July 1: The Father Has Life in Himself

“FOR AS THE FATHER HAS LIFE IN HIMSELF, SO HE HAS GRANTED THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF” (John 5:26).

Everlasting Father, I celebrate that You have Life in Yourself…and that You granted Your Son, Jesus, to have Life in Himself…and that that Life is available to me as well.

“...YET YOU REFUSE TO COME TO ME TO HAVE LIFE” (John 5:40).

Jesus, I come to You to receive Life…instead of trying to fix things myself.  I enter into the Life You are offering me…instead of trying to take revenge.  I embrace Your Life…instead of withdrawing from others in pain.

Perfect Father, help me to not reject Your Life during times when I feel I would rather just punish myself.  Call me, so I would not discard Your Life during times when I feel powerless…helpless …hopeless.  Remind me to not refuse Your Life when I need it the most.

I come to You to receive Life!

July 2:  Believe...And You Will Have Life

“I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE” (John 6:48).

Father of our Lord Jesus, I worship You with gladness.  You have Life in Yourself, and You granted Your Son to have Life in Himself…and that Life is now available to me.

“BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, AND THAT BY BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME” (John 20:31).

Jesus, Bread of Life, I realize that I am not able to speak Life into my own situation.  Therefore, I come before You to receive Life in Your name…for my fear…for my shame…for my confusion.  With Joy I will eat from the Bread of Life, for Your Words are Life to me.

“THE WORDS I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU ARE SPIRIT AND THEY ARE LIFE” (John 6:63).

I come to receive Life!

July 3:  The Light of Life

“WHEN JESUS SPOKE AGAIN TO THE PEOPLE, HE SAID, "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME WILL NEVER WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT WILL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE"” (John 8:12).

Jesus, Son of God, how encouraged I am that Light is available for my darkness…the Light of Life.  I marvel that the Light of Life is the opposite of darkness, and is filled with Your Love, Hope and Truth.

Jesus, Light of the World, help me to understand that the father-of-lies lures me into darkness with deception…the practice of believing something that is not true.  His goal is for me to have fellowship with the darkness, so I might be separated from the Light of Life. 

“IF WE CLAIM TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM AND YET WALK IN THE DARKNESS, WE LIE AND DO NOT LIVE OUT THE TRUTH” (1 John 1:6).

Jesus, guide me to stop accepting and believing the lies that are causing my darkness.  Instead, let me follow You, the Light of the World, asking You daily for Your opinion on these negative destructive beliefs, because I cannot walk in darkness and deception, and have fellowship with You and the Truth at the same time.

I receive Your Light of Life!

July 4:  May the Work of God be Displayed in Your Life

“"NEITHER THIS MAN NOR HIS PARENTS SINNED," SAID JESUS, "BUT THIS HAPPENED SO THAT THE WORK OF GOD MIGHT BE DISPLAYED IN HIS LIFE"” (John 9:3).

Lord Jesus, You thrill me with all You have done for me.  May I allow all You have done for me to be DISPLAYED in my life: Your Light in my darkness…Your Hope in my hopelessness…Your Wisdom in my confusion…Your Righteousness in my sinfulness…Your Wholeness in my brokenness…Your Power in my weakness…Your Peace in my restlessness…Your Comfort in my sorrow.

Lord Jesus, I sing for joy of what You have done for me.  May I take my focus off my sins and the sins of my parents because it is not about what I or they did or did not do.  It is about whether I will lay down your own will to You, DESPITE of what I or they did or did not do…so that the work of God might be displayed in my life.

I know that if I keep my focus on my sins or the sins of my parents, I could miss the purpose You have for my life, because it is not what I or my parents said or did not say that is causing my brokenness…but what the FATHER-OF-LIES said to me.

Therefore, I will say and believe, “this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in my life”.

I honor You!

July 5:  Will You Lay Down Your Life for Me?

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, "WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME””
(John 13:38).

Lord Jesus, may I be willing to lay down my life for You.  May I be willing to lay down my emotional life…my thought life…my moment-by-moment life.  May I be willing to lay down my life of feeling abandoned, and allow You to fill the abandonment with Your closeness, because those who lay down their lives will keep it for eternal life.

“THE MAN WHO LOVES HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, WHILE THE MAN WHO HATES HIS LIFE IN THIS WORLD WILL KEEP IT FOR ETERNAL LIFE” (John 12:25).

Lord Jesus, may I be willing to lay down my life of feeling that I am in control and have to fix everything and everyone, but allow You to take control of my life and of those I love.  May I consider my life nothing, so I may finish the race and complete the task You have given me.

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

Lord Jesus, may I be willing to lay down my life of feeling overwhelmed by sadness and depression and allow You to mend the broken beliefs of despair and replace it with Your Hope and Joy.  I know that what I sow does not come to life unless it dies.

“HOW FOOLISH! WHAT YOU SOW DOES NOT COME TO LIFE UNLESS IT DIES”
(1 Corinthians 15:36).

May I finish the task!

July 6:  God’s Command Leads to Eternal Life

“I KNOW THAT HIS COMMAND LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE. SO WHATEVER I SAY IS JUST WHAT THE FATHER HAS TOLD ME TO SAY" (John 12:50).

Perfect everlasting Father, I have put my hope in You.  Your word to me leads to eternal life.

