Bible Tags: November 2016

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Proverbs 27:1 - Boasting about the Future

Proverbs 27:1

Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Message: Boasting about the Future

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

In Romans 2:17, it says we are to boast in God. Romans 4:2 presents the idea that boasting is only something we do before other men, but that's only if our works would merit God's acceptance and we know this is not so. Romans 5:3 says we exult or boast in our tribulations. God's grace is a gift from God, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). I go back and look at these verses as a reminder that the boasting I can do is towards God. As this verse in Proverbs says, I am not to boast about tomorrow. Lord, help me guard myself against this. Matthew 6:34 says, "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Focus on today. The Lord's prayer is clear that we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread."

Life is uncertain. What I do know is now, for sure. I know this one moment. There was a song from the 80s that simply said, "One day at a time." Lord, help me to focus on this. I can make plans for the future, but I do this with an eye of uncertainty because I do not know what tomorrow may present itself. Lord, I am weak with this. Often, I stop giving and tithing because I am worried about tomorrow. Help me to make good decisions today.

Here is a poem by Robert Smith, a Lutheran theologian (1932-2006):

“The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.

To lose one's wealth is sad indeed,
To lose one's health is more,
To lose one's soul is such a loss
That no man can restore.

The present only is our own,
So live, love, toil with a will,
Place no faith in "Tomorrow,"

For the Clock may then be still.”

Isaiah 46:10 - God is the one declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

Promise: From Tabletalk - It is good and right to plan for the days ahead, but if our plans succeed, it is not because of our wisdom or because we were certain that they would. Our plans succeed only if that success is ordained by our heavenly Father.

Jesus Calling: November 30

Problems are part of life. They are inescapable: woven in to the very fabric of this fallen world. You tend to go into problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix everything. This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your conscious thinking. Not only does this habit frustrate you, it also distances you from Me.
Do not let fixing things be your top priority. You are ever so limited in your capacity to correct all that is wrong in the world around you. Don't weigh yourself down with responsibilities that are not your own. Instead, make your relationship with Me your primary concern. Talk with Me about whatever is on your mind, seeking My perspective that comes to your attention, ask Me to show you what is truly important. Remember that you are en route to heaven, and let your problems fade in the Light of eternity.

Psalm 32:8
English Standard Version
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Luke 10:41-42
English Standard Version
⁴¹But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴²but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Philippians 3:20-21
English Standard Version
²⁰But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

My Prayer
Help me to understand Lord that eternity is in my heart and I don't need to look at every problem like their is a solution I must solve. May I be more focused on our relationship and less focused on solving problems. As your word says, you will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. My citizenship is in heaven. My belonging is with You. Again, keep me eternity minded and not of this world.

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.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Ecclesiastes 7:20 - The Vain Search for a Righteous Man

Ecclesiastes 7:20
Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.

Message: The vain search for a righteous man

Time: Ecclesiastes: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

From Tabletalk lesson of the same title:

The doctrine of total depravity emphasizes that sin corrupts everything about us, including our hearts, minds, and wills. Consequently, since wickedness has perverted us so thoroughly, not one of us will make it through life without having sinned. We will commit sins of omission (failing to do good) and sins of commission (transgressing what is good), for no one “does good” (omission) and “never sins” (commission).

I notice this at my job, at work, especially in the discipline that I find myself to be in, accounting, and government accounting at that, which is generally under the rule of auditors and reviewers. These individuals of oversight are constantly reviewing work to determine what you are not doing right, what rules you have failed to follow in carrying out your duties. It's interesting because it doesn't matter how well we might be doing something, if we goof up one time, and they happen to check on it, then it is assumed we have not done anything right.

This can be difficult because we want to be viewed as above reproach. We measure ourselves often by having adhered to all the rules. It's hard at times as it knocks at our pride, at our since of hard work, and the reality that our best is not ever viewed as enough.

Scripture is clear that mistakes will happen. We will live in a way that is not right. As hard as we try, we are not perfect. Yet, people view themselves often by noting they are good enough or have done more wrong than right -- and so they get a good grade. They view their spiritual condition like sitting in a school classroom, with the teacher passing out the grades from the recent test. Everyone in the class, except maybe one is hoping that they at least didn't fail, but others have higher standards. In the end, the performance expectation is not perfection, but generally passing with a high grade. This is somewhat hard to digest because we as people tend to view ourselves similar to the way the world defines it, arriving at the pearly gates with a perspective of being more right than wrong, in how our life has been lived.

