Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Scripture
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
From: Matthew 5:9 (KJV)
Inspiration
What does it take to be a peacemaker? It takes a child of God, one who reflects His image and character. For it is only through the unconditional love of God that we can know peace. And when we live in that love and pass it on to others, without judgment and condemnation, we invite others to experience His peace.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the peace that You have given me by saving me and making me Your child. Lord, help me to see others as Your children, and to overflow with Your love, so that through me they may see Your peace at work in my life. Use me to draw others into Your love and into Your peace. In Jesusβ name, amen.
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Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Scripture
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
From: Matthew 25:21 (KJV)
Inspiration
Our work, as Christians, often starts small. We will be faced with small tasks such as speaking to a few people about the gospel or serving within a βsmallβ capacity at church. To some, these tasks might not appear to be very important, but this isnβt true. God sees every bit of work we do, for Him, as important. When we prove to be faithful with the little we do, we will be entrusted with larger responsibilities. The little that we start off with also prepares us for the greater things to come.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I remain faithful to the work you have given me to do β be it big or small. I know that it is all for the glory of your name and it will bring more people to knowing you as their Father, and Jesus Christ as their Savior. Lord, I pray that I will handle all my work with excellence and diligence. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
John 20:6-8 (KJV)
Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
Easter Joy and Hope
Frances Taylor
Alleluia! Happy Easter! I hope you are feeling the joy and hope that this day and season brings. It is a reminder that this is not all there is, that our life continues because of Christ. What does the joy and hope of Easter mean to you? Stop for a minute, take a deep breath and smile! Think about those things that bring you joy. Is it family? Friends? The birth of a child? And hope, what gives you hope? So often we are bombarded with media blasts that tell us how dismal the future looks and how βIβ have the answer! Sometimes hope can be hard to come by! If there is one person who can make our future better, itβs Jesus! Last Friday, we felt the pain and the hopelessness of the disciples. Today we celebrate the hope and the joy of the Resurrection. If we have walked with Jesus these past few weeks, truly looking at our lives, changing what needs to be changed, asking forgiveness for our sins, itβs time to look to the future with confidence and hope. Easter is a day but also a season. Let us work at continuing the hope and joy we feel today each day during these next weeks. Let us look for those things, those moments, those people who bring us joy and celebrate them every day. Today the glass is overflowing with feelings of joy and hope, donβt let the glass run dry.
##Prayer
Gracious and glorious God, thank you for sending your son to save us. Thank you for the love you have for and never take your love for us. May we always be grateful to you granted. Help us to be witnesses of your love to all we meet. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Scripture
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
From: Acts 20:24 (KJV)
Inspiration
What goals and aspirations motivate our actions? For Paul, as long as he could testify to Godβs grace, nothing else mattered. When we come to Jesus, our lives are no longer our own. God calls us each to a unique work for His kingdomβs sake. Let us all discern the work that God has set before us, and faithfully live by the Spirit for the sake of the gospel.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for saving me by Your grace and giving me a place in Your kingdom. Please empower me by Your Spirit to live for You, to make Your priorities my own. Help me to know and understand the gifts that You have given me, so that I may serve You to the fullest, and so that you are glorified in my life and actions. In Jesusβ name, amen.
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Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Scripture
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
From: Romans 6:13 (KJV)
Inspiration
Temptations abound all around us. Weβre tempted at every turn-- some more than others, some in different areas than others-- but weβre all tempted. The sin is not in the temptation. It is in the yielding to the temptation. This scripture reminds us that we are not supposed to use our bodies as instruments of sin. We are not supposed to use our bodies as instruments of unrighteousness. We are supposed to present ourselves to God and everything about ourselvesβour entire bodies, our entire beings, weβre supposed to submit to God as instruments of righteousness. Weβre supposed to allow our bodies to be used in the service of God, to give Him our heart, our hands, our feet, our eyes, our ears. Weβre called to use every member of our body. We canβt worship God with a heart and be unrighteous with our mouths when weβre saying things about people or causing strife. We canβt l worship God in our souls and use our hands to cause harm to people. We have to worship God with all of our hearts with all of our minds and use our bodies in a righteous way in service to a holy God. To do anything else goes against the will of God.
