesus, help me to know that You are in this place, so I would give up my exasperation and dig a little deeper to find out what is concealed by my anger.  Teach me to decode my understanding, so I could catch sight of what I believe about myself and others, because You laid down Your Life for me, so I may pick it up and let it minister to my aching heart.

 

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

 

May I lay down my life for You, so You may pick it up and give me Yours in exchange.

 

I lay down my life for You!

 

 

July 11  Lay Down Your Life of Depression

 

Most High, I confess that my Self-nature is self-contained.  It depends on its own understanding as its only resource, which renders me susceptible to depression—a period spent in dejection and hopelessness—because of the negative, destructive beliefs that live in my own understanding.

 

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, ‘WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME’”

 (John 13:38).

 

Sovereign Lord, I surrender my depression to You. Lift my eyes above the dejection, despondency, and hopelessness to see that depression is not something that happens to me, but an onslaught of oppressing beliefs, administered by the father-of-lies. Give me an understanding to see that depression does not happen automatically, but manifests in my body, soul, and spirit after my mind had accepted the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies.

 

“HOW FOOLISH!  WHAT YOU SOW DOES NOT COME TO LIFE UNLESS IT DIES”

(1 Corinthians 15:36).

 

Lord Jesus, give me courage and strength to submit the dark thoughts that are causing my despondency, to You, for my depression will not lift, until I am willing to let the negative, destructive thoughts that are feeding it die. Cover me with Your Presence, mighty God, so I will stop having fellowship with the darkness. Exchange the oppressing thoughts in my mind for Your Truth, so I may enter into Your Life and Light.

 

“I KNOW THAT HIS COMMAND LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE. SO WHATEVER I SAY IS JUST WHAT THE FATHER HAS TOLD ME TO SAY” (John 12:50).

 

I lay down my life for You!

 

 

 

July 12  Self and the Spirit

 

“I KNOW THAT NOTHING GOOD LIVES IN ME, THAT IS, IN MY SINFUL NATURE.  FOR I HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD, BUT I CANNOT CARRY IT OUT. FOR WHAT I DO IS NOT THE GOOD I WANT TO DO; NO, THE EVIL I DO NOT WANT TO DO—THIS I KEEP ON DOING” (Romans 7:18-19).

 

Dear God, just as the moose in Newfoundland are always around and are a real threat to traffic, Self in me is also always around and a real threat to me.  I have had many collisions with Self the last year…many of which were fatal.  Never can I relax and forget about Self, because even when I have the desire to do good, Self gets in the way.  It would show up when I least expect it, full of anger, malice, and jealousy.  The evil I do not want to do, Self keeps on doing.

 

“THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THAT NATURE DESIRES; BUT THOSE WHO LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPIRIT HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THE SPIRIT DESIRES. THE MIND OF SINFUL MAN IS DEATH, BUT THE MIND CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE; (Romans 8:5-6).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for the good news—Self is not the only one living in me.  There is another living in me—Your Spirit!  Therefore, since Self cannot please You, I wish to set my mind on what Your Spirit in me desires, instead of setting my mind of what my Self desires. I desire to live by the Truth of Your Spirit, instead of the accusatory beliefs that dwell in my Self. Accomplish in me what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy…according to Your Spirit.

 

Thank you for the Good News!

July 13  Live a Life Worthy of the Calling Assigned You

 

“NEVERTHELESS, EACH ONE SHOULD RETAIN THE PLACE IN LIFE THAT THE LORD ASSIGNED TO HIM AND TO WHICH GOD HAS CALLED HIM.  THIS IS THE RULE I LAY DOWN IN ALL THE CHURCHES” (1 Corinthians 7:17).

 

God of the universe, You know how I am formed—that I sometimes become discouraged by circumstances in my life.

 

Today I am reminded of a story about a man who received an assignment from God.  God had shown the man a large rock in front of his house and asked him to push against the rock with all his might.  The man was obedient.  For many years, he toiled from sunset to sundown, pushing against the rock with all his might.  But then the man became discouraged.  He went to God and lamented, “I have labored long and hard for You, Lord, putting all my strength to do what You have asked.  Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged the rock by half a millimeter.  What is wrong?  Why am I failing?”

 

God responded compassionately, “My friend, I asked you to push against the rock with all your might.  Never once did I mention that I expected you to move it.  Your calling was only to be obedient.  But look at you, with all the toil and exertion, you have become patient and disciplined, which will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace in your life.  Because you have done what I have asked of you, I WILL NOW USE MY OWN STRENGTH TO MOVE THE ROCK!”

 

“AS A PRISONER FOR THE LORD, THEN, I URGE YOU TO LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALLING YOU HAVE RECEIVED” (Ephesians 4:1).

 

Father of our Lord Jesus, help me to understand that You have never expected me to move the rocks in my life.  You have only expected me to be obedient: to become a person dependent on You, and do the work for which You have called me.

 

Lord Jesus, You know how to be obedient to the Perfect Father. Work Your Obedience in me, so I may become patient and disciplined. May this patience and discipline produce a harvest of Righteousness and Peace in my life, so I may share in Your Holiness.  Then, You will move the rocks in my life.

 

How great is Your Goodness, Most High!
July 14  God Has Been with You during Your Childhood.

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

 

Most High, help me to acknowledge that it is not what happened to me as a child that is causing me so much heart-ache today, but my interpretations of these events—what I came to believe about myself and others.

 

“AND SURELY I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE VERY END OF THE AGE”

(Matthew 28:20).

 

Lord Jesus, my heart is filled with Hope when I realize that You were present…on duty…alive during my childhood happening.  You promised that You would never leave me.

 

You saw it all.  You considered the circumstances.  But most of all, You took heed of the conclusions I made during these circumstances, and You are still aware of the false beliefs I had adopted during my childhood, today.

 

“NOTHING IN ALL CREATION IS HIDDEN FROM GOD’S SIGHT. EVERYTHING IS UNCOVERED AND LAID BARE BEFORE THE EYES OF HIM TO WHOM WE MUST GIVE ACCOUNT” (Hebrews 4:13).

 

Dear God, how thankful I am that You know my heart. You know the misinterpretations.  You know the lies.  And you know the Truth.  Remind me, daily, to be sensitive to my moment-by-moment conclusions, because to You we must give account to what we choose to believe. Whenever sadness, despair, anger, hatred, or fear enter my heart, remind me to look for the cause of these emotions in my interpretations that were formed during my childhood, and that are still in place. Thank you that You are faithful to make Your Truth known to me when I invite Your Presence and Participation into these false interpretations.

 

I thank You for Your steadfast Love to me!

 

July 15  Take Hold of Jesus Christ when You Are Young

 

“DON’T LET ANYONE LOOK DOWN ON YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE YOUNG, BUT SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE BELIEVERS IN SPEECH, IN LIFE, IN LOVE, IN FAITH AND IN

PURITY” (1 Timothy 4:12).

 

Lord Jesus, today I pray for my children: that nobody would be able to look down on them because they are young, but that they would set an example for others in the way they live. May they surrender their thoughts to You, Lord Jesus, and allow You to instill thoughts in them that are true, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. May they give their hearts to You, O Lord, and allow You to love through their hearts. May they move mountains with Your Faith, and permit Your Righteousness to shine in their lives. Then, they will be able to take hold of the Life that is truly Life.

 

“IN THIS WAY THEY WILL LAY UP TREASURE FOR THEMSELVES AS A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR THE COMING AGE, SO THAT THEY MAY TAKE HOLD OF THE LIFE THAT IS TRULY LIFE” (1 Timothy 6:19).

 

Lord Jesus, bring Your Personhood and Nature into my children’s hearts when they are young, so they would set an example for others in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. Then, they would not live the rest of their lives for evil human desires, but rather for Your Will.

 

“AS A RESULT, HE DOES NOT LIVE THE REST OF HIS EARTHLY LIFE FOR EVIL HUMAN DESIRES, BUT RATHER FOR THE WILL OF GOD” (1 Peter 4:2).

 

I love You, Lord Jesus!

 

 

July 16  Deceitful Desires

 

“YOU WERE TAUGHT, WITH REGARD TO YOUR FORMER WAY OF LIFE, TO PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF, WHICH IS BEING CORRUPTED BY ITS DECEITFUL DESIRES…” (Ephesians 4:22).

 

Lord Jesus, I have noticed that my Self-nature has many DECEITFUL DESIRES.  Some of them are to be loved…to be needed…to be important…to be successful…to be noticed.  These desires are not sinful, unless they have been corrupted by deceit.

 

I have also noticed that behind each of these deceitful desires stands a belief.  The belief “I am invisible” produces the deceitful desire “I want to be noticed.”  The belief “I am a failure” produces the deceitful desire “I want to be a success.”  The belief “I have no purpose” produces the deceitful desire “I want to be needed.”

 

Lord Jesus, You understand that these deceitful desires cause anger… confusion… fear.  They obscure the Truth.  They lead us astray.  They entrap.  We become so busy chasing after the deceitful desires, that we do not get around doing the only thing that really matters—to do Your Will.

 

“AS A RESULT, HE DOES NOT LIVE THE REST OF HIS EARTHLY LIFE FOR EVIL HUMAN DESIRES, BUT RATHER FOR THE WILL OF GOD” (1 Peter 4:2).

 

God of Grace, help me to overcome the urge to yield to Self and its deceitful desires—to follow the beliefs “I am a failure, I have no purpose, I am invisible.”  Instead, prompt me to invite Your Presence and Participation into these desires, so You could turn them into YOUR DESIRES for my life, so I might do Your Will.

 

“HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES.  TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES, I WILL GIVE THE RIGHT TO EAT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE, WHICH IS IN THE PARADISE OF GOD” (Revelation 2:7).

 

I honor You, O Lord!

July 17  Everyone Is Fighting the Same Battle

 

“BE SELF-CONTROLLED AND ALERT. YOUR ENEMY THE DEVIL PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DEVOUR. RESIST HIM, STANDING FIRM IN THE FAITH, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT YOUR BROTHERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ARE UNDERGOING THE SAME KIND OF SUFFERINGS” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

 

Lord Jesus, let me never forget that people throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering I am, because everybody has the father-of-lies as an enemy…not only I.  He came to kill, steal, and destroy all…not only me.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour…not only me.

 

I am reminded that DECEPTION is the practice of luring someone into believing something that is not true.  This is the roaring lion’s weapon.  I realize that my brothers throughout the world have been victimized by deception…not only me.

 

“THIS IS HOW WE KNOW WHAT LOVE IS: JESUS CHRIST LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US.

AND WE OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OUR BROTHERS” (1 John 3:16).

 

Father of Compassion, give me Your heart of compassion toward those who fail me. Remind me, during times like these, that the father-of-lies stole their Truth, killed their Joy and destroyed their Hope, as well.

 

Lord Jesus, inhabit my heart to be self-controlled and alert, RESISTING being lured into believing something that is not true, STANDING FIRM in my Faith, EMBRACING the Truth.  Then, may I pass this on to serve my brothers, who also grapple with deception.

 

“Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”

T. H. Thompson

I declare Your praises, Lord Jesus!

 

July 18  I Do Not Live Anymore

 

“I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: NEVERTHELESS I LIVE; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: AND THE LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME” (Galatians 2:20).

 

Lord Jesus, there is a part of me that needs to be crucified with You.  There is a part of me that needs to be exchanged for You, because You gave Yourself for me…to live Your Life of Faith inside me.

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Most High, I acknowledge that there is an OLD MAN living his life inside me: an agglomeration of negative, destructive beliefs, instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  I confess that this set of accusatory beliefs—“You are bad, You do not count, You are a disgrace,”—causes painful emotions of unworthiness, hopelessness, and shame in me.  When I feel unworthy, I envy…I strife…I fail.  When I feel ashamed, I become angry…I become unkind…I become selfish.  When I feel hopeless, I argue…I give up…I become depressed.  The OLD MAN in me is the father-of-lies’ ally to control my mind…my emotions…my behavior.

 

“AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS” (Ephesians 4:23-24).

 

Lord Jesus, crucify the OLD MAN in me, and come and live Your Life of Faith in me.  Then I will be renewed in the spirit of my mind with new beliefs of Hope, Truth, and Love.  And I will be able to live in Righteousness and true Holiness.

 

Yet not I, but Christ lives in me!

 

 

July 19  He Has Saved Us Enough to Be Holy

 

“WHO HAS SAVED US AND CALLED US TO A HOLY LIFE—NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE BUT BECAUSE OF HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE.  THIS GRACE WAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF TIME”

(2 Timothy 1:9).

 

Lord God, how great is Your Goodness, and how great is Your Gift of Grace—the Lord Jesus Christ.  You did not just barely save me in a meager manner. You saved me enough to be holy.

 

Most High, how marvelous are Your ways. You did not provide a Christian life for me, but Christ’s Life. How encouraged I am that holiness is not up to me—to muster up all my strength to better my Self—but that holiness is You, Lord Jesus, living Your Life through me.

 

“THIS IS HOW GOD SHOWED HIS LOVE AMONG US: HE SENT HIS ONE AND ONLY SON INTO THE WORLD THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM” (1 John 4:9).

 

Majesty, I give You my hands to work with, my feet to walk with, my mind to think with and my heart to love with.  Instead of trying to smile when I am sad, I give You my sadness.  Instead of slamming the doors when I am mad, I give You my anger, my hatred, and my jealousy.  Instead of entertaining more guests to feel loved, I give You the loneliness and abandonment that live in my heart. Instead of trying to live a Christian life, I invite You, Lord Jesus, to come and live Your Life through me.

 

“I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND I NO LONGER LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME” (Galatians 2:20).

 

Blessed are You, my Lord!

July 20  Jesus Has Come to Give You Understanding

 

“BUT YOU HAVE PLANTED WICKEDNESS, YOU HAVE REAPED EVIL, YOU HAVE EATEN THE FRUIT OF DECEPTION. BECAUSE YOU HAVE DEPENDED ON YOUR OWN STRENGTH AND ON YOUR MANY WARRIORS, THE ROAR OF BATTLE WILL RISE AGAINST YOUR PEOPLE, SO THAT ALL YOUR FORTRESSES WILL BE DEVASTATED” (Hosea 10:13-14).

 

Savior, I have come to trade in the many warriors that defend my sinful Self-nature, for You. I bring You the warrior who fights to the bitter end, defending my Self-nature, so it could stay safe and alive in me.  This warrior attacks, blames, and drives away anybody who challenges the reign of Self. I expose this warrior to You, Lord Jesus, to conquer and replace for Yourself.

 

I lay another warrior at Your feet, my Lord: the one who is very good at hiding Self in the dark dungeons of depression or behind a mask, whenever its safety and esteem are challenged.  Deliver me from this warrior, Lord, for it reaps evil.

 

I have come to buy the Truth, Most High—to get Your Wisdom, Discipline, and Understanding for the warrior that runs to the safety of overindulgence whenever Self is provoked, not daring to come close to the battlefield.  It watches from a distance, thinking its own thoughts and leaning on its own understanding.

 

“BUY THE TRUTH AND DO NOT SELL IT; GET WISDOM, DISCIPLINE AND UNDERSTANDING” (Proverbs 23:23).

 

I desire to do Your Will, o my God.  I have come to dismiss my many warriors, so I may receive Your Understanding…and Live.

 

“WE KNOW ALSO THAT THE SON OF GOD HAS COME AND HAS GIVEN US UNDERSTANDING” (1 John 5:20).

 

I desire to do Your Will, O God!

 

 

July 21  Self Likes to Boast

 

“I KNEW THAT YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME, BUT I SAID THIS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE STANDING HERE, THAT THEY MAY BELIEVE THAT YOU SENT ME”

 (John 11:42).

 

Lord of Glory, when I speak of myself, let it be to the benefit of other people, for this is how You spoke.

 

“IN THIS SELF-CONFIDENT BOASTING I AM NOT TALKING AS THE LORD WOULD, BUT AS A FOOL” (2 Corinthians 11:17).

 

When I speak, let it not be to raise my Self up, because I feel unworthy. When I feel invisible, ignored, or disregarded, let me come to You, O Lord, to be healed, instead of broadcasting my own endeavors and goals, like a fool. When I feel that my heart is bad, let me submit it to You, Savior, who can make it good, instead of announcing important achievements to prove that my heart is good. When I feel lesser in quality, let me surrender the shame to You, instead of making up for my deficit by boasting.

 

“CHRIST…FILLS ALL THINGS EVERYWHERE WITH HIMSELF” (Ephesians 1:23).

 

Lord Jesus, fill me with Yourself.  Exchange my Self for Your Self.  Created in me a new heart that feels secure being Your child. Then, I will speak like You: everything I say will be to the benefit of others.

 

“LET ANOTHER PRAISE YOU, AND NOT YOUR OWN MOUTH; SOMEONE ELSE, AND NOT YOUR OWN LIPS” (Proverbs 27:2).

 

You fill all things with Yourself!

July 22  Wives and Husbands

 

“WIVES, IN THE SAME WAY BE SUBMISSIVE TO YOUR HUSBANDS SO THAT, IF ANY OF THEM DO NOT BELIEVE THE WORD, THEY MAY BE WON OVER WITHOUT WORDS BY THE BEHAVIOR OF THEIR WIVES, WHEN THEY SEE THE PURITY AND REVERENCE OF YOUR LIVES” (1 Peter 3:1 2).

 

Lord Jesus, remind me, daily what a beautiful, powerful thing a gentle yielding spirit is—that I could win my husband over without words to honor, worship, and serve You, by my submissive behavior of purity, honor, and respect.

 

“YOUR BEAUTY SHOULD NOT COME FROM OUTWARD ADORNMENT, SUCH AS BRAIDED HAIR AND THE WEARING OF GOLD JEWELRY AND FINE CLOTHES. INSTEAD, IT SHOULD BE THAT OF YOUR INNER SELF, THE UNFADING BEAUTY OF A GENTLE AND QUIET SPIRIT, WHICH IS OF GREAT WORTH IN GOD’S SIGHT”

(1 Peter 3:3-4).

 

Most High, work in me a gentle quiet spirit, for this is of great worth in Your sight. Let me put my hope in You…not in the circumstances…not in my husband…not in myself.  Make me beautiful from the inside out, so I may do what is right and not give way to fear, which could turn anyone into a nagging, disrespectful person.

 

“FOR THIS IS THE WAY THE HOLY WOMEN OF THE PAST WHO PUT THEIR HOPE IN GOD USED TO MAKE THEMSELVES BEAUTIFUL. THEY WERE SUBMISSIVE TO THEIR OWN HUSBANDS, LIKE SARAH, WHO OBEYED ABRAHAM AND CALLED HIM HER MASTER. YOU ARE HER DAUGHTERS IF YOU DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND DO NOT GIVE WAY TO FEAR” (1 Peter 3:5-6).

 

Majesty, work Your Righteousness in my husband, as he considers me as the weaker partner, more capable of being physically and emotionally wounded.  Be a strong arm to him, each day, so he would treat me with respect, that nothing would hinder his prayers.  Remind him that his wife is an heir with him of the gracious gift of Life in You, Lord Jesus.

 

“HUSBANDS, IN THE SAME WAY BE CONSIDERATE AS YOU LIVE WITH YOUR WIVES, AND TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT AS THE WEAKER PARTNER AND AS HEIRS WITH YOU OF THE GRACIOUS GIFT OF LIFE, SO THAT NOTHING WILL HINDER YOUR PRAYERS” (1 Peter 3:7).

 

I love You, Lord God!

 

 

July 23  A Tree and its Fruit

 

“WATCH OUT FOR FALSE PROPHETS. THEY COME TO YOU IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE FEROCIOUS WOLVES. BY THEIR FRUIT YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM…A GOOD TREE CANNOT BEAR BAD FRUIT, AND A BAD TREE CANNOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT. EVERY TREE THAT DOES NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT IS CUT DOWN AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE. THUS, BY THEIR FRUIT YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM” (Matthew 7:15, 16, 18-20).

 

Lord God, call me to become a child of Yours, filled with Your Spirit of Love, Patience, and Self-control. Remind me, daily, that it is not about the prophecies and the many miracles that I do on the outside, but displaying Your Character on the inside: Your Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Kindness.  It is not about living a Christian life on the outside, but allowing You to live Your life in me in the inside. Anything else is counterfeit.

 

“BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL…THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS HAVE CRUCIFIED THE SINFUL NATURE WITH ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES” (Galatians 5:22-24).

 

In the same way, lead me by Your Truth, Lord God, that I may recognize the false prophets who only try to lead a Christian life of good deeds on the outside, without displaying You and Your Fruit of Love, Joy, and Peace on the inside.

 

“MANY WILL SAY TO ME ON THAT DAY, ‘LORD, LORD, DID WE NOT PROPHESY IN YOUR NAME, AND IN YOUR NAME DRIVE OUT DEMONS AND PERFORM MANY MIRACLES?’ THEN I WILL TELL THEM PLAINLY, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU. AWAY FROM ME, YOU EVILDOERS!’” (Matthew 7:22-23).

 

I honor You, Most High!

 

July 24  The Eyes of the Lord Are Everywhere

 

Lord God, You have engraved me on the palms of Your hand.  You are my Shepherd. I shall not want.

 

“THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE EVERYWHERE, KEEPING WATCH ON THE WICKED AND THE GOOD” (Proverbs 15:3).

 

Your greatness is unmatched, O King.  Your eyes are everywhere, keeping watch over me.  You know how I feel.  You know what my heart believes.  And You know where I am.

 

“THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU,

 HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE.

 HE WILL TAKE GREAT DELIGHT IN YOU,

 HE WILL QUIET YOU WITH HIS LOVE,

 HE WILL REJOICE OVER YOU WITH SINGING”

(Zephaniah 3:17).

 

How encouraged I am that You, God Almighty, are with me.  You are mighty to save…if I invite You into my sadness. You are my Refuge…if I run to You when I am scared. You are my Rock…if I stand on You in times of trouble.  You will quiet me with Your Love…if I bring my sorrow to You. You will take great delight in me…if I abide in You. You will rejoice over me with singing…if I declare You my Savior.

 

Let me serve You will all my heart, for You know my heart and understand my plans and thoughts. You guide me with Your Eye.

 

You are mighty to save!

 

July 25  Self Loves to Be First

 

“I WROTE TO THE CHURCH, BUT DIOTREPHES, WHO LOVES TO BE FIRST, WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH US.  SO IF I COME, I WILL CALL ATTENTION TO WHAT HE IS DOING, GOSSIPING MALICIOUSLY ABOUT US. NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT, HE REFUSES TO WELCOME THE BROTHERS. HE ALSO STOPS THOSE WHO WANT TO DO SO AND PUTS THEM OUT OF THE CHURCH” (3 John 1:9-10).

 

Most High, I confess that Self, the sinful nature in me, LIKES TO BE FIRST.  When someone treats Self with disdain or indifference, it often feels slighted, neglected, and insulted.  This sometimes leads to sinful acts of having nothing to do with my offenders, gossiping maliciously, and refusing to be welcoming.

 

“BUT YOU HAVE PLANTED WICKEDNESS, YOU HAVE REAPED EVIL, YOU HAVE EATEN THE FRUIT OF DECEPTION” (Hosea 10:13).

 

Lord God, I acknowledge that my Self has eaten the fruit of deception that the father-of-lies has been offering it since childhood. It has accepted negative, destructive beliefs of abandonment, shame, and condemnation that has caused it to reap much evil.

 

“THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. THE WORLD CANNOT ACCEPT HIM, BECAUSE IT NEITHER SEES HIM NOR KNOWS HIM. BUT YOU KNOW HIM, FOR HE LIVES WITH YOU AND WILL BE IN YOU” (John 14:17).

 

My heart rejoices, O Lord, for You have sent the Spirit of Truth to save me from Self and the fruit of deception. I invite You, Spirit of Truth, into my heart. Replace the fruit of deception that plants wickedness in my mind, so I may stop feeling slighted, neglected, and insulted, but instead, be equipped with every good Fruit of the Spirit.

 

I declare Your Truth!

 

 

 

July 26  Embrace…Expose…Exchange

 

“HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE, SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS; BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED. FOR YOU WERE LIKE SHEEP GOING ASTRAY, BUT NOW YOU HAVE RETURNED TO THE SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER OF YOUR SOULS” (1 Peter 2:24-25).

 

“He Himself bore our sins, so that we might die to sins…”

 

Lord Jesus, how often have I tried to get rid of a sinful action: the perpetual gossiping…the excessive boasting…the continual pouting, but I have discovered that I cannot die to a sin unless I allow You to bear that sin for me.

 

EMBRACE MY SIN:  Therefore, even today, let me look closely at my sinful actions, instead of hiding from or blaming them on others.  Why am I gossiping?  Why am I boasting?  Why am I pouting?  Do I gossip because I feel unworthy?  Do I boast because I feel insignificant?  Do I pout because I feel forsaken?  Show me, Lord God, as I confess my sins to You.

 

EXPOSE MY SIN:  Next, let me expose the underlying oppressing beliefs that are causing my sinful actions, to You, my Savior. Let me deprive these negative, destructive beliefs from their hiding places, so You may shine Your Light on them.

 

EXCHANGE MY SIN:  Then, Redeemer, comes the most important part: Let me allow You to bear my sins for me.  Let me allow You to disarm the underlying beliefs that are causing my pouting, gossiping, and boasting, and exchange it for Your Truth.  Only You are able to bear my sins for me, and become my Righteousness.

 

“GOD MADE HIM WHO HAD NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US, SO THAT IN HIM WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 

Thank you, Jesus, for bearing my sins!

July 27  I Died to Sin

 

“HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE, SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS; BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED. FOR YOU WERE LIKE SHEEP GOING ASTRAY, BUT NOW YOU HAVE RETURNED TO THE SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER OF YOUR SOULS” (1 Peter 2:24-25).

 

Lord Jesus, You bore my sins in Your body on the cross, so that I, too, may die to sinful actions and reactions in my life.

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Lead me, O Lord, in Your Righteousness that You have prepared for me on the cross.

 

“AND HAVE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH IS RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE IMAGE OF HIM THAT CREATED HIM” (Colossians 3:10).

 

Lord of Glory, how my heart sings with Joy. I am able to die to hatred, because You got rid of my reasons for hating. You turn my condemnation into Acceptance, as I lay this at the foot of Your cross. I am able to die to gossip and boasting, because You turn my Shame into Worth, as I submit this to Your finished work. I am able to die to depression and withdrawal, because You turn my abandonment into Belonging, as I yield this to Your Authority.

 

“IN THE SAME WAY, COUNT YOURSELVES DEAD TO SIN BUT ALIVE TO GOD IN CHRIST JESUS” (Romans 6:11).

 

My heart rejoices, Lord, as I walk in the Paths of Righteousness that You have prepared for me on the cross. I am alive to You, Most High.

 

You are my Righteousness!
July 28  Recognize the Cause for Immaturity

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

 

God of Light, help me to understand that, as an adult, I could still display the immature character of a child, if my childhood misinterpretations of abandonment, condemnation, and shame have not been healed and removed.

 

“AND I WILL ASK THE FATHER, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COUNSELOR TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER—THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. THE WORLD CANNOT ACCEPT HIM, BECAUSE IT NEITHER SEES HIM NOR KNOWS HIM.  BUT YOU KNOW HIM, FOR HE LIVES WITH YOU AND WILL BE IN YOU” (John 14:16-17).

 

Therefore, I surrender the memories to You when I was six year old and I felt so confused by fear and guilt. I invite Your Comfort into the memories I experienced when I was twelve years old and I felt so overwhelmed by life. I submit the memories to You when I was sixteen years old and I felt so condemned because of my failures.

 

Come, Counselor, Spirit of Truth. Set me free from the negative, destructive interpretations of shame, condemnation, and abandonment that live in those memories. Then, I will be able to put childish ways behind me and become an adult.

I set my Hope upon You!

 

 

July 29  Expectations on Earth, as it is in Heaven

 

“We had to learn ourselves and, furthermore,

we had to teach the despairing men,

that it did not really matter what we expected from life,

but rather what life expected from us.”

(Viktor E. Frankl)

 

Most High, I have noticed that I have many expectations. And I expect my expectations to be fulfilled.

 

“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING;

IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM,

AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT”

(Proverbs 3:5-6).

 

Lord, help me to realize that to live according to my own expectations is just another way to lean on my own understanding.  Even though it feels so much more convenient to envision an outcome for an occurrence, Lord God, teach me to trust You for the outcome with all my heart.  I know I cannot learn to trust on my own.  Even though it is so much easier to form my own presumptions and to make my own calculations, teach me to acknowledge You in every detail of my life. Even though it is so much faster to plan my own future, teach me Your Patience, so I may allow You to make my paths straight.

 

“YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” (Matthew 6:10).

 

Lord God, remove the fears that hinder me from allowing You to do Your Will in my life. Work Your Faith in me, Savior, so I may permit You to do with me as you have already planned in Heaven. Establish Your Surrender in me, so I may submit my expectations to You, moment-by-moment, every day, because You have already made the calculations.  You have already planned the outcome.  You have already made the plans in Heaven.

 

Your Will be done!

July 30  A Hardened Heart Causes Ignorance

 

“SO I TELL YOU THIS, AND INSIST ON IT IN THE LORD, THAT YOU MUST NO LONGER LIVE AS THE GENTILES DO, IN THE FUTILITY OF THEIR THINKING. THEY ARE DARKENED IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND SEPARATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD BECAUSE OF THE IGNORANCE THAT IS IN THEM DUE TO THE HARDENING OF THEIR HEARTS” (Ephesians 4:17-18).

 

Lord God, give me an understanding to see that a hardened heart causes a vicious circle: A hardened heart causes ignorance…and ignorance causes a darkened understanding and a separation from Your Life…and a darkened understanding causes futile thinking…and futile thinking causes me to conform to evil desires.

 

“AS OBEDIENT CHILDREN, DO NOT CONFORM TO THE EVIL DESIRES YOU HAD WHEN YOU LIVED IN IGNORANCE” (1 Peter 1:14).

 

Majesty, I confess that my hardened heart cause me to live in ignorance, refusing to submit to Your Truth, Hope, and Love. But, during these times, I become confused, and the lies of the father-of-lies seem like the truth. It is then that I conform to futile thinking and evil desires.

 

“IN THE PAST GOD OVERLOOKED SUCH IGNORANCE, BUT NOW HE COMMANDS ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE TO REPENT” (Acts 17:30).

 

Most High, I repent of my ways, because You do not overlook ignorance.  You sent Your son, Jesus, to give me Truth in place of my darkened understanding, so I would not conform to evil desires anymore.  I surrender my hardened heart to You.  Create in me a new heart, o Lord, so I may know You…and live.

 

Glory and honor to Your Name!

July 31  The Calloused Heart of Bitterness

 

“THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE TO SAY TO JOSEPH: I ASK YOU TO FORGIVE YOUR BROTHERS THE SINS AND THE WRONGS THEY COMMITTED IN TREATING YOU SO BADLY.’ NOW PLEASE FORGIVE THE SINS OF THE SERVANTS OF THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER.” WHEN THEIR MESSAGE CAME TO HIM, JOSEPH WEPT” (Genesis 50:17).

 

Lord God, may I find mercy in my heart to forgive my spouse, my father, my mother, my brother, and my sister the sins and the wrongs they have committed against me.  May I stop holding them accountable for all the offenses against me.  Show me that bitterness will not heal me, nor will it help me.

 

Most High, lift my eyes above the circumstances, that I may see that it is not my offender’s offenses that damaged my heart, but the beliefs I have adopted from the father-of-lies, “I am a failure…I am a disgrace…I am a victim.”  Lead me into Your Truth, so I may know that my failures are not due to my offender’s wrongdoing, but due to the father-of-lies’ infringement on my heart.  Break through the bitterness, so I may understand that my disgrace is not due to my offender’s misdeeds, but due to the father-of-lies’ misdeed of deception to my mind.

 

“THERE WILL BE NO MERCY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SHOWN MERCY TO OTHERS. BUT IF YOU HAVE BEEN MERCIFUL, GOD WILL BE MERCIFUL WHEN HE JUDGES YOU” (James 2:13).

 

Work Your Compassion in me, Savior, so I may show mercy to the person who has done me harm, even though my heart demands punishment, for then, You will show mercy to me, too.

 

“FOR THIS PEOPLE’S HEART HAS BECOME CALLOUSED; THEY HARDLY HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES. OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS AND TURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM” (Acts 28:27).

 

Lord God, may I hear with my ears, see with my eyes and understand with my heart what You want to teach me through my affliction, so my heart may be healed from its bitterness.

Thank you for Your Mercy!

August 1  God Controls the Outcome

 

“FOR I RECKON THAT THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US”

 (Romans 8:18).

 

Perfect Father, take my eyes off the present, daunting circumstances and set my gaze on You and on Your Hope, Truth, and Love. I praise You, for You control the outcome.

 

“FOR OUR PRESENT TROUBLES ARE SMALL AND WON’T LAST VERY LONG. YET THEY PRODUCE FOR US A GLORY THAT VASTLY OUTWEIGHS THEM AND WILL LAST FOREVER!  SO WE DON’T LOOK AT THE TROUBLES WE CAN SEE NOW; RATHER, WE FIX OUR GAZE ON THINGS THAT CANNOT BE SEEN. FOR THE THINGS WE SEE NOW WILL SOON BE GONE, BUT THE THINGS WE CANNOT SEE WILL LAST FOREVER”

(2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

 

God of my salvation, teach me Your ways: that it is not the present circumstances that are hurting me the most, but my interpretations of them: that no one is on my side…that nothing will ever work out for me…that I am doomed. You are faithful, O Lord, and will guard me against the father-of-lies…if I surrender my perturbing perceptions to You. You control the outcome.