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

Lord Jesus, lead me by Your Truth as I listen carefully to Your counseling.  May I heed Your daily guidance and Your moment-by-moment instruction…even when my heart craves to follow its own desires…even when my mind begs to lean on its own understanding…even when my emotions threaten to be out of control.

Lord Jesus, grant me spiritual Wisdom to listen to Your Words as I declare, “Whatever I say is just what the Lord Jesus has told me to say, and whatever I do is just what the Lord Jesus has told me to do.”

Your command leads to eternal life!

July 7:  Will You Lay Down Your Life for Me?

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, "WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME””
(John 13:38).

Lord Jesus, I want to be a bearer of Your Truth.  Help me to lay down my life of dealing with my pain through the sinful defense mechanism of mind-reading.

“THE MAN WHO LOVES HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, WHILE THE MAN WHO HATES HIS LIFE IN THIS WORLD WILL KEEP IT FOR ETERNAL LIFE” (John 12:25).

Lord Jesus, You preserve all those who love You.  May I love You by laying down my life of mind-reading…assuming I know what others are thinking…reading between the lines… gathering information to prove my presupposed point.

“THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE” (Galatians 6:8).

I grasp that Satan, the master of deception, will take advantage of my mind-reading each time and use it as an opportunity to drag misinterpretations into my mind, so I would see myself and others in a false light.

If I sow to please my sinful nature through mind-reading, I will reap destruction, but if I sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit I will reap Truth.

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

Lord Jesus, may I let go of my mind-reading, not holding onto it as something precious, so I might complete the task You have given me.

May I finish the race!

July 8:  Will You Lay Down Your Life for Me?

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, "WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME””
(John 13:38).

Lord Jesus, I look to You for Life, Hope and Peace.  Help me to lay down my life of dealing with my pain through a defense mechanism of becoming angry.

“THE MAN WHO LOVES HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, WHILE THE MAN WHO HATES HIS LIFE IN THIS WORLD WILL KEEP IT FOR ETERNAL LIFE” (John 12:25).

May I lay down my life of becoming enraged at myself and those around me, because anger covers up unworthiness, condemnation, abandonment and shame.

“THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE” (Galatians 6:8).

Lord Jesus, help me to know that You are in this place, so I would give up my exasperation and dig a little deeper to find out what is concealed by my anger.  Teach me to decode my understanding, so I could catch sight of what I believe about myself and others, to offer this up to You for Your Truth.

If I sow to live in anger, I will reap destruction.  But if I sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit I will reap Truth…Joy…Life.

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

May I sow to please the Spirit!

July 9:  Will You Lay Down Your Life for Me?

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, "WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME””
(John 13:38).

Lord Jesus, be in charge of my life.  Save me from dealing with my pain through my defense mechanism of criticism and condemnation.

“THE MAN WHO LOVES HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, WHILE THE MAN WHO HATES HIS LIFE IN THIS WORLD WILL KEEP IT FOR ETERNAL LIFE” (John 12:25).

May I lay down my life of disapproval…disagreement…disaccord.  Criticism is a poor way of dealing with someone’s heart, because faultfinding does not portray Your heart and is not the heart You want me to have.  I know that criticism will steal my joy and the joy of the person I criticize.

“THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE” (Galatians 6:8).

Lord Jesus, I invite Your Presence and Participation into my condemning behavior.  Bring me to the place where Your Love in my heart will cause others to find Truth without my criticism and condemnation. 

If I sow criticism and condemnation, I will reap destruction.  But if I sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit I will reap the Truth, the Way and the Life. 

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

May I reap Eternal Life!

July 10: Will You Lay Down Your Life for Me?

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, "WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME””
(John 13:38).

Lord Jesus, deliver me from wanting to deal with my pain through a defense mechanism of running away from a task…not following through…forsaking the job.

“THE MAN WHO LOVES HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, WHILE THE MAN WHO HATES HIS LIFE IN THIS WORLD WILL KEEP IT FOR ETERNAL LIFE” (John 12:25).

May I lay down my life-pattern of giving up…abandoning hope… throwing in the towel. 

Lord Jesus, guide me with Your Counsel as I allow myself to feel the pain that instigates me to give up and find the negative destructive beliefs that the father-of-lies has planted in my mind…the thinking that is trying to persuade me to desert my task.  Lift my eyes above the lies to hear Your Truth, so I might finish the race and complete the task You have given me.

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

I lay down my life for You!

July 11:  Will You Lay Down Your Life for Me?

“THEN JESUS ANSWERED, "WILL YOU REALLY LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ME””
(John 13:38).

Lord Jesus, I lay down my life of dealing with my pain through my defense mechanism of over-indulgence…turning to something or someone other than You to ease my pain.  I know for certain that if I sow overdo and overuse, I will reap destruction.  But if I sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit I will reap Life.

“THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE” (Galatians 6:8).

Lord Jesus, pour Your self-control over me to allow me to pause before I indulge, and feel the pain that instigates me to overdo.  Give me an understanding to identify the hurt and find the beliefs the father-of-lies has planted in my mind…the thinking that persuades me to run to FOOD to eliminate the heartache… to run to DRINK to shut out the hurt… to run to DRUGS to squash the anguish.  Put a longing in my heart to surrender these interpretations to You in exchange for Your free-setting Truth, so I might finish the race and complete the task You have given me.

“HOWEVER, I CONSIDER MY LIFE WORTH NOTHING TO ME, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH THE RACE AND COMPLETE THE TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN ME” (Acts 20:24).

