In His Image

From: Ambassadors For Christ International - John North

Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men...and glorify your Father who is in Heaven."

God wants to reveal Himself to others through you! This is why God made us "in His image." He wants people to see Him in us. This is why He has put you in the family you are in, in your specific workplace, in your neighborhood, in that club you are a part of.

These are all places where people need to see God in you. Be aware that people are watching your life closely. It may not seem like it sometimes, but it’s true. And they’re evaluating your God by what they see of Him in you.

Representing God to people is a job that is way too big for us, but the great news is that Jesus will live His life through you, if you will invite Him to lead your life. You cannot live God’s way of life, but Jesus can, and He is in you, waiting to do it.

Our Ultimate Victory

From: Our Daily Bread Ministries

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Simulators are tremendous teaching tools—helpful in preparing the aspiring pilot to take command of an actual aircraft. The devices, however, have a shortcoming. They create an artificial experience in which the full-blown pressures of handling a real cockpit cannot be fully replicated.

Real life is like that, isn’t it? It cannot be simulated. There is no safe, risk-free environment in which we can experience life’s ups and downs unharmed. The risks and dangers of living in a broken world are inescapable. That’s why the words of Jesus are so reassuring. He said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Although we can’t avoid the dangers of life in a fallen world, we can have peace through a relationship with Jesus. He has secured our ultimate victory.

Our Ultimate Priority

From: New Life Daily Devotionals - Steve Arterburn

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the decision of the Lord that endures." 

Have you fervently asked God to help prioritize Your life? Have you asked Him for guidance and for the courage to do the things that you know need to be done? If so, then you’re continually inviting your Creator to reveal Himself in a variety of ways. As a follower of Christ, you must do no less.

When you make God’s priorities your priorities, you will receive God’s abundance and His peace. When you make God a full partner in every aspect of your life, He will lead you along the proper path: His path. 

When you allow God to reign over your heart, He will honor you with spiritual blessings that are simply too numerous to count. So, as you plan for the day ahead, make God’s will your ultimate priority. When you do, every other priority will have a tendency to fall neatly into place.

Yield To Him

From: Michael Youssef Ministries

Psalm 23:1,3,4 "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack...You guide me along the right path for the sake of Your name...Even though I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for You are at my side..." 

Throughout the Bible, we see that in the midst of disaster, God takes care of His faithful people. Think on the times in your own life when you were surrounded by oppression, trouble or grief, yet God watched over you and provided for you.

God always blesses those who surrender to Him. He delights in those who yield to Him. When God provides, He always satisfies. When we are wounded, He is the balm. When we are sick, He is the medicine. When we are poor, He is our wealth. When we are hungry, He is the Bread of Life. When we are thirsty, He is the Living Water. When we are in darkness, He is the sunshine. When we face a gathering storm, He is our anchor.

However, when we try to take things into our own hands we will find frustration. We will find heartache when we try to intrude on God’s purpose. We will find dissatisfaction when we try to modify His plan. We can’t improve on God’s recipe. In fact, trying to take over His plans can lead to disaster. Yet even when we mess up, God still has the power to set things right...when we yield to Him.

Aim At Heaven

From: New Life Daily Devotionals - Steve Arterburn

Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the will of God, what is good, pleasing and perfect."

We live in the world, but we should not worship it—yet at every turn, or so it seems, we are tempted to do otherwise. As Warren Wiersbe correctly observed, "Because the world is deceptive, it is dangerous."

The 21st-century world we live in is a noisy, stress-filled, distracting place, a place that offers countless temptations and dangers. The world seems to cry, "Worship me with your time, your money, your energy, your thoughts, and your life!" But if we are wise, we won’t fall prey to that temptation.

C. S. Lewis said, "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither." That’s good advice. You’re likely to hit what you aim at, so aim high . . . aim at heaven.

Stay Focused On Jesus

From: Oswald Chambers Devotionals

Matthew 14:29-30 "...Peter...walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid..." 

The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and "walked on the water." Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. 

We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and often even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, "...why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31).

