Morning Devotional
February 11, 2025 Tuesday
Mark 8:11-13 (KJV)
And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
Testing Jesus
Frances Taylor
The Pharisees came to ask Jesus for a sign even though they had witnessed the many miracles of healing he had performed. They had heard him preach and knew the authority with which he did it. Why didnβt they believe, what more were they looking for! We declare our belief in Jesus yet we often do the same. In our darkest moments donβt we wonder where Jesus is? I know I have said, βPlease just let me know youβre there?β What about you? We see people pick up pennies from the sidewalk and if the date on it is the same as the birth or death year of someone we love, we think this is a sign that they are in heaven. How different is this from the Pharisees?
Our faith is tested every day. Sometimes it is tested in small ways, sometimes in a big way. It is tested when someone we love is seriously ill or dies. We ask, βWhy God? He was a good person, prayed, went to church. Why him?β Or we lose our job just as our children are ready for college. Why me? Wildfires rage and hundreds lose their homes. Storms rage and lives are lost. Havenβt you ever wondered how a good God could let things like this happen? We are not that different from the Pharisees. Some people allow the doubts to turn into denial that God exists. The rest of us hang on knowing that God doesnβt cause bad things, he helps us get through them.
Prayer
Loving God, forgive me when I doubt, help me keep my faith strong enough to withstand the storms that this life brings me. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
February 11, 2025 Tuesday
Night Prayer
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
From: Galatians 3:2 (KJV)
Inspiration
As humans, weβre accustomed to earning things. We work for our paychecks, we study to earn good grades, and we compete to win prizes. So we earn the Holy Spirit and receive His power by doing good, right? No, since none of us can earn the perfection that God demands of us. Rather, we receive the Spirit by faith, and He then compels and empowers our good works.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for giving me the gift of Your Holy Spirit. I did not earn such a precious gift, and I am relying on Your grace alone. Empower me by Your Spirit to grow in my faith, to deepen my trust in You, so that I may cling tightly to You. Work through me and be glorified in my life. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
February 12, 2025 Wednesday
Morning Prayer
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
From: Romans 8:11 (KJV)
Inspiration
The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, after everything He endured, is the same Spirit that resides in us, Christians. It was the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, that gave Jesus Christβs body the power to rise from death after the mighty battle He endured. Think of the power that dwells in you! You have no reason fear any hint of death or destruction because the Spirit of the Living God dwells in you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of the fact that your Spirit, the Holy Spirit, has counted my body worthy to dwell in. Father, I will never stop thanking you because my body has been quickened. In times of illness, I am healed. When my heart aches, I am relieved. When I require strength, I am empowered. It is all because of you, God. It is all because of you, and for this I truly am grateful. Amen.
Morning Devotional
February 12, 2025 Wednesday
Mark 8:14-16 (KJV)
Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.
Beware the Leaven
Frances Taylor
Jesus must have been shaking his head at them, frustrated by their lack of understanding. He must feel the same about us too. What is the leaven of today that we need to avoid? Letβs think about that for a minute. Who do you listen to? Itβs very difficult to avoid the leaven of the world. We are confronted daily with ads promising to make our life better if only we buy this, take that, behave in this way, avoid behaving that way.
When I was much younger, I used to watch the soap operas on television. The couples were married, went to church, would often invite the minister and his wife over for dessert after Sunday dinner. Only the βbadβ girls would try to seduce the βgoodβ men. Beds were single and only the βbadβ girls were shown having sex, and everyone was fully clothed and no one cursed or used foul language. Action or crime shows left the violence to the imagination, and good always triumphed over evil.
Today, violence, sex nudity, crude language and ads promoting lust and greed abound. Beware the leaven of the world is a warning we need to pay attention to. We need to pay attention for our sake and also for the sake of our children. Do we want our youth corrupted by the moral values of the world? Do we want them to believe that violence is the answer to everything and that sex is only for pleasure and has no consequences, and crude language and racial or religious slurs are okay?
I know I donβt want my children and grandchildren believing that this behavior is acceptable. My response is just not to watch such programs and make my reasons clear to others. I would rather read something worthwhile or chat with a friend. It is most important that we pay attention to what our children watch and discuss with them how these programs β or video games β violate the moral values of Christians. Beware the leaven!