Yet, it really looks more like the accountant and the auditor and finding one error. The intent of salvation and being accepted by God is not on the basis of how good we are. But, rather, whether there is any sin in us. One imperfection makes us unacceptable, even though the reality is we have many more than one imperfections. Solomon here, the Preacher. simply notices something that he has noticed throughout this 7th chapter, that what we see or know is not always the truth, and no one never sins. Yet God is holy and so everyone needs a substitute or a way to be redeemed. That is the simple truth of the Gospel: I have sinned. I am not perfect. I need a Savior. God has provided the means for me to be accepted by Him. I have a decision to trust and obey. There is no other way.

Promise: We can find no person that has never sinned.

Jesus Calling: November 29

Let Me infuse My Peace into your innermost being. As you sit quietly in the Light of My Presence, you can sense Peace growing within you. This is not something that you accomplish through self-discipline and willpower; it is opening yourself to receive My blessing.
In this age of independence, people find it hard to acknowledge their neediness. However, I have taken you along a path that has highlighted your need for Me: placing you in situations where your strengths were irrelevant and your weaknesses were glaringly evident. Through the aridity of those desert marches, I have drawn you closer and closer to Myself. You have discovered flowers of Peace blossoming in the most desolate places. You have learned to thank Me for hard times and difficult journeys, trusting that through them I accomplish My best work. You have realized that needing Me is the key to knowing Me intimately, which is the gift above all gifts.

Isaiah 58:11
English Standard Version
And the Lord will guide you continually
    and satisfy your desire in scorched places
    and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
    like a spring of water,
    whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 40:11
English Standard Version
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young.

My Prayer
You rescue me. You take me through adversities and prosperity. You know what is best. You will guide me continually and make m strong. I will be equipped in the process. You take care of your sheep. I can rest in You. Help me to discover your peace, trusting that you can accomplish in Me greater than I know. I need you Lord. I only exist with you as my anchor. I want to lean on you. Refresh me and strengthen 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.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Ecclesiastes 7:14 - The Days of Prosperity and Adversity

Ecclesiastes 7:14
In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.

Message: The Days of Prosperity and Adversity

Time: Ecclesiastes: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

What a great reminder in this day and age, that God has made days of prosperity and he has also made days of adversity. I should not think that days of trouble are any less from the hand of God than are days of ease and abundance. I am to trust in Him and His goodness.

Lord, help me to accept whatever you put on my plate and use it for your glory and to thank you and praise you. You are in control. You know what is best.

Promise: Are you enjoying prosperity? Rejoice. Are you facing hardship? God is working for your good.

Jesus Calling: November 28

Rest in the deep assurance of My unfailing Love. Let your body, mind, and spirit relax in My Presence. Release into My care anything that is troubling you, so that you can focus your full attention on Me. Be awed by the vast dimensions of My Love for you; wider, longer, higher, and deeper than anything you know. Rejoice that this marvelous Love is yours forever!
The best response to this glorious gift is a life steeped in thankfulness. Every time you thank Me, you acknowledge that I am your Lord and Provider. This is the proper stance for a child of God: receiving with thanksgiving. Bring Me the sacrifice of gratitude, and watch to see how much I bless you.

I Peter 5:7
English Standard Version
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Ephesians 3:16-19
English Standard Version
¹⁶that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Psalm 107:21-22
English Standard Version

²¹Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
²²And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

My Prayer
Lord I thank you for your steadfast Love. Lord, you do wondrous works in the lives of your children. I offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise you in songs of joy. I cast all of my anxieties upon you. You care for me. Thank you for caring for me. Thank you for strengthening me with power through your Spirit. I need Christ to dwell in my heart. I want my life to be rooted, grounded in love. I want to know the love of Christ and be filled with all the fullness of God. Help me to know what this means and be ready for it. Lord, I thank you.

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.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 - The Virtue of Patience

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9
⁸The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.
⁹Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.

Message: The virtue of patience

Time: Ecclesiastes: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

I continue to take a look at various verses in Ecclesiastes. Through this guided study I continue to do with the Tabletalk devotional, I am now on July 23, 2015. I love this study. It keeps me accountable and though I am slowly working my way through it, it is fine and good to enjoy God's word. Ecclesiastes gives me a healthy perspective on life (to borrow Tom Nelson's words). This perspective is not common to the message that I hear in the world. I read about the importance of a good name and that good name transcends all of life. In verse 2-4 it speaks of a happy heart and that happy heart doesn't always mean a smiling and happy countenance; at times it means the face is sad. The fact is, life is hard and there are hard events that occur in life, but God's peace can still reside in us.

The end
In these verses Solomon continues with this perspective. Verse 8 speaks of the end rather than the beginning being the key. The end of a matter is better than its beginning. I think I get too caught up at how things are going on now or at the beginning. Solomon reminds me that life is a journey. It is not a sprint. A wedding marks the beginning of a marriage and it is normally a very festive and huge presentation, but anniversaries should be far bigger productions. The key is how things progress and how things end.

