Jesus Calling: May 21

     I, the Creator of the universe, am with you and for you. What more could you need? When you feel some lack, it is because you are not connecting with Me at a deep level. I offer abundant Life; your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything.
     It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts about these events. Your mind engages in efforts to take control of a situation, to bring about the result you desire. Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves. Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in charge of your life. The only remedy is to switch your focus from the problem to My Presence. Stop all your striving, and watch to see what I will do. I am the Lord! 

Romans 8:31-32
English Standard Version

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?


Micah 7:7
English Standard Version

But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
    I will wait for the God of my salvation;
    my God will hear me.

My Prayer
Lord, I want to begin every day with You, connecting with You. When I stare at the world and what is going on, it can be depressing, but as I go to Your Word, Spirit, you are speaking to me and reminding me that there is always hope because you have given me a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: May 20

     When your sins weigh heavily upon you, come to Me. Confess your wrongdoing, which I know all about before you say a word. Stay in the Light of My Presence, receiving forgiveness, cleansing, and healing. Remember that I have clothed you in My righteousness, so nothing can separate you from Me. Whenever you stumble or fall, I am there to help you up.
     Man's tendency is to hide from his sin, seeking refuge in the darkness. There he indulges in self-pity, denial, self-righteousness, blaming, and hatred. But I am the Light of the world, and My illumination decimates the darkness. Come close to Me and let My Light envelop you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace. 

I John 1:7
English Standard Version

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 cleanses us from all sin.

Verse Thoughts
Verse 5 says, "God is light, and in him is no darkness." I am to walk in the light, walk in God. A true Christian does not walk in darkness, but only in the light. It is this walking in light that allows us to have fellowship with one another. There is an intimacy of being in the Body of Christ that is like nothing else.  

Isaiah 61:10
English Standard Version

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
    my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 

Verse Thoughts
This is the OT picture of imputed righteousness, the essential heart of the New Covenant. When a penitent sinner recognizes he can't achieve his own righteousness by works, and repents and calls on the mercy of God, the Lord covers him with his own divine righteousness by grace through his faith.  

John 8:12
English Standard Version

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

My Prayer
Thank you Lord for forgiving all my sin and cleansing me, I am seen by You as pure, and as white as snow. It amazes me because I know the darkness of my life. Sure, I can put on a good front with people most of the time, but you know my inner thoughts, and you can hear the words I often express toward people even as I sit there listening to them talk. Thank you for saving me. The fact that I sinned one time made me not perfect and in need of a substitute. Thank You Jesus for redeeming me so that never again will sin have a hold on me. Yes, I want to live a life that honors you but I'm thankful that no matter what happens, you have covered me with the robe of righteousness.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: May 19

     I want you to know how safe and secure you are in My Presence. That is a fact, totally independent of your feelings. You are on your way to heaven; nothing can prevent you from reaching that destination. There you will see Me face to face, and your Joy will be off the charts by any earthly standards. Even now, you are never separated from Me, though you must see Me through eyes of faith. I will walk with you till the end of time, and onward into eternity.
     Although My Presence is a guaranteed promise, that does not necessarily change your feelings. When you forget I am with you, you may experience loneliness or fear. It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings. Practice the discipline of walking consciously with Me through each day. 

1 Corinthians 13:12
English Standard Version

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Verse Thoughts
The way I see things today, in this world, in this life, has no comparison to my future, in heaven, with God. Right now, all I see is obscured. It is even a riddle, but one day it will clear and without obscurity. There will be clarity. 

Psalm 29:11
English Standard Version

May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Verse Thoughts
This is a verse that can not be looked at alone, but I must see its use in the entire chapter, for it is a concluding thought. "The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders...the voice of the Lord is powerful...the voice of the Lord breaks the cedars...the voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire...shakes the wilderness...makes the deer give birth...the Lord sits enthroned over the flood...sits enthroned as king forever." As I read these verses I should have great comfort that if I believe that God is over all of this world and is working, then he can handle my life and can give me strength and bless me with peace. He is able. 

My Prayer
Lord, today has so much to it that is upside down and difficult and challenging. But, my future has clarity. Give me comfort in today and confirm your ways in me. I want to hold your hand...today and each every day.  

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 13:3-4a - God's Servant for Our Good

Romans 13:3-4a - ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴ for he is God's servant for your good.

Message: The purpose of the civil ruler

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

On one hand, these verses speak to the fact that government is instituted by God and we are to be obedient to the government we are in. But, there is also a purpose for those in government. They are to detect and punish evil and uphold those that do good.  But, unfortunately, many oppress the good. But, this is not God's intent. He does not establish government so as to hurt good people. But, it could be true that he establishes terror to deal with a country that has evil people. 

If a government protects evil doers and oppresses the good, then the support of that evil government should cease. But, I think we need to be careful still in our judgment of government and how we speak of it. 