 

“HIM THAT OVERCOMETH WILL I MAKE A PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD, AND HE SHALL GO NO MORE OUT: AND I WILL WRITE UPON HIM THE NAME OF MY GOD, AND THE NAME OF THE CITY OF MY GOD, WHICH IS NEW JERUSALEM, WHICH COMETH DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN FROM MY GOD: AND I WILL WRITE UPON HIM MY NEW NAME” (Revelation 3:12).

 

Lord, I am drowning in the negative, destructive beliefs of doom and dread from the father-of-lies. I cry out to You. Save me, God of Grace. Lift my face up, that I may see You. Strengthen me, so I may overcome the beliefs of doom and dread and enter into Your Kingdom. You control the outcome.

 

You control the outcome!

 

August 2  Do Not Slander Anyone

 

“THEY MUST NOT SLANDER ANYONE AND MUST AVOID QUARRELING.  INSTEAD, THEY SHOULD BE GENTLE AND SHOW TRUE HUMILITY TO EVERYONE” (Titus 3:2).

 

Lord Jesus, Redeemer, save me from slander—speaking falsely and maliciously about others. Remind me, moment-by-moment, that slandering and gossiping serve no purpose, other than delighting in the evil deception with which the father-of-lies kills, steals, and destroys, daily.

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

 

Lord God, search me and see if You find any oppressing childhood beliefs of hopelessness, helplessness, and powerlessness that the father-of-lies is using to show me that I am not OK, and that I therefore need to bring others down with slander in order to raise my Self up.  May I surrender these negative beliefs to You, so You may tell me that I am worthy, special, and unique.  Then, I will be able to put childish ways behind me. I will be able to become gentle and show true humility to everyone.

 

May I become Your blameless and innocent child, Most High, without blemish, so I may shine for You in a crooked world.

 

“WITH THE TONGUE WE PRAISE OUR LORD AND FATHER, AND WITH IT WE CURSE MEN, WHO HAVE BEEN MADE IN GOD’S LIKENESS” (James 3:9).

 

To You be majesty, glory and authority!

 

August 3  I’m OK-You’re OK

 

O sovereign God, You have searched me and You know me.  You know that I have taken on certain life positions of NOT OK-ness from the father-of-lies when I was very young: life positions that I am not OK…and that You are not OK, either, Lord, because You cannot be trusted.

 

“When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

 

Most High, thank you that You have come to save me from the evil one.  Even though the father-of-lies tells me often that I am not OK, You have come to tell me that You love me as much as You love Your son, Jesus.  You are faithful and worthy to be trusted, even though the father-of-lies has told me that You are not safe to be near.

 

“MAY THEY BE BROUGHT TO COMPLETE UNITY TO LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT YOU SENT ME AND HAVE LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME” (John 17:23).

 

Wash me, sanctify me, and justify me by Your Truth, my Savior, so that You might present me to Yourself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle, for I have become polluted by the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies: that I am not OK, and that You are not OK, either. Let me surrender my not OK-ness to You, so You may establish a new position of OK-ness in my heart: “I am OK…and so are You, O Lord! You are worthy to be trusted”

 

I am OK, God…and so are You!

 

August 4  Ye Must Be Born Again

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Lord Jesus, I realize that there is an OLD MAN living his life inside me: an agglomeration of negative, destructive beliefs, instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  From the souls of my feet to my head there is no soundness in me, but bruises and sores and raw wounds, administered by the father-of-lies, who tells me continually “You are dirty.  You are not good enough.  You are alone and need to fend for yourself.” Nothing but the lies of the father-of-lies dwell in my flesh.

 

“MARVEL NOT THAT I SAID UNTO THEE, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN” (John 3:7).

 

Lord Jesus, I invite You to abolished the lies of the father-of-lies in me to plant a new seed of Life in me. Fill me with Your Fruit of Righteousness that come with new beliefs of wholeness and holiness. Let my light shine before everyone, that they may see the new seed of Love, Hope, and Truth that You have planted in me in the place of the OLD MAN.

 

“BEING BORN AGAIN, NOT OF CORRUPTIBLE SEED, BUT OF INCORRUPTIBLE, BY THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH LIVETH AND ABIDETH FOR EVER” (1 Peter 1:23).

 

I rejoice in You, Lord Jesus, for You have borne a NEW MAN in me, created in Righteousness and true Holiness.  And now everything in me has become new.

 

“AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS” (Ephesians 4:23-24).

 

I am Yours!

 

 

August 5  Hide in the Shadow of the Almighty

 

God Almighty, sometimes I am afraid.  Sometimes my heart is so filled with fear and apprehension that I am unable to sleep at night.  Sometimes I am afraid of the pestilence that stalks in the darkness.  Sometimes I am afraid of the arrows that flies by day.  Sometimes I am afraid of the plague that destroys at midday.

 

“THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH
WILL FIND REST IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY” (Psalm 91:1).

 

Most High, I come to You to find protection, because You are able to save completely those who come to You.

 

“HE WILL COVER YOU WITH HIS FEATHERS,

AND UNDER HIS WINGS YOU WILL FIND REFUGE;

HIS FAITHFULNESS WILL BE YOUR SHIELD AND RAMPART” (Psalm 91:4).

 

Shield me from the evil arrows that cause abandonment, shame and condemnation, while I huddle in Your shadow.  Cover me with Your feathers while I sleep, so I may be hidden from the pestilence that stalks in the darkness.  Tuck me under Your wings, so I may be safe from the plague that destroys at midday.

 

“YOU WILL NOT FEAR THE TERROR OF NIGHT, NOR THE ARROW THAT FLIES BY DAY,

NOR THE PESTILENCE THAT STALKS IN THE DARKNESS,

NOR THE PLAGUE THAT DESTROYS AT MIDDAY” (Psalm 91:5-6).

 

Most High, keep me from hiding from evil in all the wrong places.  Instead, let me hide in Your Presence.  Then, no evil will conquer me, because like a hen protects her chicks under her feathers, You faithfully protect those who trust in Your Name.

 

“IF YOU MAKE THE LORD YOUR REFUGE,

IF YOU MAKE THE MOST HIGH YOUR SHELTER,

NO EVIL WILL CONQUER YOU;

I WILL PROTECT THOSE WHO TRUST IN MY NAME” (Psalm 91:9, 10, 14).

 

Your Faithfulness is my shield!

August 6  The Darkness Shall not Hide from You

 

“INDEED, THE DARKNESS SHALL NOT HIDE FROM YOU, BUT THE NIGHT SHINES AS THE DAY; THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT ARE BOTH ALIKE TO YOU” (Psalm 139:12).

 

Perfect Father, I praise You, for You are able to keep me from stumbling, for darkness and light are both alike to You.  Although I might be engulfed in thick oppressing darkness, You can always see right through it.  Although my understanding becomes clouded by darkness, Your Understanding stays acute, for You are the Light of the World.

 

I will not be afraid of darkness, God of the Heavenly Lights, for You have come into the world as a Light, so that no one who believes in You would stay in darkness.  Let me walk in the Light, as You are in the Light. You can always see the way.  Call me to take Your hand when I cannot see anymore, to cast my burdens on You, because You have become a Light for those who are in the dark.

 

Let me refrain from leaning on my own understanding and my own perturbing perceptions, for You have commanded me to live as a child of the Light. Guide me with Your Eye, O Lord, while You bring to light what is hidden in the dark corners of my heart, so I may live in Your Righteousness and Truth.

 

“I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO; I WILL GUIDE YOU WITH MY EYE” (Psalm 32:8).

 

Everlasting Father, I give joyful thanks to You, who have qualified me to share in Your Kingdom of Light.

 

I am taking Your hand!

 

 

 

August 7  Has Darkness Blinded your Eyes?

 

“BUT FOR YOU WHO FEAR MY NAME, THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL RISE WITH HEALING IN HIS WINGS. AND YOU WILL GO FREE, LEAPING WITH JOY LIKE CALVES LET OUT TO PASTURE” (Malachi 4:2).

 

Son of Righteousness, You who shine like the sun, rise in my heart with healing in Your wings, so I may leap with Joy like calves let out to pasture.

 

“BUT HE WHO HATES HIS BROTHER IS IN DARKNESS AND WALKS IN DARKNESS, AND DOES NOT KNOW WHERE HE IS GOING, BECAUSE THE DARKNESS HAS BLINDED HIS EYES” (1 John 2:11).

 

Sometimes, I stumble around in darkness, O Lord, hating those You have put in my life. I do not see what I am doing and do not know where I am going, because the accusatory beliefs of the father-of-lies have cast darkness on my heart.

 

“IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, AND WALK IN DARKNESS, WE LIE AND DO NOT PRACTICE THE TRUTH” (1 John 1:6).

 

Most High, I confess my fellowship with the father-of-lies. Call me into fellowship with You, so I may see those around me through Your Truth. Only then will Your Love manifest in my heart. Remind me, daily, that You have rescued me from the dominion of darkness, and brought me into Your Kingdom, so I may live as a child of the Light.

 

“NOW THAT YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOURSELVES BY OBEYING THE TRUTH SO THAT YOU HAVE SINCERE LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHERS, LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY, FROM THE HEART” (1 Peter 1:22).

 

Purify me by Your Truth, my Lord, so I may put aside the deeds of the darkness and put on the armor of Your Light. Then I will have sincere Love for each person You have put in my life.

 

Sun Of Righteousness, rise in my heart!

 

 

August 8  Your Power, Ability, and Sufficiency are from God

 

“NOT THAT WE ARE FIT (QUALIFIED AND SUFFICIENT IN ABILITY) OF OURSELVES TO FORM PERSONAL JUDGMENTS OR TO CLAIM OR COUNT ANYTHING AS COMING FROM US, BUT OUR POWER AND ABILITY AND SUFFICIENCY ARE FROM GOD”

(2 Corinthians 3:5 AMP).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that I do not have to try in vain to be good and kind and patient.  You alone have become my Righteousness from God: my Patience…my Goodness…my Kindness.  My sufficiency of Goodness comes from You.

 

Lord Jesus, how comforted I am that I do not have to muster up my own hope for my future.  It is You, God of Hope, who will fill me with Joy and Peace when I trust in You.  My sufficiency of Hope comes from You.

 

Most High, I admit that I am not able to achieve peace during my unsettling circumstances.  May I always remember that only You, the Lord of Peace, delivers Peace, at all times and in every way, when I submit my thoughts to You.  My sufficiency of Peace comes from You.

 

Often, the father-of-lies’ negative beliefs confuse me, so that I am not able to unlock the truth.  Remind me that only the Spirit of Truth is able to guide me into all Truth, when I invite Your Truth into my mind.  My sufficiency of Truth comes from You.

 

Lord God, I acknowledge that I do not have the power to solve my problems.  My sufficiency of Power comes from You, when I lay my weaknesses at Your feet.

 

“FOR FROM HIM AND THROUGH HIM AND TO HIM ARE ALL THINGS. TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOREVER! AMEN” (Romans 11:36).

 

To You be the Glory forever!

 

 

August 9  The Meaning of Suffering

 

A quote from Victor E. Frankl, a psychiatrist, writing from a Nazi concentration camp, explains:

“A LIFE WHOSE MEANING DEPENDS UPON SUCH A HAPPENSTANCE—

AS WHETHER ONE ESCAPES OR NOT—

ULTIMATELY WOULD NOT BE WORTH LIVING AT ALL.”

 

Lord God, deliver me from wanting to live my life as a means to escape from my hardship. Instead, bring me to the place where I will endure hardship as discipline—a training to correct the shame, abandonment, and condemnation, instilled in my heart by the father-of-lies.

 

“ENDURE HARDSHIP AS DISCIPLINE; GOD IS TREATING YOU AS SONS” (Hebrews 12:7).

 

Blessed is the one You discipline, my Lord, the one You treat as a son. By Your discipline, remove from my heart everything that can be shaken,  and replace it with that, which cannot be shaken—Your everlasting Kingdom of Joy, Peace, and Love.

 

“THEREFORE, SINCE WE ARE RECEIVING A KINGDOM THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN, LET US BE THANKFUL, AND SO WORSHIP GOD ACCEPTABLY WITH REVERENCE AND AWE” (Hebrews 12:28).

 

Let me accept Your discipline, Most High, for everything You do will endure forever. Your discipline will bring forth a lasting Fruit of Righteousness in my innermost being, and nobody will be able to take that away from me.

 

“I KNOW THAT EVERYTHING GOD DOES WILL ENDURE FOREVER; NOTHING CAN BE ADDED TO IT AND NOTHING TAKEN FROM IT. GOD DOES IT SO THAT MEN WILL REVERE HIM” (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

 

Honor and Glory to the Most High!

August 10  The Meaning of Sin

 

“HE WHO SINS IS OF THE DEVIL, FOR THE DEVIL HAS SINNED FROM THE BEGINNING” (1 John 3:8).

 

Lord Jesus, help me to understand that sin is not something mysterious…something unexplainable…something that HAPPENS to me.  Instead, sin has a purpose.

 

Sin is the father-of-lies’ solutions to escape heartache.

 

I confess that my sinful habits and patterns sit on a pillar of beliefs suggested by the father-of-lies.  Show me what these hurtful beliefs are, O Lord. Sometimes, they suggest that I have been abandoned by certain people and by You.  Other times, they propose that I am unaccepted and unacceptable.  Often, they insinuate that I am nothing but a being of shame, and these hurts cause me to accept the solutions of distraction and destruction the father-of-lies offer—sin.

 

“FOR THIS PURPOSE THE SON OF GOD WAS MANIFESTED, THAT HE MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL” (1 John 3:8)

 

Lord Jesus, how hope fills my heart when I ponder that You were manifested to destroy the works of the father-of-lies in my heart.  You came to offer a different solution to the heartache of abandonment, shame, and condemnation—Yourself.  Let me turn to You, daily, my Savior, instead of the sinful solutions of distraction and destruction that offer escape, to accept Your solution of Truth, Hope, and Love.

 

You deliver me from evil!

August 11  The Meaning of Temptation

 

I realize that the father-of-lies is constantly tempting me to adopt his solutions of distraction and destruction to ease my heartache. The father-of-lies is continually enticing me to do what is wrong, after he instilled his negative, destructive beliefs of unworthiness in my mind.  The father-of-lies is incessantly luring me into habits and patterns that point me away from Your solutions, O Lord.

 

“BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT ENDURETH TEMPTATION: FOR WHEN HE IS TRIED, HE SHALL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH THE LORD HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM” (James 1:12).

 

Lord Jesus, allow me to stand firm when the father-of-lies invites me to adopt his solutions for my heartache.  Remind me, daily, that his answers to my beliefs of unworthiness offer no real solution, but harm, ruin, and loss.  Let me never forget that his solutions are counterfeit, because His answers to my heartache are only enticements to keep me away from experiencing Your miraculous solutions of Truth, Hope, and Love.

 

“NO TEMPTATION HAS SEIZED YOU EXCEPT WHAT IS COMMON TO MAN. AND GOD IS FAITHFUL; HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. BUT WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT SO THAT YOU CAN STAND UP UNDER IT” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that the temptations from the enemy are explainable, surmountable, and escapable, because You are always present during temptations, to show me the way out.

 

I honor You, Lord God!

 

 

August 12  I Am Special

 

“WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I TALKED LIKE A CHILD, I THOUGHT LIKE A CHILD, I REASONED LIKE A CHILD. WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT CHILDISH WAYS BEHIND ME. NOW WE SEE BUT A POOR REFLECTION AS IN A MIRROR; THEN WE SHALL SEE FACE TO FACE. NOW I KNOW IN PART; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, EVEN AS I AM FULLY KNOWN” (1 Corinthians 13:11-12).

 

How comforted I am, O Lord, that I am Your chosen child and Your special possession, even though the father-of-lies had told me as a child that I am not special…that I do not count…that I have no purpose in this life. I declare Your praises, who called me out of darkness into Your wonderful Light. Your Grace has given me eternal encouragement and good Hope.

 

When I was a child, filled with the oppressing beliefs of the father-of-lies, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, and I reasoned like a child, but You loved me and sent Your son as an atoning sacrifice for these negative beliefs and my sinful reactions to them. How glad I am that I do not have a high priest who is unable to understand what I went through as a child, but one that has been tempted in every way.

 

I surrender my childhood interpretations that claim that I am not special and that I do not count, to You, Redeemer, so I may become an adult by Your Truth. Let me see You face to face. Then, I shall know fully who I am, because I am fully known by You.

 

“FOR WE DO NOT HAVE A HIGH PRIEST WHO IS UNABLE TO EMPATHIZE WITH OUR WEAKNESSES, BUT WE HAVE ONE WHO HAS BEEN TEMPTED IN EVERY WAY, JUST AS WE ARE—YET HE DID NOT SIN” (Hebrews 4:15).

 

I honor You, Lord God!

 

August 13  Know What Makes You Stumble

 

“THE WAY OF THE WICKED IS LIKE DARKNESS; THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT MAKES THEM STUMBLE” (Proverbs 4:19).

 

Help me, O God of my salvation, when I am chained by darkness and do not know what makes me stumble.  Help me identify what makes me stumble, and expose it to You, so my darkness could turn to Light.

 

“FOR A MAN IS A SLAVE TO WHATEVER HAS MASTERED HIM” (2 Peter 2:19).

 

Savior, so many times I am devoid of light: I do not understand.  I am not able to discern.  I am not able to differentiate.  I am not able to recognize…to conclude…to know.  I have become a slave to powers that have mastered me, but I do not understand what they are, and where to look for the light.

 

“AND HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE UNFRUITFUL WORKS OF DARKNESS, BUT RATHER EXPOSE THEM” (Ephesians 5:11).

 

God of the Heavenly Lights, I worship You with Joy!  Remind me, daily to quit having fellowship with the works of darkness, but rather, to expose them to You: to be attentive to the feelings that cause me to flee from a situation…to be alert to the beliefs in my heart that cause me to hide from people…to investigate my heart and find out why I am blaming others for my pain. 

 

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world, so I should abide in You, not in darkness.  May I remain in Your Truth…not in the dark belief that I am a failure.  May I abide in Your Hope…not in the dark belief that there are no answers.  May I remain in Your Love…not in the dark belief that I am not likable.

 

“I HAVE COME AS A LIGHT INTO THE WORLD, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME SHOULD NOT ABIDE IN DARKNESS” (John 12:46).

 

Thank you for the Light!

 

August 14  Each Moment Is an Act of Deciding

 

God of Hope, how good it is to know that life is not just a solid time period here on this earth for which I have to make one big decision, but chopped up into little segments of time periods, for which I have to make many individual, moment-by-moment decisions.

 

“THIS DAY I CALL HEAVEN AND EARTH AS WITNESSES AGAINST YOU THAT I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSINGS AND CURSES. NOW CHOOSE LIFE, SO THAT YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN MAY LIVE AND THAT YOU MAY LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, LISTEN TO HIS VOICE, AND HOLD FAST TO HIM. FOR THE LORD IS YOUR LIFE” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

 

Most High, help me to understand that life is a moment-by-moment choice between Life and Death: that every minute of my life is an act of deciding between Your blessings and the curses of the roaring lion…that every minute I am alive, I live either in Light or in Darkness…that every hour of my life, I am either living in Truth or in Deception.

 

“DO NOT OFFER THE PARTS OF YOUR BODY TO SIN, AS INSTRUMENTS OF WICKEDNESS, BUT RATHER OFFER YOURSELVES TO GOD, AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FROM DEATH TO LIFE; AND OFFER THE PARTS OF YOUR BODY TO HIM AS INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Romans 6:13).

 

May I realize that each moment of my life I am selecting a choice of action: that every given moment of my life, I live either in obedience to You, Perfect Father, or in obedience to the father-of-lies…that each given moment, I either adopt the father-of-lies’ suggestions of escaping my heartache, or adopt Your suggestions of dealing with my heartache.

 

How encouraged I am to know that life is made up of many choices and even if I made the wrong decision, one moment, I can make the right decision, the next moment.

 

I have decided to follow You, O God!

August 15  Success Is a By-Product

 

“YET WHEN I SURVEYED ALL THAT MY HANDS HAD DONE AND WHAT I HAD TOILED TO ACHIEVE, EVERYTHING WAS MEANINGLESS, A CHASING AFTER THE WIND; NOTHING WAS GAINED UNDER THE SUN” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

 

Lord God, at the end of my life, when I survey all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, I would like to see that everything was not meaningless…a chasing after the wind.  I would like to see that something permanent was gained under the sun.

 

“AND I SAW THAT ALL LABOR AND ALL ACHIEVEMENT SPRING FROM MAN’S ENVY OF HIS NEIGHBOR. THIS TOO IS MEANINGLESS, A CHASING AFTER THE WIND” (Ecclesiastes 4:4).

 

Most High, at the end of my life, when I survey all that I had toiled to achieve, I would like to see that no achievement sprang from my envy of my neighbor.  This would have been meaningless toiling…a chasing after the wind.  Nothing would have been gained under the sun.

 

“I KNOW THAT EVERYTHING GOD DOES WILL ENDURE FOREVER; NOTHING CAN BE ADDED TO IT AND NOTHING TAKEN FROM IT. GOD DOES IT SO THAT MEN WILL REVERE HIM” (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

 

Lord God, how my heart fills with Hope when I ponder that everything You do is permanent.  Therefore, I surrender to You to do Your Will through me, for everything You do through me will endure forever.  Nobody will be able to add to that or take away from that.  Success is only a by-product of my surrender to You.

 

“DON’T AIM AT SUCCESS. FOR SUCCESS CANNOT BE PURSUED, IT MUST ENSUE, AND IT DOES SO AS THE UNINTENDED SIDE-EFFECT OF ONE’S DEDICATION TO A CAUSE GREATER THAN ONESELF OR AS THE BY-PRODUCT OF ONE’S SURRENDER TO A PERSON OTHER THAN ONESELF” (Victor E. Frankl).

 

I surrender to You, O Lord!

 

August 16  Love Is a By-Product of God’s Spirit

 

“PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS”

(Psalm 103:2).

 

Lord God, You are Love.  I surrender to You.  I surrender to Your Love.  I surrender to You to love through me.

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love” (Galatians 5:22).

 

Savior, let my love not only be a change of attitude towards someone from the outside, but a fruit of Your Spirit from the inside.  I desire for my love to be a by-product of my surrender to You.

 

“LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND. IT DOES NOT ENVY, IT DOES NOT BOAST, IT IS NOT PROUD. IT IS NOT RUDE, IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING, IT IS NOT EASILY ANGERED, IT KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS. LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH. IT ALWAYS PROTECTS, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

 

Lord Jesus, grow Your Love in me by Your Spirit, because Love that is grown by Your Holy Spirit is kind, gently, and patient from the inside out.  It does not envy.  It does not boast.  It is not rude.  It is the only Love that keeps no record of wrongs against others. It is also the only Love that does not rejoice in the evil that people do, but delights in the Truth.

 

“LOVE NEVER FAILS.  IT ALWAYS PROTECTS, ALWAYS TRUSTS, ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES” ((1 Corinthians 13:8, 7).

 

Lord God, grow Your Love in my heart…the kind that never fails.  Yours is the only Love that does not fail.  It always trusts.  It always hopes.  It always perseveres.

 

“THE SALVATION OF MAN IS THROUGH LOVE AND IN LOVE” (Victor E. Frankl).

 

Praise the Lord, o my soul!

August 17  God Loves to Reward Us

 

“ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS AND THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM” (Hebrews 11:6).

 

Perfect Father, how encouraged I am that You reward me when I come to You and earnestly seek You.  Let me come face to face with Your Truth when I seek You in my failure.  Let me experience Your Wisdom when I seek You in my confusion.  Let me taste Your Love when I seek you while feeling unloved and unlovable.  Let me drink deeply from Your streams of Living Water when my heart feels numb with the pain of rejection.  Let me witness Your Light when I seek You in the dark dungeons of depression.  Let me behold Your transforming Power when I seek you in my sinful defense habits and patterns.

 

“‘BECAUSE HE LOVES ME,’ SAYS THE LORD, ‘I WILL RESCUE HIM; I WILL PROTECT HIM, FOR HE ACKNOWLEDGES MY NAME.  HE WILL CALL UPON ME, AND I WILL ANSWER HIM; I WILL BE WITH HIM IN TROUBLE, I WILL DELIVER HIM AND HONOR HIM.  WITH LONG LIFE WILL I SATISFY HIM AND SHOW HIM MY SALVATION’”

(Psalm 91:14-16).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You love to show Yourself to us when we love You.  You love to answer us when we call upon You.  You love to deliver us from hopelessness, helplessness and powerlessness when we submit these lies to Your Truth.  You love to honor us when we obey You.  You love to rescue us from the deception that lives in our minds when we invite Your Presence and Participation into our understanding.  You love to protect us when we acknowledge Your Name.  You love to talk to us when we talk to You.

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

I seek You, O Lord!

 

August 18  If Your Eye Is Bad

 

“BUT IF YOUR EYE IS BAD, YOUR WHOLE BODY WILL BE FULL OF DARKNESS. IF THEREFORE THE LIGHT THAT IS IN YOU IS DARKNESS, HOW GREAT IS THAT DARKNESS!” (Matthew 6:23).

 

Lord Jesus, let me be on the alert for a bad eye, because if I have a bad eye, my whole body will be filled with darkness.

 

I realize that my eye is bad when I accept the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies: “I am condemned.  I am shameful.  I am abandoned.”  Everything and everyone around me becomes contaminated, because I do not see them through the lenses of Truth, but through the lenses of deception.

 

“THEREFORE TAKE HEED THAT THE LIGHT WHICH IS IN YOU IS NOT DARKNESS” (Luke 11:35).

 

God of Light, shine Your Light in my heart, so my eye would be coated with belonging. Then, I will look at everything and everyone through the lenses of Your Presence in my life, instead of feeling alone, unprotected, and overlooked.  Give me Your Light of Acceptance, so I may see everything and everyone through the lenses of Your eyes. Then, I will experience acceptance and approval, instead of feeling doomed, wrong, and incriminated. Remove the darkness of shame that has been filling my heart, causing my eye to be bad.  Then, I will view everything and everyone through the lenses of worthiness, instead of guilt, shortcoming, and impropriety.

 

“FOR GOD, WHO SAID, ‘LET LIGHT SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS MADE HIS LIGHT SHINE IN OUR HEARTS TO GIVE US THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF CHRIST’” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

 

I worship You, God of Light!

 

August 19  Enter God’s Rest

 

“FOR IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU TO WILL AND TO ACT ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PURPOSE” (Philippians 2:13).

 

Most High, bring me to the place where I will allow You to act in my life according to Your good Purpose, for if I do things according to my good purpose, I find no rest. I strive a lot.  I worry a lot.  Very often, my purpose is not even achieved, and if it is, it does not give me the satisfaction I expected.

 

“THEREFORE, SINCE THE PROMISE OF ENTERING HIS REST STILL STANDS, LET US BE CAREFUL THAT NONE OF YOU BE FOUND TO HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF IT. FOR WE ALSO HAVE HAD THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO US, JUST AS THEY DID; BUT THE MESSAGE THEY HEARD WAS OF NO VALUE TO THEM, BECAUSE THOSE WHO HEARD DID NOT COMBINE IT WITH FAITH” (Hebrews 4:1-2).

 

Lord God, thank you that the promise of entering Your rest still stands.  Work Your Faith in my heart, so I may enter Your rest, as I allow You to will and act in me according to Your good Purpose.

 

“THERE REMAINS, THEN, A SABBATH-REST FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD; FOR ANYONE WHO ENTERS GOD’S REST ALSO RESTS FROM HIS OWN WORK, JUST AS GOD DID FROM HIS” (Hebrews 4:9-10).

 

Exchange my good purpose for Your good Purpose, O Lord, so I might enter Your rest—resting from my own striving and worrying as I walk by Your Faith…not my sight.

 

“FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

 

Your Will be done!

August 20  You Have Received a Comforter

“NEVERTHELESS I TELL YOU THE TRUTH;

IT IS EXPEDIENT FOR YOU THAT I GO AWAY:

 FOR IF I GO NOT AWAY, THE COMFORTER WILL NOT COME UNTO YOU;

BUT IF I DEPART, I WILL SEND HIM UNTO YOU”

(John 16:7).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You have sent me a Helper.  I have an Adviser…a Sustainer…a Maintainer.  I am not companionless…unaccompanied…alone.   I am not forsaken… abandoned…betrayed.  I have a Helper.

 

“AND I WILL PRAY THE FATHER,

AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COMFORTER,

THAT HE MAY ABIDE WITH YOU FOREVER”

(John 14:16).

 

How encouraged I am that the Comforter is always with me and will not leave me.  I am never alone.  I do not have to be intimidated by my surroundings and circumstances, because I am not abandoned.  I do not have to be afraid to be by myself, for my Counselor is at my side.  I do not have to be anxious about anything, because my Encourager abides with me forever.

 

“THOUGH MY FATHER AND MOTHER FORSAKE ME,

THE LORD WILL RECEIVE ME” (Psalm 27:10).

 

Thank you, Perfect Father, that I may know that even if my father and mother have forsaken me, You will receive me.

 

“I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS: I WILL COME TO YOU” (John 14:18).

 

I have the Comforter!

 

 

August 21  That You May Stand

 

“STAND FAST IN THE LORD” (1 Thessalonians 3:8).

 

Lord Jesus, I yearn to stand fast in You.  I yearn to follow You…not the father-of-lies.  I yearn to live in Your Light…not the darkness.  I yearn to obey Your thoughts…not the negative, destructive thoughts in my mind.

 

Enable me to stand firm, with the belt of Your Truth buckled around my waist, so that when the father-of-lies tempts me with his oppressing beliefs of hopelessness, I may be able to stand my ground in Your Hope, determined not to give up.  Keep me from being broken off because of unbelief, but to stand by Faith.

 

“THAT YOU MAY STAND PERFECT AND COMPLETE IN ALL THE WILL OF GOD” (Colossians 4:12).

 

Lord Jesus, I yearn to stand perfect and complete in all Your Will, mature and fully assured.  Let me stand perfect and complete in all Your Will, even when despair knocks at my heart’s door.  Let me stand perfect and complete in all Your Will, even when circumstances beg me to give up.  Let me stand perfect and complete in all Your Will, even when I do not see any results, yet.

 

Protect me from becoming weary in doing good, so that at the proper time I might reap a harvest. Enable me to give myself fully to Your work, assuring me that my labor in You is not in vain.

 

“LET US NOT BECOME WEARY IN DOING GOOD, FOR AT THE PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP” (Galatians 6:9).

 

Your Will be done!

 

August 22  To Exchange the Truth for a Lie

 

“THEY EXCHANGED THE TRUTH OF GOD FOR A LIE, AND WORSHIPED AND SERVED CREATED THINGS RATHER THAN THE CREATOR—WHO IS FOREVER PRAISED. AMEN” (Romans 1:25).

 

Lord Jesus, I see that it has always been the god of this world’s goal to get me to serve created things rather than You, the Creator, and to revere people, instead of You, the Creator of people.  He would rather I serve a ministry, instead of You, the Creator of the ministry.  He would rather that I exalt the extent of my education, instead of You, the Most High.

 

“DON’T YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU OFFER YOURSELVES TO SOMEONE TO OBEY HIM AS SLAVES, YOU ARE SLAVES TO THE ONE WHOM YOU OBEY—WHETHER YOU ARE SLAVES TO SIN, WHICH LEADS TO DEATH, OR TO OBEDIENCE, WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?” (Romans 6:16).

 

Lord Jesus, I worship You, who have chosen to call us with the Word of Truth, that we may become Your children. I desire to obey Your Truth, instead of the negative, destructive beliefs the father-of-lies has instilled in my mind since childhood. Save me from the spirit of falsehood, who has come to deceive those who are perishing, by exchanging the Truth for lies.

 

“THE COMING OF THE LAWLESS ONE WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORK OF SATAN DISPLAYED IN ALL KINDS OF COUNTERFEIT MIRACLES, SIGNS AND WONDERS, AND IN EVERY SORT OF EVIL THAT DECEIVES THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING. THEY PERISH BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO LOVE THE TRUTH AND SO BE SAVED”

(2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).

 

Lord Jesus, You are the Truth…and You save those who are lost in deception. I yearn for the Truth, instead of the counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders that bring no Joy and no Peace.

 

You are forever praised!

 

August 23  When You Surrender, God Will Accept

 

“LET US DRAW NEAR WITH A TRUE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH”

(Hebrews 10:22).

 

Most High, with confidence I enter Your Most Holy Place by the blood of Your son, Jesus. I draw near to You in true assurance of faith.  How comforting to know that there is no wrong or right way to enter the Most Holy Place of Your Presence, since the blood of Your son, Jesus, has given me access.  How encouraging to know that there is no wrong way to surrender anything or anyone to You, regardless of what the father-of-lies tells me.