Prayer
Father, I ask You to help me to serve You with everything I amβwith my entire being, with my entire bodyβin righteousness. Donβt let any part of my body participate in unrighteous acts. Give me the strength and the courage and the wisdom to follow Your will and do your bidding. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Matthew 28:8-10 (KJV)
**And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Go and Tell
Frances Taylor
He is risen! First the angel and then Jesus tell the women at the tomb to go and tell the apostles that he is risen. We have finished Lent, we have rejoiced with all the Alleluias of Easter and now it is our turn to go and tell! On Ash Wednesday, people walked around with ashes on their foreheads to let them know that Lent had arrived. Do they now walk around with a joy that makes people stop and ask them why they are so happy? We Christians claim to be Easter people, but I donβt often see that glow of love on peopleβs faces. I once heard a priest say that we are supposed to be Godβs chosen people, not his frozen people! I never saw Billy Graham with a frown on his face when he talked about God and his relationship with Jesus. Perhaps that is why so many people followed him and came to Christ because of him. Now, we are not all going to become a great evangelist such as Billy Graham, but we are called to have the same spirit shining in our lives, not afraid to tell people of our love of God, of our decision to follow Jesus Christ. Let this Easter season shine in you so that others seeing you stop you and ask what makes you so joyful, begging you to let them in on the secret, which you are happy to share with them.
Prayer
Risen Lord, may our joy this season of Easter shine forth in our daily
lives. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Scripture
O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
From: Psalm 16:2 (KJV)
Inspiration
Without God, we could have no good thing. Even before we know Him, He gave us tastes of His goodness by His grace. And now that we have received the full measure of His grace, let us draw nearer to Him. All joy, all gladness, everything that is good is a gift from our Heavenly Father who loves us.
Prayer
Father God, I am in awe at the unending depth of Your goodness. Even in my sin, You chose to pour out Your love on me so that I could experience a measure of Your goodness. And know that I know You, I want to know You even more. Every blessing and joy of this life fills my heart with gratitude, for they all flow from You. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Scripture
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
From: Romans 8 15-16 (KJV)
Inspiration
As Christians, we are no longer subjected to the power of sin or fear that was held over us before we became saved. We now have the Holy Spirit in us, who has bonded us with God and because of this we can confidently call God our Father. The Holy Spirit is what confirms in us that we are children of God. The Bible defines the Holy Spirit as our guarantee of an eternal life with the Father. As children of God we become co-heirs with Christ, and we will partake in the inheritance that God, the Father, gave to His son.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you that I am free from all fear and iniquity. Thank you, Lord, that you have delivered me from the consequences of sin, and have brought me into a life of freedom. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen. Thank you, Lord, that my identity is in you. I thank you, Father, that I have been identified as a child of God and because of this, I can call you Father. Lord, I count it a privilege to be able to partake in a heavenly inheritance with Jesus Christ, my Savior. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amens.
Morning Devotional
1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Preparing for My Resurrection
Frances Taylor
We say we believe in our βresurrection from the dead.β Have you ever given any thought to what that might mean? What about preparing for your resurrection? This is our question to consider today. After giving it quite a bit of thought, I began to wonder what eternal life might be and how we could prepare for it. The answer I came up with was to love. We know that God is love. If we are to live with God, doesnβt it make sense to learn how to love? We know that children who do not experience love early in their lives find it difficult to love, or to accept love, as adults. The most important thing parents can do for their children is to love them, to tell them they will always love them and to let them know that there is a God who loves them and will also be with them no matter what. As one of my co-workers pointed out, love is cyclical. When we open ourselves up to receive love, we are better able to love others. The more we love others, the more we are able to experience their love as well as Godβs love. And we shouldnβt forget to love ourselves as well! I guess that our preparation for our own resurrections will depend on how we envision eternal life. Jesus made sure he spent some time with his friends. I like to think that I, too, will spend time with those I loved on earth. What are your thoughts?
Prayer
Loving God, you have promised us eternal life. Scripture tells us that βeye has not see, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him.β Help us to love better so that we may experience the love of God for all eternity. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Scripture
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
From: 1 John 2:3 (KJV)
Inspiration
The best way to show our love for God is to obey Him. When we are walking in step with God, we ourselves are assured of our relationship with Him, and others also see what a life lived in communion with God looks like. But when we ignore God and follow our own way, we not only hurt our witness to others, but we invite doubt into our own minds.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself in Jesus and calling me into a relationship with You. It is a joy to know You and to have the assurance of being known by You. Help me to walk in obedience, that I may live each day in the knowledge of You and that others may know that I am Yours. In Jesusβ name, amen.