Patience
So the second half of that verse remains so key: patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. The challenge in life is to be patient. Progress takes time, but even more than progress the manner in which we end should be our real focus. Lord, help me to be patient and not to be so wrapped up in the day to day, immediate moments of life. I get too focused on getting things my way, now; help me to set good habits of patience.

Anger
Anger flies in the face of patience. I've always thought that I had a problem with anger, but really I have a problem with patience and it is anger that comes out. I get impatient and go to anger. As this verse 9 says, Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools. I am a fool when I get angry. I hate that this is such a huge problem in my life. Lord, teach me o be patient. As Psalm 40:1 says, I wait patiently for the Lord.

Promise: From Coram Deo and Tabletalk - Impatience can lead to frustration, which can lead to anger. Cultivating a patient spirit by focusing on the promises of God in His Word and the work of the Spirit of the Lord will lessen frustration and reduce the anger that is the mark of the foolish heart. This is a vital task for unrighteous anger is the root of many other sins. May we seek the Lord's face in our suffering, trusting in the promises of God that we might endure in patience and love.

Jesus Calling: November 27

Let thankfulness rule in your heart. As you thank Me for blessings in your life, a marvelous thing happens. It is as if scales fall off your eyes, enabling you to see more and more of My glorious riches. With your eyes thus opened, you can help yourself to whatever you need from My treasure house. Each time you receive one of My golden gifts, let your thankfulness sing out praises to My Name. "Hallelujahs" are the language of heaven, and they can become the language of your heart.
A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles. Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on Me and what I am doing. This is the power of praise: centering your entire being in Me. This is how I created you to live, for I made you in My own image. Enjoy the abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness.

Colossians 3:15
English Standard Version
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Acts 9:18
English Standard Version
And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized.

Revelation 19:3-6
English Standard Version

³Once more they cried out,“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”

⁴And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” ⁵And from the throne came a voice saying,

“Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
small and great.”

⁶Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.

Psalm 100:4-5
English Standard Version

⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

⁵For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

My Prayer
Lord, you are good and for what you give me, I am most thankful. Thank you for Bruce and his friendship and coming over to play games with Pamela and I. Thank you for the home project I could work on, the home you have provided and the chance to learn how to do something, like repair rot, even though it is something I continue to not understand well and I have little confidence in. Thank you for Pamela having a day to just sew. Thank you for the friends Derek has as well as Tyson. Thank you for Megan's job. Thank you for providing us what we need. Thank you for giving me a job and setting a priority to give you the tithe I can now give the church. Help me Lord each day to thank you more and more for what you provide, good or bad. Everything I have is because of You and this needs to be acknowledge more in my life.

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.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Jesus Calling: November 26

This is the day that I have made! As you rejoice in this day of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial training. Walk with Me along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will find all the delights I have made ready for you.
To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you resided in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely. A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians. They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts. Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their minds. How precious are My children who remember to thank Me at all times. They can walk through the darkest days with Joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My Presence is still shining on them. Rejoice in this day that I have made, for I am your steadfast Companion.

Psalm 118:24
English Standard Version
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 116:17
English Standard Version
I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the Lord.

My Prayer
Lord, I ask that you would hear my prayer. You are good. Your love endures forever. You are on My Side Lord. You are my helper. You are my strength and my song. You do valiantly and you rescue me continually. You have rescued me from the grave. I thank you Lord. This is the day that you have made. You are my God and I will give thanks to you. Keep that my focus to you, the greatness of who You are. Different events will enter into my life but center me on You and allow me to trust You.

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.

Friday, November 25, 2016

Psalm 118:17-29 - The Cornerstone

Psalm 118:17-29
¹⁷I will not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord.
¹⁸The Lord has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.

¹⁹Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.
²⁰This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous will enter through it.
²¹I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation.

²²The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.
²³This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
²⁵O Lord, do save, we beseech You; O Lord, we beseech You, do send prosperity!
²⁶Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
²⁷The Lord is God, and He has given us light; Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
²⁸You are my God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, I extol You.
²⁹Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Message: The Cornerstone

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Feeling the opposition of others
Taking a moment to go back and think about this chapter 118 and what it means to me. What I see is the psalmist walking through a stressful situation in life. But it isn't just a hard day, but feeling opposition. He is in distress (v. 5), feeling oppressed by man (v. 6), feeling the hate of man (v. 7), being surrounded (v. 10), being surrounded like a swarm of bees (v. 11), being pushed in order to fall (v. 12), and feeling like he is going to die (v. 17). This isn't simply a trial, but a feeling of being attacked. He is feeling oppressed, hated, surrounded, pushed, and near death.

