Thursday, October 12, 2023

Thursday, October 12, 2023
1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

God really does hear the prayers of His kids, and He really does answer; the evidence of that can be seen from the earliest chapters of the Old Testament all the way to present day. What kind of Father would God be if He didn’t listen to His children? What kind of Savior doesn’t want to know the person He’s dying for? The Lord is always listening, and even if it doesn’t feel like He’s there, believe that He is faithful. When you pray with sincerity, yielding that His will be done, He hears you.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

The Bible tells us that prayer is powerful, and that it works. There’s no magic string of words that will make your prayers more effective, but the motive and heart behind them can make a difference. If you don’t believe that God cares or that He will answer you, you’re effectively just mumbling words into the wind. Likewise, if you’re making demands to the Almighty God as if you know what’s best, you’re trying to manifest your own will, not His. Whatever it is you’re asking for, recognize your place in God’s world… small. But don’t forget about God’s place in your world… BIG. Big enough to do more than all you can ask or imagine.

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Tuesday, October 10, 2023
James 4:3
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Praying for a brand-new Mercedes to show up in your driveway tomorrow morning doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. God delights when you delight, but that doesn’t always mean that the things you want are the things you need. A toddler may want to play in the road, but a good parent wouldn’t grant that wish, even if it made their child cry. When you pray, don’t treat God like a genie who will grant your requests if you pray the right prayer. Instead, present your requests to God with humility, and pray that His will would be done, even if it contradicts your own. He may not answer your prayers the way you would have wanted, but He will answer, and His answer will be good.

Monday, October 9, 2023

Monday, October 9, 2023
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

The first step to treating a problem is recognizing that you have a problem. If you aren’t willing to admit that there is sin in your life, you won’t be willing to ask for help either… from God, or from others. Repentance is at the core of salvation: you need to recognize your broken, sinful, powerless position and rely fully on Christ to save you from yourself. In a similar way, the Bible urges you to confess your sins to believers that you can trust, because the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. But more than that, a repentant and humble heart is the like a garden, and if you let the Lord remove some weeds, you might just begin producing fruit.

Friday, October 6, 2023

Friday, October 6, 2023
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Jesus taught His disciples to “follow Him,” not only on foot, but by example. Sometimes we pray and wait for God to give us special orders for how He wants us to serve Him, forgetting that the most effective way to serve the Lord is by living like Him. A Christian is a Christ-imitator; a flawed human being who loves God with all their heart, treats others as they would want to be treated, and speaks truth in a world of lies. Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, and live in a way that would make your Savior proud. Remember that it’s not all you; the Holy Spirit will transform you from the inside out if you’re willing to let it.

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Thursday, October 5, 2023
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

Hard times will push the limits of your faith and test you in ways you haven’t even thought of. It’ll make you question why you believe what you believe, and who this God is that you serve. People may ask you why you have hope regardless of circumstance, and faith regardless of sight. When these questions arise, what will your answer be? Dig into the scriptures, find answers, and dedicate yourself to what you believe. Have an answer for the hope that is in you and be prepared to defend the truth with gentleness and respect.