I honor You!

July 12:  Self and the Spirit

Have you ever traveled in Newfoundland, Canada?  I have.  You might know that one of the things that pose a real threat to drivers there, are the moose.  Because they are so dark, moose are very hard to spot on the highway, especially at night.  During 2009, there were 660 collisions between drivers and moose.  They would show up when you least expected them.  You have to strain your eyes while you are driving…looking for moose.  Never could you relax by taking your eyes off the road. 

“I KNOW THAT NOTHING GOOD LIVES IN ME, THAT IS, IN MY SINFUL NATURE.  FOR I HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD, BUT I CANNOT CARRY IT OUT. 19FOR WHAT I DO IS NOT THE GOOD I WANT TO DO; NO, THE EVIL I DO NOT WANT TO DO—THIS I KEEP ON DOING” (Romans 7:18, 19).

Dear God, the moose in Newfoundland remind me of Self in me.  Self is always around.  Self is a real threat to me.  I have had many collisions with Self the last year…many of which were fatal.  Never can I relax and forget about Self, because even when I have the desire to do good, Self would get in the way.  It would show up when I least expected it, full of anger, malice and jealousy.  The evil I do not want to do, Self would keep on doing.

“THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THAT NATURE DESIRES; BUT THOSE WHO LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPIRIT HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THE SPIRIT DESIRES. 6THE MIND OF SINFUL MAN IS DEATH, BUT THE MIND CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE; (Romans 8:5-6).

Lord Jesus, thank you for the good news!  Self is not the only one living in me.  There is another living in me…THE SPIRIT OF GOD HIMSELF.  I realize that I do not have to live according to Self, for those controlled by Self cannot please You.  Instead, I can set my mind on what Your Spirit in me desires…and receive Life and Peace.

Thank you for the Good News!

July 13: Live a Life Worthy of the Calling Assigned You

“NEVERTHELESS, EACH ONE SHOULD RETAIN THE PLACE IN LIFE THAT THE LORD ASSIGNED TO HIM AND TO WHICH GOD HAS CALLED HIM.  THIS IS THE RULE I LAY DOWN IN ALL THE CHURCHES” (1 Corinthians 7:17).

God of the universe, You know how I am formed…that I sometimes become discouraged. 

Today I am reminded of a story about a man who received an assignment from God.  God had shown the man a large rock in front of his house and had asked him to push against the rock with all his might.  The man was obedient.  For many years, he toiled from sunset to sundown, pushing against the rock with all his might.  But then the man became discouraged.  He went to God and lamented, “I have labored long and hard for You, Lord, putting all my strength to do what You have asked.  Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged the rock by half a millimeter.  What is wrong?  Why am I failing?”

God responded compassionately, “My friend, I asked you to push against the rock with all your might.  Never once did I mention that I expected you to move it.  Your calling was only to be obedient.  But look at you, with all the toil and exertion, you have become patient and disciplined, which will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace in your life.  Because you have done what I have asked of you, I WILL NOW USE MY OWN STRENGTH TO MOVE THE ROCK!”

“AS A PRISONER FOR THE LORD, THEN, I URGE YOU TO LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALLING YOU HAVE RECEIVED” (Ephesians 4:1).

Father of our Lord Jesus, help me to understand that You never expected me to move the rock.  You are only asking me to be obedient and do the work for which You had called me.

Through being obedient, I will become patient and disciplined, which will produce a harvest of Righteousness and Peace in my life so that I may share in Your Holiness.  AND YOU WILL MOVE THE ROCK!

July 14:  Cut the Ropes that Hold Your Life Patterns

“SO THE SOLDIERS CUT THE ROPES THAT HELD THE LIFEBOAT AND LET IT FALL AWAY” (Acts 27:32).

Lord Jesus, today I want to cut the ropes that are holding my lifeboat of sinful behavior patterns and habits afloat…and let it fall away.

I want to cut the ropes that are keeping Self alive, because Self loves to sulk, spending time in dejection and hopelessness when things don’t go its way.  Self is not self-controlled, but often surrenders to uncontrolled anger and rage when it is provoked.  Self responds to its deceitful desires with patterns of over-indulgence, mind-reading and forsaking its tasks whenever it is aroused.

“HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE, SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS; BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED. 25FOR YOU WERE LIKE SHEEP GOING ASTRAY, BUT NOW YOU HAVE RETURNED TO THE SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER OF YOUR SOULS” (1 Peter 2:24,25).

Lord Jesus, I realize that I do not need to keep Self with its deceitful desires alive.  You bore my sins on the cross, so that I might die to Self’s sinful behavior patterns and allow Your Righteousness to live through me.

“THEREFORE, RID YOURSELVES OF ALL MALICE AND ALL DECEIT, HYPOCRISY, ENVY, AND SLANDER OF EVERY KIND. 2LIKE NEWBORN BABIES, CRAVE PURE SPIRITUAL MILK, SO THAT BY IT YOU MAY GROW UP IN YOUR SALVATION, 3NOW THAT YOU HAVE TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GOOD” (1 Peter 2:1).

Therefore, I come to You to rid me of Self, who is full of malice and deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander.  Like newborn babies, I crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it I may grow up in my salvation, now that I have tasted that the perfect Father has sent You, Jesus, to become my Righteousness in place of self.