 

“THEREFORE, BROTHERS, SINCE WE HAVE CONFIDENCE TO ENTER THE MOST HOLY PLACE BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, BY A NEW AND LIVING WAY OPENED FOR US THROUGH THE CURTAIN, THAT IS, HIS BODY, AND SINCE WE HAVE A GREAT PRIEST OVER THE HOUSE OF GOD, LET US DRAW NEAR TO GOD WITH A SINCERE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH” (Hebrews 10:19-22).

 

Most High, I enter boldly into Your Presence, with a heart fully trusting You.  Thank you for accepting and guarding whatever I entrust You, even if I do not submit someone or something in a perfect way.  You receive me, because I come under the blood of Your son, Jesus, who, by a new and living way, opened a way to You.

 

“THOSE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME WILL TRUST IN YOU, FOR YOU, LORD, HAVE NEVER FORSAKEN THOSE WHO SEEK YOU” (Psalm 9:10).

 

I draw near to You!

 

August 24  Love One Another

 

“A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE UNTO YOU, THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, THAT YE ALSO LOVE ONE ANOTHER” (John 13:34).

 

Lord Jesus, I realize that there is an OLD MAN living his life inside me: an agglomeration of negative, destructive beliefs, instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  This collection of OLD MAN beliefs carries a painful negative message of failure, defilement, and unworthiness.

 

Give me understanding to know that it is the presence of this OLD MAN and its degrading beliefs of “You are not acceptable, You are not worthy, You are unlovable” that cause me to hate myself and despise others, for I am not able to love anyone from the heart if I perceive myself as unworthy, unacceptable, and unlovable.

 

“NOW THAT YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOURSELVES BY OBEYING THE TRUTH SO THAT YOU HAVE SINCERE LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHERS, LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY, FROM THE HEART” (1 Peter 1:22).

 

Lord Jesus, remind me, every day, that my spouse, or my friends, or my parents cannot grand me worth, acceptance, and purpose.  Therefore, call me, often, to bring these OLD MAN beliefs of defilement, failure, and unworthiness to You, to be purified by Your Truth, for only then will I have sincere love for myself, my spouse, and the other people in my life.

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

You purify me by Your Truth!

 

 

August 25  Be Silent when You Are Dishonored

 

“WHEN HE WAS ACCUSED BY THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE ELDERS, HE GAVE NO ANSWER. THEN PILATE ASKED HIM, ‘DON’T YOU HEAR THE TESTIMONY THEY ARE BRINGING AGAINST YOU?’ BUT JESUS MADE NO REPLY, NOT EVEN TO A SINGLE CHARGE—TO THE GREAT AMAZEMENT OF THE GOVERNOR” (Matthew 27:12-14).

 

Lord Jesus, You are Lord.  You are above all.  None can compare with You. When You were accused, incriminated, and denounced, You made no reply.  When You were treated with disrespect, dishonor, and disgrace, You were silent.

 

“HE WAS OPPRESSED, AND HE WAS AFFLICTED, YET HE OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH” (Isaiah 53:7).

 

O Lord Jesus, when You were oppressed and afflicted, You said no word.  You did not defend Yourself in anger.  You did not argue and prove Yourself valid.  You lived in perfect and complete surrender to the Will of the Perfect Father.

 

“FATHER, IF YOU ARE WILLING, TAKE THIS CUP FROM ME; YET NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS BE DONE” (Luke 22:42).

 

Perfect Father, how amazing is Your Provision—Jesus Christ. You sent the Spirit of Your Son into my heart: the Spirit of the same Person who kept silent when He was accused, oppressed, and afflicted.

 

Lord Jesus, come and live Your Life of perfect surrender to the Perfect Father in my spirit. When someone accuses and disrespect me, respond with Your silent surrender through me, so I, too may stand in the perfect and complete Will of the Perfect Father.

 

“GOD SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO OUR HEARTS” (Galatians 4:6).

 

Your Will be done!

 

August 26  To Say, “I Am Sorry”

 

“AND FORGIVE US OUR SINS, FOR WE ALSO FORGIVE EVERYONE WHO IS INDEBTED TO US. AND DO NOT LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE” (Luke 11:4).

 

Lord Jesus, help me to forgive anyone who is indebted to me and to ask forgiveness to those whom I have offended and to whom I am indebted.

 

Lord God, remind me, often, that to seek forgiveness for an offense could soften someone’s hardened heart and release him from further temptation from the father-of-lies.  To be atoning could deliver someone from strongholds already set in place by the father-of-lies.  Dropping my defense, and offering an apology, instead could bring Truth to someone’s darkened understanding and set him free.

 

And Lord Jesus, when my words, “I am sorry,” are not enough to soften someone’s heart, help them to understand that they need to be delivered from the evil one: that it is not what I said or did to them that is hurting them the most, but what the father-of-lies told them in response to my words or actions. Show them that these negative, destructive beliefs cannot always be removed by a human’s, “I am sorry,” but by Your Truth when they submit their pain to You.

 

“A GENTLE ANSWER TURNS AWAY WRATH, BUT A HARSH WORD STIRS UP ANGER” (Proverbs 15:1).

 

Give me a humble heart with gentle answers, O Lord, for a gentle answer could turn away strong vengeful anger and indignation.  A gentle answer could soften someone’s heart enough to open a channel for Your Truth to enter…for Your Hope to be revealed…for Your Love to heal.

 

You deliver us from the evil one!

 

August 27  In the Midst of Suffering

 

“Man is not fully conditioned and determined but rather determines himself whether he gives in to conditions or stand up to them.  In other words, man is ultimately self-determining.  Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become in the next moment.” (Victor E. Frankl)

 

Lord Jesus, I realize that life is full of joy…but also full of pain.  Sometimes, I feel alone… companionless…forsaken.  Other times, I feel rejected…unaccepted…condemned.  Still yet, at times I experience shame—a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety.  There is also the pain of loss and of disappointment.

 

Thank you, Lord God, that You did not make me into a robot, but into a self-determining being whose quality of existence depends on my choices. How good to know that even though someone could control me from the outside, nobody could control me from the inside, because I will always have the freedom to choose what I will become in the midst of my pain…even in the next moment.  I have the choice to run from my sorrows, hide from my anguish, or blame someone else for my wounds.  Or, I could choose You!

 

“HE IS DESPISED AND REJECTED OF MEN; A MAN OF SORROWS, AND ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF…SURELY HE HATH BORNE OUR GRIEFS AND CARRIED OUR SORROWS” (Isaiah 53:3-4).

 

I choose to choose You, Lord Jesus, in the midst of my suffering. When I feel lonely, remind me that You stand ready to carry my loneliness and offer Your Presence in its place. When I feel rejected, remind me that You are able to carry my rejection and offer acceptance in its place. When I experience shame, remind me that You desire to carry my shame and offer worthiness in its place, for You have borne all my grievances. You are the Stronghold of my life, O Lord.

 

You are the Lord my God!

 

 

August 28  To Whom Do You Offer Your Emotions?

 

“DON’T YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU OFFER YOURSELVES TO SOMEONE TO OBEY HIM AS SLAVES, YOU ARE SLAVES TO THE ONE WHOM YOU OBEY—WHETHER YOU ARE SLAVES TO SIN, WHICH LEADS TO DEATH, OR TO OBEDIENCE, WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?” (Romans 6:16).

 

Lord God, how good to know that I do not only simply exist, but that You made me into a self-determining being—a being whose quality of existence depends on my choices.  Quicken my understanding that I may realize how important my choices are: that I will become a slave to the one whom I obey—the Perfect Father…or the father-of-lies.

 

“MAN IS NOT FULLY CONDITIONED AND DETERMINED BUT RATHER DETERMINES HIMSELF WHETHER HE GIVES IN TO CONDITIONS OR STAND UP TO THEM.  IN OTHER WORDS, MAN IS ULTIMATELY SELF-DETERMINING.  MAN DOES NOT SIMPLY EXIST BUT ALWAYS DECIDES WHAT HIS EXISTENCE WILL BE, WHAT HE WILL BECOME IN THE NEXT MOMENT.” (Victor E. Frankl)

 

Lord Jesus, remind me, daily to be careful whom I serve with my emotions, for the father-of-lies is constantly looking for a way to use my emotions to serve him—to use these sensitive characteristics that You created to serve You, as a nest in which he deposits his lies.

 

Oh, the depth of Your Goodness, Lord Jesus. You, who redeem us from all wickedness, and purify for Yourself a people that are Your very own, when we offer our emotions to You.

 

“JESUS CHRIST, WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US TO REDEEM US FROM ALL WICKEDNESS AND TO PURIFY FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE THAT ARE HIS VERY OWN, EAGER TO DO WHAT IS GOOD” (Titus 2:13-14).

 

To You be all glory!

 

August 29  May the God of Truth Redeem Your Spirit

 

“BUT THERE IS A SPIRIT IN MAN, AND THE BREATH OF THE ALMIGHTY GIVES HIM UNDERSTANDING” (Job 32:8).

 

Lord Jesus, often, during my daily perceptions, I am confused, perturbed, or anxious.  Often, when I look at a circumstance, I perceive things as being hopeless.  Sometimes, when I look at a situation through my own eyes, I perceive that I am not safe.  Other times, when I look at the state of affairs through my own understanding, I perceive that You are not in control of my life.

 

But everything changes when I commit my spirit into Your hand, O Lord of Truth.  The Breath of the Almighty gives me understanding.  It is not necessarily an understanding that I can grasp and explain with my mind, but an understanding that places Truth, Hope, and Love deep into my spirit.

 

“FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS QUICK, AND POWERFUL, AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD, PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVIDING ASUNDER OF SOUL AND SPIRIT, AND OF THE JOINTS AND MARROW, AND IS A DISCERNER OF THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART.” (Hebrews 4:12).

 

Lord Almighty, how encouraged I am that the active, living words that You speak into my spirit are so powerful that they discern my innermost thoughts and desires…even the thoughts and desires that are hidden from my own mind.

 

“INTO YOUR HAND I COMMIT MY SPIRIT; YOU HAVE REDEEMED ME, O LORD GOD OF TRUTH” (Psalm 31:5).

 

O Lord God of Truth, call me, moment-by-moment, to invite Your Presence and Participation into my perturbing perceptions, so You may redeem me with Your Truth and give me understanding from the inside out. Discern my thoughts to make sure they are from You and not from the father-of-lies. Search my heart to make sure that my desires are pure and not a result of the accusatory beliefs of the father-of-lies.

 

Into Your hand I commit my spirit!

 

 

August 30  Ambassadors for Christ

 

“WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Most High, may I become an ambassador for You…

a representative of the Perfect Father’s Kingdom.

 

“BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU” (Matthew 6:33).

 

May my body be available to You, Lord Jesus,

 through which someone could experience Your dwelling place.

May my hands be available to You,

from which someone could receive Your kindness, Lord Jesus.

May my mouth be available to You, Lord,

through which someone could experience Your gentleness.

May my feet be available to You, my Lord,

from which someone could experience Your Presence.

“THY KINGDOM IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM, AND THY DOMINION ENDURETH THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS” (Psalm 145:13).

May my mind be available to You, Lord Jesus,

 through which I could experience Your Truth, Your Way, and Your Life.

May my will be available to You, Lord,

Through which I could experience Your surrender towards the Perfect Father.

Your dominion endures forever, O Lord!

 

 

August 31  Your Decisions Matter

 

“BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU” (Matthew 6:33).

 

Lord God, I have discovered that it is so easy to become a representative of the father-of-lies’ kingdom…a spokesperson for his domain of lies…an advocate for his godlessness and wickedness.  All I need to do is ACCEPT AND ADOPT the negative thoughts he introduces on a daily basis, and SUPPRESS THE TRUTH offered by You, the God of Truth, in opposition to these.

 

Sovereign Lord, help me to understand how important my decisions are: that when I adopt a thought or interpretation offered by the father-of-lies, I have invited the father-of-lies to govern my life at that moment…to kill, steal, and destroy me and those around me.

 

“MAN IS NOT FULLY CONDITIONED AND DETERMINED BUT RATHER DETERMINES HIMSELF WHETHER HE GIVES IN TO CONDITIONS OR STAND UP TO THEM.  IN OTHER WORDS, MAN IS ULTIMATELY SELF-DETERMINING.  MAN DOES NOT SIMPLY EXIST BUT ALWAYS DECIDES WHAT HIS EXISTENCE WILL BE, WHAT HE WILL BECOME IN THE NEXT MOMENT.” (Victor E. Frankl)

 

God of Truth, let me turn the father-of-lies’ thoughts and interpretations over to You, so You may govern my life, moment-by-moment, for then I have placed my whole self under the authority of Your Kingdom, to receive Your Love, Hope and Truth.

 

“THE WRATH OF GOD IS BEING REVEALED FROM HEAVEN AGAINST ALL THE GODLESSNESS AND WICKEDNESS OF MEN WHO SUPPRESS THE TRUTH BY THEIR WICKEDNESS” (Romans 1:18).

 

How important it is to know that You have created me into a self-determining being: MY DECISIONS MATTER to the father-of-lies…to You, God of Truth…to me…and to those around me.

 

I will sing of Your Truth!

September 1  Take Hold of That for which Jesus Took Hold of You

 

“BUT I PRESS ON TO TAKE HOLD OF THAT FOR WHICH CHRIST JESUS TOOK HOLD OF ME” (Philippians 3:12).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for taking hold of me.  Let me take hold of You.  You bought me salvation from my Self: from what I do…and from who I am.  But now I need to take hold of You.  You came to nail my OLD MAN beliefs “I am not loved, I am not lovable,” on the cross, so that I would not be a slave to the effects of these beliefs on my heart.  Show me how to take hold of that.

 

“PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! IN HIS GREAT MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD” (1 Peter 1:3).

 

How my heart leaps within me when I realize that there is a Living Hope available to me, moment-by-moment, through You, Jesus Christ: a Living Hope for my living despair, a Living Hope for my living fear, a Living Hope for my living grief.  Show me how to take hold of You, the Living Hope.

 

“JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME” (John 14:6).

 

Jesus, Living Hope, You are my Way to feel acceptable and accepted.  Help me to take hold of this Way.  Jesus, Living Hope, You are my Truth to the perception that I am fatally flawed.  Enable me to take hold of this Truth.  Jesus, Living Hope, You offer me Your Life, so I may be redeemed from the father-of-lies.  Empower me to take hold of Your Life.

 

JESUS, YOU TOOK HOLD OF ME

MAY I PRESS ON TO TAKE HOLD OF YOU!

 

Lord Jesus, You are my Living Hope!

 

 

September 2  Take Hold of That for which Jesus Took Hold of You

 

“BUT I PRESS ON TO TAKE HOLD OF THAT FOR WHICH CHRIST JESUS TOOK HOLD OF ME” (Philippians 3:12).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for all the opportunities that are available to me during this life.  However, I desire to take hold of the THAT—that special plan—for which You took hold of me. Although the other plans available to me during this life are not necessarily bad, I yearn to take hold of the God-sized plan for which You created me.

 

“FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM”

(Ephesians 2:10).

 

Lord God, how excited I am about the THAT that is available for my life—the marked-out course that Your mastermind has prepared beforehand for my life.  How I am looking forward to the special projects You have planned for me, the good works You have lined up for me, and the accomplishments that are going to ensue. May I be willing to give up all the other unnecessary plans I am following, so I may take hold of the THAT You have for me. Guide me into the full purpose that was specifically designed for me. Show me my daily task that is part of the big plan, so that at the end of each day I may say, “I have completed the task the Lord Jesus has given me for this day.”

 

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

 

May I press on to take hold of the That!

 

September 3 Meet Him in Your Heart

“JESUS ANSWERED, ‘I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME’” (John 14:6).

 

Lord Jesus, how encouraged I am that You are waiting for me in my heart when I feel sad, bad, or mad.  Help me to connect with my heart…and with You.

 

Sometimes, my heart feels so miserable, even when circumstances are good.  During these times, I find myself reacting to everything and everyone, even coming to the conclusion that I am not normal.  Everybody else seems to have it together, why am I falling apart, daily?  My heart seems filled DARKNESS…blackness…no light.

 

Lord Jesus, I need light: a way out of my perception that I am not okay…truth for my perception that You have no plan for the future…a life for the deadness in my soul.

 

I have noticed that it does not help to try and turn on the light in my heart all by myself.  My heart does not feel better if I memorize Scripture…if I tell myself over and over that everything is OK…if I try to avoid feeling bad, mad, and sad by pretending, keeping busy, or just sleeping it off.  I cannot force my heart to see things in a positive, holy way.  My own ways do not work.

 

But Lord Jesus, when You speak to my heart, it feels better right away.

 

Instead of pretending that I am okay, I invite Your Presence and Participation into my perception that I am not okay.  Tell me Your Truth.  Instead of trying to avoid feeling bad, mad, or sad, I invite Your Presence and Participation into my perception that You have no plan for my future.  Show me Your Way.  Instead of throwing memory verses at the deadness in my soul, I invite Your Presence and Participation into the perceptions that are causing the deadness.  Speak Your word into my heart.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You have a Way to make my heart feel better.

 

“O LORD, HOW GREAT ARE THY WORKS! AND THY THOUGHTS ARE VERY DEEP” (Psalm 92:5).

 

How great are Your works!

 

 

September 4  The Two Fathers

 

“BE VERY CAREFUL, THEN, HOW YOU LIVE—NOT AS UNWISE BUT AS WISE, MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL”

 (Ephesians 5:15-16).

 

Perfect Father, I desire to make the most of every opportunity: living not as unwise, but as wise, for the father-of-lies is using every opportunity to find a way for me to serve him.  How he would love to take Your place in my life.

 

“I KNOW THAT NOTHING GOOD LIVES IN ME, THAT IS, IN MY SINFUL NATURE.  FOR I HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD, BUT I CANNOT CARRY IT OUT. FOR WHAT I DO IS NOT THE GOOD I WANT TO DO; NO, THE EVIL I DO NOT WANT TO DO—THIS I KEEP ON DOING” (Romans 7:18-19).

 

Perfect Father, I realize that nothing good lives in my sinful Self-nature.  Although it wants to live FOR You and THROUGH You and TO You…it cannot carry it out.  It does not submit to You.  Instead, it submits to the father-of-lies—living  FROM the father-of-lies, THROUGH the father-of-lies, and TO the father-of-lies.

 

“THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THAT NATURE DESIRES; BUT THOSE WHO LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPIRIT HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THE SPIRIT DESIRES” (Romans 8:5).

 

Glory to Your Name, Perfect Father, for sending me your son, Jesus, to make the Life of the Spirit available to me.  I desire to live in accordance with Your Spirit, Lord Jesus, because they that have their minds set on what the Spirit desires live FOR You, THROUGH You, and TO You.  They give honor to You, Perfect Father, and the father-of-lies has no hold on them!

 

“FOR FROM HIM AND THROUGH HIM AND TO HIM ARE ALL THINGS. TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOREVER!” (Romans 11:36).

 

Glory to Your Name!

 

September 5  A New Befitting Heart

 

“THAT YE PUT OFF CONCERNING THE FORMER CONVERSATION THE OLD MAN, WHICH IS CORRUPT ACCORDING TO THE DECEITFUL LUSTS” (Ephesians 4:22).

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that there is an OLD MAN living his life inside me: an agglomeration of negative, destructive beliefs, instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  This collection of OLD MAN beliefs carries a painful negative message of failure, defilement, and unworthiness.

 

“KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE; FOR OUT OF IT ARE THE ISSUES OF LIFE” (Proverbs 4:23).

 

Savior, the father-of-lies has broken my heart, which is the wellspring on my life, with his OLD MAN beliefs “You are inept.  You are improper.  You are offensive.” 

 

“I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART AND PUT A NEW SPIRIT IN YOU; I WILL REMOVE FROM YOU YOUR HEART OF STONE AND GIVE YOU A HEART OF FLESH”

 (Ezekiel 36:26).

 

You are my only Hope, Lord Jesus.  You know that I need a heart that works well, for out of the heart flow the issues of life.  I authorize You to nail my OLD MAN with its heart-breaking beliefs to the cross, and give me a new heart in its place: a heart that feels hopeful…a heart that feels worthy…a heart that feels proper.  Then, I will be able to handle the issues of life.

 

“THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS BY FAITH” (Ephesians 3:17).

 

You are altogether beautiful, O Lord!

 

 

September 6  A Dog Returns to its Vomit

 

“NOW THE MIND OF THE FLESH [WHICH IS SENSE AND REASON WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT] IS DEATH [DEATH THAT COMPRISES ALL THE MISERIES ARISING FROM SIN, BOTH HERE AND HEREAFTER]. BUT THE MIND OF THE [HOLY] SPIRIT IS LIFE AND [SOUL] PEACE [BOTH NOW AND FOREVER]” (Romans 8:6 AMP).

 

Lord God, I admit that my mind reasons without the influence of Your Holy Spirit.  It operates under the management of the father-of-lies: embracing perturbing perceptions…concocting false deductions…inventing wild suspicions.  These cause jealousy, hatred, and rage…and eventually death, even while I am still alive on this earth.

 

“THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THAT NATURE DESIRES; BUT THOSE WHO LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPIRIT HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THE SPIRIT DESIRES” (Romans 8:5).

 

Most High, I am tired of living a life of reasoning without the Holy Spirit, because I always return to the same patterns of running, hiding and blaming—patterns that please the sinful nature.

 

“‘A DOG RETURNS TO ITS VOMIT,’ AND, ‘A SOW THAT IS WASHED GOES BACK TO HER WALLOWING IN THE MUD’” (2 Peter 2:22).

 

I would like to change my behavior patterns, my Lord.  I would like to start living from the reasoning of the Holy Spirit.  Call me to surrender my own perturbing perceptions (reasoning without the Holy Spirit) to You, Lord Jesus, every day, moment-by-moment, a hundred times a day.  Then, You will renew my mind and set me free from returning to the same irrational, out-of-control, and hateful patterns, like a dog returning to its vomit.

 

You are my God!

September 7  To Name the Pain 

 

“SEE, I HAVE REFINED YOU, THOUGH NOT AS SILVER; I HAVE TESTED YOU IN THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION” (Isaiah 48:10).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you that You care about my heart, and that I can bring any pain to You, just the way it is, whether it is perceived as a distortion in my heart, a heavy rock at the bottom of my heart, or a stabbing pain in my heart.  Help me embrace my pain by becoming aware of its attributes, its intensity, and its resemblance to something else I know.  Let me bring each portion of pain to You in the way it was perceived.  Then, I will understand what makes me feel so unloved, unaccepted, and unworthy.

 

Lord Jesus, now that I have identified and named the pain in my heart, I invite Your Presence and Participation into each of these places in my heart.

 

Come and remove the rock of heaviness that is sitting at the bottom of my heart.  Pull out the knife of unacceptability that is causing the sharp pain of jealousy in my heart.  Erase the distortion in my heart that is twisting Your Truth into lies of “I am a failure, I am alone, and I am unworthy.”

 

Lord God, as I am being tested and refined in the furnace of affliction, let me stay in Your Presence.  Let me hear Your answers.  Let me experience Your deliverance.  Set me on high places, because I know to call on Your Name when I have pain.

 

“BECAUSE HE HATH SET HIS LOVE UPON ME, THEREFORE WILL I DELIVER HIM: I WILL SET HIM ON HIGH, BECAUSE HE HATH KNOWN MY NAME” (Psalm 91:14).

 

You are my Deliverer, O Lord!

 

 

 

September 8  The Benefits of God

 

“BECAUSE HE HATH SET HIS LOVE UPON ME, THEREFORE WILL I DELIVER HIM: I WILL SET HIM ON HIGH, BECAUSE HE HATH KNOWN MY NAME.  HE SHALL CALL UPON ME, AND I WILL ANSWER HIM: I WILL BE WITH HIM IN TROUBLE; I WILL DELIVER HIM, AND HONOUR HIM.  WITH LONG LIFE WILL I SATISFY HIM, AND SHEW HIM MY SALVATION” (Psalm 91: 14-16).

 

Lord God, how my heart fills with joy when I weigh the special privileges for those who set their love upon You: for those who dwell in Your secret place…for those to whom You are a hiding place.  Those shall call upon You when they are afraid, alone, or rejected, and You will answer them.  You will make Your Presence known to them during their troubled times of sorrow and despair.  You will deliver them.  You will honor them.  You will save them.

 

“IF YE ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, YE SHALL ASK WHAT YE WILL, AND IT SHALL BE DONE UNTO YOU” (John 15:7).

 

Lord Jesus, how my heart rejoices when I ponder the special benefits for those who abide in You and allow Your words to abide in them: for those who continue to do what is right in spite of adversity…for those who remain fixed in Your Truth, instead of having fellowship with the lies of the father-of-lies…for those who surrender their pain to You.  You will give them the desires of their hearts.

 

“OH HOW GREAT IS THY GOODNESS, WHICH THOU HAST LAID UP FOR THEM THAT FEAR THEE; WHICH THOU HAST WROUGHT FOR THEM THAT TRUST IN THEE BEFORE THE SONS OF MEN!” (Psalm 31:19).

 

Most High, my heart sings a new song when I consider the special advantages for those who trust in You: for those who commit their lives to You, Perfect Father…for those who rely on Your Faithfulness…for those whose hope for the right outcome is in You, Lord.  They will receive Your Goodness, which You have prepared for them since the beginning of time.

 

May I set my love upon You.

 

How great are Your benefits, O Lord!

 

 

September 9  Prayer—A Place to Hide

 

“WHERE CAN I GO FROM YOUR SPIRIT?

WHERE CAN I FLEE FROM YOUR PRESENCE?

IF I GO UP TO THE HEAVENS, YOU ARE THERE;

IF I MAKE MY BED IN THE DEPTHS, YOU ARE THERE.

IF I RISE ON THE WINGS OF THE DAWN,

IF I SETTLE ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE SEA,

EVEN THERE YOUR HAND WILL GUIDE ME,

YOUR RIGHT HAND WILL HOLD ME FAST.

IF I SAY, ‘SURELY THE DARKNESS WILL HIDE ME

AND THE LIGHT BECOME NIGHT AROUND ME,’

EVEN THE DARKNESS WILL NOT BE DARK TO YOU;

THE NIGHT WILL SHINE LIKE THE DAY,

FOR DARKNESS IS AS LIGHT TO YOU”

(Psalm 139:7-12).

Most High, where can I go from Your Spirit?  Where can I flee from Your Presence?  If I try and hide in the dark dungeons of depression, even there Your answer will find me.  If I run to a faraway place to escape the pain of shame, even there Your solution will be at hand.  If I try to bury myself in work to flee my thoughts of fear, even there Your Truth will set me free.

 

“DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERY SITUATION, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD”

(Philippians 4:6).

 

Lord God, how comforted I am to know that I can hide in prayer…for You are everywhere.  I am never stuck without help.  I can pray in an open field when I am consumed with shame, for You are there.  I can pray when I feel alone in the crowd, for You are there.  I can pray during a confrontation when I feel rejected and condemned, for You are there.

 

“IN MY DISTRESS I CRIED UNTO THE LORD, AND HE HEARD ME” (Psalm 120:1).

 

When my life is fainting away, let me remember You, my Lord. Let my prayer rise up to You, into Your Holy Temple. And You will draw me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my foot upon a rock.

 

For You are everywhere!

 

 

September 10  FROM God and THROUGH God and TO God

 

“BE VERY CAREFUL, THEN, HOW YOU LIVE—NOT AS UNWISE BUT AS WISE, MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL”

(Ephesians 5:15-16).

 

Lord God, grant me alertness and awareness to be careful how I live, so I may make the most of every daily, moment-by-moment opportunity.

 

“FOR FROM HIM AND THROUGH HIM AND TO HIM ARE ALL THINGS. TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOREVER!” (Romans 11:36).

 

Remind me, daily, to ask myself whether what I think is FROM You and THROUGH You and TO You, Lord Jesus, so I may make the most of every opportunity to embrace what is in my heart, expose it all to You, and receive Your Perspective.

 

“WE DEMOLISH ARGUMENTS AND EVERY PRETENSION THAT SETS ITSELF UP AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

 

Redeemer, remind me, often, to ask myself whether what I believe about others and myself is FROM You and THROUGH You and TO You, that I may receive the most Truth from You for each perception, interpretation, or conclusions that enters my mind.

 

“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING” (Proverbs 3:5).

 

Remind me, moment-by-moment, to ask myself whether what I do,at any given moment, is FROM You and THROUGH You and TO You, O Lord, so I may make the most of every opportunity to finish the task that You have given me to do.

 

I will tell of You, O Lord!

 

September 11  Perseverance Is a Tool

 

“BY FAITH HE LEFT EGYPT, NOT FEARING THE KING’S ANGER; HE PERSEVERED BECAUSE HE SAW HIM WHO IS INVISIBLE” (Hebrews 11:27).

 

Lord God, enable me to keep my eyes on You, even though You are invisible.  Keep me from watching the king’s anger.  Protect me from staring at the circumstances.  Guard me from taking stock of my failures.

 

“YOU NEED TO PERSEVERE SO THAT WHEN YOU HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD, YOU WILL RECEIVE WHAT HE HAS PROMISED” (Hebrews 10:36).

 

Most High, teach me to persevere, for perseverance is a tool in Your hands.  It is the tool You use to slay my enemies: abandonment, condemnation and shame.  It is when I do not give up, despite the opposition, that You have a chance to do the miracle.  It is when I keep on going, despite discouragement, that You have a chance to accomplish the impossible.  It is when I stand firm and keep doing what is right, despite counterinfluences, that You have a chance to accomplish Your Purpose.

“AS YOU KNOW, WE COUNT AS BLESSED THOSE WHO HAVE PERSEVERED. YOU HAVE HEARD OF JOB’S PERSEVERANCE AND HAVE SEEN WHAT THE LORD FINALLY BROUGHT ABOUT. THE LORD IS FULL OF COMPASSION AND MERCY” (James 5:11).

 

Sovereign Lord, help me to understand that there are many things You want to accomplish with my life, for You are full of compassion and mercy.  BUT I NEED TO PERSEVERE!  It is during perseverance that Your Will is done.

 

May I keep on doing what is right.

May I continue to stand firm.

May I persevere!

 

“BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO PERSEVERES UNDER TRIAL” (James 1:12).

 

I keep my eyes on You, O God!

 

 

 

September 12  What if I Did not Have Faith?

 

“WHAT IF SOME DID NOT HAVE FAITH?  WILL THEIR LACK OF FAITH NULLIFY GOD’S FAITHFULNESS?  NOT AT ALL!” (Romans 3:3-4).

 

Lord God, I celebrate that my lack of faith will not nullify Your faithfulness.

 

“BUT THE LORD IS FAITHFUL, AND HE WILL STRENGTHEN AND PROTECT YOU FROM THE EVIL ONE” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

 

Lord my God, there is none like You. In times when I feel inundated with abandonment, You are still faithful.  You have not left me.  You are still Immanuel—God with me.

 

Hallowed be Your Name, Most High. In times when everything feels hopeless, You are still faithful.  You strengthen me with Your Hope.  You are still the God of Hope.

 

How abundant is Your Goodness, my Lord. In times when the evil one accuses me of powerlessness, You are still faithful.  You are still the God of Power who can do more than I can ever imagine.

 

Blessed are You, O Lord. In times when I feel surrounded by nothing but darkness, You are still faithful.  You shine Your Light on me.  You are still the God of Light.

 

“IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, FOR HE CANNOT DISOWN HIMSELF” (2 Timothy 2:13).

 

In times when I am not faithful, You remain faithful, for You cannot disown Yourself, O Lord.

 

“GOD, WHO HAS CALLED YOU INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, IS FAITHFUL” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

 

You remain forever faithful!

 

September 13  The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit

“IN THE SAME WAY, THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE OUGHT TO PRAY FOR, BUT THE SPIRIT HIMSELF INTERCEDES FOR US WITH GROANS THAT WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS” (Romans 8:26).

 

Perfect Father, how blessed I am that You sent me Your Spirit…to help me in my weakness.  Today, I need help in my weakness.

 

When I am confused, and do not know what to pray, Your Spirit is ready to intercede for me with groans too deep to express.  Today, I need intercession.

 

When I am overwhelmed with sorrow, and have no words left, Your Spirit is all set to plead for me in His own purposeful way.  Today, I need someone to plead on my behalf.

 

When I am encumbered with despair, and do not know what to say, Your Spirit comes to my aid and bears me up to You, Perfect Father, in His own sensible way.  Today, I need someone to lift me up on His shoulders.

 

“AND HE WHO SEARCHES OUR HEARTS KNOWS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT, BECAUSE THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR THE SAINTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOD’S WILL” (Romans 8:27).

 

Perfect Father, how comforted I am that You search my heart to determine the intent of Your Holy Spirit, because Your Spirit pleads on my behalf according to Your Will.

 

“MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

 

May I succumb to Your Grace, Lord Jesus, abide in Your Love, Perfect Father, and enjoy Your Fellowship, Holy Spirit.

 

Your thoughts are very deep, O Lord!

 

 

September 14 You Must Follow Me

“WHOEVER SERVES ME MUST FOLLOW ME; AND WHERE I AM, MY SERVANT ALSO WILL BE. MY FATHER WILL HONOR THE ONE WHO SERVES ME” (John 12:26).

 

Lord Jesus, I wish to follow You, so I may be where You are. I desire for every smile I give, every word I speak, and every deed I do to matter in Your Kingdom. I yearn to be where You are, Lord Jesus, so that my patience may count, my faithfulness may make a difference, and my love may carry weight.