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Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Scripture
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
From: 1 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
Inspiration
This promise is an exciting one! God promises redemption and a βhealingβ of the land. All we have to do as His people is to be humble ourselves, turn from our wickedness, and seek His face. When we do these things, we will be healed. What a wonderful promise for us. It means there is hope for us personally and us as a country. No one has to be doomed. No country has to be doomed. We are all able to be redeemed if we are willing to turn away from evil and toward God.
Prayer
Father, I thank You for this chance at redemption. You have clearly told me what You expect from me and what it will take for my βlandβ to be healed. Help me to turn from my wickedness and seek Your face, so that I will be healed. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Psalms 105:1-3 (KJV)
O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
Give Thanks
Frances Taylor
Each time the Lord saved them, they poured out their thanks and let everyone know what God had done for them. It is now the Easter season, and we need to be just as enthusiastic in our thanks and praise as the Israelites. If they were grateful for the victories won for them, how much more should we be for Jesus winning the victory over sin and death. This is a battle that has won a victory for all people for all time. Never again will this battle have to be fought, and we didnβt have to fight it, Jesus did it all. There is a hymn that Iβve sung every year at the Baptist church during the celebration of the Seven Last Words on Good Friday that is called just that: βJesus Did it All.β Not only did he do it all, but by his resurrection he let us know that the victory was won, the gates of heaven were opened and the power of Satan had been defeated. All we have to do is live each day following in the footsteps of Christ and accept the gift we have been offered. Why do we hold back? Do we take our faith so for granted that we no longer feel the need to say thanks? This year, let it be different and let those around you know of your gratitude for the victory won for you and for them.
Prayer
Gracious God, you are so patient with us who take you and your gifts so for granted. Give us the grace to give you thanks and praise each day. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Scripture
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
From: Philippians 4:12 (KJV)
Inspiration
In this life, we may experience seasons of abundance and scarcity. We may have needs one day and excess the next. So our contentment should not depend on our ever-changing circumstances. Lasting contentment comes from our unshakeable God, who is faithful in all seasons of life. Our strength, peace, and joy come from Jesus, who is greater than our trials and worth more than our riches.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times that I have pursued contentment in worldly comforts, or envied others in my times of need. In You, I find all the strength I need, and You have proven Your faithfulness many times over. You have sustained me through scarcity and humbled me in excess, and reminded me that in You alone I am fully satisfied. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Scripture
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
From: John 17:4 (KJV)
Inspiration
Here Jesus talks to His Father one of His final prayers on this earth. In this verse, He refers to the work He has completed. He knows that His time on earth has come to an end. He has reviewed His life and He says, essentially, βFather, Iβve done the best I can. There is nothing more for me to do here. Iβve prepared them as well as possible. Itβs time to do this thing I came here to do.β And with that, it begins. The greatest act of love known to mankind is about to unfold.
Prayer
Lord, I thank You for what You did for me at Calvary. You gave Your life for me. You loved me unconditionally. You suffered and died for me. Help me to be worthy of Your sacrifice. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Psalms 118:1-4 (KJV)
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Now Itβs Your Turn
Frances Taylor
Often we focus on the great, unearned, unlimited mercy God has shown us. Now we need to consider how we have shown mercy to others β and maybe even to ourselves! Where do you have a problem with being merciful? It could be with forgiveness, compassion for those who suffer from addictions, or who beg, or we might not be welcoming to the stranger. Each of us has a problem with someone or something. I worked in retail during high school and college and then married into the world of retail. One of my problems is having patience with store salespeople who are rude or who donβt have a clue about the products they are selling. I try. There are members of my family who donβt speak to one another. I know people who are so unforgiving that it interferes with their relationships.
God is merciful to us when we donβt know what weβre doing. He sends us help when we are lost. He forgives us over and over again. I also know people who continue to carry their past mistakes with them to the point where they canβt move forward in their lives. God has forgiven them, why is it that they canβt forgive themselves? Today, think about the areas of your life where God has shown you mercy, and then look at the areas where you need to pass that mercy on to someone else β or maybe decide that itβs time you put down your own baggage and forgive yourself. With Godβs help, we can grow in our ability to share the mercy we have been shown with others and so relieve them of some of the pain they may be carrying.