No Matter What - I thank God
As he experiences this opposition, his response to those situations is to lean on God. The first thing the psalmist does is give thanks (v. 1) and speak of God's lovingkindness (v. 1-4). It is not that he is thanking God necessarily for the opposition or bad situation he is in, but his life perspective remains in thanking God. He continues to exercise thanks to God and his lovingkindness. The events of his life have not changed his thankfulness of God.

The Lord is for me
At the first moment of him being in distress and feeling oppressed and hated, he calls upon the name of the Lord. He is reminded that God is there. He is reminded that God is for him. I need to know that though I am feeling alone, I am not. I am reminded of our recent trip to Block Island, off the coast of Rhode Island. My wife and I were riding bikes and we turned a corner and came upon a lake and a view of this large place with rolling hills, on this beautiful spring day. In my distresses and feeling oppressed, I get small and narrow. At times, I can't see but the closeness and immediacy of the trial. But, here, the psalmist says, "The Lord Answered me and set me in a large place (v. 5)." The Lord opened my eyes to show me that the I felt isolated, I am not alone and he is there, centered on me, and there is peace as it takes me to this large expanse and I can know there is more than this problem. The Lord is for me, my refuge is in Him, therefore my enemies are not big, but small.

The Lord is Victory over the Opposition
God is not just there, but God has given me victory over the opposition. In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off. I need to know that these forces, at times spiritual, Satan and his dominion will be defeated and cut from my life. In verses 10-12, it is repeated three times, "In the name of the Lord, I will surely cut them off." The Psalmist reminds me that victory is something God gives me and I get to carry it out.

The Lord Helps Me
The Psalmist begins with thanks, is reminded that Lord is for me, and then sees that victory can be had, and now sees that the Lord is my helper (v.13), my strength and song (v. 14), and my salvation (v. 14). I experience joyful shouting, like a crowd of people, cheering my victory. He is omnipotent or has all power. In verses 15-16, it says that the "Right hand of the Lord" which refers to God's omnipotent or all powerful way does valiantly and is exalted. To be valiant is to be boldly courageous.

I was reading this sermon online by Charles Spurgeon from 1872 - http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols58-60/chs3361.pdf

At the red sea, God there overthrew the host of his enemies, by dividing the sea and Egypt swallowed up and the foes of Israel were swept away.
When the people of Israel, untrained for war, marched in the land of the Canaanites, they found that their enemies had chariots of iron, entrenched in their cities -- but the Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites could not stand against the 12 tribes of Israel
David smote the Philistines hip and thigh with great slaughter
the hosts of Sennacherib lay like the sere leaves of autumn when the breath of the archangel had blasted them

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly is repeated in verse 16. O how I need that reminder daily of the work God has done for His people, for His glory. The Lord helps me. He is there, against all odds, despite the way my circumstances may seem, the Lord is on my side. Help me O God to not forget this. Don't allow the world to squash you out and me forget the work you have done. Difficulties will arise, but I can know that you are there, to rescue.

Transition
I suppose the above is a different look of those first 16 verses of Psalm 118 and now we transition to the rest of this text.

Over and over this passage is about giving God thanks. There are tough times of oppression and feeling attacked from all sides in this passage, but the Lord still works valiantly in our lives. When we are rescued, God gets the praise. God gets the thanks. Lord, this is a chapter I need in my life. I need to give you thanks more for each day. You give me gifts and us gifts. There is too much of a feeling that man is the active agent and he bears good works. God is on the throne. God is to be praised. Turn me away from having a critical eye and help me to continually place my faith in you.

The Lord Disciplines
The reality is that hard times we have could be the result of God disciplining us. The passage speaks earlier of being in distress (v. 5) and surrounded (v. 10). While my attitude is one of thanks and dependence on God, I can't forget that God could be disciplining me and unhappy with me. I am too quick to think that I must just get out of this mess and figure out a plan. I do not look inward and ask myself, "Lord, is this happening for a reason? Is there something in my life that you want to correct or deal with? Or Lord, possibly it isn't even me. You could be dealing with the sin of society in which I am a member of or even the sin of this entire world. The reality Lord is you deal with sin."

In verse 17 is the reminder that I am to recount the deeds of the Lord. He works and he works in people's lives and in my life and I am to voice this from the mountaintop. In verse 18, the Lord does discipline me, but not to the point of death. I am still here and still able to speak of him. Lord, make my words more eloquent in speaking of You.

Walk though the gates of righteousness
In response to discipline and perhaps sin, put me on the path of righteousness. Jesus, you are my righteousness. You are the perfecter of my faith. You are my redeemer and you are to live through me. Put me on the path of righteousness. As I live and walk in righteousness, again, I give thanks to the Lord (v. 19).

Answered me
I call upon the Lord and he answers me and I thank him for answering: verse 21, I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. What others reject, like Jesus and the Messiah, becomes the foundation or the cornerstone of my life. This it the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes....be glad in it (v. 22-24).