 

“HIS WORK WILL BE SHOWN FOR WHAT IT IS, BECAUSE THE DAY WILL BRING IT TO LIGHT. IT WILL BE REVEALED WITH FIRE, AND THE FIRE WILL TEST THE QUALITY OF EACH MAN’S WORK. IF WHAT HE HAS BUILT SURVIVES, HE WILL RECEIVE HIS REWARD. IF IT IS BURNED UP, HE WILL SUFFER LOSS; HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED, BUT ONLY AS ONE ESCAPING THROUGH THE FLAMES” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

 

Lord God, how I desire to do Your Will: to do the work You give me, daily. One day, when my daily work will be tested with fire, I hope for my work to be revealed as Your Will, Perfect Father.

 

How encouraged I am, Perfect Father, that You honor those who serve and follow Your son, Jesus.  You applaud their work.  You revere their commitment.  You prize their efforts. How joyful I will be when my work will be proven to be part of Your Purpose, and I become eligible for my reward.

 

“THE WORLD AND ITS DESIRES PASS AWAY, BUT THE MAN WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD LIVES FOREVER” (1 John 2:17).

 

You are worthy, my Lord!

 

 

September 15  Jesus Has the Power

 

“WHO, BY THE POWER THAT ENABLES HIM TO BRING EVERYTHING UNDER HIS CONTROL, WILL TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY BODIES SO THAT THEY WILL BE LIKE HIS GLORIOUS BODY” (Philippians 3:21).

 

Lord God, how splendid You are.  You possess the power to bring everything under Your control: darkness…principalities…even sin.  You are able to bring Light into the very shadow of death, for You are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace.

 

How glad I am, Mighty God, that I am under the protection of Someone who is able to do the impossible.  You are capable of bringing my out-of-control problem under Your control.  You are capable of bringing my out-of-hand dilemma under Your control.  You are capable of bringing my uncontrollable weakness under Your control.

 

Prince of Peace, I sing with joy!  You are able to bring my incorrigible heart and my unruly mind under Your control.  You are able to exercise restraining influence over that in my life which is ungovernable.  You are able to rule over anything which I place under Your control.

 

“THE LORD ON HIGH IS MIGHTIER THAN THE NOISE OF MANY WATERS, YEA, THAN THE MIGHTY WAVES OF THE SEA” (Psalm 93:4).

 

Lord on High, I submit my uncontrollable circumstances to You.  I surrender my unmanageable weaknesses to You.  I yield my entire life to You.

 

Glory to Your Name!

 

 

September 16  The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

 

“‘LORD, IF IT’S YOU,’ PETER REPLIED, ‘TELL ME TO COME TO YOU ON THE WATER.’

‘COME,’ HE SAID. THEN PETER GOT DOWN OUT OF THE BOAT, WALKED ON THE WATER AND CAME TOWARD JESUS. BUT WHEN HE SAW THE WIND, HE WAS AFRAID AND, BEGINNING TO SINK, CRIED OUT, ‘LORD, SAVE ME!’ IMMEDIATELY JESUS REACHED OUT HIS HAND AND CAUGHT HIM. ‘YOU OF LITTLE FAITH,’ HE SAID, ‘WHY DID YOU DOUBT?’” (Matthew 14:28-31).

 

Lord Jesus, I can hear you calling me to step out of my comfortable, safe boat, to step on the turbulent water that is surrounding me, and follow You. However, it feels scary to step out of that which I can see, and follow You to what I cannot see.  Lord Jesus, I am afraid, and I sometimes feel like a fool. I sometimes believe the lie from the father-of-lies: “He knows that as long as you trust HIM for the outcome, you will be unable to do something about your problem YOURSELF.”

 

“WE ARE FOOLS FOR CHRIST” (1 Corinthians 4:10).

 

Lord Jesus, bring my faith under Your control.  Strengthen me, so I may live by Your Faith.  Let me be a fool for You.  Call me to follow You and walk on water, even if it feels scary and foolish to trust You and hope for that which I do not see.  Speak to my heart, so I would understand what it means to live by faith—to stop taking matters in my own hands, but to allow You to bring matters under Your control.

 

“BUT THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY HIS FAITH” (Habakkuk 2:4).

 

Lord Jesus, teach my heart that faith is being SURE of what we hope for…and being CERTAIN of what we do not see.  May I become SURE and CERTAIN that THAT, which I have been hoping for…will happen.

 

“NOW FAITH IS BEING SURE OF WHAT WE HOPE FOR AND CERTAIN OF WHAT WE DO NOT SEE” (Hebrews 11:1).

 

I take Your hand, Lord Jesus!

 

 

September 17  My Sheep Listen to My Voice

 

Good Shepherd, I want to follow Your Voice.  I do not want to follow the many voices of shame, condemnation, and abandonment that beckon to me, all the time, to follow them.

 

“I AM THE GATE; WHOEVER ENTERS THROUGH ME WILL BE SAVED. HE WILL COME IN AND GO OUT, AND FIND PASTURE. THE THIEF COMES ONLY TO STEAL AND KILL AND DESTROY; I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL” (John 10:9-10).

 

Good Shepherd, may I be the sheep who knows Your Voice, because I have become familiar with it.  Let me recognize the Hope in Your Voice that fills me with joy.  Let me identify the Love in Your Voice that feeds my heart.  Let me hear the Truth in Your Voice that sets me free.  Remind me, moment-by-moment, that when I follow Your Voice, I will be saved, but when I follow the voice of the thief, I will be destroyed.

 

“MY SHEEP LISTEN TO MY VOICE; I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME”

(John 10:27).

 

Good Shepherd, may I become familiar with Your Voice, for You have come to lead me to pastures where I can go in and out, without being destroyed by the thief’s messages of shame, condemnation, and abandonment.  Let me listen for Your Voice of Hope when I rise at the break of dawn, so I may resist the thief’s tidings of despair when he tells me that nothing is going to work out in my life. Call me with Your Voice of Truth during my comings and goings in the middle of the day, so I may stand against the thief’s lies when he tells me that I am not good enough for anything or anyone.  Lull me to sleep with Your Voice of Love when I lay my head down at night, so I may know that I am safe in Your pasture.

 

“AND A STRANGER WILL THEY NOT FOLLOW, BUT WILL FLEE FROM HIM: FOR THEY KNOW NOT THE VOICE OF STRANGERS” (John 10:5).

 

I came to follow You, Good Shepherd!

 

 

September 18  The Same Attitude as Jesus Christ

 

“YOU MUST HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE THAT CHRIST JESUS HAD.

THOUGH HE WAS GOD,

HE DID NOT THINK OF EQUALITY WITH GOD

AS SOMETHING TO CLING TO.

INSTEAD, HE GAVE UP HIS DIVINE PRIVILEGES;

HE TOOK THE HUMBLE POSITION OF A SLAVE

AND WAS BORN AS A HUMAN BEING.

WHEN HE APPEARED IN HUMAN FORM

HE HUMBLED HIMSELF IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD

AND DIED A CRIMINAL’S DEATH ON A CROSS.

THEREFORE, GOD ELEVATED HIM TO THE PLACE OF HIGHEST HONOR”

(Philippians 2:5-9 NLT).

Most High, may I humble myself in obedience to You.  May I give up my privileges to be seen as an important person and honored as a child of God. Instead, may I be seen as a servant: someone who was hired by You to do Your work by You through me.

“THE WORDS I SAY TO YOU ARE NOT JUST MY OWN.

RATHER, IT IS THE FATHER, LIVING IN ME, WHO IS DOING HIS WORK”

 (John 14:10).

 

“I DO NOTHING ON MY OWN”

 (John 8:27).

Lord Jesus, establish Your Humility in me, so I, too may have the attitude that I can do nothing on my own, but only that, which You do through me. Let me always remember that it is not about me, but about YOU IN ME.

 

“HUMILITY IS THE ONLY SOIL IN WHICH THE GRACES ROOT”

(Andrew Murray).

You are my Life!

 

September 19  Jesus, Your Living Hope

 

Lord God, I have noticed that when I feel hopeless, everything around me feels dead…lifeless…extinct.  My possibilities seem crushed.  My life seems obsolete.  My power seems extinguished.  Hopelessness seems to be associated with termination… expiration…ruin.  Everything has ended.  There is nothing left.

 

“PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! IN HIS GREAT MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD” (1 Peter 1:3).

 

Father of our Lord Jesus, thank you that in Your great mercy You have given us new birth into a LIVING HOPE.  Jesus was resurrected from the dead to bring us Life…new beginnings…creation.  Jesus makes alive which is dead.  He creates that, which does not exist.  To Him there is no expiration…no termination…no end.

 

“JUST AS THE LIVING FATHER SENT ME AND I LIVE BECAUSE OF THE FATHER, SO THE ONE WHO FEEDS ON ME WILL LIVE BECAUSE OF ME” (John 6:57).

 

How comforted I am, Lord Jesus, that You, my Hope, are ALIVE and LIVING.  You do not end.  You do not grow weary.  You do not sleep.

 

Lord Jesus, speak into my hopelessness, as I lay it before You, my Living Hope.  Pull out the arrows of rejection that are stuck in my heart, as I expose my heart to You, my Living Hope.  Change the message of abandonment that is part of my mind, as I invite You, my Living Hope, to renew my mind. Remind me to feed on You, my Living Hope, moment-by-moment, whenever I am sad, bad, or mad.

I AM THE LIVING ONE; I WAS DEAD, AND BEHOLD I AM ALIVE FOR EVER AND EVER!

(Revelation1:18)

 

You are my Living Hope!

 

 

September 20  Not FOR Him, but FROM Him

 

“FOR FROM HIM…ARE ALL THINGS” (Romans 11:36).

 

Lord God, how often I try to be perfect: being entirely without fault and defect…satisfying all requirements…corresponding to an ideal standard.  I try to be the one who knows, who does, and who achieves.  I believe I am something, and I work to become something more, better, and bigger.

 

“IF ANYONE THINKS HE IS SOMETHING WHEN HE IS NOTHING, HE DECEIVES HIMSELF” (Galatians 6:3).

 

But Lord Jesus, You have taught me that apart from You I can DO nothing, I KNOW nothing, and I AM nothing. You taught me that it is not about improving myself, but exchanging myself…for You.

 

“APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING” (John 15:5).

 

Savior, help me to give up trying to be someone perfect: someone who is entirely without fault and defect, satisfies all requirements, and corresponds to an ideal standard.  My perfectionism causes me to be disappointed when I detect a fault in myself or those around me.  It causes me to be sad when I cannot satisfy all the requirements.  It causes me to be angry when I am not able to correspond to an ideal standard.

 

Draw me into Your Rest, my Lord, that I may allow You to DO in me, to KNOW in me, and to ACHIEVE in me.  Teach me to live a life of perfect dependence on You, inviting Your Presence and Participation into each thought, activity, and purpose of my life.

 

Apart from You I can do nothing!

 

 

September 21  Grow into a Full Experience of Salvation

 

“LIKE NEWBORN BABIES, YOU MUST CRAVE PURE SPIRITUAL MILK SO THAT YOU WILL GROW INTO A FULL EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION.  CRY OUT FOR THIS NOURISHMENT,  NOW THAT YOU HAVE HAD A TASTE OF THE LORD’S KINDNESS”

(1 Peter 2:2 3 NLT).

 

Lord Jesus, like a newborn baby, I crave pure, spiritual milk from You. Even though I am reconciled to the Father through You, Lord Jesus, my PAST still has a big hold on me, because the father-of-lies had buried many beliefs of shame, condemnation, and abandonment in my childhood heart.  Help me to find all of these negative, destructive beliefs of the past, so that I might grow into a perfect and complete experience of salvation through Your Truth.

 

Lord Jesus, I cry out for Your nourishment.  Make me alert to the negative, destructive beliefs suggested by the father-of-lies during my PRESENT circumstances.  Let me detect the accusatory thoughts from the father-of-lies “God is disappointed in you…God is tricking you…God is not really in control” that enter my mind, daily.  Instead of believing these negative thoughts, let me grow into a full experience of salvation, as I submit each negative, destructive thought to You, and ask for Truth.

 

Lord Jesus, my desire is to be so filled with the Light of Your Presence, that no darkness—no negative, destructive belief from the father-of-lies—will be able to enter into my mind and heart at all, because of the Light of You Salvation that shines in my heart.  May the Light of Your Presence not only supply Light inside my heart, but project far into the darkness, to provide Light for those around me.

 

“GROW INTO A FULL EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION” (1 Peter 2:2). 

 

I cry out for Your nourishment, Lord God!

 

 

September 22  Faith…Perseverance…Maturity

 

“CONSIDER IT PURE JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHENEVER YOU FACE TRIALS OF MANY KINDS, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH DEVELOPS PERSEVERANCE. PERSEVERANCE MUST FINISH ITS WORK SO THAT YOU MAY BE MATURE AND COMPLETE, NOT LACKING ANYTHING” (James 1:2-4).

 

Lord Jesus, I desire to be mature and complete—having attained a final desired state…not lacking anything.  And I understand that there is a recipe to become mature: Faith, which leads to Perseverance, which leads to Maturity.  Before I can reach MATURITY, I need to PERSEVERE, and before I can reach PERSEVERANCE, I need to have FAITH.

 

“THE SEED THAT FELL AMONG THORNS STANDS FOR THOSE WHO HEAR, BUT AS THEY GO ON THEIR WAY THEY ARE CHOKED BY LIFE’S WORRIES, RICHES AND PLEASURES, AND THEY DO NOT MATURE” (Luke 8:14).

 

Lord Jesus, may I realize that each trial that comes my way gives me the opportunity to PERSEVERE—to persist in a state or undertaking, in spite of opposition and discouragement.  But the PERSEVERANCE that leads to maturity calls for a special ingredient—YOU, Lord Jesus.  Therefore, during my trials, remind me to ask YOU to make Your Love real to me when the father-of-lies tells me that I am not loved.  Remind me to ask YOU for Hope, when the father-of-lies tells me there is no hope.  Remind me to ask YOU for YOUR WAY OUT of each trial, instead of taking my own way out.

 

Finish Your work in me, Lord Jesus, so that I may be mature and complete…lacking nothing.

 

You are my Savior!

 

 

September 23  Consider God’s Purpose When You Pray

 

“I TOOK MY TROUBLES TO THE LORD;

I CRIED OUT TO HIM, AND HE ANSWERED MY PRAYER”

(Psalm 120:1).

 

Lord God, when my thoughts trouble me and I am distraught, I call to You, for You answer me out of the Goodness of Your Love. You do not hide Your face from me, but answer me quickly.

 

Open the ears of my heart, Lord God, that I may HEAR Your answer to my prayer, instead of listening to my own preconceived answers in my mind. Open the eyes of my heart, that I may recognize Your answer to my prayer, instead of turning to the set, prepared answers in my heart. Keep me from visualizing my own answers in my mind, lest I do not SEE what You have planned.

 

“FOR IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU TO WILL AND TO ACT ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PURPOSE” (Philippians 2:13).

 

Lord God, I realize that You might not want to follow MY plan, but that You might want me to follow YOURS. 

 

When I pray, may I not only consider the things I have ASKED You, Lord God, but be open to the radical, revolutionary ANSWER that You might want to give me.  May I allow Your answer to be according to Your Good Purpose…not mine.

 

You are altogether desirable!

 

September 24  Strength and Beauty

 

“‘TO WHOM WILL YOU COMPARE ME?

OR WHO IS MY EQUAL?’ SAYS THE HOLY ONE.

LIFT YOUR EYES AND LOOK TO THE HEAVENS:

WHO CREATED ALL THESE?

HE WHO BRINGS OUT THE STARRY HOST ONE BY ONE,

AND CALLS THEM EACH BY NAME.

BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT POWER AND MIGHTY STRENGTH,

NOT ONE OF THEM IS MISSING”

(Isaiah 40:25-26).

 

Most High, to whom will I compare You? I lift my eyes and look to the heavens and observe the stars.  Because of Your great Power and mighty Strength, not one of them is missing. Will You, who counted the stars, not also give me everything I need. How good to know that Your Power that takes care of the stars is sufficient to take care of me, as well, so that nobody will be able to snatch me out of Your hands, either.

 

“THE LORD ON HIGH IS MIGHTIER THAN THE NOISE OF MANY WATERS, YEA, THAN THE MIGHTY WAVES OF THE SEA” (Psalm 93:4).

 

Everlasting God, You are mightier than the mighty waves of the sea. Just as You placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a constant barrier it cannot pass, You are able to keep me from stumbling, for everything is under Your control. Even the hairs on my head are numbered. If You are for me, who can be against me?

 

“THE LORD WILL BE YOUR EVERLASTING LIGHT, AND YOUR DAYS OF SORROW WILL END” (Isaiah 60:1, 20).

 

Perfect Father, when I feel the moon light shining on my face like a lamp, casting long shadows behind me, I ponder You—my everlasting Light. You, O Lord, are my Lamp. You turn my darkness into Light. I am strong and courageous, for You are holding my hand and lighting my path.

 

To whom will I compare You, O Lord?

 

September 25  Faith Has a Purpose

 

“MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YE FALL INTO DIVERS TEMPTATIONS;

KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE.

BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE, WANTING NOTHING” (James 1:2-4 KJV).

 

Lord God, how good it is to know that faith has a purpose.  Faith builds patience.  If I would trust You to show me Your way out during hard times, I will learn to become steadfast, despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity.  I will learn not to be hasty, but be willing to bear my pain, while I wait for Your answer.

 

“IF YOU DO NOT STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH, YOU WILL NOT STAND AT ALL”

(Isaiah 7:9).

 

Everlasting Father, I realize that if I do not stand firm in my faith, I will not stand at all, because faith is the foundation by which the righteous shall live.  Therefore, may I stand firm in my faith, and not be hasty.  May I wait on You to show me the way out of daily trials, while I trust You with all your heart.  I know that if I were to take my own way out, I will fall.

 

“BUT THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY HIS FAITH” (Habakkuk 2:4).

 

Thank you, Lord God, that You will protect me with Your Power, while I am standing in faith, waiting on Your salvation.

 

“WHO THROUGH FAITH ARE SHIELDED BY GOD’S POWER UNTIL THE COMING OF THE SALVATION THAT IS READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME” (1 Peter 1:5).

 

Most High, bring me to the place where I will obey You, moment-by-moment, in what You have asked me to do, even though I do not understand from where the answer and outcome will come.

 

“BY FAITH ABRAHAM, WHEN CALLED TO GO TO A PLACE HE WOULD LATER RECEIVE AS HIS INHERITANCE, OBEYED AND WENT, EVEN THOUGH HE DID NOT KNOW WHERE HE WAS GOING” (Hebrews 11:8).

 

May I stand firm in faith!

 

 

September 26  The Voice in my Heart

 

What a revelation, Lord Jesus, to know that when I react to something or someone, I do not react to the person or the circumstance on the outside, but I react to a voice in my own heart.  The voice is very subtle…almost hidden, and if I do not deliberately pay attention to it, I will not notice it at all.  This voice seems to come to me in the form of a thought…a speculation…a judgment.

 

I have observed that this voice speaks to me during the fraction of time in between a happening and my reaction, which makes it very hard to catch.  In fact, if I do not slow things down and focus on that fraction of time, the voice will go unnoticed and it will seem as if I am reacting to the circumstance instead.

 

^“THE GOOD MAN BRINGS GOOD THINGS OUT OF THE GOOD STORED UP IN HIS HEART, AND THE EVIL MAN BRINGS EVIL THINGS OUT OF THE EVIL STORED UP IN HIS HEART. FOR OUT OF THE OVERFLOW OF HIS HEART HIS MOUTH SPEAKS”

(Luke 6:45).

 

Lord God, I have noticed that there are many negative, destructive beliefs stored up in my heart, and that I react to someone and something according to the subtle voice that represents these beliefs.  How encouraged I am that You are able to get rid of the beliefs and their voice of abandonment, condemnation, and shame that are stored up in my heart, and replace them with new beliefs and a new voice of belongingness, acceptance, and confidence.

 

Guide me to pause the fraction of time between a happening and my reaction, and wait for Your Voice, Lord God, to show me the way.

 

“WHETHER YOU TURN TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT, YOUR EARS WILL HEAR A VOICE BEHIND YOU, SAYING, ‘THIS IS THE WAY; WALK IN IT’”(Isaiah 30:21).

 

Thank you for storing good things in my heart!

 

 

September 27  Obedience Has a Purpose

 

^“I WILL NOT SPEAK WITH YOU MUCH LONGER, FOR THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD IS COMING. HE HAS NO HOLD ON ME, BUT THE WORLD MUST LEARN THAT I LOVE THE FATHER AND THAT I DO EXACTLY WHAT MY FATHER HAS COMMANDED ME”

(John 14:30-31).

 

Lord Jesus, may I learn from You.  I have noticed that the evil one had no hold on You, for You ONLY obeyed Your Father’s Voice.

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

Lord Jesus, help my mind to understand how powerful moment-by-moment obedience to Your Counsel can be.  Show me how my surrendered Obedience to You will deliver me from the father-of-lies’ grip, when I lean on Your Understanding, instead of my own.  Teach me how my surrendered Obedience to You will rescue me from the darkness, when I acknowledge Your perspective, instead of my own.  Call me to a surrendered Obedience to You that will free me from hopelessness and despair, when I honor Your Voice, instead of the voice of the evil one.

 

MY MOMENT-BY-MOMENT OBEDIENCE RENDERS YOUR MOMENT-BY-MOMENT REVELATION, POWER AND LIFE, O LORD.

 

How my heart rejoices when I ponder that my surrendered obedience will unlock the Truth that has been taken captive by the father-of-lies.  How hope lifts my heart when I think that my surrendered obedience will release the Love that has being hindered by the god of this world.  How good to know that my obedience will unbind the Hope that has been seized by the evil one.

 

“DON’T YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU OFFER YOURSELVES TO SOMEONE TO OBEY HIM AS SLAVES, YOU ARE SLAVES TO THE ONE WHOM YOU OBEY—WHETHER YOU ARE SLAVES TO SIN, WHICH LEADS TO DEATH, OR TO OBEDIENCE, WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Romans 6:16)?

 

I rejoice that my obedience leads to righteousness, O Lord God…AND THE FATHER-OF-LIES WILL LOSE HIS GRIP ON ME.

 

Every tongue shall confess that You are Lord!

 

 

September 28  Judge Nothing before the Time

 

“THEREFORE JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME, UNTIL THE LORD COME, WHO BOTH WILL BRING TO LIGHT THE HIDDEN THINGS OF DARKNESS, AND WILL MAKE MANIFEST THE COUNSELS OF THE HEARTS: AND THEN SHALL EVERY MAN HAVE PRAISE OF GOD” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

 

Lord God, I have often judged something or someone at face value…to find out later that things were not at all what they seemed.  I often feel inferior, or overwhelmed, or disheartened by someone’s words or actions, just to find out later that they were not meant the way that I had perceived them.

 

“I CARE VERY LITTLE IF I AM JUDGED BY YOU OR BY ANY HUMAN COURT; INDEED, I DO NOT EVEN JUDGE MYSELF” (1 Corinthians 4:3).

 

Teach me and guide me, O Lord, to know that things are not what they seem.  In fact, what I perceive might be the exact opposite from the Truth.  Help me to understand that I cannot form an opinion about someone based on his words or actions, because I do not know his heart.  But You, Lord, will one day bring to light all the hidden things of darkness, and the motives of each heart, and then you will deal with each man according to his heart.

 

“BUT THE LORD SAID TO SAMUEL, ‘DO NOT CONSIDER HIS APPEARANCE OR HIS HEIGHT, FOR I HAVE REJECTED HIM. THE LORD DOES NOT LOOK AT THE THINGS MAN LOOKS AT.  MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART’” (1 Samuel 16:7).

 

Lead me, Lord God, not to complain, criticize, or condemn, but to allow myself to understand the other person, even if he complains, criticizes, and condemns.  Let me refrain from coming to hasty conclusions, based on my own perceptions, but depend on Your infinite understanding to be my judge, for You do not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the words and actions, but You look at the heart.

 

May I judge nothing before the time!

 

 

September 29  A Heart of Flesh

 

“I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART AND PUT A NEW SPIRIT IN YOU; I WILL REMOVE FROM YOU YOUR HEART OF STONE AND GIVE YOU A HEART OF FLESH”

(Ezekiel 36:26).

 

Most High, I have noticed that I need to be very diligent to keep my heart soft.  Often, when the father-of-lies shares his lies with me, I fall into temptation to harden my heart.  I do this to protect my heart from injury and destruction.  However, I have noticed that as soon as my heart starts hardening, Your Voice starts dimming, and my heart becomes filled with destruction.  I have noticed that a soft heart absorbs Your Light to emit it again, but a hard heart sows devastation.

 

Lord God, give me Your Understanding to know that it is only when my heart is soft, that You bless it with Your Wisdom.  It is only when my heart is soft, that You fill it with Your Joy.  It is only when my heart is soft, that You furnish it with Your Strength.

 

“THE MAGICIANS SAID TO PHARAOH, ‘THIS IS THE FINGER OF GOD.’ BUT PHARAOH’S HEART WAS HARD AND HE WOULD NOT LISTEN, JUST AS THE LORD HAD SAID” (Exodus 8:19).

 

Remind me, daily, O Lord, that it is the father-of-lies’ goal to harden my heart, for a hardened heart is filled with resentment, infused with animosity, and injected with pride.

 

“TEACH ME YOUR WAY, O LORD, AND I WILL WALK IN YOUR TRUTH; GIVE ME AN UNDIVIDED HEART, THAT I MAY FEAR YOUR NAME” (Psalm 86:11).

 

Give me a soft heart, O Lord, that I may revere Your Name.  Protect me from the lies of the father-of-lies that could grow a hard shield of defense around my heart.  Let me always remember that this kind of defense is counterfeit, since it does not really shield me from injury and destruction from the father-of-lies. Instead, it only serves as a barrier to block Your Love, Hope and Truth, Lord God 

 

I capture, Most High, that it is Your Love, Hope and Truth that provides the real cover from injury and destruction.

 

Teach me Your ways, O Lord!

 

September 30  Are You Looking for You?

 

“I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART AND PUT A NEW SPIRIT IN YOU; I WILL REMOVE FROM YOU YOUR HEART OF STONE AND GIVE YOU A HEART OF FLESH”

(Ezekiel 36:26).

 

Most High, I would like to find the person I was meant to be.  I would like to know who lives in my heart.  I would like to know the real me.

 

Perfect Father, I think that right now I might be someone very different from who You have created me to be.  Right now, I am someone filled with lies from the father-of-lies.  I am filled with negative, destructive beliefs about You and about myself.  It seems that the father-of-lies already had a personality picked out for me—a personality filled with abandonment, condemnation, and shame.  Because of these negative, destructive beliefs, I have developed a heart of stone—a heart filled with resentment, hatred, and jealousy.  This is who I have been for a long time, O Lord.  But I want to find the real me who was created by You.

 

God, I am coming to You.  I surrender my old Self to You.  Reveal to me the person You have made me to be.  Strip off the lies, one by one.  Turn my heart of stone into a heart of flesh.  Give me a new spirit—Your Spirit.  Let the wrong beliefs about myself come tumbling down.  Let the scales fall from my eyes, so I could see the person I was always meant to be.

And when I see the new me, I will know that I am very special, that I am worthy, and that I matter. I will be free to be me, to be confident with my own special, unique personality, and to enjoy the gifts You have given me.

Give me a new heart, O Lord!

October 1  Who Am I?

 

Lord God, I realize that there is an OLD ME living inside me: a person living in accordance with the set of negative, destructive beliefs instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.

 

“PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF, WHICH IS BEING CORRUPTED BY ITS DECEITFUL DESIRES; TO BE MADE NEW IN THE ATTITUDE OF YOUR MINDS; AND TO PUT ON THE NEW SELF, CREATED TO BE LIKE GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

 

Lord, I have gotten to know the OLD ME personality, instilled in me by the father-of-lies—the one who is unacceptable, offensive, and everything bad.  But Lord, I want to get to know the NEW MAN personality, created in me by You—the one who is acceptable, competent, and complete.

 

“AS IT IS, IT IS NO LONGER I MYSELF WHO DO IT, BUT IT IS SIN LIVING IN ME…FOR IN MY INNER BEING I DELIGHT IN GOD’S LAW” (Romans 7:17, 22).

 

Most High, speak to my spirit, so that I may understand that although the father-of-lies wants me to believe that I am everything bad, that I am unacceptable, and that I am inadequate and incompetent, this is not who I am.  This is sin living in me through the OLD ME character.

 

“FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM”

(Ephesians 2:10).

 

Lord Jesus, I surrender my OLD ME personality to You, to become Your workmanship.  Lead me out of the OLD ME personality into my real personality, created in You unto good works.  And I will become acceptable, competent, and complete, for in my inner being I delight in Your Righteousness, Holiness, and Goodness.

For I delight in You!

 

October 2  “Did God really Say?”

 

“BUT YOU MUST NOT EAT FROM THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, FOR WHEN YOU EAT OF IT YOU WILL SURELY DIE” (Genesis 2:17).

 

Lord God, help my mind to understand that the father-of-lies likes to contradict Your Counsel.

 

“NOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE CRAFTY THAN ANY OF THE WILD ANIMALS THE LORD GOD HAD MADE. HE SAID TO THE WOMAN, ‘DID GOD REALLY SAY, ‘YOU MUST NOT EAT FROM ANY TREE IN THE GARDEN?’” (Genesis 3:1).

 

Lord God, protect me from the evil one and his thoughts of fear, hopelessness, and unworthiness, as He attacks Your Counsel with the proposal: “Did God really say?”

 

Help me to recognize that these words of doubt, “Did God really say?” come from the father-of-lies when I least expect them.  Create in me an alert mind to understand that Satan’s counsel is cunning and subtle, and that he always distracts from the Truth.  Deliver me when he tries to separate me from Your Counsel of Hope, Light, and Life.

 

May I always be ready to answer the crafty one with Your very words:

 

“MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD” (Matthew 4:4).

 

Bring me to the place, O Lord, where I will stop accepting and believing the thoughts of fear, hopelessness, and unworthiness from the crafty one.  Instead, let me turn each disturbing and degrading thought over to You, God, and ask You for Your Truth.

 

May Your Counsel prevail!

 

 

October 3  Persecuted, but Not Forsaken

 

“THE GOD OF THIS AGE HAS BLINDED THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS, SO THAT THEY CANNOT SEE THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST, WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for making me aware of my enemy: the god of this age…the accuser of brethren…the father of lies. 

 

Thank you for showing me that the god of this age loves to darken my understanding, so that I would not recognize the Light of the message concerning You, my Lord: that You offer Hope during despair…that You offer Love when I feel unloved…that You offer Truth for my negative, destructive thoughts.

 

“WE ARE HARD-PRESSED ON EVERY SIDE, YET NOT CRUSHED; WE ARE PERPLEXED, BUT NOT IN DESPAIR; PERSECUTED, BUT NOT FORSAKEN; STRUCK DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED” (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9).

 

Lord Jesus, bring me to the place where I would recognize the voice of the deceiver, daily, moment-by-moment.

 

For when I am hard-pressed, he will demand that I am crushed.

When I am perplexed, he will declare that things are hopeless.

When I am persecuted, he will proclaim that I am forsaken.

When someone strikes me down, he will claim that I am destroyed.

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you came to save me from the father-of-lies and his negative, destructive beliefs.  But I realize that You can only save me from these beliefs if I stop offering my mind to the father-of-lies to be used for his wickedness, but instead offer my thoughts and reasoning to You as instruments of Your Righteousness.

 

“DO NOT OFFER ANY PART OF YOURSELF TO SIN AS AN INSTRUMENT OF WICKEDNESS, BUT RATHER OFFER YOURSELVES TO GOD AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FROM DEATH TO LIFE; AND OFFER EVERY PART OF YOURSELF TO HIM AS AN INSTRUMENT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Romans 6:13).

 

I am hard-pressed, but not crushed!

 

 

October 4  I Gave my Heart to Jesus

 

Lord Jesus, many people say, “I gave my heart to Jesus!”  Well, I did too.  I gave my heart to You…but, not all of it.

 

In my heart, there are many spots that belong to You, Lord Jesus.  Those spots are filled with Your Love, Your Hope, and Your Truth, because You live there.

 

“CHRIST, WHO FILLS ALL THINGS EVERYWHERE WITH HIMSELF” (Ephesians 1:23).

 

However, I still have spots in my heart that are not filled with You, yet, Lord Jesus.  They are still filled with the lies from the father-of-lies.  When I am required to react from these parts of my heart, I react with anger, jealousy, and bitterness, because of the negative, destructive beliefs that still reside there.

 

“THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL CIRCUMCISE YOUR HEARTS AND THE HEARTS OF YOUR DESCENDANTS, SO THAT YOU MAY LOVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND LIVE” (Deuteronomy 30:6).

 

Lord God, I give my heart to You.  This time, I do not only give my heart as an entire entity, but I do it one spot at a time…one lie at a time…one negative, destructive belief at a time.

 

Fill each spot in my heart with Your Self, my Lord, as I lay these parts of my heart at Your feet.  Circumcise these painful spots in my heart, by obliterating the lies that live there, so I may love You with ALL my heart…and live from You, as well.  May my whole heart belong to You.

 

I love You with ALL my heart!

 

 

October 5  The Veil is Taken Away

 

“FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD” (Romans 8:38-39).

