devotions

“And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 28:2

Prayer: Thank you, Father! Thank you for encouraging my heart and for strengthening me with your words. Let it be to me just as you’ve spoken. I receive your wave after wave, in Jesus’ name!

(Scripture References: Psalms 84:11; Psalm 37:4,19; Isaiah 43:19; Psalm 23:5; Colossians 3:23)

“Good morning My precious daughter. Each morning you wake up, let it remind you that you have a purpose to fulfill on earth for My glory. As you slept last night, I watched over you. My angelic host stood guard around you. I can’t wait to see you awake each morning and hear you speak. When you open your eyes and thank Me for letting you see a new day, it blesses Me. When you receive the sweetness of My love and enjoy the sweetness of My presence, nothing compares to that. You are precious to Me and I love you. I look forward to spending eternity with you, but it’s not yet time. I need you to finish the work I’ve given you to do on earth by My grace. I’m going to reveal more of Myself to you and through you. I’m going to show you why you were born and why I kept you and separated you for My use. There’s more to do. More people to love. More things to learn. More places to go, and you will go. You will reach everyone I’ve destined you to reach. You will do all that I’ve called you to do. Rejoice. The one who called you is holy. Rejoice. The one who wakes you each morning is faithful. I will do it. Says the Lord.”

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

“Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

(Scripture references: Psalm 5:3; 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:4; 1 Corinthians 6:11)

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]” 2 Timothy 1:7, Amplified

Listen…

You may have messed up more times than you can count, but if the only smart decision you ever made was to give your life to the Lord, you are doing great!!! You were smart enough to receive Jesus and that’s something to smile about. Focus on the good and not the bad. Look at what you’ve done right, instead of what you’ve done wrong. Let joy rise in your heart instead of regret over past mistakes you can’t do anything to change. Be encouraged as you go through the process of learning how to be all God created you to be!

You surrendered your life to the Lord! That makes you one smart lady, and I’m proud to call you my sister!

Father God, thank you that I’m yours. I receive your forgiveness. I receive your love and mercy that’s new every morning. Help me to move forward and be made stronger and wiser. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Read Proverbs 2:7; James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Luke 2:52)

“So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless” James 2:17, NLT.

I remember when I had spent a good portion of the morning praying in the Spirit for my husband and thanking God for him. Then I heard the Lord say, “I receive your prayers, now show your love to him.” So I prepared a special lunch: broiled salmon, jasmine rice and a salad. I took a shower and put on something elegant. Lit a candle and put on soft music. Then I waited for him to come home during his lunch break. He walked through the door and sat down. I got off the computer and sat down next to him, asking him how his day was going and listened to him without interrupting. He was happy to eat a delicious meal and happy to see me. As he left to go back to work, he had a smile on his face.

After sixteen years of marriage, God still challenges me to not only pray for him and encourage him, but also show him that I love him by doing the things that matter to him, whether he does anything for me or not.

God has taught me that if faith without works is dead, a marriage without selfless acts of love is dead also. God receives your prayers myself sister, now show your love.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for this right now word. I receive it deep in my heart. I understand you want to bless my marriage in unimaginable ways, but you need my willingness and obedience. I understand you need me operating in the spirit and not in the flesh. I hear you Lord. I need your grace to be the wife you’ve called me to be. I need your wisdom and your strength and I receive it now by faith. In Jesus name, Amen.

But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice! So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. ” Matthew 28:5-6 & 9, NKJV.

He is not in the tomb. Death could not hold him. The grave could not stop him. He came to do what He said He would do, and He did. He completed the work the Father sent Him here to do, which was to save you and I. You are now sitted with Christ in heavenly places. You are a joint heir with Christ.

Jesus Himself said rejoice! He conquered then so you can conquer now. He rose means sin and death and all that comes with it–guilt, condemnation, bondage, shame, and defeat–have been swallowed up in victory. He paid the ultimate price for your ultimate, complete redemption. He wants more for you than only knowing this and rejoice, but for you to actually experience what you are rejoicing over.