I return to You, Lord Jesus!

July 15  Take hold of Jesus Christ when You Are Young

“DON'T LET ANYONE LOOK DOWN ON YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE YOUNG, BUT SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE BELIEVERS IN SPEECH, IN LIFE, IN LOVE, IN FAITH AND IN
PURITY” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Lord Jesus, today I pray for my children…that nobody would be able to look down on them because they are young, but that they would set an example for others in the way they speak, because You speak through them.  May they set an example in the way they live, because You live through them.  May they set an example in the way they love, because You love through them. 

“IN THIS WAY THEY WILL LAY UP TREASURE FOR THEMSELVES AS A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR THE COMING AGE, SO THAT THEY MAY TAKE HOLD OF THE LIFE THAT IS TRULY LIFE” (1 Timothy 6:19).

Lord Jesus, work Your Righteousness in my children when they are young to lay a firm foundation for the rest of their lives…so they could take hold of the life that is truly Life.

“AS A RESULT, HE DOES NOT LIVE THE REST OF HIS EARTHLY LIFE FOR EVIL HUMAN DESIRES, BUT RATHER FOR THE WILL OF GOD” (1 Peter 4:2).

I bless my children to allow the Righteousness of Jesus to be revealed through them, so they would not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 

I love You, Lord Jesus!

July 16  Deceitful Desires

“YOU WERE TAUGHT, WITH REGARD TO YOUR FORMER WAY OF LIFE, TO PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF, WHICH IS BEING CORRUPTED BY ITS DECEITFUL DESIRES…” (Ephesians 4:22).

Lord Jesus, I have noticed that my Self has many DECEITFUL DESIRES.  Some of them are to be loved…to be needed…to be important…to be successful…to be noticed. 

I have also noticed that behind each of these deceitful desires stands a belief.  The belief “I am invisible” produces the deceitful desire to be noticed.  The belief “I am a failure” produces the deceitful desire to be a success.  The belief “I have no purpose” produces the deceitful desire to be needed. 

Lord Jesus, You understand that these deceitful desires cause anger…confusion…fear.  They obscure the Truth.  They lead astray.  They entrap.  We become so busy chasing after the deceitful desires, that we do not get around doing the only thing that really matters…the Will of the Father.

“AS A RESULT, HE DOES NOT LIVE THE REST OF HIS EARTHLY LIFE FOR EVIL HUMAN DESIRES, BUT RATHER FOR THE WILL OF GOD” (1 Peter 4:2).

God of Grace, help me to overcome the urge to yield to Self… to surrender to deceitful desires…to follow the beliefs of “I am a failure, I have no purpose, I am invisible.”  Instead, prompt me to invite Your Presence and Participation into these desires, so You could turn them into YOUR DESIRES for my life…so I might do the WILL OF GOD.

“HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES.  TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES, I WILL GIVE THE RIGHT TO EAT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE, WHICH IS IN THE PARADISE OF GOD” (Revelation 2:7).

July 17  Everyone Is Fighting the Same Battle

“BE SELF-CONTROLLED AND ALERT. YOUR ENEMY THE DEVIL PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DEVOUR. 9RESIST HIM, STANDING FIRM IN THE FAITH, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT YOUR BROTHERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ARE UNDERGOING THE SAME KIND OF SUFFERINGS” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Lord Jesus, today I realize that my brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering I am.  Yes, everybody has the father-of-lies as an enemy…not only I.  He came to kill, steal and destroy all…not only me.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour…not only me.

I am reminded that DECEPTION is the practice of luring someone into believing something that is not true.  This is the roaring lion’s weapon.  I realize that my brothers throughout the world have been victimized by deception…not only me. 

“THIS IS HOW WE KNOW WHAT LOVE IS: JESUS CHRIST LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US.
AND WE OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OUR BROTHERS”(1 John 3:16).

Father of Compassion, grant me to have compassion when someone believes falsities…when someone shows poor judgment…when someone fails me.  May I understand that the father-of-lies stole their Truth, killed their Joy and destroyed their Hope as well. 

Lord Jesus, inhabit my heart to be self-controlled and alert, RESISTING being lured into believing something that is not true, STANDING FIRM in my Faith, EMBRACING the Truth.  Then, may I pass this on to serve my brothers, who also grapple with deception.

Lord Jesus, You laid down Your life for me…as I ought to lay my life down for my brothers.

“Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
T. H. Thompson

May I stand firm in the Faith!

July 18  Receive from the Righteousness of Jesus

“PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF COMPASSION AND THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT, 4WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES, SO THAT WE CAN COMFORT THOSE IN ANY TROUBLE WITH THE COMFORT WE OURSELVES HAVE RECEIVED FROM GOD”  (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4).

Dear God, I sometimes listen to arguments people have with atheists to prove to them that You really exist.  They talk about evolution, how old the world is and if Noah’s ark really existed.  They try to prove scientifically whether You exist or not.  Then I think to myself, “Atheist, if only I could tell you about the Comfort I have received from God during a time when there was no comfort.  If only I could tell you about the Hope now living in me where before there was only brokenness and despair.  If only I could tell you about the Righteousness of Jesus that has turned my hatred and jealousy into Love.”

"SIMON PETER, A SERVANT AND APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST, “TO THOSE WHO THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF OUR GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST HAVE RECEIVED A FAITH AS PRECIOUS AS OURS” "(2 Peter 1:1).