 

Dear God, although nothing and nobody can separate me from Your Love, Truth, and Hope, I do not always experience those attributes.  They exist, but they are not part of my world. I cannot reach them…and they cannot reach me, since there is a veil of deception between us.

 

How joyful I am, Lord Jesus, that the veil of deception can be lifted if I turn to You…if I lay down my own perturbing perceptions at Your feet. 

 

“BUT THEIR MINDS WERE MADE DULL, FOR TO THIS DAY THE SAME VEIL REMAINS WHEN THE OLD COVENANT IS READ. IT HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED, BECAUSE ONLY IN CHRIST IS IT TAKEN AWAY. EVEN TO THIS DAY WHEN MOSES IS READ, A VEIL COVERS THEIR HEARTS. BUT WHENEVER ANYONE TURNS TO THE LORD, THE VEIL IS TAKEN AWAY” (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You yearn to show Yourself to me in the smallest and biggest of my daily situations.  Let me forfeit my own conclusions of my circumstances, so I may experience Your Truth that is being held captive by the father-of-lies.  Let me submit my thoughts to You before I believe and react to them, so I may taste Your Love that has been veiled by the god of this world.  Let me yield my interpretations to You, Lord Jesus, so I may know Your Hope that has been taken hostage by the evil one.  And the veil will be lifted, that I may see You.

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

I turn to You, O Lord!

October 6  Grace Abounds More

 

“BUT WHERE SIN INCREASED, GRACE INCREASED ALL THE MORE” (Romans 5:20).

 

Lord Jesus, how my heart leaps with joy when I understand that Your Grace covered my past…because it was MORE.  Your Grace covers my present…because it is MORE.  Your Grace will cover my future…because it will be MORE.

 

How comforted I am that Your Grace is MORE than anything that has ever happened to me, and MORE than anything I have ever done.  And Your Grace is MORE than anything anyone has ever done or said to me.

 

“FOR SIN SHALL NOT BE YOUR MASTER, BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT UNDER LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE” (Romans 6:14).

 

Thank you, my Lord, that Your Grace abounds MORE than any painful belief of shame I have at the moment.  Your Grace abounds MORE than any painful belief of condemnation I have right now.  Your Grace abounds MORE than any painful belief of abandonment I have in my mind.  I only need to invite You to cover these beliefs with Your Grace.

 

I jubilate, my Savior, that Your Grace is MORE than any sinful habit or pattern I have developed in response to the negative, destructive OLD MAN beliefs, which were instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  I only need to place them under Your Grace.

 

I rejoice, O Lord, when I ponder that Your Grace in MORE than despair…MORE than anger…MORE than animosity…MORE than jealousy…and MORE than fear.

 

I accept and receive Your Grace, my God.  It is always sufficient.  It is always available.  It is always MORE.  And it will never run out.

 

Your Grace abounds MORE!

October 7  What Is Obedience?

 

“WHOEVER HAS MY COMMANDS AND OBEYS THEM, HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVES ME. HE WHO LOVES ME WILL BE LOVED BY MY FATHER, AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM” (John 14:21).

 

Lord Jesus, I long to learn OBEDIENCE, not the kind that constricts, chains, and chokes, but the kind of obedience that liberates, unshackles, and disencumbers. It is the OBEDIENCE to “lean not on my own understanding,” but to “trust You with all my heart.”

 

“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

 

Show me the Truth about people, situations, and me, just like You promised You would do, Lord Jesus, when I stop leaning on my own perturbing perceptions, but instead, forfeit my conclusions for Your Perspective: “AND I TOO WILL LOVE HIM AND SHOW MYSELF TO HIM.” Then I will be able to love my neighbor as myself.

 

“TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL BURNT OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES” (Mark 12:33).

 

Fulfill Your Law in me, Lord God, by rewarding my obedience with Your Revelation. Then, I will come to know the Truth about the people in my life, the situations in my life, and about myself.  Most importantly, I will know the Truth about You…and I will be able to love You with all my heart, my strength, and my surrendered understanding.

 

“DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS; I HAVE NOT COME TO ABOLISH THEM BUT TO FULFILL THEM” (Matthew 5:17).

 

And the Truth shall set me free!

October 8  Overcome the Voice of Temptation

 

“I USED TO WANDER OFF UNTIL YOU DISCIPLINED ME; BUT NOW I CLOSELY FOLLOW YOUR WORD” (Psalm 119:67 NLT).

 

Lord Jesus, how many times I have wandered off, following the voice of temptation—the voice of the father-of-lies.  He uses the accusatory beliefs of condemnation, abandonment, and shame to draw me into hopelessness, hatred, and hard feelings.  The father-of-lies knows that if he can get me to the place of hopelessness, hatred and hard feelings, he can entice me to adopt his escape routes of “relief” that will lead me away from Your Presence…into sin.

 

“THOSE WHOM I LOVE I REBUKE AND DISCIPLINE. SO BE EARNEST, AND REPENT. HERE I AM! I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK. IF ANYONE HEARS MY VOICE AND OPENS THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN AND EAT WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME. TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES, I WILL GIVE THE RIGHT TO SIT WITH ME ON MY THRONE, JUST AS I OVERCAME AND SAT DOWN WITH MY FATHER ON HIS THRONE”

(Revelations 3:19-21).

 

Lord God, thank you that you discipline those You love.  When we wander off to follow the voice of abandonment, condemnation, and shame, You knock on the doors of our hearts, and call us with a different Voice—the Voice of Truth.

 

Teach me, O Lord, to listen carefully when I am tempted with the accusatory voice of condemnation, shame, and abandonment.  Grant me patience and endurance to pause and listen for Your Voice of Truth, instead.  Call me to open the door of my heart, so You could come in and have fellowship with me.  Then You will turn the condemnation into acceptance, the abandonment into belonging, and the shame into honor.

 

Let me hear Your Voice, O Lord!

October 9  Created in Christ Jesus

 

“SO GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE, IN THE IMAGE OF GOD HE CREATED HIM; MALE AND FEMALE HE CREATED THEM” (Genesis 1:27).

 

Most High, what a joy it must be to not only be created in Your image, but to be living in You image, and acting in Your image, as well?  It must be a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

 

I admit that he father-of-lies has lured me into belittling beliefs of abandonment, condemnation, and shame.  These beliefs have generated hopelessness, hatred, and fear in my heart, causing me to accept the routes of escape the evil one has offered me—SIN.  My image has become distorted and maimed.

 

“THAT YE PUT OFF…THE OLD MAN, WHICH IS CORRUPT…AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

 

Perfect Father, thank you that the story does not end there, but that You sent the Spirit of Your son, Jesus, to live in our hearts to become a new image for us.

 

“AND HAVE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH IS RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE IMAGE OF HIM THAT CREATED HIM” (Colossians 3:10).

 

Lord Jesus, I invite Your Spirit into my heart to live and act in the image of God in and through me.  Replace my image with Yours, which is renewed in knowledge and created in true Righteousness and Holiness..  Abolish the beliefs of abandonment, condemnation, and shame that the father-of-lies has engrained in my mind since childhood, and replace them with new beliefs of belonging, acceptance, and worth.

 

And I will live a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, according to Your image.

 

I love You!

October 10  What about the Pain in My Heart?

 

Lord God, thank you that I may know that sin is not something mysterious.  It does not stand alone.  It does not happen by itself.  Sin sits on a pillar of beliefs suggested by the father-of-lies: beliefs of abandonment, beliefs of condemnation, and beliefs of shame.  And these beliefs cause anguish in my heart: anger, animosity, jealousy, sadness, and despair.

 

“THEREFORE DO NOT LET SIN REIGN IN YOUR MORTAL BODY SO THAT YOU OBEY ITS EVIL DESIRES” (Romans 6:12).

 

How comforted I am, O Lord, that I do not have to feel guilty whenever I experience pain in my heart, because it is not a sign that I am bad.  How good to understand that pain is only my heart’s natural response to the disheartening beliefs of abandonment, condemnation, and shame, instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies, since childhood.

 

Lord God, teach me to stay, face my heart, and cry out to You in my anguish.  Remind me often that the pain in my heart will not harm me, unless I react to it by following the evil one’s solutions to still the pain in my heart.  Keep me from fleeing from my anguish, since then I am in great danger of accepting any route of escape the father-of-lies would offer.  And anything he offers kills, steals, and destroys.

 

“IN MY ANGUISH I CRIED TO THE LORD, AND HE ANSWERED BY SETTING ME FREE” (Psalm 118:5).

 

I cry out to You, Lord!

 

 

October 11  He Answered by Setting Me Free

 

“IT IS WRITTEN: ‘MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD’” (Matthew 4:4).

 

Lord God, help me to understand that human counselors, friends and my spouse hold a certain place in my life.  They can encourage, instruct, and admonish me.  They can teach me in the ways that You have taught them, sharing with me the truths You have told them.  They can advise me in how to avoid future failure.  They can pray with me.  However, they cannot be my Truth, Hope and Love. They cannot set me free.

 

“HE SAID TO ME: ‘IT IS DONE. I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END. TO HIM WHO IS THIRSTY I WILL GIVE TO DRINK WITHOUT COST FROM THE SPRING OF THE WATER OF LIFE’” (Revelations 21:6).

 

Lord Jesus, call me to come to You when I feel unloved and unlovable, and tell You how I feel.  You are the Alpha and the Omega.  Let me wait patiently for You to furnish me with a permanent answer in my heart.  Teach me to run to You when I feel hopeless, and tell You exactly what is on my heart and why I feel hopeless.  Let me persevere, because You are the Beginning and the End, and You will fill me with the real solution.  Remind me to seek You when I feel lost and confused, and tell You what is bothering me.  Then, let me wait for Your answer, because You will give me a drink of Comfort without cost. You will furnish me with Truth, Hope, and Love. You will set me free.

 

“IN MY ANGUISH I CRIED TO THE LORD, AND HE ANSWERED BY SETTING ME FREE” (Psalm 118:5).

 

You set me free!

October 12  To Him who Overcomes

 

Lord Jesus, I need to overcome the belief that I am not acceptable.  I need to overcome the belief that I am forsaken.  I need to overcome the belief that I do not count.

 

“HE THAT OVERCOMETH, THE SAME SHALL BE CLOTHED IN WHITE RAIMENT; AND I WILL NOT BLOT OUT HIS NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE, BUT I WILL CONFESS HIS NAME BEFORE MY FATHER, AND BEFORE HIS ANGELS” (Revelation 3:5).

 

Lord Jesus, how encouraging to know that You regard overcoming as something very valuable.  If I live a life of overcoming, my name is so commendable to You that it will not be removed from the book of Life, but, instead, be confessed before the Perfect Father…the Most High…the Creator of all things.

 

“BECAUSE THOU HAST KEPT THE WORD OF MY PATIENCE, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION, WHICH SHALL COME UPON ALL THE WORLD, TO TRY THEM THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH” (Revelation 3:10).

 

Lord Jesus, teach me to be patient during affliction: not to run to sinful defense habits and patterns to escape the pain of temptation…not to hide the pain in my heart by pretending that I am okay, or wear a mask to pretend that I am not who I am…not to blame others for my own pain.  Instead, call me to run to You, so You may show me how to overcome the temptations in my life.

 

“TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH WILL I GRANT TO SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, EVEN AS I ALSO OVERCAME, AND AM SET DOWN WITH MY FATHER IN HIS THRONE” (Revelation 3:21).

 

Keep me from the hour of temptation, Lord. Grant me Truth for the belief that I am not acceptable, for the belief that I have been forsaken, and for the belief that I do not count.  I realize my responsibility: to admit that I am who I am and that I have certain thoughts that dwell in my mind, and then to submit these beliefs to You.  For If I overcome by submitting these negative, destructive beliefs, instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies, to You, You will let me sit with You in Your throne.

 

You clothe me in white raiment!

October 13  The Will of the Father

 

“YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” (Matthew 6:10).

 

Perfect Father, I acknowledge that Your Will is the highest Power in Heaven and on earth.  Nothing can extinguish it…except my own will.

 

“ARE NOT TWO SPARROWS SOLD FOR A PENNY?  YET NOT ONE OF THEM WILL FALL TO THE GROUND APART FROM THE WILL OF YOUR FATHER” (Matthew 10:29).

 

Lord God, even though by Your Will I have my being, the father-of-lies is always trying to persuade me to do his will, instead…to follow his negative, destructive thoughts: “God does not love you…God wants to harm you…God wants to punish you.”  He is always fighting for my will, so I would submit it to him, instead of to You, Most High.

 

Lord God, protect me from the evil one. Keep me from believing the father-of-lies: that his will is good for my life, and that Your Will is bad.  Let me see that whenever I believe the father-of-lies’ negative, destructive thoughts, I am filled with suspicion, hatred, jealousy, fear, and anger.  On the other hand, the more I surrender these thoughts to You, my Lord, the more I am filled with Your Hope, Truth, and Love.  Every moment I choose to do Your Will, the will of the father-of-lies has no effect on my life

 

“YOU ARE WORTHY, OUR LORD AND GOD, TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND POWER, FOR YOU CREATED ALL THINGS, AND BY YOUR WILL THEY WERE CREATED AND HAVE THEIR BEING” (Revelation 4:11).

 

You are worthy, Perfect Father, to receive glory and honor and power.  I wish for my life to be like that of a little sparrow—completely dependent on Your Will.  Therefore, I lay my own will down at Your feet.

 

By Your Will I have my being!

October 14  Good Works for Your Personality

 

“FOR WE ARE GOD’S WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Lord of Lords, how often it is that we find fault with our own personality.  If someone is an introvert, she regrets not being an extrovert.  If a person is an extrovert, he regrets not being an introvert.  Some people feel they are not interesting enough.  Others feel they are too superficial.  Regardless of the personality, people do not seem to be satisfied with who they are.

 

Lord God, keep me from thinking that my personality is a mistake: that I do not belong…that I am fatally flawed…that I am not good enough.

 

“NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS TO ME, ‘LORD, LORD,’ WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT ONLY HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN” (Matthew 7:21).

 

Thank you, my Lord, that Your Will for me is the highest purpose for my life.  It is the best plan for my life, because it is based on a plan that was created before the beginning of time.  It is not something that just happened haphazardly.  It is not a hit or miss situation.

 

How encouraged I am that Your plan for my life is a master plan, created in Christ Jesus, that is very specific to my personality and gifts.

 

Instead of trying to change my personality, help me to focus on who I am, instead of focusing on who I am NOT.  Let me not be afraid to know myself and the set of good works that requires my personality and gifts.  Then, let me forsake all the other good works I have invented for myself, and cling to the good works that You have prepared specifically for my personality.

For I am Your workmanship!

 

October 15  I AM Serving You

 

Dear God, keep me from focusing on how a spouse, relative, or friend is NOT serving me.  Keep me from focusing on how they do NOT provide for my needs…how they do NOT understand…how they do NOT…

 

“FOR WE ARE GOD’S WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Most High, teach me to change my focus.  Let me see that You have created my spouse, relative, or friend for a set of good works that had been prepared for him or her, since the beginning of time.  Help me to see this individual for the person he or she was meant to be.

 

“THE WORLD AND ITS DESIRES PASS AWAY, BUT THE MAN WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD LIVES FOREVER” (1 John 2:17).

 

Perfect Father, let me always remember that every good gift is from above, coming down from You, the Father of the Heavenly Lights, who do not change like shifting shadows.  Help me to see that the people in my life might be serving and blessing me with these good gifts that come from You.  Let me appreciate the personality, gifts, and skills You have given them, and always remember that the man who does the Will of God lives forever.

 

“EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, COMING DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF THE HEAVENLY LIGHTS, WHO DOES NOT CHANGE LIKE SHIFTING SHADOWS” (James 1:17).

 

Father of the Heavenly Lights, please supply me with the needs which my spouse, relative, or friend is not able to provide.  Let me appreciate those people in my life for the way they ARE serving me…and receive the rest from You.

 

For every good gift is from You!

 

October 16  The Arrow that Flies by Day

 

“YOU WILL NOT FEAR THE TERROR OF NIGHT, NOR THE ARROW THAT FLIES BY DAY” (Psalm 91:5).

 

Thank you, Lord God, that I do not have to fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.

 

“THEREFORE, SINCE WE ARE SURROUNDED BY SUCH A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES, LET US THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS AND THE SIN THAT SO EASILY ENTANGLES, AND LET US RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE THE RACE MARKED OUT FOR US” (Hebrews 12:1).

 

Lord Jesus, many arrows fly by day.  Some arrows are aimed to harm my heart.  They are shot on purpose.  They are meant for revenge.  Other arrows are shot by accident.  They just happen.  Regardless why and how an arrow was shot, help me to realize that if an arrow strikes my heart, it is my responsibility to have it removed.  If not, it will hinder me from enjoying Your Love, Hope, and Truth, and it will cause me to react with sinful defense habits and patterns of hiding, running, and blaming.

 

“IN ADDITION TO ALL THIS, TAKE UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WITH WHICH YOU CAN EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING ARROWS OF THE EVIL ONE” (Ephesians 6:16).

 

Lord Jesus, teach me to admit when an arrow strikes my heart.  Guide me to make the decision to throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, so I may run the race that You have marked out for me.

 

Instead of focusing on the person who shot the arrow, make me willing to focus on my own heart, and on You, my Savior.  Let me take up the shield of faith, and bring my wounded heart to You, so You may pull out the arrow and bathe the wound with Your Heavenly salve.

 

I will not fear the arrow that flies by day!

 

October 17  The Two Sources of Counsel

 

“THE WOMAN SAID TO THE SERPENT, ‘WE MAY EAT FRUIT FROM THE TREES IN THE GARDEN, BUT GOD DID SAY, ‘YOU MUST NOT EAT FRUIT FROM THE TREE THAT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GARDEN, AND YOU MUST NOT TOUCH IT, OR YOU WILL DIE’”

 

“‘YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE,’ THE SERPENT SAID TO THE WOMAN”

(Genesis 3:2-4).

 

Most High, may I never forget that there are two sources of counsel available to me: Your counsel of Truth…and the father-of-lies’ counsel of lies. 

 

“WE DEMOLISH ARGUMENTS AND EVERY PRETENSION THAT SETS ITSELF UP AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

 

Help me to notice when the father-of-lies uses MY MIND as a vessel for his arguments against Your Counsel of Truth, my Lord—when He uses my understanding as a garden to plant his lies of unworthiness, non-acceptance, and guilt.

 

Most High, call me to become willing to take each thought captive that sets itself up against Your Counsel of Truth.  Help me to recognize the counsel of lies from the father-of-lies, right when it enters my mind.

 

Often, I feel bad for days before I notice that I have been living in the counsel of lies from the father-of-lies.  Remind me, Lord, that even in these cases it is not too late to return to Your Counsel of Truth.  All I need to do is to return to the moment when I started feeling bad, in order to find the counsel of lies that had set itself up against Your Truth.

 

May I always remember that it is only after a perturbing thought has yielded to Your Counsel, Lord God, that Satan’s counsel will leave.

 

You are my Counsel of Truth!

 

 

October 18  Whose Counsel Do You Heed?

 

“THE WOMAN SAID TO THE SERPENT, ‘WE MAY EAT FRUIT FROM THE TREES IN THE GARDEN, BUT GOD DID SAY, ‘YOU MUST NOT EAT FRUIT FROM THE TREE THAT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GARDEN, AND YOU MUST NOT TOUCH IT, OR YOU WILL DIE’”

 

“‘YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE,’ THE SERPENT SAID TO THE WOMAN”

(Genesis 3:2-4).

 

Most High, may I never forget that there are two sources of counsel available to me, daily, moment-by-moment: Your counsel of Truth…and the father-of-lies’ counsel of lies.  Your Counsel directs me to Your Infinite Understanding, O Lord:

 

“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING;

 

IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM,

AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT.

 

DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES;

FEAR THE LORD AND SHUN EVIL”

(Proverbs 3:5-7).

 

But the counsel of the father-of-lies directs me to my own understanding:

 

“Do not trust God,

but lean on your own understanding,

Rely on your own insight and believe everything you think.

Acknowledge your own perceptions in everything you do,

for your mind is sufficient to supply all the explanations you need.

Be wise in your own eyes.

Then everything will turn out OK”

May I heed Your Counsel, my Lord, because the mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by Your Spirit…is Life and Peace.

 

“THE MIND OF SINFUL MAN IS DEATH, BUT THE MIND CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE” (Romans 8:6).

 

I heed Your Counsel!

October 19  I Will Give You Rest

 

Dear Lord, I have discovered that the things in life that burden me the most are the lies from the father-of-lies.  They are relentless.  They kill, steal and destroy.  They cause defeat…depression…death. They cause unnecessary arguing and fighting.

 

“COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS” (Matthew 11:28-29).

 

Lord, how often do I find myself in unnecessary arguing. I think I am arguing about a situation, but I am really fighting for my heart: fighting to keep my heart from being labeled “unacceptable,” “unloved,” or “unworthy.”

 

Most High, the lies from the father-of-lies are causing me to be weary and burdened.  I need rest for my soul.

 

“YOU, DEAR CHILDREN, ARE FROM GOD AND HAVE OVERCOME THEM, BECAUSE THE ONE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN THE ONE WHO IS IN THE WORLD”

(1 John 4:4).

 

Lord Jesus, I will call on You as long as I live. How comforted I am that You live in me and that You have overcome the father-of-lies. I will surrender these lies, which are under the authority of the father-of-lies, to You, Lord God.  It is only when these oppressing beliefs come under Your authority that they will leave, because they will realize that the one who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. You who are in me are greater than any lie that is seeking to destroy me.

 

You give me rest for my soul

October 20  Become Mature through Constant Use

 

“THE WOMAN SAID TO THE SERPENT, ‘WE MAY EAT FRUIT FROM THE TREES IN THE GARDEN, BUT GOD DID SAY, ‘YOU MUST NOT EAT FRUIT FROM THE TREE THAT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GARDEN, AND YOU MUST NOT TOUCH IT, OR YOU WILL DIE’”

 

“‘YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE,’ THE SERPENT SAID TO THE WOMAN”

(Genesis 3:2-4).

 

Lord God, remind me, often, that there are two sources of counsel available to me: Your holy Counsel of Truth and the father-of-lies’ counsel of deception.

 

“ANYONE WHO LIVES ON MILK, BEING STILL AN INFANT, IS NOT ACQUAINTED WITH THE TEACHING ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS. BUT SOLID FOOD IS FOR THE MATURE, WHO BY CONSTANT USE HAVE TRAINED THEMSELVES TO DISTINGUISH GOOD FROM EVIL” (Hebrews 5:13-15).

 

Lord Jesus, teach me to become mature by distinguishing between Your Counsel…and the father-of-lies’ counsel.  Make me sensitive to take notice of the suggestions that enter my heart, at all times, so I may classify my thoughts into categories of GOOD and EVIL—into categories of Your Counsel of Truth…and Satan’s Counsel of deception.

 

“THE THIEF COMETH NOT, BUT FOR TO STEAL, AND TO KILL, AND TO DESTROY: I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY” (John 10:10).

 

Most of all, train me to become acquainted with Your teaching of Righteousness, as I learn to catch the father-of-lies’ words of deception as soon as possible.  Let me catch these accusatory beliefs right when they knock on my heart’s door, so I might still have time to surrender these negative thoughts to You, Lord Jesus, and so overcome evil.  I know that the deeper I allow the father-of lies’ counsel to penetrate my heart, the harder it becomes to surrender it to You…and the easier it becomes to react sinfully to his painful words of deception.

 

I come to receive Your abundant Life!

 

October 21  When You Go through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

 

“FOR THIS PEOPLE’S HEART HAS BECOME CALLOUSED; THEY HARDLY HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES. OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS AND TURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM” (Matthew 13:15).

 

Perfect Father, whenever I go through the valley of the shadow of death, I feel so alone.  I feel so unloved.  I feel so unlovable.  Most of the time, I do not even understand what is going on…just that there is something wrong with me…and that I need help…that I need a way out.

 

I praise You, Father, that You are here. Reveal Yourself to me, God, so I may see You with the eyes of my heart. Speak to me, so I may hear You with the ears of my heart. Strengthen me with Your Presence according to Your glorious might.

 

“EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME” (PSALM 23:4).

 

Thank you, Father, that You already know what I need and that You have already planned a way to provide for me and my broken heart.  Help me to be still.  Give me the words to surrender my Valley-of-Death experience to You so my ears would hear Your answer, my eyes would see Your solution and my heart would understand Your Will for my situation.

 

“BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD…I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH”

(Psalm 46:10).

 

Thank you, God, that You are here!

 

 

October 22  Lean on God with Your Entire Personality

 

“IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY NOT GROW DISINTERESTED AND BECOME [SPIRITUAL] SLUGGARDS, BUT IMITATORS, BEHAVING AS DO THOSE WHO THROUGH FAITH (BY THEIR LEANING OF THE ENTIRE PERSONALITY ON GOD IN CHRIST IN ABSOLUTE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN HIS POWER, WISDOM, AND GOODNESS) AND BY PRACTICE OF PATIENT ENDURANCE AND WAITING ARE [NOW] INHERITING THE PROMISES” (Hebrews 6:12 AMP).

 

Most High, bring me to the place where I would lean with my entire personality on You, in absolute trust and confidence in Your Power, so that my faith might not rest on my own sufficiency, but on Your Strength.

 

“SO THAT YOUR FAITH MIGHT NOT REST ON MEN’S WISDOM, BUT ON GOD’S POWER”

(1 Corinthians 2:5).

 

God of Heavenly Lights, bring me to the place where I would lean with my entire personality on You, in absolute trust and confidence in Your Wisdom, for You give words and wisdom that none of my adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

 

“FOR I WILL GIVE YOU WORDS AND WISDOM THAT NONE OF YOUR ADVERSARIES WILL BE ABLE TO RESIST OR CONTRADICT” (Luke 21:15).

 

How great is Your Goodness, O Lord, which You have stored up for those who take refuge under Your wings.  Bring me to the place where I would lean with my entire personality on You, in absolute trust and confidence in Your Goodness.

 

“HOW GREAT IS YOUR GOODNESS, WHICH YOU HAVE STORED UP FOR THOSE WHO FEAR YOU, WHICH YOU BESTOW IN THE SIGHT OF MEN ON THOSE WHO TAKE REFUGE IN YOU” (Psalm 31:19).

 

Lord Jesus, build Your Faith in me, so that by practice of patient endurance and waiting, I might inherit Your promises to me.

How great is Your Goodness, Wisdom, and Power!

 

 

October 23  Is Your Heart Bad or Good?

 

Lord, I have noticed that my heart is bad.  It is filled with evil thoughts.  It is as heavy as stone.  Because I feel so ashamed of my heart, I sometimes try to hide it.  Other times, I try to prove that my heart is good, so that people would not find out that it is bad.  I have acquired so many sinful habits and patterns that fight for my heart.  My heart has caused me so much shame.

 

“THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS AND BEYOND CURE. WHO CAN UNDERSTAND IT?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

 

Lord God, I admit that the father-of-lies has filled me with deceit, one lie after the other: that I am a failure…that I have no worth…that I am not loved.  Eventually these lies all accumulated, until a heart was formed that became as hard as stone.  Out of this heart came evil thoughts and bad conduct.

 

“FOR OUT OF THE HEART COME EVIL THOUGHTS, MURDER, ADULTERY, SEXUAL IMMORALITY, THEFT, FALSE TESTIMONY, SLANDER” (Matthew 15:19).

 

Lord God, I want a good heart.  I want a heart filled with Goodness, Righteousness, and Holiness.  My Lord, I cannot remove my heart of stone, but You can.  Thank you that You sent the Spirit of Your son into my heart, to replace my heart of stone for Your very own heart that is filled with Goodness.

 

“GOD SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO OUR HEARTS” (Galatians 4:6).

 

Lord, I accept the Spirit of Your son, Jesus, into my heart, to exchange my heart for Your very own.  Bring me to the place where I would stop living from my own heart of stone, but only live from Your heart of Goodness.

 

“I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART AND PUT A NEW SPIRIT IN YOU; I WILL REMOVE FROM YOU YOUR HEART OF STONE AND GIVE YOU A HEART OF FLESH”

(Ezekiel 36:26).

 

Thank you for my new heart!

 

October 24  Refurbished by the Spirit of Life

 

“I AM THE VINE; YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. IF A MAN REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM, HE WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING” (John 15:5).

 

Lord Jesus, without You I cannot do anything. I am not able to get rid of my fears.  I am not able to free myself from bondage.  I am not able to get rid of anger.  You have to do it for me.

 

“FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HAS MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH”  (Romans 8:2).

 

Lord Jesus, I invite Your Spirit into my heart, to free me from my iniquities.  I submit all the parts of my heart that have been numbed by the pain of abandonment, rejection, and shame, to Your Spirit, Lord Jesus, to be resurrected…to be revived…to be restored.

 

I submit my mind that has been deadened by fears, blocks, and bondage, to Your Spirit, Lord Jesus, to be renewed…to be reshaped…to be refurbished.

 

Lord Jesus, I also bring my heart that cares so much what others think of me, to Your Spirit, to be repaired…to be re-created…to be replaced, for Your Spirit can set me free from all the iniquities I am not able to get rid of myself.

 

Apart from You I can do nothing!

 

October 25  A Light Has Dawned

 

“INDEED, THE DARKNESS SHALL NOT HIDE FROM YOU, BUT THE NIGHT SHINES AS THE DAY; THE DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT ARE BOTH ALIKE TO YOU” (Psalm 139:12).

 

God of Light, how encouraged I am that I do not have to despair during times of darkness, because my darkness is not hidden from You.

 

How good to know that my heartache is not buried so deeply that You would not be able to find it.  How much I am comforted to know that Your Light can light up any darkness…past, present, and future.  How glad I am that my deepest sorrow is accessible to Your healing, even if a protective coating has formed around it.

 

“HE BROUGHT THEM OUT OF DARKNESS AND THE DEEPEST GLOOM AND BROKE AWAY THEIR CHAINS” (Psalm 107:14).

 

God of Light, when I live in the land of the shadow of death, You can see what I cannot see.  Show me the way out.  When I am surrounded by the deepest gloom, You can recognize what I cannot recognize.  Shine Your Light on me, so I can see You, and crawl under Your wings. When I am walking in darkness, You can understand what I do not understand.  Darkness does not hide from You.  Gloom does not intimidate You.  The land of the shadow of death is not unfamiliar to You.

 

“THE PEOPLE WALKING IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT; ON THOSE LIVING IN THE LAND OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH A LIGHT HAS DAWNED” (Isaiah 9:2).

 

You break away my chains!

 

 

October 26  The Serpent Deceived Me, so I Ate

 

“THEN THE LORD GOD SAID TO THE WOMAN, ‘WHAT IS THIS YOU HAVE DONE?’THE WOMAN SAID, ‘THE SERPENT DECEIVED ME, AND I ATE’” (Genesis 3:13).

 

“My friend was rude to me, so I ate of the fruit the enemy offered me.”

“My boss made a snide comment, so I ate of the fruit the enemy offered me.”

“My husband did not love me, so I ate of the fruit the enemy offered me.”

“My wife disrespected me, so I ate of the fruit the enemy offered me.”

 

Lord God, I admit that the enemy, the father-of-lies, offers me his fruit, every day, to cause sin to reign in my mortal body, so I would obey its evil desires.

 

“SO THAT YOU OBEY ITS EVIL DESIRES” (Romans 6:12).

 

I admit that I have tasted of the enemy’s fruit of enmity, strife, fear, jealousy, mistrust, anger, fits of rage, animosity, and selfishness that he has offered me.  Moreover, I have often used the excuse he has offered me, as well: “She gave me some of the fruit, so I had to eat.”

 

Lord God, remind me, often, that I DO NOT HAVE TO EAT THE FRUIT THE ENEMY OFFERS ME, even when someone is hateful, manipulative, or condemning toward me.

 

“SUBMIT YOURSELVES, THEN, TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU” (James 4:7).

 

How good to know that I have a choice:  I can eat of the fruit the enemy offers me when someone says or does something to me…or I can resist obedience to the father-of-lies, and submit my pain to You instead, O Lord, and receive Your Fruit of Love, Hope, and Truth.

 

I submit myself to You, Lord God!

 

 

October 27  Those Who Fear Him Lack Nothing

 

“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

 

Most High, I praise You for Your Promises that are available to those who trust You with all their heart…who lean not on their own understanding.  They will lack nothing.

 

“FEAR THE LORD, YOU HIS SAINTS, FOR THOSE WHO FEAR HIM LACK NOTHING” (Psalm 34:9).

 

My Lord, how my heart leaps with joy when I consider that from everlasting to everlasting is Your Love to those who acknowledge Your Counsel above the counsel of the father-of-lies.  Even their children will be filled with Your Righteousness.

 

“BUT FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING THE LORD’S LOVE IS WITH THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH THEIR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN”

(Psalm 103:17).

 

How blessed I am that Your Kingdom is everlasting to those who trust You with all their heart.  Your dominion endures through all generations to those who rely on Your Love, even when things do not work out the way they had expected.  You are faithful to all your promises to those who rely on Your Power, even when circumstances are against them. You fulfill Your Purpose in those who rely on Your Purpose, and not on their own…to those who rely on Your Divine Timing, and not on their impatience.  Hallowed be Thy Name!

