25Jan
13Jan
One day … I WRESTLED GOD!
S. O. A. P.
Here's your 90 second AM devotional!
S-cripture:
Genesis 32:26b But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”O-bservation:
The night before he was to meet his brother Esau for the first time in 20 years, since he had deceived his father and stolen Esau's blessing, Jacob had a God encounter. Whether it was God, an angel, or a man Jacob wrestled with, the spiritual/physical experience Jacob had that night left him with a permanent limp, a name change, and a New Destiny. It all happened because Jacob, out of fear and desperation of what lay ahead of him, said to the Lord, "I will not let go of You until You bless me!"A-pplication:
Sometimes you don't really know you're stuck at the bottom of the lake until you look up and catfish are swimming just above you! Man that's DOWN there! In his most desperate of situations, Jacob somehow entertained God Himself and said, "I can't let this moment go until You turn my "DEAL around." Jacob had such a huge victory from God that night that he was never the same again. Don't be afraid if you are at the bottom of the lake right now. Say, "God I won't quit ... I'm not going to die ... I won't drown ... Get me out of this mess ... Please Bless Me!" God still hears and answers prayer. I believe you will be delivered. You will come up for air. You will live!! And someday you will tell your kids, "One day ... I WRESTLED GOD!"P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, Today I thank You for the different times in my life YOU stayed with me so that I could live to tell about it! Amen
11Jan
The Nightly Search
S. O. A. P.
Here's your 90 second AM devotional!
S-cripture:
Psalm 4:4 Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.O-bservation:
"Followers of Jesus" agree that David was the greatest earthly king to ever live. When you read the Psalms it is easy to see that this King had a great fear (Holy Respect) for God. He often talked about his tears in bed, as he would plead with the Lord in prayer in the night hours. In this passage, he cautions we the readers to never go to sleep at night without truly cleansing our own hearts before God.A-pplication:
No doubt the children's prayer that many "Tiny Tots" learned—"Now I lay me down to sleep"—came from a passage like this in David's many writings. But it is true that at night, with the lights out, and as we lay on our bed, thoughts of eternity often take "Center Stage" in our thinking. And when slumber does not come quickly, don't waste those thoughts. Take advantage and clean the slate. In other words, see if there are any wicked ways lingering in your heart. Remember, this is your once-a-day time when you are all alone in the dark with your God. Get it cleansed before slumber sets in! It's called ... "The Nightly Search."P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, I know these AM prayers are often brief and to the point. I think it's because I got it taken care of last night when we were together. Amen
25Dec
You’re Gonna Get It!
S. O. A. P.
Here's your 90 second AM devotional!S-cripture:
1 John 5:15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.O-bservation:
Earlier John writes that if we ask according to God's will He hears us. And that we can be confident that if He hears us we will receive what we ask for.A-pplication:
As mentioned, the Apostle says in verse 14 that we can be confident that God will hear us when we pray. I think one of the greatest challenges the enemy of our souls puts on us is that God's not even there. And if God is there, then certainly He wouldn't pay any attention to little people like you and me. Because of this continual haranguing by the enemy, we can approach prayer as a routine and not as a vital conversation with the Almighty. That's why the Apostle John says you can be confident that God hears you when you pray. Real confidence in prayer is like faith on steroids. It quickly debunks any challenge from the devil and moves forward to request of God in faith. So today, when you ask God for something according to His will when you pray, you can be confident that ... "You're Gonna Get It."
Dear Jesus,
Today I am confident that You are hearing my request. I am believing that ... "I'm Gonna Get It" today! AmenP-rayer:
25Nov
It’s What You And I Long For
S. O. A. P.
Here's your 90 second AM devotional!S-cripture:
Matthew 20:34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.O-bservation:
Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho on their way to Jerusalem when two blind men begged Jesus for mercy. They said, "Please heal us, we want to see." Jesus was moved with compassion toward them and touched them and they received their sight. It was His compassion for them that drove Him to touch and heal them.A-pplication:
Whether you realize it or not, you and I both long for the "Compassion of Jesus." Jesus is willing to meet our every need based upon His love and compassion. We think we need healing. We think we need more money. We think we need our relationships fixed. We think we need a better job. The truth is, what we really need is the "Compassion of Jesus" turned in our direction. Throughout Scripture, miracles and good things happened when Jesus was moved with compassion. All it takes is for us to simply call upon Him, like these two blind men did. Jesus can answer a billion prayers at one time. Just call on Him now! The Compassion of Jesus ... "It's What You And I Long For."
Today, like every other day, I have many needs. But I understand that what I really long for is Your Compassion for me. When I have that, my needs seem to melt away. Amen