Lord, give me Ears to Hear

Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.  1 Samuel 3:10 For just a moment, close your eyes and listen.  Quiet your mind and intentionally take in the sounds around you. Do you hear familiar voices? Are the birds chirping? Can you hear the wind blowing through the trees? Our lives are filled with distractions that are constantly competing for our attention.  We have become so accustomed to noise that we even turn on the TV or radio just so it doesn’t seem so quiet. With so much noise, we often miss hearing God.  As Elijah experienced it wasn’t in the wind, the fire or an earthquake but rather a gentle…

 Lord, give me Eyes to See

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. A text message comes with an urgent request for prayer, and instantly your heart goes out to the person in need as words form on your lips asking God to intervene.  Confidently you approach the throne of God with your petition, hoping for a favorable outcome.  You know the desired response you want to see be it healing, safety, grace or freedom from strongholds, but do you ask God for eyes to see what He sees?  Do you want to see the situation from His perspective or just your own? In the Bible story of the man born blind, people saw his situation…

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 The title page for a devotional that I received for January was “More in 2024.” What an incredible goal for the new year. Right from the beginning it encourages the reader to set their heart and mind on the things of God and to develop a…

Let the Redeemed of The Lord Say So

You have taken up my cause, O Lord; You have redeemed my life.  Lamentations 3:58 There I was, covered in the muck and mire of my sin. Drowning in the pit of despair so deep that I couldn’t see a way out.  I felt the weight of my sins upon me, pushing me down further and further to a place of darkness, taking away my hope and replacing it with dread for the days to come.  Knowing I deserved the punishment before me, my only hope was to call out to the One who offered mercy, who spread wide His arms to give me the grace I did not deserve.…

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.  1 Corinthians 15:58 To be steadfast and unmovable is to be spiritually grounded, to be firm and unwavering in your faith. That means being thoroughly convinced of what you believe and not allowing yourself to become moved when you face trials and tribulations.  Trusting God with your life has set it on solid ground. It has given you a firm foundation that won’t be moved and knowing His Word will give you the confidence to face the trials of life, empowered by the One…

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.   Philippians 4:13 God has graciously equipped you by creating you with spiritual gifts and natural God-given talents, each of which will be necessary in transforming you into all that He knows you will become. As you lean on Him you are empowered, enabled, and equipped for supernatural success through His Holy Spirit that dwells within you.   This doesn’t mean that you’ll never face tough times, but it does mean you can experience victory over them. Speaking God’s Word will give you the power to effectively resist adversity just as Jesus did when He was tempted.  As you speak…

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 Before the foundation of the world, the Lord had you in mind.  He created you for the purpose of having a personal relationship with Him that would not only help you navigate through this life but would also bring promises of eternal glory with Him in the next. His plan was not only to save you from your sins but to redeem you, and make you a new creation in Christ, as you share His life and love with others as His ambassador…