 

“YOUR KINGDOM IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM, AND YOUR DOMINION ENDURES THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS. THE LORD IS FAITHFUL TO ALL HIS PROMISES AND LOVING TOWARD ALL HE HAS MADE” (Psalm 145:13).

 

For those who fear You lack nothing!

 

 

October 28  Seek and You Will Find God

 

“YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART”

(Jeremiah 29:13).

 

Lord of the Heavenly Lights, how encouraged I am that I will find You when I seek You with all my heart.  Let my heart come to grips with the possibilities that You might not always answer in the ways I expect You to answer.  You might not always answer in the timing I allow You.  You might not always answer in the places I watch for You.  However, You always answer.

 

Let my heart accept the various ways Your Answers manifest. Sometimes, it will hit suddenly and vividly like a lightning bolt.  Sometimes, Your Counsel will come quietly in a whisper like a gentle sea breeze.  Sometimes, Your Truth will trickle in drop by drop, until my bucket is full and my answer is complete.

 

May I remember, my Lord, that when I do not hear from You, and it feels like You have abandoned me…that You ARE working on my case.  May I understand that I might not see You working, but that You ARE working behind the scenes.  May I be encouraged that You ARE busy moving my mountains, even when I do not see the results, yet.

 

Help me, O God, not to always expect an instant answer and an instant solution, and that my every mountain be moved in a second.  May I understand that oftentimes, the mountain that needs to be moved is in my heart…and hearts are slow to respond.

 

“AND WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD, BECAUSE ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS AND THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM” (Hebrews 11:6).

 

Lord Jesus, build Your Faith in my heart, so that I may never forget that the Perfect Father DOES reward those who earnestly seek Him, even if it takes some time.

 

I seek You, my Lord!

 

 

October 29  When I Fail

 

Oswald Chambers once said, “When a person fails in his personal Christian life, it is usually because he has never received anything.”

 

“JOHN ANSWERED AND SAID, A MAN CAN RECEIVE NOTHING, EXCEPT IT BE GIVEN HIM FROM HEAVEN” (John 3:27).

 

Lord Jesus, I realize that I will be empty, unless You come and fill me up.  I will have nothing, unless it be given me from Heaven.  I will fail to love, until I have received Your Love into my heart.  I will fail to be patient, until I have received Your Patience into my heart.  I will fail to be faithful, until I have received Your Faithfulness into my heart.

 

“HITHERTO HAVE YE ASKED NOTHING IN MY NAME: ASK, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE, THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL” (John 16:24).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you that I may ask, so that I may receive, and my joy may be full.

 

There is so much I ask in Your Name, so that I may receive, and that my joy may be full.  I ask for Your Goodness to eradicate and exchange all my badness.  I ask for Your Kindness to conquer my harshness…my insensitivity…my carelessness.  I ask that Your Humility overcome my pride…my selfishness…my boastfulness.

 

Lord Jesus, it is only when I have received from You that I will not fail in my personal Christian life.

 

“PRAISE THE LORD, MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS—

WHO FORGIVES ALL YOUR SINS AND HEALS ALL YOUR DISEASES,

WHO REDEEMS YOUR LIFE FROM THE PIT

AND CROWNS YOU WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION,

WHO SATISFIES YOUR DESIRES WITH GOOD THINGS

SO THAT YOUR YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE’S”

(Psalm 103:2-5).

 

Praise the Lord, my soul!

 

October 30  Redemption

 

Lord God, how I long to live according to Your first plan: guided by spiritual principles…indwelled by Your Spirit…covered by Your Love, Hope, and Truth.  I yearn to think Your thoughts and live in Your Light, uninterrupted by negative thoughts, far-fetched imaginations, and senseless arguments.

 

“FOR WE KNOW THAT THE LAW IS SPIRITUAL: BUT I AM CARNAL, SOLD UNDER SIN” (Romans 7:14).

 

But I have fallen and yielded to the counsel of THE FATHER-OF-LIES…and become naked, stripped of Your Truth, Hope, and Love that were part of Your first plan. I have been sold into slavery under the control of sin.

 

“WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, AND PURIFY UNTO HIMSELF A PECULIAR PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS” (Titus 2:14).

 

Lord Jesus, I praise You for being my Second Chance.  You died, giving Yourself for me, that You might redeem me from all iniquity, repurchase me from the father-of-lies, and purify me to be whole and holy, according to Your first plan.

 

“BUT GOD WILL REDEEM MY SOUL FROM THE POWER OF THE GRAVE: FOR HE SHALL RECEIVE ME” (Psalm 49:15).

 

Praise the Lord, my soul. You have a Redeemer. He died so you may become spiritual again through the Spirit of God.  He came to offer His own Nature to you to free you from the lies of the father-of-lies.  He came to live His own life through you…and Jesus does not sin.

 

“PRAISE THE LORD, MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS—

WHO REDEEMS YOUR LIFE FROM THE PIT

AND CROWNS YOU WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION,

WHO SATISFIES YOUR DESIRES WITH GOOD THINGS

SO THAT YOUR YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE’S” (Psalm 103:2, 4-5).

 

You are my Strength, O Lord!

 

 

October 31  Let Patience Have Its Perfect Work

 

“MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO VARIOUS TRIALS, KNOWING THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES PATIENCE. BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK, THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND COMPLETE, LACKING NOTHING” (James 1:2-4).

 

Lord God, fill me with Your Joy whenever I encounter trials or fall into various temptations.  Teach me, O Lord, that temptations give me the opportunity to become patient and stay in Your Presence, instead of running off to hide somewhere.  Temptations give me the opportunity to endure and stand firm in Your Love, instead of blaming someone else for my own pain.  Temptations give me the opportunity to be steadfast and abide in Your Hope, instead of hiding behind sinful habits and defense patterns.

 

“BE JOYFUL IN HOPE, PATIENT IN AFFLICTION, FAITHFUL IN PRAYER”

(Romans 12:12).

 

Perfect Father, remind me, often, that CHANGE HAPPENS DURING PATIENCE, because it is while I am calmly bearing the temptation, that You have an opportunity to renew my mind with Your Truth.  It is while I am bearing and facing my pain, that I have the opportunity to share in Your Holiness.

 

“ENDURE HARDSHIP AS DISCIPLINE” (Hebrews 12:7).

 

My Lord, how encouraged I am that You use the same temptations that the enemy uses to harm me…to heal me.  May I fix my eyes on You during my temptations, so You may use the same moment to turn my darkness into Light.  May I endure hardship and face the shame, condemnation, and abandonment in my heart, so You may use that point in time to heal my heart and set me free.

 

“NO DISCIPLINE SEEMS PLEASANT AT THE TIME, BUT PAINFUL. LATER ON, HOWEVER, IT PRODUCES A HARVEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY IT” (Hebrews 12:11).

 

You are my God for ever and ever!

 

 

November 1  Faith is a Belief that God Will Reward

 

“AND WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD, BECAUSE ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS AND THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM” (Hebrews 11:6).

 

Thank you, Lord God, that Faith is not about what I can do, but about what YOU do.  Thank you that Faith is not about who I am, but about who YOU are.  Thank you that Faith is not something I possess to move mountains, BUT TRUSTING THAT YOU WILL MOVE MY MOUNTAINS.  Faith is focusing on YOUR Goodness…on YOUR Power…on YOUR Love.  Faith is trusting that YOU will authorize, produce, and reward. 

 

Thank you, my Lord, that faith does not depend on MY authority, power, or ability to produce an effect.  Faith is not a skill I possess: a mental efficacy I own, or my influence over circumstances. How encouraged I am to know that all I have to do is ASK for YOU to move my mountain…and then look to YOU for the reward…the answer…the solution.

 

“‘HAVE FAITH IN GOD,’ JESUS ANSWERED” (Mark 11:22).

 

Help me to realize, my Lord, that if I do not believe that You will reward me if I earnestly seek You, the father-of-lies has told me a lie: that You do not favor me…that You only want to punish me…that You are disappointed in me…that You do not reward those who earnestly seek You.

 

Let me bring these negative, destructive beliefs to You, O Lord, so that You may tell me the Truth. Then, I will trust that You will reward me if I earnestly seek You.

 

I have faith in You, O God!

 

November 2  Be Perfect, as Your Father Is Perfect

 

“BUT YOU ARE TO BE PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT”

(Matthew 5:48).

 

Lord God, there are people in my life who hate me. There are those who try to manipulate and control me. And then there are the ones who are spiteful, defensive, and contentious. Teach me, O Lord, how to respond to these people. Let me be perfect, even as You are perfect.

 

“YE HAVE HEARD THAT IT HATH BEEN SAID, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR, AND HATE THINE ENEMY.  BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU, DO GOOD TO THEM THAT HATE YOU, AND PRAY FOR THEM WHICH DESPITEFULLY USE YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU; THAT YE MAY BE THE CHILDREN OF YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN: FOR HE MAKETH HIS SUN TO RISE ON THE EVIL AND ON THE GOOD, AND SENDETH RAIN ON THE JUST AND ON THE UNJUST.  FOR IF YE LOVE THEM WHICH LOVE YOU, WHAT REWARD HAVE YE? DO NOT EVEN THE PUBLICANS THE SAME?  AND IF YE SALUTE YOUR BRETHREN ONLY, WHAT DO YE MORE THAN OTHERS? DO NOT EVEN THE PUBLICANS SO?  BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT. (Matthew 5:43-48).

 

Perfect Father, I admit that I cannot be perfect by mere effort.  Therefore, I welcome the Spirit of Your son, Jesus, into my heart…so He can be perfect in me, through me, and for me.

 

“IT IS BECAUSE OF HIM THAT YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO HAS BECOME FOR US WISDOM FROM GOD—THAT IS, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS AND REDEMPTION” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for assuring my redemption. I invite You to also be my Holiness.

 

“GOD SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO OUR HEARTS” (Galatians 4:6).

 

I surrender my own heart of animosity to You, Lord Jesus, as I authorize You to love my enemies through me: to bless them who curse me…to do good to those who hate me…to pray for those who spitefully use me and persecute me.

 

Only You are perfect, O Lord!

 

 

November 3  Call to Me When You Are Confused

 

“FOR GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION BUT OF PEACE”

(1 Corinthians 14:33).

 

God of Peace, I come to You when life gets very confusing: when I know something is wrong, but I do not even know where to begin to find the PROBLEM, let alone the SOLUTION…when I know I am feeling sad or mad or bad, but I do not know which one it is…when I am willing to take responsibility for my thoughts and surrender my own understanding to You, but I do not know what those thoughts are…when several misinterpretations mull around in my mind at the same time, but I cannot tell them apart.

 

“CALL TO ME AND I WILL ANSWER YOU AND TELL YOU GREAT AND UNSEARCHABLE THINGS YOU DO NOT KNOW” (Jeremiah 33:3).

 

Most High, I call out to You to answer me in my state of confusion.  Come into the deepest places of my heart and mind to detect and discern the unsearchable things I do not know: the emotions that are unclear…the thoughts of my mind that are impenetrable…the beliefs of my heart that are concealed.

 

“ONLY IN RETURNING TO ME AND RESTING IN ME WILL YOU BE SAVED.  IN QUIETNESS AND CONFIDENCE IS YOUR STRENGTH” (Isaiah 30:15 NLT).

 

Perfect Father, You are the Author of Peace!  I return to You to find rest for my weary soul.  In quietness and confidence is my strength!  How comforting to know that You desire Truth for the inner parts of my heart and Wisdom for the inmost places of my mind.

 

“SURELY YOU DESIRE TRUTH IN THE INNER PARTS; YOU TEACH ME WISDOM IN THE INMOST PLACE” (Psalm 51:6).

icket

You are the Author of Peace!

 

November 4  Three Things You Need to Be Truly Happy

 

“THEY SAY A PERSON NEEDS THREE THINGS TO BE TRULY HAPPY IN THIS WORLD:

SOMEONE TO LOVE, SOMETHING TO DO,

AND SOMETHING TO HOPE FOR”

(Thomas Edward Bodett).

Lord God, I need three things to experience true joy in this world:

to love You,

to do the good works You have prepared for me to do,

and to have the hope of possessing a heart that is good, acceptable, and worthy.

Most High, to love You brings me much Joy! How I love loving You, moment-by-moment, through an interchange of surrendering and receiving…SURRENDERING EVERYTHING I AM AND DO, TO RECEIVE EVERYTHING YOU ARE AND DO.

 

Most High, how I love doing the good works You have prepared for me. They fill my heart with Your Purpose.  They allow me to be me.  When I do the good works that You have prepared for me since the beginning of time, I experience Your Rest, Your Peace, and Your Joy!

 

Most High, You have created me with the desire to have a good heart.  Not only do I give my heart to You, but I long to receive Your heart, O Lord.Your heart is good.  Your heart is patient.  Your heart is faithful.  When I receive Your heart, I do not have to strive to make my heart good, to make myself acceptable, and to prove that I am worthy. Therefore, I come and draw what I need, moment-by-moment, out of Your Well of Salvation.

 

“THEREFORE WITH JOY SHALL YE DRAW WATER OUT OF THE WELLS OF SALVATION” (Isaiah 12:3).

 

Most High, You bring me such Joy!

 

 

November 5  Believe…And You Will Have Life

 

“I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE” (John 6:48).

 

Father of our Lord Jesus, I worship You with gladness for the Life that You have in Yourself, that You have granted to Your son, Jesus, and for offering me that Life, as well.

 

“BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, AND THAT BY BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME”

(John 20:31).

 

Lord Jesus, Bread of Life, You are the strength of my life.  Of whom shall I be afraid?  I realize that I am not able to speak Life into my own situations, and into my own personhood.  Therefore, I come to You to receive Life in Your name—Life that will last forever.  Speak Your Words to my fear, and it shall leave.  Speak Your Truth to my shame, and it shall flee.  Speak Your Life into my confusion, and I shall be enlightened.  With Joy I eat from the Bread of Life, for Your Words are Life to me.

 

“FOR THE BREAD OF GOD IS HE WHICH COMETH DOWN FROM HEAVEN, AND GIVETH LIFE UNTO THE WORLD…THE WORDS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU ARE SPIRIT AND THEY ARE LIFE” (John 6:33, 63).

 

I come to You to receive Life!

 

 

November 6  Receive from the Righteousness of Jesus

 

“PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF COMPASSION AND THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES, SO THAT WE CAN COMFORT THOSE IN ANY TROUBLE WITH THE COMFORT WE OURSELVES HAVE RECEIVED FROM GOD”  (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

 

I praise You, Perfect Father, that You love me so much that You sent Your son, Jesus, into the world, so that I might receive from Him.

 

How my heart rejoices, O Lord Jesus, when I meditate on what I have received from You through Your Righteousness and what I am still to receive through Your Righteousness. May I remember, daily, to share with others the Love, Hope, and Truth I have received from You.

 

“SIMON PETER, A SERVANT AND APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST, ‘TO THOSE WHO THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF OUR GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST HAVE RECEIVED A FAITH AS PRECIOUS AS OURS’” (2 Peter 1:1).

 

Lord Jesus, Simon Peter received Faith through Your Righteousness. I pray that all people, to the end of the earth, would receive Love, Hope, and Truth in exchange for their hatred, deceit, and despair, so they might share with others what they have received through Your Righteousness.

 

Thank you, God, for what I have received from You!

 

November 7  Misunderstandings

 

“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT” (Proverbs 3:5).

 

Lord God, today, I specifically pray for my conversations. The roaring lion is prowling around during our conversations, looking for an opening, so he could kill our love, steal our joy, and destroy our relationships. Protect and preserve my mind, O Lord, so He would not be able to use it to hate, deceive, and attack me and my conversation partner during my conversations.

 

“THE MIND OF SINFUL MAN IS DEATH, BUT THE MIND CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE” (Romans 8:6).

 

Holy Spirit, lead me with Your Truth, so I would not trust my own mind during conversations, since I am not the only one using it. The father-of-lies has access to my mind, to fill it with his own conclusions, whenever he gets a chance…especially during conversations.  His weapon is deception…suggesting beliefs that are not true.

 

“IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT”

 

How profound are Your thoughts, O Lord!  May I acknowledge Your thoughts and understanding during my conversations.  May I submit my negative feelings and interpretations that surface during my conversations, to You, Lord God, so I might close the channel of deception between me and the father-of-lies…and receive Your Truth.

 

I acknowledge You, Lord God!

November 8  You Share the Divine Nature of God

“THROUGH THESE HE HAS GIVEN US HIS VERY GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES, SO THAT THROUGH THEM YOU MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE DIVINE NATURE AND ESCAPE THE CORRUPTION IN THE WORLD CAUSED BY EVIL DESIRES” (2 Peter 1:4).

 

Lord Jesus, how my heart is lifted when I realize that every time I surrender my Self-nature to Your Power and Control, I have the opportunity to participate in Your Divine Nature, and escape the corruption of my sinful Self-nature.

 

How joy enters my soul, as I grasp that Your Divine Nature is at work in me, whenever I yield Self to Your Power and Control.  I cannot change Self into someone good, but Your Divine Power can mortify these deeds of my body, which have their origin in Satan.  Although I cannot disarm the condemnation burrowed in my heart, Lord Jesus, You can through Your Divine Power, as I submit the beliefs of condemnation to You.  Although I cannot disband the abandonment stuck in my heart, You can with Your Divine Love, as I surrender the beliefs of abandonment to You.  Although I cannot discard the shame lodged in my heart, You can with Your Divine Hope, as I relinquish the shame to You.

 

“FOR THOUGH WE LIVE IN THE WORLD, WE DO NOT WAGE WAR AS THE WORLD DOES.  THE WEAPONS WE FIGHT WITH ARE NOT THE WEAPONS OF THE WORLD. ON THE CONTRARY, THEY HAVE DIVINE POWER TO DEMOLISH STRONGHOLDS”

(2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

 

Lord Jesus, I rely on Your Divine Power, because the weapons You use are not the world’s weapons of running, hiding and blaming, but weapons of Divine Power that can demolish the strongholds of corruption in my heart.

 

“HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIFE AND GODLINESS THROUGH OUR KNOWLEDGE OF HIM WHO CALLED US BY HIS OWN GLORY AND GOODNESS” (2 Peter 1:3).

 

Your Divine Power has given me everything I need!

 

 

November 9  Make the Most of Every Opportunity

 

“BE VERY CAREFUL, THEN, HOW YOU LIVE—NOT AS UNWISE BUT AS WISE, MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL”

(Ephesians 5:15-16).

 

Lord God, remind me, every day, to be very careful how I live—to make the most of every opportunity: every task…every incident…every conversation…every thought.

 

“THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THAT NATURE DESIRES; BUT THOSE WHO LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPIRIT HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THE SPIRIT DESIRES” (Romans 8:5).

 

Most High, today I realize that it is during all the ordinary little conversations and daily tasks that I have the chance to make the most of every opportunity—that I have the opportunity to either set my mind on what my Self-nature desires…or to set my mind on what Your Spirit desires.

 

“Man is not fully conditioned and determined but rather determines himself whether he gives in to conditions or stand up to them” (Victor E. Frankl).

 

What a blessing to know that to live in accordance with Your Spirit is a moment-by-moment opportunity, that does not only apply to the big incidences of crises and chaos, but to the little daily happenings: the simple assignments…the basic chores…the ordinary errands.

 

“FOR FROM HIM AND THROUGH HIM AND TO HIM ARE ALL THINGS. TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOREVER!” (Romans 11:36).

 

Lord Jesus, remind me to submit the little moments of each day to You: the moments of disappointment…the moments of loneliness…the moments of fear.  May I live FROM You, THROUGH You, and TO You during my daily thoughts and perceptions.

 

“BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE SONS OF GOD”

(Romans 8:14).

 

To You be the Glory forever!

November 10  Your Will Be Done!

 

“YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” (Matthew 6:10).

 

Everlasting Father, bring my heart to the place where it has nothing to pray other than asking for Your Will to be done in my life.

 

Let me experience the depth, the breadth, and the height of Your Love, so I would stop praying for my own will to be done, for my own desires to be fulfilled, and for my own plans to succeed.  Let all my plans and desires become quiet in my heart, so that all I really want will be for YOUR WILL TO BE DONE IN MY LIFE, even as it is done in Heaven.

 

“‘FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU,’ DECLARES THE LORD, ‘PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

 

Perfect Father, let me taste and see that You are good, and that I am safe when I take refuge in You.  Let me not be afraid of Your Will.  Let me see Your Faithfulness, so I may know You as my Perfect Father: someone who wants to bless me, protect me, and save me.  Deliver me from the lies of the father-of-lies, so I would perceive Your Will as something good…something hopeful…something that will give me a purpose and a future.

 

“TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD; BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO TAKES REFUGE IN HIM” (Psalm 34:8).

 

Your Will be done!

 

 

November 11  Deny Yourself and Take up Your Cross

 

Lord God, I realize that there is an OLD MAN living his life inside me: an agglomeration of negative, destructive beliefs, instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  This collection of OLD MAN beliefs carries a painful negative message of failure, defilement, and unworthiness.

 

“AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; AND THAT YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH AFTER GOD IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS” (Ephesians 4:23-24).

 

How splendid are Your ways, O Lord!  How blessed I am to have a choice: to live according to the OLD MAN beliefs…or to turn the OLD MAN over to You in exchange for the NEW MAN.

 

“AND HE SAID TO THEM ALL, IF ANY MAN WILL COME AFTER ME, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF, AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, AND FOLLOW ME” (Luke 9:23).

 

Most High, teach me to stop hiding from my negative, destructive OLD MAN beliefs by wearing a mask, pretending that I am not who I am.  Guide me to quit running from my OLD MAN beliefs, trying to fix myself by striving to be righteous and holy.  Lead me to stop blaming my OLD MAN beliefs on my father, my mother, my husband, my brother, or my friend.

 

Instead, let me work out my own salvation with fear and trembling by taking up the cross of my OLD MAN beliefs, and allowing You, Lord Jesus, to exchange it for the NEW MAN.  May I do this daily, whenever my negative, destructive OLD MAN beliefs are being displayed in my life.

 

And I will be renewed in the spirit of my mind according to the NEW MAN, which after You is created in Righteousness and true Holiness.

 

“WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING” (Philippians 2:12).

 

I will take up my cross, and follow You!

 

November 12  Your Heart Matters to God

 

“KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE; FOR OUT OF IT ARE THE ISSUES OF LIFE” (Proverbs 4:23).

 

Majesty, I realize that my heart is a fountainhead—the point of origin from which You want to flow Your Living Water.  I admit that if my heart is dead and clogged with the negative, destructive beliefs of the father-of-lies, Your Living Water cannot stream forth from your heart.

 

“THEN JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES A PARABLE TO SHOW THEM THAT THEY SHOULD ALWAYS PRAY AND NOT GIVE UP. HE SAID: ‘IN A CERTAIN TOWN THERE WAS A JUDGE WHO NEITHER FEARED GOD NOR CARED ABOUT MEN. AND THERE WAS A WIDOW IN THAT TOWN WHO KEPT COMING TO HIM WITH THE PLEA, ‘GRANT ME JUSTICE AGAINST MY ADVERSARY’” (Luke 18:1-3).

 

Lord God, let me know my adversary: that it is not my mother, my father, my brother, or my sister.  It is not my neighbor or my friend.  It is the father-of-lies…the evil one…Satan, who has come to kill my love, steal my joy, and destroy my heart.

 

“FOR SOME TIME HE REFUSED. BUT FINALLY HE SAID TO HIMSELF, ‘EVEN THOUGH I DON’T FEAR GOD OR CARE ABOUT MEN, YET BECAUSE THIS WIDOW KEEPS BOTHERING ME, I WILL SEE THAT SHE GETS JUSTICE, SO THAT SHE WON’T EVENTUALLY WEAR ME OUT WITH HER COMING!’”(Luke 18:4-5).

 

I praise You, God, that You are not like the unjust judge, who delayed in helping the widow. You are PERFECT.  You bring justice to all Your chosen ones, who cry out to You from everywhere.  You will not put you off, but see that I get justice, and quickly.  Grant me a new heart…a new fountainhead…a new beginning, so that Your Living Water may stream forth from my heart.

 

“AND THE LORD SAID, ‘LISTEN TO WHAT THE UNJUST JUDGE SAYS.  AND WILL NOT GOD BRING ABOUT JUSTICE FOR HIS CHOSEN ONES, WHO CRY OUT TO HIM DAY AND NIGHT?  WILL HE KEEP PUTTING THEM OFF?  I TELL YOU, HE WILL SEE THAT THEY GET JUSTICE, AND QUICKLY’” (Luke 18:6-8).

 

You grant me justice against my adversary!

 

 

 

November 13  Your Father’s Unlimited Resources

 

“WHEN I THINK OF ALL THIS, I FALL TO MY KNEES AND PRAY TO THE FATHER, THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH.  I PRAY THAT FROM HIS GLORIOUS, UNLIMITED RESOURCES HE WILL EMPOWER YOU WITH INNER STRENGTH THROUGH HIS SPIRIT” (Ephesians 3:14-16 NLT).

 

Perfect Father, Creator of everything in Heaven and on earth, when I think of You, I fall to my knees and worship You.  You have unlimited resources from which You are able to supply what I need.  You have an answer for every problem.  You have a solution for my unacceptable character.  You have a revelation for my sinful habits and patterns.

 

“GREAT IS OUR LORD, AND OF GREAT POWER: HIS UNDERSTANDING IS INFINITE” (Psalm 147:5).

 

Lord God, how great You are!  You supply me with inexhaustible Hope when I am hopeless, with immeasurable Comfort when I am comfortless, with unceasing Wisdom when I am lost.  Even when I do not know what I need, YOU know what I need, for Your Understanding is infinite.

 

Strengthen me with might by Your Spirit in my inner being, O Lord, according to the unlimited riches of Your Glory.

 

“AND GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE ALL GRACE ABOUND TOWARD YOU; THAT YE, ALWAYS HAVING ALL SUFFICIENCY IN ALL THINGS, MAY ABOUND TO EVERY GOOD WORK”

(2 Corinthians 9:8).

 

Regardless of my needs, shortcomings, or defects, Lord God, make all Grace abound toward me, so I may have sufficiency in all things, and abound in every good work.

 

How great You are, O Lord!

 

 

November 14  Father, Protect Them from the Evil One

 

“MY PRAYER IS NOT THAT YOU TAKE THEM OUT OF THE WORLD BUT THAT YOU PROTECT THEM FROM THE EVIL ONE” (John 17:15).

 

Lord God, You know that my problem in this world is not with my circumstances…but with the evil one, for although my circumstances are hard, the evil deems them impossible, unsolvable, and unchangeable.  Therefore, Lord God, protect me from the evil one.

 

Lord God, You know that my problem in this world is not with what people tell me…but with what the evil one tells me.  What people tell me hurt, but what the evil one tells me tears my heart apart: “Your mistakes are too numerous.  Your character is too flawed.  Your defect is nonredeemable.”  Therefore, Perfect Father, protect me from the evil one.

 

“IF YOU MAKE THE LORD YOUR REFUGE,

IF YOU MAKE THE MOST HIGH YOUR SHELTER,

 NO EVIL WILL CONQUER YOU”

(Psalm 91:9-10).

 

Lord Jesus, I make You my Refuge against the evil one.  No evil will conquer me, for You are able to help those who are being tempted by evil. I invite Your Presence and Participation into the belief that I am not good enough.  Grant me Truth for the belief that my character is fatally flawed.  I lay the belief that I am not likable, at Your feet, too. Deliver me from the snare of the fowler, my Lord, so I may tread upon the lion, for You have become my Shelter against the evil one.

 

“BECAUSE HE HIMSELF SUFFERED WHEN HE WAS TEMPTED, HE IS ABLE TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE BEING TEMPTED” (Hebrews 2:18).

 

You protect me from the evil one!

 

 

November 15  Follow…Do Not Pass!

 

“BUT THE PLANS OF THE LORD STAND FIRM FOREVER, THE PURPOSES OF HIS HEART THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS” (Psalm 33:11).

 

Lord God, how often You tell me to follow You and NOT to PASS You.

 

How often do I want to run ahead of You, my Lord, because I think You are too slow.  How often do I want to take my plans in my own hands, forgetting that it is Your plans that stand firm forever.

 

“MANY ARE THE PLANS IN A PERSON’S HEART, BUT IT IS THE LORD’S PURPOSE THAT PREVAILS” (Proverbs 19:21).

 

Lord of Heaven and earth, I surrender my will and desires to You and authorize You to initiate and fulfill Your plans for my life, for all human plans are futile.  Call me to the place where I would FOLLOW…AND NOT PASS, because Your Purpose prevails forever, through all generations.

 

“THE LORD KNOWS ALL HUMAN PLANS; HE KNOWS THAT THEY ARE FUTILE”

(Psalm 94:11).

 

Lord God, show me the way that I should go.  Blaze the trail before me.  I commit my plans to you.  Let them become Your Purpose, for the Purpose of Your Heart stands firm forever.

 

“COMMIT TO THE LORD WHATEVER YOU DO, AND HE WILL ESTABLISH YOUR PLANS”

(Proverbs 16:3).

 

You establish my plans, O Lord!

 

 

November 16  Representatives of the Lord Jesus

 

“AND WHATEVER YOU DO OR SAY, DO IT AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD JESUS, GIVING THANKS THROUGH HIM TO GOD THE FATHER” (Colossians 3:17).

 

Lord Jesus, help me to understand that if I am still living according to my own understanding and thoughts, I cannot be a good representative of You, no matter how much I am copying You.  Show me that if I am still being controlled by the father-of-lies’ beliefs in my mind, I will not be a good spokesperson for You, regardless of how much I am mimicking You.  Teach me that if I still have my mind set on dealing with my heartache by running, hiding, and blaming, I will not be a good mouthpiece for You, no matter how much I am duplicating You.

 

“THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THAT NATURE DESIRES” (Romans 8:5).

 

Therefore, I offer MY SELF to You, Lord Jesus.  Establish YOUR SELF in ME, becoming a representative of YOURSELF.  Then, whenever someone observes what I do and say, they will see YOU, Lord Jesus, in me. Let them see Your Kindness, not my own Self-seeking nature. Let them see Your Patience, not my frustration. Let them see Your Forgiveness, not my sinful defense patterns of bitterness.

 

“BUT THOSE WHO LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPIRIT HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THE SPIRIT DESIRES” (Romans 8:5).

 

Whatever I do and say, let it be to Your glory!

 

 

November 17  Your Part and God’s Part

 

“IF THE SON MAKES YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED” (John 8:36).

 

Perfect Father, I praise You for sending Your son, Jesus, to set me free.  But, remind me, often, that it is MY responsibility to come to Him to be set free.

 

“WE DEMOLISH ARGUMENTS AND EVERY PRETENSION THAT SETS ITSELF UP AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You came to set me free from the father-of-lies’ arguments against You and his arguments against me.  However, let me never forget that it is MY responsibility to bring these arguments to You, in order to receive Your Truth, Your Way, and Your Life.

 

Thank you, Perfect Father, that You sent Your son, Jesus, to free me from negative, degrading, and oppressing thoughts that enter my mind.  However, may I always remember that it is My responsibility to catch these thoughts and lay them before Jesus in obedience, before I will be set free.

 

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

 

Lord Jesus, I worship You with gladness that my OLD MAN, the cluster of lies instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies, was crucified with You.  However, may I understand that it is MY responsibility as a human to surrender my OLD MAN to You in faith, so that this body of sin might be destroyed.

 

“[GOD] CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH [SUBDUED, OVERCAME, DEPRIVED IT OF ITS POWER OVER ALL WHO ACCEPT THAT SACRIFICE] (Romans 8:3).

 

I accept Your sacrifice!

 

 

November 18  Your Struggle is not against Flesh and Blood

 

“AND HE SAID, ‘WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE NAKED? HAVE YOU EATEN FROM THE TREE THAT I COMMANDED YOU NOT TO EAT FROM?’” (Genesis 3:11).

 

Send forth Your Light and Your Truth to guide me, O Lord, to bring me to the place where You dwell.

 

“THE MAN SAID, ‘THE WOMAN YOU PUT HERE WITH ME—SHE GAVE ME SOME FRUIT FROM THE TREE, AND I ATE IT’” (Genesis 3:12).

 

Lord God, may I never blame my feelings of unworthiness on others by saying, “The husband you put here with me–it is his fault that I am not happy. The parents you put here with me–it is their fault that I turned out this way. The neighbor, or friend, or coworker you put here with me–it is her or his fault that I am always in a bad mood.”

 

“FOR OUR STRUGGLE IS NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST THE RULERS, AGAINST THE AUTHORITIES, AGAINST THE POWERS OF THIS DARK WORLD AND AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS” (Ephesians 6:12).

 

May I see that my struggle is not against the people in my life, but against the spiritual forces of evil, whose weapon against me is deception—tempting me to believe things about myself and others that are not true.

 

May I understand that blaming others will not get rid of the unworthiness and non-acceptance in my heart, and that there is only ONE solution: to NOT eat from the tree that You commanded me not to eat from—to NOT lean on my own understanding— but to bring my own understanding to You.

 

“SEND FORTH YOUR LIGHT AND YOUR TRUTH, LET THEM GUIDE ME; LET THEM BRING ME TO YOUR HOLY MOUNTAIN, TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU DWELL”

(Psalm 43:3).

 

Your Truth is my Light, O Lord!