Relative Duties
I. Of rulers-to protect the good-to restrain the evil-to reward merit.
II. Of subjects-to respect authority-to do good and thereby to merit praise. 
The functions of the ruler
I. To maintain law and order-as the minister of God--for the benefit of man. 
II. To punish crime; for this purpose he is invested with the power of life and death-must use it righteously-as responsible to God-for the supression of evil. - Lyth

"For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad" - Even the most wicked, godless governments act as a deterrent to crime. Could it be that God, at times, does institute a terror government, in order to carry out a purpose he has?

"Do what is good" - Peaceful, law abiding citizens need to fear the authorities. Few governments will harm those who obey their laws. In fact, governments usually commend such people. 

"God's servant for your good" - By helping restrain evil and protecting life and property, Paul took advantage of his government's role in promoting what is good when he exercised his rights as a Roman citizen to obtain justice. 

Promise:My revenge could be a government's justice. Trust God and authorities He has set up and His timing.

Jesus Calling: May 18

     Come to Me with your plans held in abeyance (suspension). Worship Me in spirit and in truth, allowing My Glory to permeate your entire being. Trust Me enough to let Me guide you through this day, accomplishing My purposes in My timing. Subordinate your myriad plans to My Master Plan. I am sovereign over every aspect of your life!
     The challenge continually before you is to trust Me and search for My way through each day. Do not blindly follow your habitual route, or you will miss what I have prepared for you. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 

John 4:24
English Standard Version

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Verse thoughts
“True” worship is contrasted with the worship regulated by the temporary provisions of the law, especially the separation of Jews and Gentiles and the requirement of temple worship at Jerusalem. The ceremonial and sacrificial aspects of the law were not false; they were temporary and provisional. Worship “in spirit” is worship in the Holy Spirit. He continues the work begun by Jesus. Prominent marks of the age of the Spirit are the removal of the barrier between Jews and Gentiles, and the ability of Christians to worship without the need for a temple of any kind.

Isaiah 55:8-9
New King James Version
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Verse thoughts
God’s thoughts concerning grace exceed human imagination and beyond human comprehension. 

My Prayer
Lord, help me to comprehend that what You want for me is my best. I want so badly for my kids to trust my words and you want the same from me; to walk in Your ways, allowing You to consume me. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: May 17

     As you sit quietly in My Presence, remember that I am a God of abundance. I will never run out of resources. My capacity to bless you is unlimited. You live in a world of supply and demand, where necessary things are often scarce. Even if you personally have enough, you see poverty in the world around you. It is impossible for you to comprehend the lavishness of My provisions: the fulness of My glorious riches. 
     Through spending time in My Presence, you gain glimpses of My overflowing vastness. These glimpses are tiny foretastes of what you will experience eternally in heaven. Even now you have access to as much of Me as you have faith to receive. Rejoice in My abundance--living by faith, not by sight.

Philippians 4:19
English Standard Version

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Verse Thoughts
God does not supply like the world often does, according to a person's performance or good deeds or wise decisions. On the contrary, God supplies according to his own standards and ways. God's criteria for blessing is the rich glory in Christ Jesus.  

2 Corinthians 5:7
English Standard Version

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Verse Thoughts
This verse is in the discussion of heaven. What we see in this life can be destroyed, but God has a house for us not made with human hands. So, in verse 7, our walk is not based upon what we can see in this life, but is based upon the unseen. We believe in the existence of the unseen, the invisible. Whether in this life that we see or in the future life that we don't see now, our aim in life is to please Him.

My Prayer
Lord, help me to not be trained always by what I see, but I want to be trained by the promise that You have given me. Thank You for taking care of me. Thank You for giving me daily access to Your abundant riches. Help me to center myself on You and this promise.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: May 16

     I am your Lord! Seek Me as Friend and Lover of your soul, but remember that I am also King of kings--sovereign over all. You can make some plans as you gaze into the day that stretches out before you. But you need to hold those plans tentatively, anticipating that I may have other ideas. The most important thing to determine is what to do right now, instead of scanning the horizon of your life, looking for things that need to be done, concentrate on the task before you and the One who never leaves your side. Let everything else fade into the background. This will unclutter your mind, allowing Me to occupy more and more of your consciousness.
     Trust Me to show you what to do when you have finished what you are doing now. I will guide you step by step, as you bend your will to Mine. Thus you stay close to Me on the path of Peace. 

Proverbs 19:21
English Standard Version
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Luke 1:79
English Standard Version

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.

My Prayer (2018)
Lord, you are teaching me to talk to you throughout my day. As I talk to people throughout the day, I am to to talk to you. I don't necessarily need to stop, bow my head, but I can just voice to you as I would a friend. You are there, near, and I want you to guide my steps. Lord, I admit that many times I do get ahead of myself, planning my future when things can happen often to disrupt it. Help me God to organize myself. Lord, I do want to talk to you more, throughout my day, even as I go to work and work on tasks, I can talk to you as I do them. Then as I come home help me to not simply be a creature going from entertainment to entertainment but to seek you in my rest. I admit, often I sense your Spirit reminding me to pray and talk to you about me, about the other people in my life and often I don't do this, but instead revert to a habit that I have in my life and suddenly you are sort of squashed. Help me instead to bend my will to Yours.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.