Prayer
Lord, your warning to the disciples is one we need to heed today. Guide us through the maze of this world helping us to choose only that which is to your glory. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
February 12, 2025 Wednesday
Night Prayer
And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
From: Exodus 3:7 (KJV)
Inspiration
The ancient Israelites were suffering under the oppression of Egypt. But their cries did not go unheard, God saw their situation, heard their pleas, and took action. When we encounter suffering, He sees our needs and hears our cries, too. And we can trust that, even if it takes some time, He is working out a plan for our deliverance just as He did for Israel long ago.
Prayer
Lord, You are God in all times and all places. Please hear me when I cry out to You in the midst of my pain. Comfort me so that I may endure patiently as You put Your plan for my rescue into action. Help me to trust in Your provision and wait for Your timing. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
February 13, 2025 Thursday
Morning Prayer
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
From: Romans 11:33-36 (KJV)
Inspiration
God is good and that will never change. It is who He is and it is who He will always be. Time and time again we are reminded in the Bible, Godβs Word, that his mercy is everlasting - it will never expire. It will never forsake us. Godβs mercy is there for us every single day. It is because of Godβs mercy, we have the confidence in Him that we have. Godβs word will always reign supreme for an eternity to come. Every day we are shown more and more of the depths of Godβs love, wisdom and mercy.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for every single day that I get to know more and more of you. Lord I find myself overwhelmed when I try to comprehend the depths of your love and grace. You are an amazing God and I am grateful to have you as my Father. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
February 13, 2025 Thursday
Psalms 116:1-9 (KJV)
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
What Will I Render to God
Frances Taylor
What will I render to God for all his benefits? Have you ever tried to write down all the blessings and benefits that God has given you? When I try to count my blessings, I wind up thinking of something else just when I think Iβve finished.
First, I thank God for each day that I wake up. Sometimes Iβm hurting from arthritis or I have a headache, or a cold, etc. But I woke up. I have a roof over my head and I pray for those who do not. I give thanks for the food in my refrigerator and again, I am reminded of those who wake up hungry and donβt know what they will eat that day. I do give to organizations that actually spend their donations on the poor, and am grateful that I have enough to do that. I have a family that is doing well with a few members that are struggling with finding work and pray that they will find a job soon. The older I get, I find that I am loosing friends who have returned to the Father, and I pray for them as well as for those still fighting the battle of aging. I am grateful that I have the freedom to worship my God in whichever way I choose and I make sure that I do not take this for granted, so I show up on Sunday! I have vowed to follow Jesus and I donβt take that vow lightly. Iβm sure that you have many of the same blessings that I do. Although there may be many of you who also have the blessing of youth!
Today, take some time and count your blessings and benefits and decide how you will give thanks to God and what sacrifice you will offer in thanksgiving.
##Prayer
Loving God, we donβt take enough time to thank you for all you have done for us. Show me what I can do to truly give you thanks and praise. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
February 13, 2025 Thursday
Night Prayer
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
From: Romans 12:20 (KJV)
Inspiration
Itβs easy to provide food and comfort for our guests. And most of us have no trouble feeding needy strangers. But feeding an enemy in need? That sounds crazy. Yet, when we return kindness for evil, we pass on the burning coals that bring Godβs warm and inviting love into his home, and into his life. A little kindness done for Godβs sake can have a life-changing impact.
Prayer
Lord, when others oppose me, in my humanness, I desire to retaliate. Guide my actions, so that I do not repay evil for evil. Instead, empower me by the love that You poured out on me even when I was Your enemy, to pass on the warmth of Your kindness. And I pray that as I do, You would bring the light of Your love into the hearts and homes of others. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
From: 1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV)
Inspiration
We are identified as ones with Jesus Christ, when we are Christians. This means that we have been redeemed from all our sins and we have been set apart as Godβs own. We are temporary visitors in this world, and we gain our validation from Christ and Christ alone.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you that I have my security in you. Despite what may try to come my way and redefine me, you are always there to remind me of who I am, and for this I am grateful. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV)
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Showing Love As A Disciple
Frances Taylor
There are so many ways in which we show love to others every day. Doing something nice for a friend or family member β or even a stranger β is showing love. Praying for others is love. For me, one of the most powerful way we show love as a disciple of Jesus is forgiveness. In 1970, a movie came out called βLove Story.β In it, there was an often quoted line: βLove is never having to say youβre sorry.β I believe that βLoveβ is just the opposite. I have a feeling that Jesus would agree with me. Jesus told Peter that we must forgive βseventy times seven.β We are told in The Lordβs Prayer that we will be forgiven as we forgive, and the most powerful sign of love and forgiveness is when he forgave the soldiers who were nailing him to the cross. Family, friends, co-workers, even the person who cuts you off in traffic, or takes the parking space you were waiting for give us an opportunity to show love through forgiveness every day. And, because we are human and often offend others, we need to seek forgiveness from those we may have hurt. Each one of us will have a different opinion as to how we show love as a disciple, but I hope each of us has forgiveness near the top of the list.