My confidence in me
Even in the reading of this text is my thinking that I give thanks because of what he is doing in my life. I need to be reminded that I give thanks because he is good. Who saves us? The Lord (v. 25). The Lord shines his light on me. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you (v. 28). Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever (v. 29). In conclusion, God is great. He is good. His love endures.

Conclusion
I am realizing more and more that too much of my life is focused on me, my needs, my family needs, but my focus over and over should be on God and simply giving thanks for him being great. Lord, you are good. Your love endures forever.

Promise: Ultimately, I deserve separation from God because of the sin in me, but he has rescued me nevertheless, but this doesn't mean that judgment still may not occur in my life or in life, in general. My Maker disciplines me, turns me from sin, and fights against my trials for me. You are my cornerstone Lord, my foundation.

Jesus Calling: November 25

Thank Me frequently as you journey through today. This practice makes it possible to pray without ceasing, as the apostle Paul taught. If you are serious about learning to pray continually, the best approach is to thank Me in every stiuation. These thankful prayers provide a solid foundation on which you can build all your other prayers. Moreover, a grateful attitude makes it easier for you to communicate with Me.
When your mind is occupied with thanking Me, you have no time for worrying or complaining. If you practice thankfulness consistently, negative thought patterns will gradually grow weaker and weaker. Draw near to Me with a grateful heart, and My Presence will fill you with Joy and Peace.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18
King James Version
¹⁶Rejoice evermore.
¹⁷Pray without ceasing.
¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

James 4:8
English Standard Version
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Romans 15:13
English Standard Version
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

My Prayer
Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank you ahead of time for the experiences I will have today. Some will be tough and some may be uncomfortable for me. I may experience losses that I don't comprehend. People near to me may get hurt. Lord, through these times, help me and those around me to increase our dependence and trust in and on You. Lord, help me to be a person that gives thanks. Lord, you are the author of life. Get my focus on You. Train people everywhere to thank you for life, surrender to you, accept what you provide, and glorify you with their lives.

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.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Jesus Calling: November 24

Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience--at times, blind obedience. To people who don't know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain.
Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity.

Ephesians 5:20
English Standard Version
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Psalm 118:1
English Standard Version
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 89:15
English Standard Version
Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,

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.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Jesus Calling: November 23

As you sit quietly in My Presence, let me fill your heart and mind with thankfulness. This is the most direct way to achieve a thankful stance. If your mind needs a focal point, gaze at My Love poured out to you on the cross. Remember that nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from that Love. This remembrance builds a foundation of gratitude in you, a foundation that circumstances cannot shake.
As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way. I lovingly go before you and plant little pleasures to brighten your day. Look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one. When you reach the end of the day, you will have gathered a lovely bouquet. Offer it up to Me with a grateful heart. Receive My Peace as you lie down to sleep, with thankful thoughts playing a lullaby in your mind.

Romans 8:38-39
English Standard Version

³⁸For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 4:7-8
English Standard Version

⁷You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

My Prayer

Lord, thank you and remind me that nothing can separate me from the love of God. Thank you for giving me joy. You O Lord make me dwell in safety. Help me to notice ways you are working in my life and brightening my day. Give me a thankful and grateful heart. 

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: November 22

A thankful attitude opens windows of heaven. Spiritual blessings fall freely onto you through those openings into eternity. Moreover, as you look up with a grateful heart, you get glimpses of Glory through those windows. You cannot yet live in heaven, but you can experience foretastes of your ultimate home. Such samples of heavenly fare revive your hope. Thankfulness opens you up to these experiences, which then provide further reasons to be grateful. Thus, your path becomes an upward spiral: ever increasing in gladness.
Thankfulness is not some sort of magic formula; it is the language of Love, which enables you to communicate intimately with Me. A thankful mind-set does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems. Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations. I am your refuge and strength, an ever-present and well-proved help in trouble.

Habakkuk 3:17-18
English Standard Version

¹⁷Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
¹⁸yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Psalm 46:1
Amplified Version
God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Jesus Calling: November 21

Thank Me throughout this day for My Presence and My Peace. These are gifts of supernatural proportions. Ever since the resurrection, I have comforted My followers with these messages: Peace be with you, and I will with you always. Listen as I offer you My Peace and Presence in full measure. The best way to receive these glorious gifts is to thank Me for them.
It is impossible to spend too much time thanking and praising Me. I created you first and foremost to glorify Me. Thanksgiving and praise put you in proper relationship with Me, opening the way for My riches to flow into you. As you thank Me for My Presence and Peace, you appropriate My richest parts.