Nothing can truly hold you down. Nothing can truly stop you. You truly are victorious. No matter what you face–rejoice! Let it be a reminder that if Jesus rose from the dead, you can rise from anything!

Prayer: Thank You Father. Thank you Jesus! Hallelujah Lord! You conquered the grave. You defeated sin and death. I will rejoice today. You rose and you are alive right now. I am alive and I reign just like you Lord. I am victorious just like you Lord! Nothing can keep me down and I will always rejoice. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Study: 1 Corinthians 15:53-55, Ephesians 2:4-7

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God…” 1 John 3:1, NIV.

What great lengths Jesus went to in order to save the world. He allowed Himself to be beaten unrecognizably and hanged on a tree undeservingly. Jesus went to the fullest extent to demonstrate His love for all of humanity. He didn’t reserve His best love for any special group of people that loved Him in return. He didn’t reserve His best love for those He knew wouldn’t abandon Him. He gave all of Himself with no guarantees. He proved that love bears all things, believes all things, and hopes all things.

Love never fails.

I challenge you to sit and think about how Jesus demonstrated His love for the world. Ask yourself, am I only showing love towards those who love me in return? Am I going to great lengths to demonstrate the love of Jesus to others with no guarantee that they will choose to receive Him?

Prayer: Father God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for my sins so that I can have a relationship with you. Thank you for the great love you showed me. Help me learn how to love like you. Teach me how to love with no guarantees and no strings attached. Help me to go the fullest extent in demonstrating your love to those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Read 1 Corinthians 13)

“For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure” Philippians 2:13, Amplified.

The inner working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts is what prepares us for our next level of glory. It is a divine work that is invisible to the human eye, and I believe if we could peer into the spiritual realm and see what God is accomplishing in us; we’d be surprised at how destructive it looks and how noisy it sounds. He tears down strongholds, pulls up sin at the root, destroys false belief systems, and utterly demolishes everything the enemy has built in our hearts and minds over the course of our lives. It is the demolition project of the ages.

Yes, it’s uncomfortable, but it’s necessary that God destroys what’s not like Him before He builds anything. It’s necessary that He heals our broken hearts and repair what’s leaking before He pours His glory out into our lives and place us in great positions of influence. He has our best in mind, He has our destiny in mind, and He has the people He has called us to reach in mind.

“God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful” 1 Thessalonians 5:24, New Living Translation.

God is accomplishing a great work in you and He will do a great work through you. Are you ready? Are you prepared for what He’s prepared for you? Well, even when you’re not, God is always excited and ready to go! He has already started the process. He has already given you everything you need and has gone before you, setting everything in order. The stage is set for you to be abundantly blessed and for you to win. Are you listening? I said, the stage is set for you to be abundantly blessed and for you to win. He has prepared great things for you, and He’s preparing you to receive it all. He’s beckoning you to walk fully in His purpose and plan. He’s not pacing the floor, wondering, “Will she seize it?” He is confident and sure. He’s right there empowering you and gracing you. It’s the greatest magnetic pull that is taking place because you are being drawn closer and closer to His perfect will and design for your life.

Prayer: Father God, you are faithful and I love you! Thank you for your work within me. I feel you pulling me closer to you and your promises. It’s a strong pull that I can’t resist. I give in. Lord, I give in. Everything you’ve prepared for me, make it a reality in my life. Everything you desire to do in me and through me, let it be done all for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV

It doesn’t matter how messed up your life has been. It doesn’t matter who you got involved with that almost destroyed you. It doesn’t matter how many babies you have, the education you didn’t receive, the many years that have gone by, or where you come from. You will accomplish everything God has predestined for you to accomplish by His grace.

It’s time you start dreaming again and actively pursuing those dreams. Never mind who doesn’t believe in you. God believes in what He has placed within you and He wants you to believe. Settle in your heart today that you are who God said you are, you have what He said you have, and you will do what He said you will do by His grace and power!

Prayer: Thank You Lord for speaking to my heart. Remove all fear and shame from my life. Help me to rediscover your purpose and plan for my life. Give me hope and a future. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28