Prayer
O Lord, it is so hard to forgive sometimes. Even the people we love can hurt us, our spouses, our children, our friends, and yet forgiveness is one of the greatest signs that we love. Help us to let go of wrongs and open our hearts to the fullness of love. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
From: John 15:7 (KJV)
Inspiration
Did Jesus really promise to give us whatever we ask for? Not quite. This is not a promise to meet our every whimsy. Rather, Jesus is inviting us to let His presence and His word change our hearts. When we do, His desires will become our desires, and our thinking will conform more to His ways. And we will no longer be asking for our own wishes to be granted, but for His will to be done in us.
Prayer
Gracious God, thank You for inviting me into Your presence. Draw me near so that I may experience more of You. Use the power of Your word to transform my heart and mind, making me more like You. Help me to seek Your will, and grant me all that I need to carry out the purpose You have for me. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
February 15, 2025 Saturday
Morning Prayer
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
From: Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
Inspiration
We have God, as our Father, who is able to provide for us with ease. This is why we do not panic where troubling situations come. Think of all the troubling situations that have come your way. They are all in the past now. This shows you that God will always settle your situations, no matter what. Your only focus should be trusting in God. Nothing else.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you that I can move in this life, freely, knowing that all I need has been met. I do not count any troubling situation as life-defining, because you will always get me through them. Thank you, Lord. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
February 15, 2025 Saturday
James 2:14-18 (KJV)
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Do My Works Show My Faith
Frances Taylor
Letβs pay particular attention to the opening phrases of this passage. Faith teaches us that we are all Godβs children and have a responsibility for others. Itβs easy to go through life not paying attention to the needs of others. That way, our consciences wonβt be moved to do something. We can be quite comfortable by not looking at others in pain whether they are on the streets of our city or on a continent far away. We donβt have to go far to see examples of injustice. The real question is, βWhat do we do about it?β
Our works can take different directions depending on our circumstances. For those who have enough money, they can make donations to organizations that help with food and housing. For those with time, they can volunteer at food banks or homeless shelters. For some, they can volunteer for educational trips to other countries to help teach better methods of sanitation or purification of water. Everyone has some ability to help others. There are many people who do good things for others. Does that mean that they have faith?
Actually, no. In fact, I know of a gentleman who has organized a wonderful group to go to Africa to help organize the local women and teach them about maternal and child care. This man has no problem declaring that he is an atheist. His works are those of a good human being who has not faith in God, but of a good humanitarian. For those of us who declare that we are Christians, our faith needs to go hand in hand with the good works we owe our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate.
Prayer
Lord, I do believe, help me to be more generous with my time, talents and treasure. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
February 15, 2025 Saturday
Night Prayer
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
From: Psalm 18:30 (KJV)
Inspiration
Itβs easy for us to say that God is perfect and that because He is perfect, His ways and His word are perfect. But what does Godβs perfection actually mean for us, who are not perfect? It means that we can take refuge in His word and that we can trust in His ways. His perfection shields us like nothing else can because God alone is unable to fail.
Prayer
Lord, I come to Your word and Your presence seeking to know Your ways. Please guide me in Your perfect truth, and shield me in Your perfect love. My thinking is faulty, and my ways are prone to fail, so I depend on You, Lord. Thank You for the wisdom and refuge that I find in You. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
From: Philippians 4:23 (KJV)
Inspiration
Godβs grace, that comes through His Son, Jesus Christ, is always there for you in every situation in your life. Godβs grace is there to help us overcome the sins we may struggle with. It is also there to help us through this life we live on this earth. Godβs grace never leaves us.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you that I can always turn to you and the grace that you give abundantly. Father, I ask that your grace may help me in every single area I struggle with. I thank you that I can always rely on you, Lord. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Hebrews 11:1-3 (KJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Faith
Frances Taylor
This passage gives us the connection between faith and hope. When I turn on a lamp, it is with faith. When my son turns on a lamp it is with the knowledge of an electrician. Faith is based on the unknown, once we have knowledge we no longer need faith. We were not there when the world was created, we have no knowledge of how it was done. But we believe, we have hope, that God is the author of creation. We were not there to walk with Jesus and listen to his preaching about the kingdom, but we have faith based on the word of God we find in Scripture. We trust the writings of the apostles. We have hope in his message.