Prayer
Loving and merciful God, we thank you for your continued kindness to us especially at those times we donβt deserve it. You have given us examples of how we are to live and yet we do often put ourselves and our wants before the needs of others. During this holy season, turn our hearts more to you so that we may be more loving and merciful in our lives. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Scripture
But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
From: Luke 6:49 (KJV)
Inspiration
Godβs word is a precious resource for us- but only if we use it. Scripture is a firm foundation for all areas of life- family, work, and community. When we try to build these things up without the wisdom of Godβs word, we are vulnerable to the shifting sands and shaky ground of human thinking and feeling. Only Godβs word provides a sure foundation for our lives.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of Your word. I pray that as I read and study, You would give me wisdom to not only understand Your word but to apply it. Show me how I can use Your instructions and insights in all areas of my life so that when storms arise around me, I may remain firm in Your truth. In Jesusβ name, amen.
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Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Scripture
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
From: John 17:24 (KJV)
Inspiration
In His final hours, Jesus asks His Father to allow the world to see His glory. Not because of who He is, but because of who God is. His glory is Godβs glory. He asks that God allows His glory to be revealed through the sacrifice of His son, who will shortly give His life for the lost. He asks Godβs glory to be revealed so that everyone will know the incredible nature of the sacrifice, and experience hope for a new life.
Prayer
Lord, may You always be glorified. Help me to reveal Your glory in all that I do, so that not only Your glory, but the glory of the Father is made known to the world. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Acts 4:10-12 (KJV)
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
The Rejected Stone
Frances Taylor
Once I was working with a group of teenagers and had given them a project where they needed to make a picture to illustrate one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and they needed to work on it in teams. One of the teams had a young man who never wanted to get involved, didnβt contribute to the class and was not particularly liked by the other kids. This day, however, his artistic ability made him the hero of the team! The team came up with such a wonderful poster that the both his attitude and that of the class towards him changed for the rest of the year. Itβs easy to miss something of value thatβs right in front of our eyes. Peter is talking to the chief priests and scribes about their ignorance of Jesusβ true nature and mission. We may also overlook someone who could be a leader if we looked more closely at the individual and didnβt judge on appearance. Iβve become a fan of applying for jobs online as long as they donβt ask for a picture. Of course there will always be a face to face interview before the final hiring, but at least competent people wonβt be overlooked because the picture doesnβt match the image the boss had in mind. Not that long ago, women were told they werenβt capable of doing many jobs they now have β doctors, mechanics, military personnel, etc. And men were seldom hired to teach young children. Just as the Jewish leaders were blinded by their own preconceived ideas, we can be too if weβre not careful.
Prayer
Lord, there are times when I can be too quick to judge another person by their appearance. Take away from me any prejudices I may have so that I can see your children clearly. Amen.
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Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Scripture
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
From: 1 Peter 2:16 (KJV)
Inspiration
By Godβs grace, we are freed from our bondage to sin. But that does not mean that grace grants us a license to sin. Rather, we are free to serve God even more completely. It may seem paradoxical, at first. But because we are free from condemnation, we are free from fear. And so we serve not out of the burden of dread and obligation, but out of an outpouring of gratitude and joy.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for rescuing me from sin and its chains. Lord as I celebrate my new freedom in You, give me to wisdom to turn from sin now that I am free to truly be the person that You want me to be. Fill me with Your love, so that my joy and peace in You may overflow into good works of service and gratitude that glorify and honor You. In Jesusβ name, amen.
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Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Scripture
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
From: Matthew 10:38,39 (KJV)
Inspiration
Anyone who chooses the things of the world, over a life with Christ, will end up being denied by Christ because they first denied Him. We should never let fear, greed, or pride try and convince us there is a better way than following Christ β such thoughts will lead to death and destruction. The sacrifices we make now, as we choose to be disciples of Christ, will seem like nothing when we see the beauty and the glory that lies ahead.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I never be deceived into considering that anything to be worth more than a life with you. Such thinking is foolish and bound to bring sorrow and great pain. Lord, I know the heavenly gain that is in following Christ. I know the honor that is in being your child. I donβt see anything else that could be worth more. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