Luke 24:36
English Standard Version
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”

Matthew 28:20
English Standard Version
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Hebrews 13:15
English Standard Version
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

My Prayer (2022)

Lord, I notice often that when I come to you to talk to you and pray that I can at time rush through adoration and praise and thanksgiving in order to get to supplication for myself and others. I suppose I am so eager to see you work in others so that they can have what I have with You. Lord, I really want to be more thankful for all that you have given. Even yesterday, as we were in church, taking the Lord's Supper I was reminded of the great gift of salvation you have given that I don't deserve. I don't even understand how you chose me to be your vessel and instrument. But I do praise you. I thank you for the perfect message of salvation. I thank you for the clarity of Your Word, for seeing Jesus throughout the Bible and the many verses that confirm the Godhead of Father, Son, and Spirit. Thank you for showing me those. Lord, I am very thankful for those gifts of salvation and the gifts of family you have given as well. Keep me focused on this always.

Jesus Calling: November 20

I AM pleased with you, My child. Allow yourself to become fully aware of My pleasure shining upon you. You don't have to perform well in order to receive My Love. In fact, a performance focus will pull you away from Me, toward some sort of Pharisaism. This can be a subtle form of idolatry: worshiping your own good works. It can also be a source of deep discouragement when your works don't measure up to your expectations.
Shift your focus from your performance to My radiant Presence. The Light of My Love shines on you continually, regardless of your feelings or behavior. Your responsibility is to be receptive to this unconditional Love. Thankfulness and trust are your primary receptors. Thank Me for everything; trust in Me at all times. These simple disciplines will keep you open to My loving Presence.

Ephesians 2:8-9
English Standard Version
⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 3:16-19
English Standard Version
¹⁶that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Psalm 62:8
English Standard Version
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

My Prayer (2022)

Lord, you remind me here today of the simple fact that you love me, just as I am. You want me just as I am. As Jesus spoke on this earth, he focused on us repenting and his forgiveness, so I do need to turn from my sin, but I also need to always remember that your acceptance of Me has nothing to do with my importance and only has to do with your performance leading to the cross, on the cross, and resurrecting - thus, it is all about You. O Lord, that more and more people would recognize this in our world today. Help me Lord to be your ambassador. And yes, may I trust in you Lord at all times.

Jesus Calling: November 19

Leave outcomes up to Me. Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion. Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me. When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help. When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence. Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me.
You already know the ultimate destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to Me.

Psalm 27:13-14
English Standard Version

¹³I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living!
¹⁴Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!

Exodus 15:13
English Standard Version
“You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

Jesus Calling: November 18

Come to Me, and rest in My Peace. My Face is shining upon you, in rays of Peace transcending understanding. Instead of trying to figure things out yourself, you can relax in the Presence of the One who knows everything. As you lean on Me in trusting dependence, you feel peaceful and complete. This is how I designed you to live: in close communion with Me.
When you are around other people, you tend to cater to their expectations -- real or imagined. You feel enslaved to pleasing them, and your awareness of My Presence grows dim. Your efforts to win their approval eventually exhaust you. You offer these people dry crumbs rather than the living water of My Spirit flowing through you. This is not My way for you! Stay in touch with Me, even during your busiest moments. Let My Spirit give you words of grace as you live in the Light of My Peace.

Philippians 4:6-7
English Standard Version
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 7:38
English Standard Version
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

Ephesians 5:18-20
English Standard Version
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Psalm 118:1-16 - God on Our Side

Psalm 118:1-16
¹Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
²Oh let Israel say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
³Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
⁴Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

⁵From my distress I called upon the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me in a large place.
⁶The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?
⁷The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
⁸It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
⁹It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

¹⁰All nations surrounded me; In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
¹¹They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
¹²They surrounded me like bees; They were extinguished as a fire of thorns; In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
¹³You pushed me violently so that I was falling, But the Lord helped me.
¹⁴The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.

¹⁵The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
¹⁶The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

Message: God on Our Side

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Theme's I see:

His lovingkindness is everlasting.
The Lord is for me.
Take refuge in the Lord
In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off.
The Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song.
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

It is easy to just focus on how God makes me or life better. We are a people of comfort and safety and sometimes I think we just stare at the benefits too quickly without seeing the condition. The condition is we are to be a people of God, serving Him, turning our lives over to Him, giving him the praise for all things, recognizing that we need a Savior, we need a Lord, we need a substitute for the sin that fills our lives. This is not about just saying we are a fan of a sports team that just won the championship. We can't just jump on the bandwagon and then think that all of life, for eternity, will work in our favor. We must be a people that live the faith, day in and day out. We must align ourselves to Him and trust in Him for all things, no matter what.

My position: This chapter starts with "Give thanks to the Lord." This is what the people of God do, thank God no matter what.

