Wherever You Are…God Is There

Joshua 1:9 “This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. The LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

No matter where you find yourself today, God is there. Are you on top of the mountain, celebrating a victory? Are you in the valley facing trials? Are you on the road to recovery after a struggle? No matter where you find yourself, God is there.

Unlike humans, God cannot and will not break a promise. He is a promise keeper and His Word is filled with them. He says in Joel 2:25 “The LORD says, ‘I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts….” Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” Genesis 28:15 “What’s more, I am with you and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” So, no matter where you find yourself today, you can trust in the One who created you, loves you without limit, and died to save you.

Gracious, omniscient Father, today I choose to focus on the blessings you promise. Father, I thank you for always being with me, guiding me, loving me, and rescuing me. Father, I know that I am where I am today because of You. You have been my strength, guide, and encourager. Thank you for always being right where I need you. Help me to rest in You today and everyday. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Close

Psalm 145:18 “The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.”

When I take the time to open my eyes to beauty of nature and all God has created, I know God is close. Look at the plants as they bloom in spring, or the wildflowers that push up year after year, and the beautiful paintings in the sky. That is the God who loves me, cares for me, and cherishes me.

It is so easy to get busy and allow life to pass by, but what if, everyday we took a moment and just looked around. This God, He created every beautiful thing and He created you and me. God whispers to us. He does not yell; He does not have to. He whispers because He is close. No matter what you are facing today, take a moment and see the beauty around you, it could be a smile, a bird flying by, a bloom on a tree or a plant pushing through the soil. Whatever it is, remember who made it and remember He loves you.

Gracious, loving Father, thank you for being close. Thank you for creating the unity I see all around. Today, I choose to focus on the beauty of life. Today, I choose to see the blessings. Today, I choose to love the life you have given me, even though it is hard. Father, when I become distracted, whisper in my ear and remind me that you are close and you love me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Among You

Matthew 18:19-20 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

There is something magical about gathering together to pray and worship our God. When a group of believers gets together and cries out you can feel the Holy presence of God. There is peace, comfort, and a sense that everything will be ok. Remember that God does not work as we do. So, even when things don’t go the way we think they should, He is still in control. No matter what you face in life, you are never alone because there is a body of believers ready to support you, love you, and pray with you.

Gracious, loving Father, I come to you with my struggles, heartache, and desires. Father, I place them in Your trusting hands knowing that no matter what happens, You are in control. Father, help me remember You don’t waste a heartache or pain. Father, search my heart and know that I am Yours. Help me with my unbelief, unforgiveness, and selfish ways. Father, I want to be used by You, for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Not Forgotten

Matthew 18:12 &14 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?…In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.”

There are times when I have felt lost, alone, and forgotten. As I read this verse, I was reminded of times when I felt lost and alone. In these times, others have reached out to me, encouraged me, or just said, “Hi.” I was not able to see it at the time, but maybe that is the idea. I don’t think the sheep knew it was being sought after; it was just lost hoping the shepard would come find it. In the same way, we are lost hoping the Shepard will come and find us.

Gracious, loving Father, thank you for always seeking after me, loving me, and finding me. Thank you for sending others into my life to speak words of encouragement and truth. Thank you for Your Word that brings hope and healing to the broken places in my life. Help me to remember that I am never alone and You are always with me, even when I cannot feel it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Look Inside

Mark 9:49-50 “For everyone will be tested with fire. Salt is good for seasoning But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”

Ever one of us will be tested. During those times we are to be careful. We need to focus on what we can do, not what is wrong. I know that is not an easy thing to do, yet that is what God calls us to do. We will all fail at one time or another that is why it is so important to say in community. How does what get their salt back? Being mixed with other salt. Because you are a child of Christ, you need to be in community with other believers. Being in community with other believers keeps you from decaying just as salt is used to preserve food. Take some time to look inward and see if you are lacking flavor in your life. If you are not in community, you risk becoming decried from the things of the world.