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Simon Peter received faith through the Righteousness of Jesus.  I have received Love, Truth and Hope in exchange for my hatred, deceit and despair.  I pray that all people to the end of the earth would receive something through the Righteousness of Jesus so they might share with others what they have received from Jesus?

Thank you, God, for what I have received from You.

July 19  He Has Saved Us Enough to be Holy

“WHO HAS SAVED US AND CALLED US TO A HOLY LIFE—NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE BUT BECAUSE OF HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE.  THIS GRACE WAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF TIME”
(2 Timothy 1:9).

Lord God, blessed are You.  You did not just barely save me in a meager manner…You saved me enough to be holy. 

Most High, You did not only save me enough to go to Heaven.  You are also offering to make me holy by the Grace given me in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.  How encouraged I am that holiness is not up to me… to muster up all my strength to better my Self, but that holiness is Jesus living His Life through me. 

“THIS IS HOW GOD SHOWED HIS LOVE AMONG US: HE SENT HIS ONE AND ONLY SON INTO THE WORLD THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM” (1 John 4:9).

Majesty, thank you for Your Grace…that I may expose every situation to You moment-by-moment in order for Self to stop acting through me, but instead allow Jesus to act through me.  I give You my hands to work with, my feet to walk with, my mind to think with and my heart to love with.  Instead of trying to smile when I am sad, I give You my sadness.  Instead of slamming the doors when I am mad, I give You my anger, my hatred and my jealousy.  Instead of entertaining more guests to feel loved, I give You the loneliness that lives in my heart.

“I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND I NO LONGER LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME” (Galatians 2:20).

July 20  Jesus Has Come to Give You Understanding

“BUT YOU HAVE PLANTED WICKEDNESS, YOU HAVE REAPED EVIL, YOU HAVE EATEN THE FRUIT OF DECEPTION. BECAUSE YOU HAVE DEPENDED ON YOUR OWN STRENGTH AND ON YOUR MANY WARRIORS,14 THE ROAR OF BATTLE WILL RISE AGAINST YOUR PEOPLE, SO THAT ALL YOUR FORTRESSES WILL BE DEVASTATED…” (Hosea 10:13, 14).

I have many warriors.  I have the warrior who fights to the bitter end, defending my sinful Self-nature, so it could stay safe and alive in me.  This warrior will attack, blame and drive away anybody who challenges the reign of Self.

I have another warrior who is very good at hiding Self in the dark dungeons of depression or behind a mask whenever its safety and esteem are challenged. 

Another warrior is a bit of a coward.  It scoops Self up and runs to the safety of overindulgence whenever Self is provoked, not daring to come close to the battlefield.  It watches from a distance, thinking its own thoughts and leaning on its own understanding.

I grasp that if I depend on my own strength and my many warriors, the roar of battle will rise against me…and I will plant wickedness…I will reap evil, because I have eaten the fruit of deception.

“BUY THE TRUTH AND DO NOT SELL IT; GET WISDOM, DISCIPLINE AND UNDERSTANDING” (Proverbs 23:23).

I desire to do Your Will, o my God.  Therefore, I dismiss my warriors in exchange for Your Wisdom, Discipline and Understanding. 

“WE KNOW ALSO THAT THE SON OF GOD HAS COME AND HAS GIVEN US UNDERSTANDING…” (1 John 5:20).

I desire to do Your Will, O God!

July 21  Self Likes to Boast

“I KNEW THAT YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME, BUT I SAID THIS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE STANDING HERE, THAT THEY MAY BELIEVE THAT YOU SENT ME" (John 11:42).

Jesus, help me to speak like You…to talk about myself without boasting…to only speak words that are for the benefit of others.

“IN THIS SELF-CONFIDENT BOASTING I AM NOT TALKING AS THE LORD WOULD, BUT AS A FOOL” (2 Corinthians 11:17).

If I boast, I am not talking as You would, Lord Jesus, but as a fool.  If I boast, I am not talking to benefit other people, but to raise my Self up, because boasting keeps Self alive.  The question is why?  Why do I have to show off?  Do I feel unworthy?  Do I feel my heart is bad and I therefore have to prove that it is good?

“CHRIST,…FILLS ALL THINGS EVERYWHERE WITH HIMSELF” (Ephesians 1:23).

Lord Jesus, fill me with Yourself.  Exchange my Self for Your Self.  Heal my unworthiness and created in me a new heart…Your Heart…a heart that feels secure being the child of God, so I do not have to prove my heart is good.

“LET ANOTHER PRAISE YOU, AND NOT YOUR OWN MOUTH; SOMEONE ELSE, AND NOT YOUR OWN LIPS” (Proverbs 27:2).

May everything I say and display be to the benefit of others.

May I talk as You, Lord!

July 22  Wives and Husbands

“WIVES, IN THE SAME WAY BE SUBMISSIVE TO YOUR HUSBANDS SO THAT, IF ANY OF THEM DO NOT BELIEVE THE WORD, THEY MAY BE WON OVER WITHOUT WORDS BY THE BEHAVIOR OF THEIR WIVES, 2WHEN THEY SEE THE PURITY AND REVERENCE OF YOUR LIVES” (1 Peter 3:1, 2).

Lord Jesus, remind me daily what a beautiful, powerful thing a gentle yielding spirit is… that I could win my husband over without words to obedience to You by my submissive behavior of purity, honor and respect.