Faith is an interesting virtue. What gives us the ability to have faith? Actually it begins in our infancy. We learn faith from our parents. Parents who tend to their childβs needs teach that child that there is someone who can be depended on. This gives them courage to believe. If you have ever known a child whose parents were not present or neglectful, you know that this child has a problem depending on anyone but himself. This inability to trust, to have faith, in anyone can last into adulthood, bringing many problems into his life. When you think about it, parents are the gods in a childβs life. The first prayer most of us learn is the Lordβs Prayer. How does it begin? Our Father, who art in heaven. If our parents have taught us to be fearful or them or to be unable to depend on them, what must they think of God? Faith must also be nurtured. By sharing with others the ways in which God has worked in our lives, we are nurturing the faith of others. When we listen to the faith stories of others, our faith is nurtured. May we always give witness to the faith and hope that lives in our hearts.
Prayer
Gracious God, you come to us each day with reasons to keep believing in you. Help us to be nurturers of faith for others so that they too may have hope in experiencing the your goodness. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
From: 2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)
Inspiration
Without God, our brokenness leaves us searching in the dark, unable to see His glory. But Jesus changed all of that, bringing the light of God not only to our world through His life, but into each of our hearts through our redemption. All of us who know Jesus not only have been given the blessing of seeing Godβs glory, but He also continues to shine through us so that His light may expel darkness wherever we go.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for sending Jesus, and for the light that You bring into my life through him, and for opening my eyes to see Your glory revealed in him. Please shine through me so that I may reflect Your glory and others may see You and know You as well. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
From: James 1:5 (KJV)
Inspiration
The best one to turn to, in times where we need wisdom, is God. God is the one who holds all wisdom that is profitable to our lives. When we ask, He will readily give. We can receive wisdom in many ways β through other believers, through reading Godβs word, and through prayer as well.
Prayer
Dear God, I ask that you provide me with wisdom for the areas in which I lack it. I desire to follow your guidance and no one elseβs, because only your wisdom is profitable. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Luke 6:27-31 (KJV)
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Love Your Enemy
Frances Taylor
There are times when the gospel message doesnβt fit into our way of thinking, and this is one of them. How are we expected to βlove our enemies?β Jesus offers us an answer when he tells us to pray for them. So often we think of love as just an emotion, something we have no control over. While it is true that we canβt always control our feelings, we can control our actions, and love is a function of the will, not the heart. We are not expected to have gushy feelings for those who attack us, our country, our way of life, the people we love, but we are expected not to take action against them. If we do, are we just as wrong as they are? I have always found it ironic, that people use violence to bring about peace. IT DOESNβT WORK!
Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Jesus, did not resort to violence. Do we realize that our enemies are still Godβs children loved by him just as we are? God does not want us to hate, but to love. Prayer is a very powerful force. All we need to do is look at the changes brought about over the years by constant prayer. At Fatima, Mary promised that Russia would return to her and her son if we prayed. It may not have happened as quickly as those of us who can barely wait for water to boil would have liked, but it happened. Change doesnβt happen overnight, but is does happen β one loving heart at a time. We can begin with our words and move on to our actions. Words of prayer and love can open the stoniest of hearts. As the song says, βLet there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.β
Prayer
Lord, it is not always easy to love those who have hurt us, or whose ideas we disagree with, but this is what God asks of us. Love is the only thing that can make enemies friends, help me to fill my life with friends. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
From: Matthew 5:8 (KJV)
Inspiration
What does it mean to be pure in heart? Do being good and honest get us there? Despite our best efforts, pride finds a way to fill our hearts with selfish pursuits. But a heart that has been renewed by Jesus is a heart that seeks the Fatherβs will. And when we live in surrender to God, He shapes our will to His own. The more we pursue Him, the more He reveals Himself to us and through us.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for making me a new creation in You. Please purify my heart and mind so that my eyes may be opened more each day. Help me to conquer my pride so that I may know You more fully and see Your face. I give myself fully to You. In Jesusβ name, amen.