If you debate for even one second when God has spoken to your heart, it is all over for you. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to surrender everything to Him. It is only then that you will recognize that "still small voice."

Faith

From: Ambassadors For Christ International - John North

Matthew 14:31 "Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'" 

Sometimes God keeps us from danger or difficulty, but very often His power carries us through times of difficulty. Going through the difficulty draws us closer to Him if we maintain our faith.

When God allows you to go through a painful experience, your faith will certainly be challenged. He will allow you to experience this fallen world, but He will walk with you and enable you to face those trials with His power, and you will be able to respond with faith in any situation.

Often we go through trials and tribulations as a result of the "enemy's" schemes. But as we live by faith we know that, "Even though you (satan) meant harm to me, God can turn it for my good, to achieve His ultimate purpose..." (Genesis 50:20)  

Friendships

From: Boyd Bailey Ministries

Proverbs 17:17 "He who is a friend is always a friend." 

A friendly person is fun to be around. They are upbeat and look for the best in those they meet. You feel safe to share your feelings with those who feel what you feel. Friendliness adds emotional energy to the conversation and encouragement to the heart.

Friends want to be around friends who have the capacity to listen and love. Friendly takes the risk to make friends and follows with steps to retain friends. Friends care! A bond of trust and loyalty grows between two friends who try to out serve each other. Pray for your friends and be emotionally available to enter into their world.

Most importantly, lock arms with the Lord Jesus in your growing friendship with Him. Your maturing friendship with Christ will develop your capacity to love and care for your friends. Friendship with God brings reality to relationships on earth. 

Transformed

From: Boyd Bailey Ministries

Micah 6:8 "You have been told what is good and what God requires of you. It is only this: that you live justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God."

God has expectations for His children: justice, love and humility are three of His requirements. These are not electives, but three virtuous attributes that are required. Furthermore, the Lord does not ask His followers to behave in any fashion that He has not already modeled before them. 

We worship an awesome God who has shown us the way. Look at the life of Jesus and He exemplifies this trinity of character traits. He was a man who despised injustice and He confronted unfairness with passion. Jesus was a man on a mission of love and mercy. He could not wait to extend His grace to some unsuspecting and undeserving soul. 

When you walk with the Lord you begin to grow in justice, love and humility. When you walk with God you are transformed into the image of His son Jesus. 

God's Provision

From: Boyd Bailey Ministries 

1 John 5:14 "And we have this confidence in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 

The Lord provides. He provides because this is His heart’s desire. By His very nature He is a provider. It gives Him great pleasure to provide. Just as an earthly father delights in providing for his children so does your heavenly Father. 

When you fear, He provides peace. When you feel lonely, He provides companionship. When you suffer loss, He provides comfort. When you become proud, He provides humility. When you lack the necessities of life, He provides your needs. When you struggle with confidence, He gives you little victories to gain back much needed confidence. Your confidence grows out of your trust in Him. He gives you strength.

God’s provision may come in a manner that you are not expecting. Do not underestimate the creativity of God. Do not lock His provision capability into a conventional box. He may have bigger and better plans. Be patient. He loves being your provider. 

Spiritual Receptivity

From: Boyd Bailey Ministries

Mark 4:9 "Then Jesus said, ‘Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.'"

Spiritual receptivity is necessary for the growing follower of Christ. Jesus knew that there had to be a willingness to want to know and understand before there could be any comprehension of His teachings. This hunger for God is an innate appetite that only He can satisfy. Even if you do not hear, you can want to hear. A willing heart is what the Holy Spirit infuses with insight.

Spiritual receptivity is born out of your attitude and validated by your actions. Actions are an indicator but not an initiator of openness to the Almighty’s agenda. It is a patient and grateful attitude that hears Christ communicate the most clearly. Gratitude for His grace, love, and forgiveness leads to hearing His voice.

Spiritual receptivity means I submit to the Holy Spirit’s prodding. Instead of reacting to raw data, I wait and process with prayer so I am able to gain God’s perspective and not be rushed by the world’s way of doing things. This is the attitude of a growing disciple of Jesus Christ.