“YOUR BEAUTY SHOULD NOT COME FROM OUTWARD ADORNMENT, SUCH AS BRAIDED HAIR AND THE WEARING OF GOLD JEWELRY AND FINE CLOTHES. 4INSTEAD, IT SHOULD BE THAT OF YOUR INNER SELF, THE UNFADING BEAUTY OF A GENTLE AND QUIET SPIRIT, WHICH IS OF GREAT WORTH IN GOD'S SIGHT”
(1 Peter 3:3, 4).

Most High, I want to put my hope in You…not in the circumstances…not in my husband…not in myself.  I want to be beautiful.  I want to do what is right and not give way to fear, because fear could turn me into a nagging disrespectful person.  Work in me a gentle quiet spirit, for this is of great worth in Your sight and can be used to win someone over to You.

“FOR THIS IS THE WAY THE HOLY WOMEN OF THE PAST WHO PUT THEIR HOPE IN GOD USED TO MAKE THEMSELVES BEAUTIFUL. THEY WERE SUBMISSIVE TO THEIR OWN HUSBANDS, 6LIKE SARAH, WHO OBEYED ABRAHAM AND CALLED HIM HER MASTER. YOU ARE HER DAUGHTERS IF YOU DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND DO NOT GIVE WAY TO FEAR” (1 Peter 3:5, 6).

Lord God. Work Your Righteousness in my husband as he considers me as the weaker partner, more capable of being physically or emotionally wounded.  Be a strong arm to him each day, so he would treat me with respect, so that nothing will hinder his prayers.  Remind him that his wife is an heir with him of the gracious gift of Life in Christ Jesus.

“HUSBANDS, IN THE SAME WAY BE CONSIDERATE AS YOU LIVE WITH YOUR WIVES, AND TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT AS THE WEAKER PARTNER AND AS HEIRS WITH YOU OF THE GRACIOUS GIFT OF LIFE, SO THAT NOTHING WILL HINDER YOUR PRAYERS” (1 Peter 3:7).

I love You, Lord God!

July 23  A Tree and its Fruit

"WATCH OUT FOR FALSE PROPHETS. THEY COME TO YOU IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE FEROCIOUS WOLVES. 16BY THEIR FRUIT YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM… 18A GOOD TREE CANNOT BEAR BAD FRUIT, AND A BAD TREE CANNOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT. 19EVERY TREE THAT DOES NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT IS CUT DOWN AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE. 20THUS, BY THEIR FRUIT YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM” (Matthew 7:15, 16, 18-20).

Lord God, help me to recognize a false prophet.  I know he will not appear like a ferocious wolf, but will come to me in sheep’s clothing.  He might tell me he prophesies in the name of Jesus, drives out demons in the name of Jesus and performs many miracles in the name of Jesus.  However, there is one thing that the false prophet will not be able to mimic…the Fruit of the Spirit.  Jesus, I worship You with gladness, because You came to crucify the flesh, so we do not have to be a slave to sin anymore, but display the Fruit of the Spirit.

“BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, 23GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL… 24THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS HAVE CRUCIFIED THE SINFUL NATURE WITH ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES” (Galatians 5:22-24).

Lead me by Your Truth, Lord God, that I may recognize someone by his fruit of love, since a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 

Likewise, I desire Your Fruit in my life, Lord Jesus, so Ido not become a false prophet, because by my fruit I will also be recognized.

“MANY WILL SAY TO ME ON THAT DAY, 'LORD, LORD, DID WE NOT PROPHESY IN YOUR NAME, AND IN YOUR NAME DRIVE OUT DEMONS AND PERFORM MANY MIRACLES?' 23THEN I WILL TELL THEM PLAINLY, 'I NEVER KNEW YOU. AWAY FROM ME, YOU EVILDOERS!' (Matthew 7:22-23)

I honor You, Most High!

July 24  The Eyes of the Lord Are Everywhere

Lord God, You have engraved me on the palms of Your hand.  You are the God who saves me.  You are my Rock where I will not be shaken.

“THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE EVERYWHERE, KEEPING WATCH ON THE WICKED AND THE GOOD” (Proverbs 15:3).

Lord God, Your greatness is unmatched.  Your eyes are everywhere, keeping watch over me.  You know how I feel.  You know my beliefs.  And You know where I am.

THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU,
HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE.
HE WILL TAKE GREAT DELIGHT IN YOU,
HE WILL QUIET YOU WITH HIS LOVE,
HE WILL REJOICE OVER YOU WITH SINGING"
(Zephaniah 3:17)

How encouraged I am that You, God Almighty, are with me.  At the same time, I realize my responsibility…to be with You…to abide in the Truth…to hold onto Your hand, moment-by-moment.  Although You are with me, mighty to save, I often leave the Light to have fellowship with the darkness, enjoying its companionship, siding with the negative destructive beliefs instilled in my mind by the father-of-lies. 

Lord God, help me to abide…to remain in the Truth…to not have fellowship with the lies, but have fellowship with You about the lies.  Then You will quiet me with Your Love and rejoice over me with singing.

 You are mighty to save!