 

 

November 19  I Was Afraid…so I Hid

 

“HE ANSWERED, ‘I HEARD YOU IN THE GARDEN, AND I WAS AFRAID BECAUSE I WAS NAKED; SO I HID’” (Genesis 3:10).

 

Lord God, so often I hide from you because of the pain the father-of-lies causes in my heart: that I have disappointed You…that I am not desirable to You…that I do not please You.

 

“AND HE SAID, ‘WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE NAKED?’” (Genesis 3:11).

 

Lord Jesus, let me never forget that the father-of-lies is a murderer, not holding to the Truth.  When he lies, he speaks his native language.  He came to kill, steal, and destroy my relationship with You, enticing me to believe things that are not true about myself, about others, and especially about You, O Lord.

 

“THE WOMAN SAID, ‘THE SERPENT DECEIVED ME, AND I ATE’” (Genesis 3:13).

 

Establish Your Truth in me, O Lord, so I would not hide from the pain the father-of-lies causes in my heart, and so carry out his desires.

 

“YOU BELONG TO YOUR FATHER, THE DEVIL, AND YOU WANT TO CARRY OUT YOUR FATHER’S DESIRES. HE WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, NOT HOLDING TO THE TRUTH, FOR THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. WHEN HE LIES, HE SPEAKS HIS NATIVE LANGUAGE, FOR HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES” (John 8:44).

 

Send forth Your Light and Your Truth, my Lord, to guide me into Your Presence and reveal Your heart to me.  Then, I will know the Truth, and the Truth shall set me free.

 

You are my Redeemer, Lord Jesus!

 

 

November 20  Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus

 

“BUT WE HAVE THIS TREASURE IN JARS OF CLAY TO SHOW THAT THIS ALL-SURPASSING POWER IS FROM GOD AND NOT FROM US” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

 

Lord Jesus, You are my Treasure in jars of clay.  Help me to understand that the Christian life is not a method—a technique to procure holiness. Instead it is Life—Your Life, Christ Jesus—being lived through me. It is all about what YOU, Christ Jesus, has to do IN me and THROUGH me—the empty jar of clay.

 

Christ Jesus, I invite You into everything in my life: into my sinful habits and patterns, into my desires, into my mistakes, into my personality, and into my actions and reactions. Become my Righteousness, Holiness, and Redemption in this jar of clay. Be my Truth, my Way, and my Life. Fill this jar with Your Self.

 

Christ Jesus, thank you for teaching me that it has never been about us doing for You.  It has always been about You doing for us, and allowing that, which You have done for us, to flow out of us to those around us.  It is all about You, the Treasure, who lives in us, the jars of clay…to show that this all-surpassing Power is from You…and not from us.

 

“RATHER, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST” (Romans 13:14).

 

You are my Treasure!

 

 

November 21  My Heart’s Identity

“I PRAY THAT OUT OF HIS GLORIOUS RICHES HE MAY STRENGTHEN YOU WITH POWER THROUGH HIS SPIRIT IN YOUR INNER BEING, SO THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH” (Ephesians 3:16-17).

 

Lord Jesus, what a revelation that my heart was never meant to have a self-contained existence without You—to have an identity separate from You.  My heart was created for You to dwell in through faith…to become part of my identity.

 

“ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT OF ITSELF, EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN THE VINE; NO MORE CAN YE, EXCEPT YE ABIDE IN ME”

(John 15:4).

 

A branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except if it abides in the vine.  In the same way, my heart cannot be complete and holy, except if it is connected to You, Lord Jesus. I invite You to dwell in my heart through faith.

 

^“AND THE GLORY WHICH THOU GAVEST ME I HAVE GIVEN THEM; THAT THEY MAY BE ONE, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE: I IN THEM, AND THOU IN ME, THAT THEY MAY BE MADE PERFECT IN ONE…” (John 17:22-23).

 

Majesty, how blessed I am that my heart was created to carry the Glory of Oneness—Oneness with You and the Perfect Father.  It was created to be made perfect in unity: “I in them, and Thou in Me.”

 

“RATHER, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST” (Romans 13:14).

 

May my heart be clothed with You, my Lord, for it is not meant to exist by itself.

 

You dwell in my heart!

 

 

November 22  Come to Me to Abide in Me

“COME TO ME” (Matthew 11:28).

 

“ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU” (John 15:4).

Lord Jesus, I notice that You did not say, “Come to Me to abide WITH Me,” but rather, “Come to Me to abide IN Me.”  You called me to “Come to Me to STAY IN ME.”

 

Help me to understand that You never meant for me to try to keep up with You, to try to be like You, and to try to follow a set of rules.  You never meant for me to fix my own heart, to change my Self to become like You, and to mend my past, my present, and my future.

 

Majesty, I come to abide IN You. I come to walk in the Light of Your Presence.  I come to place my beliefs of being unacceptable, flawed, and defected at Your feet, while I sit at Your feet.  May I endure without yielding, while I wait on You. May I remember that it is all about what I cannot do.

 

“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE LEARNED TO ACCLAIM YOU, WHO WALK IN THE LIGHT OF YOUR PRESENCE, LORD” (Psalm 89:15).

 

I am filled with joy because of You, Lord Jesus.  You did not bring me a set of rules to follow.  You brought me YOUR SELF.  You brought me the correct conclusion of why my dad ignored me…the right interpretation of why my friend rejected me…the true explanation of why I feel so unacceptable, unloved, and unworthy. I stay in place and wait with expectation in Your Presence, until You have healed my heart with Your Self.

 

I come to You…to abide in You!

 

 

November 23  The Shame of Being Me

 

“IF YOU KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, YOU WILL ABIDE IN MY LOVE, JUST AS I HAVE KEPT MY FATHER’S COMMANDMENTS AND ABIDE IN HIS LOVE” (John 15:10).

 

Lord Jesus, how my heart fills with Hope when I ponder Your words, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in my Love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His Love.”  I am filled with Hope, because I know that You are not trying to convey a message of condemnation when You ask me to “Hold to My Counsel to abide in My love.”  You are not trying to bind me to a life of rules and regulations.  You are not trying to convince me to lead a moral life.  Instead, You are calling me into Your Presence.

 

How encouraged I am that You know of the shame that lives in my heart because of the OLD MAN—the cluster of negative, degrading beliefs instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies.  You know that I am afraid to be ME, because the father-of-lies has told me that I AM BAD!  You know of the shame that lives in my heart because of me being ME, and that is why You said, “IF YOU KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, YOU WILL ABIDE IN MY LOVE, JUST AS I HAVE KEPT MY FATHER’S COMMANDMENTS AND ABIDE IN HIS LOVE.”

 

Lord Jesus, may I realize that if I stop leaning on the father-of-lies’ counsel of who I am, but bring the shame of being ME, to You, I am keeping Your commandments, and am abiding in Your Love, just as You have kept Your Father’s commandments and abided in His Love.  And You will make known to me the paths of life, and fill me with Joy in Your Presence, because I am holding to Your Counsel of who I am!  You will restore my heart and make my paths straight, because I abide in Your Love.  And You will keep me safe from the accusatory tongue of the father-of-lies.

 

“YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE PATHS OF LIFE; YOU WILL FILL ME WITH JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE” (Acts 2:28).

 

You fill me with Joy!

 

 

November 24  Activities Made Perfect in the Flesh

 

“AND WHATEVER YOU DO [NO MATTER WHAT IT IS] IN WORD OR DEED, DO EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS AND IN [DEPENDENCE UPON] HIS PERSON, GIVING PRAISE TO GOD THE FATHER THROUGH HIM” (Colossians 3:17 AMP).

 

Perfect Father, may I give honor and praise to You, by making sure that everything I do in my life, no matter what it is, is in dependence upon the Person of Your son—the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

“ARE YE SO FOOLISH? HAVING BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT, ARE YE NOW MADE PERFECT BY THE FLESH?” (Galatians 3:3).

 

I know that there are activities, which from the outside seem to honor You, Perfect Father, because they seem to be done in dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ.  They are good activities like preaching, teaching, singing in the choir, outreach to the lost…the orphaned…the poor, but they are not done in dependence upon the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.  They are “MADE PERFECT BY THE FLESH.”  They are activities meant to honor Self, not You, Perfect Father.

 

Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, I know that You are not impressed or honored by activities “made perfect by the flesh,” no matter how perfect they seem to me, because You only value the deeds and words that are done and spoken in dependence upon the Person of the Lord Jesus.

 

Therefore, teach me to discern between activities done to honor You, Prefect Father…and activities done to honor Self, activities done in dependence upon the Person of Jesus Christ…and activities made perfect in the flesh.

 

“MANY WILL SAY TO ME IN THAT DAY, LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN THY NAME? AND IN THY NAME HAVE CAST OUT DEVILS? AND IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS?  AND THEN WILL I PROFESS UNTO THEM, I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY” (Matthew 7:22-23).

 

I honor You, Perfect Father!

 

 

November 25  Repent and Receive a New Heart

 

“THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS AND BEYOND CURE. WHO CAN UNDERSTAND IT?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

 

Lord God, I admit that deep inside the core of my heart, it has been filled with deceit from the father-of-lies, who instilled in my heart beliefs that I am unworthy, unacceptable, and unrighteous.  Therefore, as I try to polish my heart on the outside to hide the brokenness that is on the inside, I BECOME unworthy, unacceptable, and unrighteous.  Thus the father-of-lies has achieved his goal in me—sin.

 

“A NEW HEART ALSO WILL I GIVE YOU, AND A NEW SPIRIT WILL I PUT WITHIN YOU: AND I WILL TAKE AWAY THE STONY HEART OUT OF YOUR FLESH, AND I WILL GIVE YOU AN HEART OF FLESH” (Ezekiel 36:26).

 

Perfect Father, I praise You for what You have done for me.  You sent the Spirit of the Lord Jesus into my heart to exchange it for His own—a heart that is Worthy, Acceptable, and Righteous.  You came to get rid of my deceitful heart from the inside out.

 

“I WILL JUDGE EACH OF YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN WAYS, DECLARES THE SOVEREIGN LORD. REPENT! TURN AWAY FROM ALL YOUR OFFENSES; THEN SIN WILL NOT BE YOUR DOWNFALL.  RID YOURSELVES OF ALL THE OFFENSES YOU HAVE COMMITTED, AND GET A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT” (Ezekiel 18:30-31).

 

Lord Jesus, I repent. I turn away from all my offenses: to hide the beliefs of unworthiness, non-acceptance, and unrighteousness I feel on the inside. Instead, I come to You to receive a new heart and a new Spirit. Your heart in me will cause me to feel good, acceptable, and worthy.

 

“GOD SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO OUR HEARTS” (Galatians 4:6).

 

You are worthy, Lord Jesus!

 

 

 

November 26  Approved by God

“AND WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD, BECAUSE ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS AND THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM” (Hebrews 11:6).

Lord God, I want to please You. I want to believe that You will reward me if I earnestly seek You.

 

“BUT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, COMES, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH” (John 16:13).

 

However, sometimes I do not believe that You will reward me after I earnestly seek You.  Oftentimes, the understanding of my mind tells me that I am unacceptable—not worthy of reward.  My heart believes that I have blown it and that I have made too many mistakes.  I believe that I am a disappointment, only worthy of punishment.

 

Lord God, in times like these, remind me not to lean on my own understanding, but to ask the Spirit of Truth for His Perspective, instead.

 

“THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE”

(John 8:32).

 

Spirit of Truth, tell me the Truth, for I want to become someone who feels approved…someone who does not need to feel ashamed…someone who feels accepted by You, Lord God.  For when I feel approved by You, it will enable me to believe that You will reward me if I earnestly seek You.

 

“DO YOUR BEST TO PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD AS ONE APPROVED, A WORKER WHO DOES NOT NEED TO BE ASHAMED AND WHO CORRECTLY HANDLES THE WORD OF TRUTH” (2 Timothy 2:15).

 

You guide me into approval!

 

 

November 27  A Life-giving Spirit for Your Heart

 

“GOD SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO OUR HEARTS” (Galatians 4:6).

Everlasting Father, my heart rejoices, for You sent the Spirit of Your son to dwell in my HEART!  How comforting to know that You chose my HEART for Your Spirit.

 

“THE FIRST MAN ADAM BECAME A LIVING BEING; THE LAST ADAM, A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT” (1 Corinthians 15:45).

 

Lord Jesus, a broken heart You will not despise.  I authorize Your life-giving Spirit to bring Your Life into my broken heart, so that my heart can become whole…so that my heart can become the heart You created it to be…so that my heart can know the Truth about itself, others, and You.  Show me my God-given personality: my real heart…ME.  Bring Your Wisdom and Understanding into my heart.  Create in me a clean heart, my Lord, and renew Your Spirit within my heart, for a sound heart is the life of the flesh.

 

“FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Make my heart Your workmanship, to be created in You, my Lord, for Your Purpose, which was established before the world began.  Put gladness in my heart.  Give me a heart to know You—that You are the Lord.  Write Your Counsel on the tables of my heart, so that I might observe it.  Let me return to You with my whole heart.

 

“AND I WILL GIVE THEM AN HEART TO KNOW ME, THAT I AM THE LORD: AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD: FOR THEY SHALL RETURN UNTO ME WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART” (Jeremiah 24:7).

 

My heart rejoices!

 

 

November 28  Love and Respect

“HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES, EVEN AS CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT” (Ephesians 5:25).

 

Lord Jesus, teach my husband to love me, even as You love him…and gave Yourself for him.  You did not come to condemn him, but to save him.  In the same way, teach him not to condemn me, his wife, when I make mistakes and do not live according to his expectations, but to lead me to You…to be saved.

 

“FOR GOD SENT NOT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD; BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED” (John 3:17).

 

Lord God, teach my husband to nurture me when I feel alone and abandoned, guiding me into Your Presence, so that You might cleanse me from the negative beliefs that are causing the feelings of loneliness and abandonment, instilled in me by the father-of-lies.

 

Teach him to cherish me when I feel ashamed, helping me to come to You with my pain, so that You might sanctify me from the shameful beliefs in my mind, and render me holy and without blemish.

 

“THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY AND CLEANSE IT WITH THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD, THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SPOT, OR WRINKLE, OR ANY SUCH THING; BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH” (Ephesians 5:26-27).

 

At the same time, Lord God, teach me to ALLOW my husband to nourish me and cherish me, to guide me to You to be saved from feeling abandoned, condemned, and shamed.  May I understand that my husband is not able to cleanse me and heal me from the accusatory OLD MAN beliefs in my mind.  May I understand that my abandonment, condemnation, and shame were not created by my husband, but had been formed in me since childhood by the father-of-lies.  Furthermore, may I understand that my husband cannot supply all the Love, Acceptance, and Worthiness that my heart needs, BUT he can take me to the One who can.

 

“AND THE WIFE SEE THAT SHE REVERENCE HER HUSBAND” (Ephesians 5:33).

 

May I honor my husband!

November 29  Strongholds

 

“FOR THOUGH WE LIVE IN THE WORLD, WE DO NOT WAGE WAR AS THE WORLD DOES.  THE WEAPONS WE FIGHT WITH ARE NOT THE WEAPONS OF THE WORLD. ON THE CONTRARY, THEY HAVE DIVINE POWER TO DEMOLISH STRONGHOLDS”

(2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

 

Most High, I have noticed that some negative beliefs that live in my mind are different than others.  They are stronger…fortified…unyielding.  THEY ARE STRONGHOLDS.  They require more surrendering…more abiding…more perseverance.  However, in the end, they are ALWAYS overcome…IF I persist…IF I do not give up surrendering them to You, O Lord…IF I persevere.

 

“YOU NEED TO PERSEVERE SO THAT WHEN YOU HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD, YOU WILL RECEIVE WHAT HE HAS PROMISED” (Hebrews 10:36).

 

Lord God, help me to persevere when I have painful, accusatory beliefs that have fused together to form a stronghold against me.  I know that I can recognize the stronghold by its particular characteristics of destruction.  I understand that the stronghold formed by the father-of-lies is a place of survival for the accusatory, degrading beliefs that dwell in them.

 

“WITH A BLINDING FLASH HE DESTROYS THE STRONGHOLD AND BRINGS THE FORTIFIED CITY TO RUIN” (Amos 5:9).

 

Lord Jesus, may I abide in You when I come across a stronghold of beliefs set up against me by the father-of-lies.  May I endure without yielding, bearing my burden patiently, while I continue living in Your Presence.  Remind me that to abide is not about fixing…about mending…about doing, but it is about waiting in expectation for You to destroy the stronghold…to bring the fortified city to ruin.  It is all about what I cannot do.  It is all about what You, my Lord, will do for me.

 

May I persevere to do Your Will!

November 30  Created IN Christ Jesus

 

“FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Perfect Father, how blessed I am to be Your workmanship.  You, the Most High, the I AM, the Husbandman, have created me to live in Your Son, Christ Jesus.

 

“CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Lord Jesus, encompass me.  Surround me.  Cover me with Your Life.  Envelop me with Your Love.  Enfold me with Your Righteousness.  Help me to understand that I was never meant to live independently from You, for I was created IN You: as part of You…as a branch of You…as a partaker of You.

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that I cannot live abundantly outside of You: beyond the enclosure of Your Light…beyond the boundary of Your Holiness…beyond the envelope of Your Presence.

 

“I AM THE VINE, YE ARE THE BRANCHES: HE THAT ABIDETH IN ME, AND I IN HIM, THE SAME BRINGETH FORTH MUCH FRUIT: FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING”

(John 15:5).

 

Remind me, often, Lord Jesus, that if I step outside of my life IN You, I will step into the OLD MAN—the set of belittling beliefs that lives in the mind of my human nature, instilled by the father-of-lies.  If I step outside of my life IN You, I will be stripped of Your Provision of Wisdom …removed from Your Covering of Hope…separated from Your Protection of Truth.  There I will wither and die.

 

“IF A MAN ABIDE NOT IN ME, HE IS CAST FORTH AS A BRANCH, AND IS WITHERED; AND MEN GATHER THEM, AND CAST THEM INTO THE FIRE, AND THEY ARE BURNED”

(John 15:6).

 

May I abide in You, Lord Jesus.

 

Without You I can do nothing, Lord Jesus!

December 1 It Is the Season of Glory

 

“FROM HIS ABUNDANCE WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED ONE GRACIOUS BLESSING AFTER ANOTHER” (John 1:16 NLT).

 

Mighty God, show me who You want to be for me during this season, as I follow You into the higher and deeper places of Glory. Let me fill the next month with reflections of past Glory from You, and with anticipation of new Glory to be received from You.

 

“FOR TO US A CHILD IS BORN, TO US A SON IS GIVEN, AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ON HIS SHOULDERS. AND HE WILL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE” (Isaiah 9:6).

 

For me a Child is born.  To me a Son is given.  Wonderful Counselor, I invite Your Government to govern my heart, Your Counsel to show me Joy in my sorrow, Your Peace to reign in my anxiety.  Fill me with Your Hope when I feel despair pulling me down into the pit of darkness in the midst of this season.

 

King of Kings, I invite You to rule in the circumstances of my life during this season, as I submit my animosity, anger, and disappointments to You.  Holy Spirit, reign in my heart with Your Truth, as I meditate on everything that is honorable, pure, and lovely.

 

Prince of Peace, make new memories for me this Christmas season, and remove the pain of the old memories of years gone by, as I open my heart to receive Your blessings of Righteousness, Holiness, and Wisdom..

 

My government will be on Your shoulders!

 

December 2  The Mind of Human Nature

 

“NOW THE MIND OF THE FLESH [WHICH IS SENSE AND REASON WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT] IS DEATH [DEATH THAT COMPRISES ALL THE MISERIES ARISING FROM SIN, BOTH HERE AND HEREAFTER]. BUT THE MIND OF THE [HOLY] SPIRIT IS LIFE AND [SOUL] PEACE [BOTH NOW AND FOREVER]” (Romans 8:6 AMP).

 

Lord God, let me capture that the mind of human nature is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit.  Let me understand that the purpose of human nature is to live according to the OLD MAN—to obey the painful accusatory beliefs instilled in the mind by the father-of-lies.  And if I live according to the dictates of these painful beliefs, I will surely die a death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin…BOTH HERE and HEREAFTER.  I will become a slave to theses OLD MAN beliefs, and held in servitude to the father-of-lies.

 

“FOR ALL WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE SONS OF GOD (Romans 8:14).

 

Most High, this Christmas season I start a new tradition: to live according to the reasoning of the Holy Spirit, who directs and controls the sons of God. Therefore, Holy Spirit, I allow You to continually put to death the perturbing perceptions and destructive beliefs prompted by the OLD MAN in my human nature, so I may be called a son of God, and experience true Righteousness.

 

“FOR IF YOU LIVE ACCORDING TO [THE DICTATES OF] THE FLESH, YOU WILL SURELY DIE. BUT IF THROUGH THE POWER OF THE [HOLY] SPIRIT YOU ARE [HABITUALLY] PUTTING TO DEATH (MAKING EXTINCT, DEADENING) THE [EVIL] DEEDS PROMPTED BY THE BODY, YOU SHALL [REALLY AND GENUINELY] LIVE FOREVER” (Romans 8:13 AMP).

 

The mind of Your Spirit is Life and Peace, O Lord!

 

December 3  Alive in Christ Jesus

 

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs: ask yourself what makes you come alive. Then go and do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive” Harold Whitman.

 

Lord Jesus, may I never forget that if I live according to the mind of human nature, I will be inundated with the OLD MAN, who controls and directs the human mind with DEADENING beliefs of “You are unworthy.  You are unacceptable.  You are a failure.”  The mind of human nature is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit, but the mind of the Holy Spirit is Truth…Peace…LIFE.

 

“NOW THE MIND OF THE FLESH [WHICH IS SENSE AND REASON WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT] IS DEATH [DEATH THAT COMPRISES ALL THE MISERIES ARISING FROM SIN, BOTH HERE AND HEREAFTER]. BUT THE MIND OF THE [HOLY] SPIRIT IS LIFE AND [SOUL] PEACE [BOTH NOW AND FOREVER]” (Romans 8:6 AMP).

 

Thank you for the GOOD NEWS, Most High.  You have given me a chance to come ALIVE, for IN CHRIST all shall be made alive.  Your Truth inspires.  Your Hope invigorates.  Your Power resurrects.  If I stop living according to the dictates of the mind of human nature, and live according to the Truth of Your Spirit, MY HEART WILL COME ALIVE.

 

“FOR IF YOU LIVE ACCORDING TO [THE DICTATES OF] THE FLESH, YOU WILL SURELY DIE. BUT IF THROUGH THE POWER OF THE [HOLY] SPIRIT YOU ARE [HABITUALLY] PUTTING TO DEATH (MAKING EXTINCT, DEADENING) THE [EVIL] DEEDS PROMPTED BY THE BODY, YOU SHALL [REALLY AND GENUINELY] LIVE FOREVER” (Romans 8:13 AMP).

 

Therefore, I ask myself this Christmas season what will make me come alive.  And I allow Your Spirit, Lord Jesus, to make alive that, which has died in my heart, because what my family and friends need this Christmas season are You, who have come alive in me, through Your Power, Hope, and Truth.

 

“FOR AS IN ADAM ALL DIE, EVEN SO IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE”

(1 Corinthians 15:22).

 

For IN Christ shall all be made alive!

 

 

December 4  Turn in Repentance

 

“IN FACT, THEIR MINDS WERE GROWN HARD AND CALLOUSED [THEY HAD BECOME DULL AND HAD LOST THE POWER OF UNDERSTANDING]; FOR UNTIL THIS PRESENT DAY, WHEN THE OLD TESTAMENT (THE OLD COVENANT) IS BEING READ, THAT SAME VEIL STILL LIES [ON THEIR HEARTS]” (2 Corinthians 3:14 AMP).

 

Lord Jesus, I admit that my mind has lost the power of understanding—of knowing the Truth.  The understanding of human nature is defective… undependable… inaccurate, because a veil has been dawn over it by the father-of-lies.

 

How often have I wished to save myself from feeling unworthy,

but I could not carry it out?

How often have I wished to rescue myself from feeling abandoned,

but I could not perform it?

How often have I wished to free myself from hopelessness,

but I could not succeed?

 

I could not save myself, because I could not see the Truth.  I could not see the Hope, the Worthiness, and Your Presence, Lord Jesus.  I could not see the Truth, because my mind had become calloused and dull, and had lost its understanding.

 

“THAT SAME VEIL STILL LIES [ON THEIR HEARTS] NOT BEING LIFTED [TO REVEAL] THAT IN CHRIST IT IS MADE VOID AND DONE AWAY. BUT WHENEVER A PERSON TURNS [IN REPENTANCE] TO THE LORD, THE VEIL IS STRIPPED OFF AND TAKEN AWAY” (2 Corinthians 3:14, 16 AMP).

 

Lord Jesus, call me to turn to You this Christmas season, so I may surrender my beliefs of abandonment, unworthiness, and hopelessness to You, for whenever a person turns to You, the veil of not understanding is stripped off and taken away. May I turn to You often this Christmas season, and look at myself, my family, and my circumstances through the window of Truth, because it is only then that I will have understanding…and know the Truth.

 

“THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE: BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE” (Isaiah 26:3).

 

For IN Christ the veil is made void!

 

December 5  Ephesians 2:10 for Christmas

 

“FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP…”

 

Everlasting Father, how blessed I am this Christmas season to know that I reflect Your workmanship.  You created me to live IN Your son, Christ Jesus: in dependence of His Love… united with His Spirit…conditioned by His Truth…relying on His Purpose…subject to His Will.

 

“CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS…”

 

Lord Jesus, may I function IN You during this time of Glory, so I could experience and share the Joy of Your Righteousness, Hope, and Love with all those around me, who walk in darkness and despair during this season.

 

“UNTO GOOD WORKS…”

 

Thank you, Most High, that You have created me unto good works, even though the father-of-lies would like me to believe that I am good for nothing, that I am a disgrace to my family, and that there is nothing that I can contribute to my family and friends during this Christmas season.

 

“WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED…”

 

Everlasting Father, I praise You for the good works that have been prepared beforehand for me IN Christ Jesus for this season.  May I take my eyes off the past, and what was, and what could have been…and place them on the Prince of Peace, who has been given me as a Gift from You.

 

“THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Perfect Father, may I live IN Christ Jesus during this Christmas season, and not in my own darkened understanding, so I may be Your workmanship to my family and friends.

 

For I am Your workmanship!

 

 

December 6  Start Where You Are

 

Perfect Father, how blessed we are this Christmas season because of Your gift of ONENESS.  You gave the Lord Jesus the ability to become ONE with You, while Jesus was here on earth.  And then the Lord Jesus passed that ability on to us: TO BECOME ONE WITH YOU AND WITH HIM, while we are here on earth.  What a privilege!  What a gift!  What a glory!  The very same ONENESS that Jesus enjoyed with You, Lord God, was made available to us.

“NEITHER PRAY I FOR THESE ALONE, BUT FOR THEM ALSO WHICH SHALL BELIEVE ON ME THROUGH THEIR WORD; THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE; AS THOU, FATHER, ART IN ME, AND I IN THEE, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN US…AND THE GLORY WHICH THOU GAVEST ME I HAVE GIVEN THEM; THAT THEY MAY BE ONE, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE” (John 17:20-22).

 

Lord God, in order to become one with You, I invite Your Presence and Participation into my daily, moment-by-moment tasks and thoughts, wherever I am, whatever I do. I start right where I am. I invite You into the emotions and beliefs of my heart, and into my daily situations and problems…even this moment.  I invite You into my frustration when circumstances don’t seem to work out. I invite You into the abandonment of my heart when someone ignores me. I invite You into the shame when someone notices my mistakes. I invite You into the rejection when someone accuses me.

 

May I live through You during these circumstances…and may You live through me, so everyone around me will see You in me: in my frustration…in my shame…in my abandonment…in my mistakes…in my victories. Glory to Your Name!

 

“THIS IS HOW GOD SHOWED HIS LOVE AMONG US: HE SENT HIS ONE AND ONLY SON INTO THE WORLD THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM” (1 John 4:9).

 

May I be ONE with You!

 

December 7  Servants of Righteousness

 

“THIS IS HOW GOD SHOWED HIS LOVE AMONG US: HE SENT HIS ONE AND ONLY SON INTO THE WORLD THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM” (1 John 4:9).

 

Lord God, thank you that I can be Your workmanship this Christmas season…that I do not have to be the person the OLD MAN claims me to be, but be a different person, living through CHRIST JESUS.

 

“WHO HATH SAVED US, AND CALLED US WITH AN HOLY CALLING, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE, WHICH WAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN” (2 Timothy 1:9).

 

Most High, how encouraged I am that You have called me with a holy calling this season, to be the person whose thoughts, purpose, and actions become the thoughts, purpose, and actions of the Lord Jesus through me.

 

“AND HAVING BEEN SET FREE FROM SIN, YOU HAVE BECOME THE SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (OF CONFORMITY TO THE DIVINE WILL IN THOUGHT, PURPOSE, AND ACTION)” (Romans 6:18 AMP).

 

Lord Jesus, make me Your servant of Righteousness this Christmas time: in my thoughts…in my purpose…and in my actions.

 

Bring me to the place where I would actively decide not to think the thoughts the OLD MAN wants to think through me, but to allow You to think Your thoughts through me, so that my thoughts might become servants of Righteousness according to Your holy calling.  May I actively decide not to fulfill the OLD MAN’s purpose for me, but to allow You to fulfill Your purpose through me, so my purpose might become a servant of Righteousness according to Your holy calling.  May I actively decide not to do the actions the OLD MAN wants to do through me, but to allow You to act through me, so my actions might become servants of Righteousness according to Your holy calling.

 

You have called us to a holy calling!

December 8  A Perfect Father for You

 

“EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, COMING DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF THE HEAVENLY LIGHTS, WHO DOES NOT CHANGE LIKE SHIFTING SHADOWS” (James 1:17).

 

Everlasting Father, help me to grasp, this Christmas season, that You are perfect.  You are not like my earthly father, but are entirely without fault and defect: satisfying all requirements and corresponding to an ideal standard.  You never make mistakes.  You are perfectly holy.  You are steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity.  You are perfectly patient.  Your heart is not influenced by the lies of the father-of-lies.  You are perfectly good.  You do not forget.  You are firm in adherence to Your promises.  You are perfectly faithful.  And You do not change like shifting shadows, this Christmas season.

 

“PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF COMPASSION AND THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES, SO THAT WE CAN COMFORT THOSE IN ANY TROUBLE WITH THE COMFORT WE OURSELVES HAVE RECEIVED FROM GOD” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

 

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I invite You to become MY Father, as well, during this season of celebration.  Father of Compassion and God of all Comfort, come into my heart and comfort me of the sadness that has been living there for all these years, so that I can turn around and comfort those around me who live in sadness this season, with the same Comfort with which You, Father, have comforted me.

 

“YOUR FATHER KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU ASK HIM” (Matthew 6:8).

 

Father of the Heavenly Lights, my heart lifts with Comfort and Hope when I remember that You know what I need, even before I ask You, and that You give good and perfect gifts…for You are the Perfect Father.

 

“YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT” (Matthew 5:48).

 

Praise be to You!

 

December 9  The Gift of Eternal Life

 

“FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE”

(John 3:16).

 

For me a Child is born.  To me a Son is given.  Thank you, Lord God of the Heavenly Lights, that You gave Your one and only son, to ME, too.  I am not the exception…the excluded one…the one shut out.  Even though my past is different than those of others, You love me, too.  Even though my circumstances are out of the ordinary, You gave Your son to me, too.  Even though I might be unconventional, this perfect Gift is for me, as well.  You did not single me out to hate me…to punish me…to reject me.  You want me to believe.

 

“FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM” (John 3:17).

 

Joy enters my heart when I realize that You, Lord God, did not send Your son into the world to condemn me for who I am, and for what I have done, but to save me from myself…to rescue me from the evil one…to deliver me from my past.  You send Your son into the world so that I would not perish under the beliefs that I am not good enough, but to give me Life…now and hereafter.

 

“IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT QUICKENETH; THE FLESH PROFITETH NOTHING: THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE” (John 6:63).

 

Lord God, help me to understand that if I only look at myself and circumstances through my natural eyes during this Christmas season, I will only see what the father-of-lies wants to show me: despair…defeat…destruction.  But if I allow the Spirit of Jesus to quicken my spirit, I will see what Jesus wants to show me: Hope…Life…a new beginning.  For You, Lord God, did not send Your son into the world to condemn me, but to save me.

 

“GOD’S PERFECT WILL WAS FOR THE NATURAL TO BE CHANGED INTO THE SPIRITUAL THROUGH OBEDIENCE. SIN IS WHAT MADE IT NECESSARY FOR THE NATURAL TO BE SACRIFICED” (Oswald Chambers).

 

It is Your Spirit that quickens!

 

 

 

December 10  Fix Your Mind on God

 

“FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM”

(Ephesians 2:10).

 

Lord Jesus, how often I am ashamed of my actions—for how I behave when other people cause me pain.  I am ashamed of walking in the oppressing OLD MAN beliefs about myself: committing the deceitful deeds the father-of-lies suggest to me to quiet my painful emotions…performing certain deeds in a certain way because of other folk’s misdeeds.  I do to others what is wrong because others did to me what was wrong.

 

“DO YOUR BEST TO PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD AS ONE APPROVED, A WORKER WHO DOES NOT NEED TO BE ASHAMED AND WHO CORRECTLY HANDLES THE WORD OF TRUTH” (2 Timothy 2:15).