God's promise: "He is good." This is why I can give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. "His lovingkindness is everlasting." His love never changes. This is what I must stare at. He is a loving God. I don't stare at this just when things are going in my favor. I stare at all times. I need this reminder. May this be the outcry of Israel, the house of Aaron and all those who fear the Lord.

My position: verse 4, "Fear the Lord," verse 5, "call upon the Lord." Lord, help me to begin each day in this manner, fearing the Lord, calling upon the Lord. I want to come unto you God each day. Holy Spirit, bring into the presence of God.

God's promise: After calling on the Lord in verse 5-7, the promise is He will answer me. "The Lord is for me, I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is for me among those who help me."

My position: verse 7, "Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me." - I will not hate those who hate. Do I see this? This flies in the faith of the competitive spirit which is bred in me with sports. We are not against each other. I am for you. I don't have to fear man, I only need to fear God. Man can't hurt me.

My position: verse 8 - It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. - This is key, again, I am not to trust in man nor princes nor leaders. Yes, I am to obey them. Romans 13:1 - Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. I am to show my respect to the office of the president, my boss, the mayor, the governor, my pastor, the leaders over me, my father. This order has been set up by God. We are to have rulers over us, over me. This isn't a foreign concept, but my refuge is in the Lord. This is where I place my trust.

My position: verse 10 - All nations surrounded me; verse 11 - They surrounded me; verse 12 -
They surrounded me like bees. The situation is people are surrounding him. I am called to be a saint, a vessel, an instrument of the Lord. But being this is not always a popular thing. People have other agenda's. There are other priorities that are not of God.

God's promise: verse 10 - In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off. Verse 11 - In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off. Verse 12 - In the name of the Lord I will surely cut them off. My confidence remains in the Lord. The Lord is not simply my confidence or my refuge and the one I take satisfaction, and who I thank, but by his power, in His name, I can stand up against my enemies and those who don't represent him. In this tolerant world, we think that respecting us or allowing us to be is not surrounding us but no one can serve two masters. I need to have confidence in God's word and what he is saying. I need to rest in those words. Help me to put my blinders on Lord, and keep them focused on You, not other people, but only You.

My position: verse 13 - You pushed me violently so that I was falling. It is not clear the situation, but it is one of being surrounded, feeling attacked and then being attacked.

God's promise: verse 13 - But the Lord helped me. But through it all God is there. The Lord is who I have my strength in.

God's promise: verse 14 - The Lord is my strength and song; verse 15 - The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. verse 16 - The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. Help me to hold onto your words God.

Promise: I am to thank the Lord for deliverance from many difficulties. I am to believe with all my heart that God is fighting for me. God is sufficient in my times of trouble.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Jesus Calling: November 17

There is NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Me. The law of the Spirit of Life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Not many Christians know how to live in this radical freedom, which is their birthright. I died to set you free; live freely in Me!
To walk along the path of freedom, you must keep your mind firmly fixed on Me. Many voices proclaim: "This is the way for you to go," but only My voice tells you the true way. If you follow the way of the world with all its glitter and glamour, you will descend deeper and deeper into an abyss. Christian voices also can lead you astray: "Do this!" "Don't do that!" "Pray this way!" "Don't pray that way!" If you listen to all those voices, you will become increasingly confused.
Be content to be a simple sheep, listening for My voice and following Me. I will lead you into restful green pastures and guide you along paths of righteousness.

Romans 8:1-2

English Standard Version
8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Isaiah 30:21

English Standard Version
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

John 10:27

English Standard Version
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Psalm 23:1-3

English Standard Version
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Jesus Calling: November 13

I AM CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of Glory. The One who walks beside you, holding you by your hand, is the same One who lives within you. This is a deep, unfathomable mystery. You and I are intertwined in an intimacy involving every fiber of your being. The Light of My Presence shines within you, as well as upon you. I am in you, and you are in Me; therefore, nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from Me!
As you sit quietly in My Presence, your awareness of My Life within you is heightened. This produces the Joy of the Lord, which is your strength. I, the God of hope, fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Me, so that you may bubble over with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:27

English Standard Version
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Isaiah 42:6

English Standard Version
“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,

Nehemiah 8:10

English Standard Version
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Romans 15:13

Amplified Bible
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.

My Prayer (2022)

Lord, it is indeed a great mystery - how putting my trust in You for my salvation yields you Christ in me. I don't think I fathom what this means at times, of how the hope of Glory and all that comes with Christ now resides in me. That the Holy Spirit is living in me, giving me abundant life for all time. Lord, may you help me further understand this truth, this mystery.