July 25  Self Loves to Be First

“I WROTE TO THE CHURCH, BUT DIOTREPHES, WHO LOVES TO BE FIRST, WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH US.  SO IF I COME, I WILL CALL ATTENTION TO WHAT HE IS DOING, GOSSIPING MALICIOUSLY ABOUT US. NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT, HE REFUSES TO WELCOME THE BROTHERS. HE ALSO STOPS THOSE WHO WANT TO DO SO AND PUTS THEM OUT OF THE CHURCH” (3 John 1:9-10).

Most High, I know that Self, the sinful nature in us, LIKES TO BE FIRST.  When someone treats Self with disdain or indifference, Self could very easily feel slighted…neglected…insulted.  This could result in sinful acts of having nothing to do with the offenders…gossiping maliciously…refusing to be welcoming.

“BUT YOU HAVE PLANTED WICKEDNESS, YOU HAVE REAPED EVIL, YOU HAVE EATEN THE FRUIT OF DECEPTION…” (Hosea 10:13).

Help me to understand that Self has eaten of the fruit of deception and does not possess the Spirit of Truth, because it neither sees Him, nor knows Him.

“THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. THE WORLD CANNOT ACCEPT HIM, BECAUSE IT NEITHER SEES HIM NOR KNOWS HIM. BUT YOU KNOW HIM, FOR HE LIVES WITH YOU AND WILL BE IN YOU” (John 14:17).

Lord God, save me from Self who has eaten of the fruit of deception, planting wickedness and reaping evil wherever it goes.  Instead, let me live from the Spirit of Truth, who is filled with goodness, compassion, and self-control.

 May I live from the Spirit of Truth!

July 26  Embrace…Expose…Exchange

“HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE, SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS; BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED. 25FOR YOU WERE LIKE SHEEP GOING ASTRAY, BUT NOW YOU HAVE RETURNED TO THE SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER OF YOUR SOULS” (1 Peter 2:24, 25).

“He Himself bore our sins…so that we might die to sins…” 

Lord Jesus, how often have I tried to get rid of a sinful action…the perpetual gossiping…the excessive boasting…the continual pouting.  I discovered that I cannot die to a sin without having You bear that sin. 

EMBRACE MY SIN:  Therefore, I will look closely at my sinful action, instead of hiding from it or blaming it on others.  Why am I gossiping?  Why am I boasting?  Why am I pouting?  Do I gossip because I feel unworthy?  Do I boast because I feel insignificant?  Do I pout because I feel forsaken? 

EXPOSE MY SIN:  Next, I will expose the sinful action and the underlying beliefs to You, Jesus...to bear it for me.  (Expose means to deprive from shelter and submit to a particular action or influence.) 

EXCHANGE MY SIN:  Then Jesus, I will allow You to bear my sin for me.  By bearing my sin, You exchange it.  (Exchanging is the act of giving or taking one thing in return for another.)  You disarm the underlying belief causing it, with Your Truth, exchanging my unworthiness for worth.  As a result, this eradicates my sinful action, because I do not have to gossip anymore because of feeling worthless.

“GOD MADE HIM WHO HAD NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US, SO THAT IN HIM WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Thank you, Jesus, that IN YOU, I could become righteous.

Thank you, Jesus, for bearing my sins!

July 27   I Died to Sin

“HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS IN HIS BODY ON THE TREE, SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS; BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED. 25FOR YOU WERE LIKE SHEEP GOING ASTRAY, BUT NOW YOU HAVE RETURNED TO THE SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER OF YOUR SOULS” (1 Peter 2:24, 25).

Lord Jesus, You bore my sins in Your body on the cross…not so that my sins might die…but so that I might die to my sins.

“KNOWING THIS, THAT OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN” (Romans 6:6).

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that the OLD MAN, the negative destructive beliefs instilled in me by the father-of-lies since childhood, has been crucified… overcome…deprived of its power. 

“AND HAVE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH IS RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE IMAGE OF HIM THAT CREATED HIM” (Colossians 3:10).

Thank you Jesus, that a NEW MAN is available to me.  For each negative destructive belief there is Truth available, so that I should not serve sin by acting and reacting to the negative destructive beliefs of abandonment, shame and condemnation, but live in Truth.

“IN THE SAME WAY, COUNT YOURSELVES DEAD TO SIN BUT ALIVE TO GOD IN CHRIST JESUS” (Romans 6:11).

Lord Jesus, remind me of my responsibility…to bring my OLD MAN to you…to invite Your Presence and Participation into each negative destructive belief that lives in my mind, so You can exchange it for the NEW MAN…the Truth.  How encouraged I am to know that the NEW MAN does not consist of negative destructive beliefs, but is renewed in knowledge after Your image.  The NEW MAN is righteous and holy, because He lives in Truth.

July 28 (Audio) We Are Being Given over to Death for Jesus’ Sake

“FOR WE WHO ARE ALIVE ARE ALWAYS BEING GIVEN OVER TO DEATH FOR JESUS' SAKE, SO THAT HIS LIFE MAY BE REVEALED IN OUR MORTAL BODY”
(2 Corinthians 4:11).

Lord Jesus, I have realized recently how many times a day the OLD MAN, the negative destructive beliefs instilled in me by the father-of-lies, needs to be given over to death, so that the NEW MAN, the nature of Jesus, might be revealed through my actions and reactions.

There are so many opportunities in my daily life where I have an opportunity to give the OLD MANover to death for Your sake.  There are the times when my negative destructive beliefs make me feel threatened, humiliated, or deprived.  There are the times when my spirit feels faint in me and I feel discouraged, alone and afraid.