 

But You, Lord Jesus, came as a Gift into my world to overcome sin and the father-of-lies. You put off the deeds of the oppressing OLD MAN beliefs in me, so that I may present myself to You as one approved: someone who does to others what is right after others do to me what is wrong…someone who correctly handles the word of Truth…someone who overcomes evil with good.

 

“THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE: BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE” (Isaiah 26:3).

 

Lord Jesus, may I walk in the good works, which You have before ordained for me for this season of Joy.  Tell me the Truth about myself: that I am worthy…that I am good enough…that I am special, especially when my family and friends do not believe in me.  May I trust You and fix my thoughts on You, so I may experience Your perfect Peace during this time!

 

“BE NOT OVERCOME OF EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD” (Romans 12:21).

 

You keep me in perfect Peace!

 

December 11  Forgive and Forget

 

Lord God, I bring my heart into Your Wholeness this Christmas season.  I invite You to make new memories for me this season, and to remove the pain of the old memories of years gone by.  Let forgiveness not only be an act performed by my mind…but also by my heart.

 

Lord God, help me to understand that if I only forgive from my mind, I make a deliberate decision to give up resentment, BUT RESENTMENT MIGHT NOT GIVE UP ON ME.  Therefore, show me how to forgive from my heart.

 

“FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER FROM YOUR HEART” (Matthew 18:35).

 

Lord God, forgiveness from my heart is difficult, because it requires my heart to be involved…to be engaged as a participant…to feel.  To forgive from my heart, You require me to feel the effects of the wrongful deeds committed against me: to feel the rejection… the betrayal… the abandonment…the shame.  You require of me to connect with my heart, so that You might set me free from the pain that lives there as a result of people’s wrongful deeds.

 

“IT IS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST HAS SET US FREE” (Galatians 5:1).

 

Lord God, this Christmas season I want to experience a miracle.  Therefore, I invite Your Presence and Participation into my broken heart… to deal with the heartache caused by wrongful deeds committed against me.  Lord Jesus, heal my heart, so that I will be able to let go of my resentment…and so that resentment will let go of me.  Then I will be able to FORGIVE the wrongs done against me…and also FORGET, for it is for freedom that You have set me free.

 

It is for FREEDOM that You have set me free!

 

December 12  The Kingdom of Light

 

“IN WHOM THE GOD OF THIS WORLD HATH BLINDED THE MINDS OF THEM WHICH BELIEVE NOT, LEST THE LIGHT OF THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF CHRIST, WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD, SHOULD SHINE UNTO THEM” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

 

Lord God, I admit that the father-of-lies is keeping many things hidden from me: Your Truth…Your Righteousness…Your Redemption.  He hides everything You have to offer me, lest the Light of Your glorious Gospel should shine on me.

 

“GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER, WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU TO SHARE IN THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS IN THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT.  FOR HE HAS RESCUED US FROM THE DOMINION OF DARKNESS AND BROUGHT US INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE SON HE LOVES” (Colossians 1:12-13 NLT).

 

I thank You this Christmas season, Perfect Father, that You have qualified me to share in the Kingdom of Your son, for You have rescued me from the power of darkness…to let the Light of Your son shine in my heart.

 

“FOR GOD, WHO SAID, ‘LET THERE BE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS,’ HAS MADE THIS LIGHT SHINE IN OUR HEARTS” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

 

May I never forget, during this season, that it is my responsibility to believe—to stop having fellowship with the darkness, but instead, to surrender the dark thoughts in my mind to You, Lord Jesus Christ, for it is when I live in Your Light that the father-of-lies has no hold on me.

 

“BUT IF WE ARE LIVING IN THE LIGHT, AS GOD IS IN THE LIGHT…THE BLOOD OF JESUS, HIS SON, CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN” (1 John 1:7).

 

Let there be Light in my darkness!

 

 

 

December 13  Your Father Rewards

 

“BUT WHEN YOU PRAY, GO INTO YOUR ROOM, CLOSE THE DOOR AND PRAY TO YOUR FATHER, WHO IS UNSEEN.  THEN YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, WILL REWARD YOU.  AND WHEN YOU PRAY, DO NOT KEEP ON BABBLING LIKE PAGANS, FOR THEY THINK THEY WILL BE HEARD BECAUSE OF THEIR MANY WORDS” (Matthew 6:6-7).

 

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, how my heart fills with Hope when I remember that You are perfect.  You are always ready to reward me when I pray to You.  You will never fail me.  Your understanding is infinite.  Great is Your Power.

 

Today, during this Christmas season of Joy, I come to You with confidence, Perfect Father.  Instead of babbling empty words, as if You do not listen and do not hear, I will choose my words well, when I pray, because every word I utter to You counts…every thought I surrender to You matters…every request I submit to You is heard.

 

“WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM”

(Hebrews 7:25).

 

Father of the Heavenly Lights, I thank you that I may tell You everything and ask You anything.  I invite Your Presence and Participation into my hopelessness, my anxiety, and my fear during this season, for You are able to save me to the uttermost from these feelings and beliefs. I come to You through Your son, Jesus, who intercedes for me, day and night.

 

Thank you that You listen and hear what I pray in secret, and that You reward me…BECAUSE YOU ARE PERFECT.

 

“YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT”

(Matthew 5:48).

 

I pray to You, Father!

 

December 14  Why Are You so Afraid?

 

“WITHOUT WARNING, A FURIOUS STORM CAME UP ON THE LAKE, SO THAT THE WAVES SWEPT OVER THE BOAT.  BUT JESUS WAS SLEEPING.  THE DISCIPLES WENT AND WOKE HIM, SAYING, ‘LORD, SAVE US! WE’RE GOING TO DROWN!’  HE REPLIED, ‘YOU OF LITTLE FAITH, WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID?’ THEN HE GOT UP AND REBUKED THE WINDS AND THE WAVES, AND IT WAS COMPLETELY CALM” (Matthew 8:24-26).

 

Lord Jesus, when I look at the furious storms around me, I become afraid.  When the waves of uncontrollable circumstances sweep over my boat, I panic.  When things happen without warning, I feel as if I am going to drown.  Lord, save me!

 

“BUT JESUS WAS SLEEPING”

 

Why am I so afraid?  Why am I so afraid when my circumstances get rough?  Why am I so afraid when my situation changes?

 

“YOU OF LITTLE FAITH, WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID?”

 

Lord Jesus, when you lived Your life here on this earth, You were never afraid. When the storms roared around You, You slept. You shut Your mind off from the tumultuous circumstances, and rested in Your Father’s Purpose. Since You were ONE with the Perfect Father, You trusted Him to watch over You and provide a way out of the storm.

 

“THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE; AS THOU, FATHER, ART IN ME, AND I IN THEE, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN US” (John 17:21).

 

Lord Jesus, I want to be like You.  Unite me with Your Father, so I, too, will not be afraid when the waves sweep over my boat.  Keep me from looking at the storms around me, but instead, to trust in Your Father, so I, too, will feel safe.  Shield me from my own beliefs that I am going to drown during the hard times; instead, help me to make the Perfect Father my Refuge during the storm.  Bring me into complete ONENESS with Your Father, so that I, too, may believe.

“TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES; YE PEOPLE, POUR OUT YOUR HEART BEFORE HIM: GOD IS A REFUGE FOR US” (Psalm 62:80).

Father, You are my Refuge in the storm!

December 15  Awaken to Righteousness

 

“WOE TO THE REBELLIOUS CHILDREN, SAITH THE LORD, THAT TAKE COUNSEL, BUT NOT OF ME; AND THAT COVER WITH A COVERING, BUT NOT OF MY SPIRIT, THAT THEY MAY ADD SIN TO SIN” (Isaiah 30:1).

Lord Jesus, how often, during past Christmas seasons, have I felt ashamed of my actions: saying certain things I should not have said…doing certain things I should not have done.  I said and did these things to ease the nagging pain in my heart that accused me of being unacceptable, unworthy, and unimportant.  I took counsel from the OLD MAN, the set of destructive beliefs instilled in me by the father-of-lies.  And then I covered with a covering that was not of Your Spirit.  I sinned.

 

“IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS” (1 John 1:9).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You were born for me, so that through You my sins are forgiven.  And thank you that You came to reverse the cycle of sin by awakening me to a new covering—Your Righteousness.

 

“AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND SIN NOT” (1 Corinthians 15:34).

 

Lord Jesus, awaken me to Your Righteousness, this joyous season.  May I realize my obligation: to take my counsel from You, instead of from the father-of-lies…to surrender my OLD MAN beliefs of unworthiness to You, instead of taking cover under a covering that is not from You.  Then, I will not need to sin in order to still the pain of these accusatory beliefs.  Instead, You will cover and fill me with Your own Righteousness.

 

Cover me with Your Righteousness!

December 16  I Have Come that You Might Have a Heart

 

Lord God, I have noticed that there is a father-of-lies who has declared war against my heart.  His goal is to take the property that belongs to another, and put it out of existence.

 

“THE THIEF COMETH NOT, BUT FOR TO STEAL, AND TO KILL, AND TO DESTROY” (John 10:10).

 

Lord God, help me to understand that it was not the deliberate acts of childhood unfairness committed against me by people, but the deliberate acts of hatred committed against me by the father-of-lies, that put my heart out of existence.  He uses my childhood circumstances as opportunities to introduce his killer thoughts: that I am randomly chosen to be rejected by You…that I will always be an outsider…that I am excluded from Your Kingdom of Light, Love, and Life.

 

“I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY” (John 10:10).

 

Lord Jesus, remind me, daily, that it is my responsibility to surrender my pain to You, so You may give me back my heart! I submit my childhood incidences of unfairness to You, Lord God: the times when I was unfairly ignored, rejected, and eliminated.

 

Thank you, my Lord, that You have redeemed these incidences and the consequential beliefs from the father-of-lies to the cross. The father-of-lies came to destroy my heart, but You came to give me back my heart.

 

So that I may have Life!

 

December 17  Christ-in-You—Your Hope of Glory

 

“TO WHOM GOD WOULD MAKE KNOWN WHAT IS THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF THIS MYSTERY AMONG THE GENTILES; WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY” (Colossians 1:27).

 

Lord Jesus, Your greatness is unmatched.  How good to know that the OLD MAN—the set of accusatory beliefs instilled in me by the father-of-lies—is not the only one who lives in me, this Christmas season.  You became to me Christ-in-me, my hope of Glory, Christ-in-me, my Spirit of Life, Christ in me, my Spirit of Righteousness.

 

“THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT. FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HATH MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH” (Romans 8:1-2).

 

Lord Jesus, this Christmas season, I sing songs of joy, because Christ-in-me overcomes the OLD MAN in me.  Christ-in-me overcomes the unrighteousness in me.  Christ-in-me overcomes the law of sin and death that lives in my natural mind.

 

Thank you, my Lord, that I have a choice: to walk in the OLD MAN, believing and reacting to the negative beliefs that live in my natural mind, or to walk in Christ-in-me, Your Spirit of Righteousness, Love, and Hope that lives in my spirit.  May I become perfect in You, Christ Jesus, during this season of Glory.

 

“WHOM WE PREACH, WARNING EVERY MAN, AND TEACHING EVERY MAN IN ALL WISDOM; THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS”

(Colossians 1:28).

 

I am perfect in You, Christ Jesus!

 

December 18  Blessed Are You Who Believe

 

“BLESSED IS SHE WHO HAS BELIEVED THAT WHAT THE LORD HAS SAID TO HER WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED!” (Luke 1:45).

 

Lord God, Creator of Heaven and earth, may I keep my eyes on my own personal visions You have given me.  Keep me from looking to my right and to my left at what others around me are doing.  This only brings jealousy, distrust, and hopelessness.

 

May I refrain from setting my eyes on success, but instead, set my eyes on You, O Lord, and on the daily, moment-by-moment tasks You have given me.  Keep me from inventing my own golden calf, so I might be seen as important and successful.  Because of Your Faithfulness, You will keep him in perfect Peace, whose focus is set on You, and who trusts in You.

 

“THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE: BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE” (Isaiah 26:3).

 

King of Kings, Your Greatness is unmatched.  How I look forward to seeing the promises that You have made me come into fulfillment.  I anticipate Your revelations for my life.

 

Remind me, Lord, that no matter what vision You have given me, Your Purpose will always be for Jesus, Your son, to be revealed through me to the world around me.

 

“THAT THE COMMUNICATION OF THY FAITH MAY BECOME EFFECTUAL BY THE ACKNOWLEDGING OF EVERY GOOD THING WHICH IS IN YOU IN CHRIST JESUS” (Philemon 1:6).

 

Every good thing is in You, Lord Jesus!

 

 

December 19  Born of God

 

“JESUS ANSWERED HER, ‘IF YOU KNEW THE GIFT OF GOD AND WHO IT IS THAT ASKS YOU FOR A DRINK, YOU WOULD HAVE ASKED HIM AND HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU LIVING WATER’” (John 4:10).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for Your Living Water.  I came to drink deeply of Your Righteousness, Your Holiness—Your Self.

 

I want to change.  I desire to do what is good…and to carry it out.  I wish for streams of Your Person-hood to flow through me, so I would stop being the irrational, childish, and needy person I am.  Precious Lord Jesus, pour Your Living Self into me, so I would stop living out of my sinful self-nature of unrighteousness and defeat.  To stop sinning is to receive You.

 

“NO ONE WHO IS BORN OF GOD WILL CONTINUE TO SIN, BECAUSE GOD’S SEED REMAINS IN THEM; THEY CANNOT GO ON SINNING, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN BORN OF GOD” (1 John 3:9).

 

Lord Jesus, I wish for You to be born in me, so I would stop living from my Self.  No one who is born of You, will continue to sin, because You came to live Your Life in and through us, and in You is no sin.

 

“BUT YOU KNOW THAT HE APPEARED SO THAT HE MIGHT TAKE AWAY OUR SINS. AND IN HIM IS NO SIN.  NO ONE WHO LIVES IN HIM KEEPS ON SINNING. NO ONE WHO CONTINUES TO SIN HAS EITHER SEEN HIM OR KNOWN HIM” (1 John 3:5-6).

 

How encouraged I am, my Lord, that You came to live Your own sinless Life in and through me, and so take the place of my sinful self-nature, formed in me by the father-of-lies.  Thank you for destroying the devil’s work.

 

“THE ONE WHO DOES WHAT IS RIGHT IS RIGHTEOUS, JUST AS HE IS RIGHTEOUS.  THE ONE WHO DOES WHAT IS SINFUL IS OF THE DEVIL, BECAUSE THE DEVIL HAS BEEN SINNING FROM THE BEGINNING. THE REASON THE SON OF GOD APPEARED WAS TO DESTROY THE DEVIL’S WORK” (1 John 3:7-8).

 

Lord Jesus, be born in me!

December 20  Despair That Will Change Your Life

 

“FOR I KNOW THAT IN ME (THAT IS, IN MY FLESH,) DWELLETH NO GOOD THING: FOR TO WILL IS PRESENT WITH ME; BUT HOW TO PERFORM THAT WHICH IS GOOD I FIND NOT. (Romans 7:18).

 

Lord Jesus, I have come to the place in my life where I realize that I have the desire to do what is good, but no power to carry it out.

 

I have come to the place in my life where I realize that nothing good lives in my natural nature and mind.

 

I have come to the place in my life where I realize that I have failed to practice the good deeds I desired to do, but the evil deeds I did not desire to do were what I accomplished.

 

“FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE [WHICH IS] IN CHRIST JESUS [THE LAW OF OUR NEW BEING] HAS FREED ME FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND OF DEATH.  FOR GOD HAS DONE WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO, [ITS POWER] BEING WEAKENED BY THE FLESH [THE ENTIRE NATURE OF MAN WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT].  SENDING HIS OWN SON IN THE GUISE OF SINFUL FLESH AND AS AN OFFERING FOR SIN, [GOD] CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH [SUBDUED, OVERCAME, DEPRIVED IT OF ITS POWER OVER ALL WHO ACCEPT THAT SACRIFICE]” (Romans 8:2-3 AMP).

 

Lord Jesus, I have come to the place where I realize that I need a Savior, because I cannot save myself from my own sinful defense patterns that have set themselves up against the accusatory beliefs in my mind.  I need a new law to work in my nature, which has been governed by the law of sin and death.

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You have provided that new law: THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS.  Bring Your Person-hood into my spirit, O Lord, so that my mind would come under Your management, and sin would stop having a hold on me.

 

“NO ONE WHO IS BORN OF GOD WILL CONTINUE TO SIN, BECAUSE GOD’S SEED REMAINS IN THEM; THEY CANNOT GO ON SINNING, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN BORN OF GOD” (1 John 3:9).

 

I honor You!

 

 

December 21  The Desire to Please

 

“DON’T YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU OFFER YOURSELVES TO SOMEONE TO OBEY HIM AS SLAVES, YOU ARE SLAVES TO THE ONE WHOM YOU OBEY—WHETHER YOU ARE SLAVES TO SIN, WHICH LEADS TO DEATH, OR TO OBEDIENCE, WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?” (Romans 6:16).

 

Thank you, Most High, for cultivating in me a desire to please You. Thank you, Lord God, that I am able to please You by allowing your son, Jesus Christ, to live His Life in me and through me. He is the only one who pleases You, and now He can please You through my body, soul, and spirit.

 

Lord God, help me to understand that when I offer myself to someone to please and obey him, I become a slave to the person whom I am trying to please: I become bound in servitude to that person as his property.  Lord God, I submit myself to You as Your property to belong to You.  Protect me from becoming the property of the father-of-lies, offering my body, soul, and spirit in servitude to him.

 

“BUT NOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE FROM SIN AND HAVE BECOME SLAVES TO GOD, THE BENEFIT YOU REAP LEADS TO HOLINESS, AND THE RESULT IS ETERNAL LIFE” (Romans 6:22).

 

Lord God, Perfect Father, I want to please You. Bind my mind, my thoughts, my heart, and my spirit in servitude to You through your son, Jesus, as Your property.  May my mind think the thoughts that please You, O Lord—the thoughts of Your son, Jesus.  May my heart unite with the Truth, Hope, and Love of Your son.  May my spirit be the dwelling place of Your Holy Spirit.  And the benefits I will reap leads to Holiness.

 

“BUT YOU KNOW THAT HE APPEARED SO THAT HE MIGHT TAKE AWAY OUR SINS. AND IN HIM IS NO SIN.  NO ONE WHO LIVES IN HIM KEEPS ON SINNING. NO ONE WHO CONTINUES TO SIN HAS EITHER SEEN HIM OR KNOWN HIM” (1 John 3:5-6).

 

I desire to please You, O Lord!

 

 

December 22  Your Purpose in Life

 

“AND HE WHO SENT ME IS WITH ME.  THE FATHER HAS NOT LEFT ME ALONE, FOR I ALWAYS DO THOSE THINGS THAT PLEASE HIM” (John 8:29).

 

Lord Jesus, You left me a Purpose: the same Purpose You had when you lived here on earth—to please the Perfect Father.

 

“SO THEN THOSE WHO ARE LIVING THE LIFE OF THE FLESH [CATERING TO THE APPETITES AND IMPULSES OF THEIR CARNAL NATURE] CANNOT PLEASE OR SATISFY GOD, OR BE ACCEPTABLE TO HIM” (Romans 8:8 AMP).

 

Father, help me to understand that if I live the life of the flesh—catering to the natural impulses of my own understanding, obeying the oppressive beliefs instilled in me by the father-of-lies, believing every thought I think—I cannot please You.

 

“BUT YOU ARE NOT LIVING THE LIFE OF THE FLESH, YOU ARE LIVING THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT, IF THE [HOLY] SPIRIT OF GOD [REALLY] DWELLS WITHIN YOU [DIRECTS AND CONTROLS YOU].  BUT IF ANYONE DOES NOT POSSESS THE [HOLY] SPIRIT OF CHRIST, HE IS NONE OF HIS [HE DOES NOT BELONG TO CHRIST, IS NOT TRULY A CHILD OF GOD]” (Romans 8:9 AMP).

 

May I please You, Perfect Father, by not living the life of the flesh, but by living the life of the Spirit.  I surrender to You, Lord Jesus, to dwell within me through Your Spirit. Direct and control my thoughts, actions, and purpose, so they would please the Father.

 

“BY MYSELF I CAN DO NOTHING…FOR I SEEK NOT TO PLEASE MYSELF BUT HIM WHO SENT ME” (John 5:30).

 

By myself I can do nothing, Lord Jesus.  I cannot live a life pleasing to the Perfect Father.  You need to live it for me…and in me.

 

For me…and in me, Lord Jesus!

 

December 23  The Last Shall Be First

 

“SO THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST, AND THE FIRST LAST: FOR MANY BE CALLED, BUT FEW CHOSEN” (Matthew 20:16).

 

Save me, Lord Jesus, from the race I am running every day in competition with everyone else to prove that I am good enough…that I am important…that I am worthy. I am tired of running this race, Lord, for I always end up last.

 

Lord God, when everybody is running the race of success and acclaim, call me to drop out and come into Your Presence, instead. When everybody is seeking accolades, let me quit and come sit on Your lap.

 

Show me, Lord, that I do not have to run a race with everyone else to prove to You that I am good enough. Teach me that You love me for being me, because You made me. Show me that I am important to You, even if I am not important to anyone else.

 

Instead of running a race in competition with everyone else, let me come to a standstill and look around me at all the other people running the race who are not good enough to be first. Give me Your heart, my Lord, that I may show them that You love them, too, even though they are not first. Let me comfort the losers around me with Your Comfort and help those up who had been trodden down in the race by all the fierce competitors.

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that even though I am last in rank and importance, I am first in Your eyes. Show me that the only race You want me to run is the race of finishing the task that You have given me to do during my time on this earth. This is not a race in competition with everyone else, but a personal race of enduring my cross in patience and keeping the Faith all the way to the end of my life.

 

“WHEREFORE SEEING WE ALSO ARE COMPASSED ABOUT WITH SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES, LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, AND THE SIN WHICH DOTH SO EASILY BESET US, AND LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US, LOOKING UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH; WHO FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS, DESPISING THE SHAME, AND IS SET DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

 

Let me run with patience!

 

 

 

December 24  Submit Yourselves to God

 

“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING;

IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM,

AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT”

(Proverbs 3:5-6).

 

Lord God, help me to understand that the OLD MAN, the set of degrading beliefs instilled in me by the father-of-lies, lives in my own natural understanding.  It is an inseparable part of my human nature.  Remind me, daily, that my natural understanding is calibrated to these negative beliefs, because the mind of my human nature is void of the Spirit of Truth.

 

“SUBMIT YOURSELVES, THEN, TO GOD.  RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU” (James 4:7).

 

Lord God, may I resist the devil by submitting every argument in my mind to You, EVEN THE ONES THAT FEEL TRUE AND VALID.  Then, the roaring lion will flee from me.

 

May I resist the devil by taking every thought captive and submitting it to Your authority, EVEN THE THOUGHTS THAT FEEL RELIABLE AND SOUND.  Then, the father-of-lies will flee from me.

 

May I resist the devil by trusting You with all my heart and leaning not on my own understanding, EVEN WHEN MY UNDERSTANDING SEEMS TO BE PURE AND JUST.  Then, the enemy will flee from me.

 

May I resist the devil by acknowledging You in ALL my ways, EVEN THE WAYS THAT SEEM RIGHT AND CONFIRMED.  Then, Satan will flee from me.

 

“FOR HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF LIES” (John 8:44).

 

I submit my mind and heart to You, O Lord!

December 25

A Christmas Blessing

 

“FOR TO US A CHILD IS BORN,

TO US A SON IS GIVEN,

AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ON HIS SHOULDERS.

AND HE WILL BE CALLED

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD,

EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE”

(Isaiah 9:6-7).

 

Perfect Father, I thank You this Christmas day for Your Gift You sent me.

 

“IT IS BECAUSE OF HIM THAT YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO HAS BECOME FOR US WISDOM FROM GOD—THAT IS, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS AND REDEMPTION”

(1 Corinthians 1:30).

 

Father, to You be Glory!  You sent Your son, Jesus Christ, to be my Redeemer: to repurchase me from the father-of-lies…to free me from the stresses and harms of the enemy’s oppressing beliefs…to clear me from sin.  But that was not all.  You sent Your son, Jesus, to be more than Redemption to me.

 

I rejoice, Perfect Father, for You sent me a Wonderful Counselor, to become my Wisdom from You, because the wisdom that comes from my mind is not reliable.  It is tainted by the enemy—the father-of-lies.  But the Wisdom that comes from the Wonderful Counselor is pure, considerate, and full of mercy.

 

“BUT THE WISDOM THAT COMES FROM HEAVEN IS FIRST OF ALL PURE; THEN PEACE-LOVING, CONSIDERATE, SUBMISSIVE, FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUIT, IMPARTIAL AND SINCERE” (James 3:17).

 

For me a child is born.  To me a son is given.  I invite You, Lord Jesus, to be my Mighty God—to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine.  Let the government of my life to be on Your shoulders.

 

“NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE…TO HIM BE GLORY” (Ephesians 3:20).

 

To me a Son is given!

 

 

December 26  If Our Heart Condemns Us Not

 

“FOR IF OUR HEART CONDEMN US, GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART, AND KNOWETH ALL THINGS.  BELOVED, IF OUR HEART CONDEMN US NOT, THEN HAVE WE CONFIDENCE TOWARD GOD” (1 John 3: 20-21).

 

Lord God, bring me to the place where my heart does not condemn me: where I do not live in guilt because of what I do or have done…where I do not feel ashamed of who I am.  For if my heart condemns me, I have no confidence toward You.

 

I have noticed that if I live in guilt and shame, I cannot enter into a relationship of trust and intimacy with You, O Lord, because certain beliefs in my understanding tell me that I am not good enough for You, and that You are not pleased with me.

 

Lord God, sometimes I feel condemned because of sinful defense patterns I am still committing.  But You are greater than my heart.  Help me to get rid of those defense patterns, so I may have confidence in approaching You, the only God.

 

And then there are times when I feel condemned because of sinful defense patterns I had committed in the past.  God, You know all things.  Please forgive me, and strip me of my guilt, so I may come to You in confidence.

 

“HOW CAN YOU BELIEVE IF YOU ACCEPT PRAISE FROM ONE ANOTHER, YET MAKE NO EFFORT TO OBTAIN THE PRAISE THAT COMES FROM THE ONLY GOD?”

 (John 5:44).

 

My Lord, I covet the praise that comes from You, the only God.  Quiet the voice that pronounces me wrong and evil after I have asked forgiveness from You, so that I may have faith that You will act toward me in Goodness and Faithfulness.

 

You are greater than my heart!

 

December 27  My Peace I Give You

 

“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).

 

Lord God, how encouraged I am that the Peace You offer is not the same peace the world offers.

 

The peace the world offers is a kind of cease-fire between battles: a suspension of hostilities…a breathing spell before the next conflict.  The peace the world offers depends on the circumstances…the amount of antagonism…the degree of the crises.

 

But the Peace You offer depends on Your Truth…Your Faithfulness…Your Goodness.  The Peace You offer does not depend on the circumstances.  The Peace You offer lasts forever.

 

“THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE: BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE” (Isaiah 26:3).

 

Lord Jesus, lift my eyes above the circumstances when I am anxious because of the future…or perturbed because of what someone said…or shaken because of what someone has done.  Help me put You in charge of my life.  Establish my trust in You.  Break through the fear in my heart.  Let my mind rest in You, for You will keep him in perfect Peace, whose mind focuses on You, and not on the circumstances.

 

“NOW THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING, THAT YE MAY ABOUND IN HOPE, THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST”

(Romans 15:13).

 

Lord Jesus, strengthen me to believe, so that You, the God of Hope, may fill me with Peace through the Power of Your Holy Spirit.

 

I believe!

 

December 28  Fruit That Will Last

 

Lord Jesus, create in me a heart that is committed and surrendered to You, so that You may live Your Life through me.  I desire to bear fruit that will multiply and last.

 

“YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU TO GO AND BEAR FRUIT—FRUIT THAT WILL LAST” (John 15:16).

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for choosing me and appointing me to bear much fruit: much kindness, much goodness, much patience, much faithfulness, much gentleness, much self-control. It is by my fruit people will get to know You, since I am connected to You.

 

Call me to the place where I will bear fruit that will last: fruit that will outlive the evil my enemies have planned against me…fruit that will hold up against Satan’s schemes…fruit that will persist during bad circumstances, during disappointments, and during times of despair.

 

“I AM THE VINE; YOU ARE THE BRANCHES.  IF A MAN REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM, HE WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT” (John 15:5).

 

Make me a branch on Your Vine, Lord Jesus, so Your Nature may flow through me abundantly and permanently.  Similar to the xylem and the phloem of a plant, let my needy nature flow into You, my Lord, and Your Love and Righteousness flow into me, for a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except when it abides in the vine.

 

“THIS IS TO MY FATHER’S GLORY, THAT YOU BEAR MUCH FRUIT” (John 15:8).

 

This is to Your Glory, Father!

December 29  The Scriptures Testify about Christ

 

“ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED AND IS USEFUL FOR TEACHING, REBUKING, CORRECTING AND TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS” (2 Timothy 3:16).

 

Lord God, I praise You for the Scriptures, because they are useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in Righteousness; but, by them I do not possess eternal life.

 

“YOU DILIGENTLY STUDY THE SCRIPTURES BECAUSE YOU THINK THAT BY THEM YOU POSSESS ETERNAL LIFE.  THESE ARE THE SCRIPTURES THAT TESTIFY ABOUT ME, YET YOU REFUSE TO COME TO ME TO HAVE LIFE” (John 5:39-40).

 

Thank you, Lord God, for the Scriptures. They are good for teaching me.  They can teach me about light, but only You can shine Light on my darkness.  The Scriptures are useful for training me in Righteousness, but only You can fill me with Righteousness.  The Scriptures testify about Your life, O Lord, but only You can give me Life.

 

May I understand that Holiness is the manifestation of Your nature in my heart, Lord Jesus…not a by-product of the Scriptures.  May I grasp that Love is Your creation in my heart…not a by-product of the Scriptures.  May I realize that Hope is Your workmanship in my heart… not a by-product of the Scriptures.

 

“BUT OF HIM ARE YE IN CHRIST JESUS, WHO OF GOD IS MADE UNTO US WISDOM, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND SANCTIFICATION, AND REDEMPTION” (1Corinthians 1:30).

 

I celebrate the Scriptures, Lord God.  They teach about Truth, but let me come to You, so You can turn my lies from the father-of-lies into Truth.  The Scriptures testify about Love, but let me come to You, so You can turn my hatred into Love.  The Scriptures propagate Hope, but let me come to You, so You can turn my hopelessness into Hope.

 

I come to You!

 

 

December 30  You Have a Partner

 

Lord God, I surrender my children to You, because my love is not enough to protect them from the lies of the father-of-lies and the effects of these accusatory beliefs on their hearts.

 

“APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING” (John 15:5).

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that my care to my children was not meaningless.  My love mattered.  My care counted.  My diligence made a difference.  However, You, Lord Jesus, are the only one who can out-do the father-of-lies.  You are my secret partner working alongside me.  You will take care of the accusatory beliefs instilled in my children’s minds and hearts by the father-of-lies.  You will renew their minds by creating in them a NEW MAN in the place of their OLD MAN beliefs.  You will free them of their sinful habits and patterns that they acquired over the years.

 

“BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD: …I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH”

(Psalm 46:10).

 

Dear Lord Jesus, how encouraged my heart is to know that You will keep raising my children long after I have stopped, until they breathe their last breath here on earth.  I surrender them to You.

 

“FOR IT IS GOD WHICH WORKETH IN YOU BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE” (Philippians 2:13).

 

Work Your Righteousness in them!

 

 

December 31  To God be Glory!

 

“BUT YOU WILL NOT LEAVE IN HASTE

OR GO IN FLIGHT;

FOR THE LORD WILL GO BEFORE YOU,

THE GOD OF ISRAEL WILL BE YOUR REAR GUARD”

(Isaiah 52:12).

 

Lord God, as I come to the end of this year, I become still as I acknowledge that You were in control of my life this last year.  You comforted me when I was sick.  You loved me when I was alone.  You gave me Hope when my heart despaired.  You honored my obedience.  When I called upon You, You answered.  Because I set my love upon You, You delivered me.  You were with me in trouble.  You gave Your angels charge over me to preserve me in all my ways.  To You be Glory!

 

And now You are going before me into this coming new year to prepare a way for me.  I will not be afraid.  I will trust You!  I will rely on Your Character…Your Ability…Your Strength.  I will depend on Your Faithfulness…Your Love…Your Holiness, and abide in Your Truth.

 

Everlasting Father, be my rear guard during this next year.  Protect me from my past, catching the lies that the father-of-lies had instilled in me since childhood and turning them into Truth, Hope and eternal Life through Your Holy Spirit.

 

 

“AND WE PRAY THIS IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE LORD

AND MAY PLEASE HIM IN EVERY WAY:

BEARING FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK”

(Colossians 1:10-12).

 

 

During this next year, may I live my life worthy of You, Perfect Father, pleasing You in every way, bearing fruit in every good work.  May the Love, Righteousness, and Redemption of Jesus Christ be revealed to others through my thoughts, character, and actions.

 

To You be Glory!