Gracious, loving Father, thank you for all the people you have put in my life. They bring flavor to the places what are flavorless. Help me to look inward to the places that are beginning to decay. Where I am lacking connection bring people into my life that can help, encourage, and love me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Trials and Joy

James 2:2-3 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

We cannot know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. When we are faced with challenges it is not in our nature to find joy. It is in these moments that we need to seek reasons for joy no matter how small. I am reminded that in order for a fruit tree to bare more fruit the old fruit must die. We too must die to our old selves and seek joy in the renewing of life, even when it is hard.

Gracious, loving Father, it si so hard some days to find joy when I am overwhelmed with sorrow, pain and heart ache. On those days I thank you for putting things in my path that remind me You are with me. Thank your for Your Word that reminds me to put through and know that You will bring something good on the other side of pain. Thank youfor peace that is found in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Endure

James 1:12 “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

There are situations in life we don’t understand. Things happen that seem unfair and can even make us question God. It is during these times when pressing into God’s word can bring peace to a situation, One thing we cannot afford to do is ignore God’s existence and His love for us. It is easy to confuse God’s love with broken human love.

God’s love is unending and is not tied to our ability to love Him back. Go to God with your hurt, pain, anger, and frustration. He already knows how you feel. He is our comforter in the midst of hurt, pain, and trials. Trust Him and expect good things. Remember, God’s plan may not look like you want it to look, but He is good and will bring healing to the broken places.

Gracious, loving God, I come to you today with all my broken pieces, temptations, and unsure thoughts. Father, I know you are aware of my pains and my desires. I place them at your feet and trust you to care for them. I praise you and thank you for the crown of life that You promise. Help me today to stand firm on Your Word and when I stumble, I trust you to catch me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Foundation

1 Peter 5:10 “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”

No one likes pain or going through trials, yet it is during these times that God renews our hearts, minds, and souls. Just as a seed has to struggle to get through the soil to reach its source of food, the sun; we too face struggles to remind us we need The Son. As you face your day, remember that you will face challenges, yet God promises to support you through your struggles. He will restore what is broken. He will give you strength to face each moment of the day. When the time is right, He will place you on a firm foundation. Trust His Word because He cannot lie.

Gracious, loving Father, Today I put my life in Your hands. Today I am trusting Your Word. Today I ask You to be my guide. Father, you know all the struggles I am facing and You have a plan. Father, I place my struggles at Your feet, trusting that You will restore, support, and strengthen me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Not In The Group

Luke 9:49-50 “John saiid to Jesus, ‘Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.’ But Jesus said, ‘Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.'”

So many times we allow pride to get in the way. We see someone succeeding where we previously failed and we want to make them stop or push them away. We feel threatened. The disciples were not any different. They could not cast out the demon, yet another, not in their group, was successful. Jesus reminds them, and us, there is no room for pride or jealousy when it comes to spiritual warfare. Instead of pushing people to the outside, pull them in to your “group” and allow God to be the center not pride or jealousy.

Gracious, loving Father, thank you for the spiritual gifts you have given me. Help me to use them to bring You glory. When I become jealous or push others away because of pride, remind me that there is room for everyone. Help me to rejoice in another’s success rather than allowing selfishness to creep into my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Check Your Motives

Mark 9:33-34 “After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, ‘What were you discussing out on the road?’ But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.”

The disciples were embarrassed to answer Jesus because their motives were focused on self and not on Jesus’ mission. In life, it is so easy to get caught up in ourselves, what we want orwhat we think we deserve. We an get so preoccupied with the way we think things should go that we lose sight of Christ and His divine purpose. As you go throughout your days be sure to check your motives, are they focused on personal success or furthering God’s Kingdom?

Gracious, loving Father, please forgive me for my selfish motives. I, like the disciples, can get so caught up in self that I lose focus on You. Thank you for your gentle correction to my thinking. Help me to focus on being obedient and not focus on selfish ambition. In Jesus’ Name, Amen