“LET US THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS
AND THE SIN THAT SO EASILY ENTANGLES,
AND LET US RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE THE RACE MARKED OUT FOR US”
(Hebrews 12:1).

Lord Jesus, may I throw off everything that hinders the NEW MAN, Your nature in me, from being revealed through me.  May I throw off the OLD MAN by exposing my negative destructive beliefs to You, every day…a hundred times a day…whenever it is provoked.  Then the sin that is born from these beliefs will not entangle me.  Instead, I will be able to run with perseverance the race marked out for me.

 May I throw off every belief that hinders!

July 29  Expectations on Earth, as it is in Heaven

“We had to learn ourselves and, furthermore, we had to teach the despairing men, that it did not really matter what we expected from life,
but rather what life expected from us.”
(Man’s search for meaning, page 77)
Viktor E. Frankl

Most High, I have noticed that I have many expectations.  Even before I get to my expected destinations, I have already envisioned certain outcomes for certain occurrences.  I have formed presumptions.  I have made calculations.  I have it all planned out ahead of time…what I am going to say…what I am going to do.  And I expect my expectations to be fulfilled. 

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING;
IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM,
AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT.
(Proverbs 3:5, 6)

But I have discovered that to live according to my expectations is just another way to lean on my own understanding.  Sometimes it feels so much more convenient to envision an outcome for an occurrence than to trust in You, Lord God, with all my heart.  It is so much easier to form my own presumptions and to make my own calculations than to acknowledge You in these ways.  It is so much faster to plan my own future than to allow You to make my paths straight.

“YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” (Matthew 6:10).

Lord God, may Your Will be done in my life…not the will I am living through my expectations.  Do with me as you have already planned in Heaven.  Only Your Expectations are valid.  May I surrender my expectations to You…moment-by-moment…every day, because You have already made the calculations.  You have already planned the outcome.  You have already made the plans in Heaven. 

July 30:   A Hardened Heart Causes Ignorance

“SO I TELL YOU THIS, AND INSIST ON IT IN THE LORD, THAT YOU MUST NO LONGER LIVE AS THE GENTILES DO, IN THE FUTILITY OF THEIR THINKING. 18THEY ARE DARKENED IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND SEPARATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD BECAUSE OF THE IGNORANCE THAT IS IN THEM DUE TO THE HARDENING OF THEIR HEARTS” (Ephesians 4:17-18).

Most High, help me to realize that a hardened heart causes ignorance…a lack of knowledge…a lack of awareness. 

Help me to grasp that a hardened heart causesa lack of knowing You…experiencing Your Truth, Hope and Love as part of my moment-by-moment life.

“AS OBEDIENT CHILDREN, DO NOT CONFORM TO THE EVIL DESIRES YOU HAD WHEN YOU LIVED IN IGNORANCE” (1 Peter 1:14).

Lord God, I realize that a hardened heart causes a vicious circle.  A hardened heart causes a lack of knowing Truth…which causes futile thinking and a darkened understanding…which causes separation from Your Love, Righteousness and Hope…which causes me to conform to evil desires.

“IN THE PAST GOD OVERLOOKED SUCH IGNORANCE, BUT NOW HE COMMANDS ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE TO REPENT” (Acts 17:30).

Most High, You do not overlook ignorance.  You sent Your son, Jesus, to give me Truth in place of my darkened understanding, so I would not conform to evil desires anymore.  I repent from my hardened heart that formed in me after living in the futility of my own thinking.  Create in me a new heart, o Lord, so I may know You.

July 31: The Calloused Heart of Bitterness

“THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE TO SAY TO JOSEPH: I ASK YOU TO FORGIVE YOUR BROTHERS THE SINS AND THE WRONGS THEY COMMITTED IN TREATING YOU SO BADLY.' NOW PLEASE FORGIVE THE SINS OF THE SERVANTS OF THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER." WHEN THEIR MESSAGE CAME TO HIM, JOSEPH WEPT” (Genesis 50:17).

Lord God, may I find mercy in my heart to forgive my husband or wife…my father…my mother…my brother and my sister the sins and the wrongs they have committed in treating me so badly.  May I stop holding them accountable for all the offenses they have committed against me.  I know that bitterness will not heal me, nor will it help me.

Most High, may I understand that it is not my offender’s offenses that damaged my heart, but the beliefs I have adopted from the father-of-lies, “I am a failure…I am a disgrace…I am a victim.”  May I know that my failures are not due to my offender’s wrongdoing, but due to the father-of-lies’ infringement on my heart.  My disgrace is not due to my offender’s misdeeds, but due to the father-of-lies’ misdeed of deception.  May I understand that I have been victimized by the father-of-lies...attacked by the evil one…run down by the roaring lion.

“THERE WILL BE NO MERCY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SHOWN MERCY TO OTHERS. BUT IF YOU HAVE BEEN MERCIFUL, GOD WILL BE MERCIFUL WHEN HE JUDGES YOU” (James 2:13).

Work Your Compassion in me, so I may show mercy to the person who has done me harm, even though my heart demands punishment. 

“FOR THIS PEOPLE'S HEART HAS BECOME CALLOUSED; THEY HARDLY HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES. OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS AND TURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM” (Acts 28:27).

Lord God, may I hear with my ears, see with my eyes and understand with my heart what You think about me…and my heart would be healed.

Thank you for Your Mercy!