Jesus Calling: November 12

This is a time of abundance in your life. Your cup runneth over with blessings. After plodding uphill for many weeks, you are now traipsing through lush meadows drenched in warm sunshine. I want you to enjoy to the full this time of ease and refreshment. I delight in providing it for you.
Sometimes My children hesitate to receive My good gifts with open hands. Feelings of false guilt creep in, telling them they don't deserve to be so richly blessed. This is nonsense-thinking, because no one deserves anything from Me. My kingdom is not about earning and deserving: it's about believing and receiving.
When a child of Mine balks at accepting My gifts, I am deeply grieved. When you receive My abundant blessings with a grateful heart, I rejoice. My pleasure is giving and your pleasure is receiving flow together in joyous harmony.

Psalm 23:5

King James Version
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

John 3:16

English Standard Version
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Luke 11:9-10

English Standard Version
9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Romans 8:32

English Standard Version
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?

My Prayer (2022)

Lord, I admit sometimes struggling with allowing myself to rest in your goodness and providence. It is important though to praise You and also to be reminded of how good you are to me and simply to rest in that. I need it. I get pummeled daily it feels with doing more - solving problems better at work - even the feeling that church is often about how I should be a better version of me to my community and church and to You. Thank you for reminding me of Your great love for me. For wanting to spend eternity with me. For wanting to give me gifts. For giving me abundant life, even now. For creating me, seeing what I do, and yet still wanting me. My cup does run over.

Jesus Calling: November 11

Do not let any set of circumstances intimidate you. The more challenging your day, the more My Power I place at your disposal. You seem to think that I empower you equally each day, but this is not so. Your tendency upon awakening is to access the difficulties ahead of you, measuring them against your average strength. This is an exercise in unreality.
I know what each of your days will contain, and I empower you accordingly. The degree to which I strengthen you on a given day is based manly on two variables: the difficulty of your circumstances, and your willingness to depend on Me for help. Try to view challenging days as opportunities to receive more of My Power than usual. Look to Me for all that you need, and watch to see what I will do. As your day, so shall your strength be.

Ephesians 1:18-20
English Standard Version
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

Psalm 105:4

English Standard Version
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!

Deuteronomy 33:25

New King James Version
Your sandals shall be iron and bronze;
As your days, so shall your strength be.

My Prayer (2022)

Lord, I want to be a person that does good deeds. Jesus you said that only God is good, so I trust in You and pray that You would continue to make me good. I seek You Lord and seek Your Strength and ask that your presence therefore would be in me. You enlighten me to truth. You enlighten me to hope. You enlighten me to eternal life. You give power. God you raised Christ from the dead and you raise me to eternal life. Help me now each day to glorify You in all You do. You know me God better than I know myself and so again, I go to to you and lean on You to work in me and to give me strength and perseverance each day. You make me rich and this is my strength. Thank you God.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Jesus Calling: November 14

Bask in the luxury of being fully understood and unconditionally loved. Dare to see yourself as I see you: radiant in My righteousness, cleansed by My blood. I view you as the one I created you to be, the one you will be in actuality when heaven becomes your home. It is My Life within you that is changing you from glory to glory. Rejoice in this mysterious miracle! Thank Me continually for the amazing gift of My Spirit within you.
Try to depend on the help of the Spirit as you go through this day of life. Pause briefly from time to time so you can consult with this Holy One inside you. He will not force you to do His bidding, but He will guide you as you give Him space in your life. Walk along this wondrous way of collaboration with My Spirit.

Psalm 34:5

English Standard Version
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.

2 Corinthians 5:21

English Standard Version
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 3:18

New King James Version
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Galatians 5:25

English Standard VersionIf we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

My Prayer
Lord, thank you for knowing everything about me. And thank you for making me righteous, completely accepted by God, not because of anything I have done, but because of the perfect work of Jesus, your sacrifice, my redeemer, my justification for my sin. I am clean, not because I do more good than bad, but I am clean through the blood of the Perfect Spotless Lamb of God. Thank you for not leaving me alone, but giving me Your Spirit, to each day carry me through life, showing me the correct path to walk.

Jesus Calling: November 16

As you look at the day before you, you see a twisted, complicated path, with branches going off in all directions. You wonder how you can possibly find your way through the maze. Then you remember the One who is with you always, holding you by your right hand. You recall. My promise to guide you with My counsel, and you begin to relax. As you look again at the path ahead, you notice that a peaceful fog has settled over it, obscuring your view. You can see only a few steps in front of you, so your turn your attention more fully to Me and begin to enjoy My Presence.
The fog is a protection for you, calling you back into the present moment. Although I inhabit all of space and time, you can communicate with Me only here and now. Someday the fog will no longer be necessary, for you will have learned to keep your focus on Me and on the path just ahead of you.

Psalm 73:23-24

English Standard Version
23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.

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.

My Prayer
Lord, you have my life in your hands. Though my life looks complicated to me, it is not a surprise to You. I need to trust You with the uncertainties and have confidence that if I can't see what is going on, I can can trust You for the outcome. You are not far, but you are near.