YOU ARE WORTH IT TO JESUS
Jesus didn’t send a message or a messenger to tell you how valuable you are. He came Himself. He paid the price. He is the prize. He’s waited for an eternity (literally) for you to join Him…and He’s sitting across from you telling you that He thinks you are worth it.
When the enemy tells you you’re not smart enough…you’re not strong enough…you don’t have the right background…you’re not pretty enough…you don’t matter enough—look up and lock eyes with the King. Hear Him say, Daughter—Son—I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else than at this table with you.
His words are the words of life (John 6:68).
His voice thunders from heaven (Psalm 68:33).
His voice drowns out every enemy lie.
By His grace, you can start taking authority over the voices at your table and kick the devil out of your dinner party. He has to flee in Jesus’ name. ❤️
—Louie Giglio
AN ACTIVE LOVE 1 John 3:16-18
“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. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
Our love for God is demonstrated by our real love for others. Jesus made this clear when He said; “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40). We are actually loving and serving God as we love and serve others: “I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me” (Matthew 25:35-36).
Love must be an integral part of our Christian walk. Love must be directed up; “love the Lord with ALL your heart” (Mark 12:30), and love must be directed out; “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Let’s love as Jesus loved us!
Let’s look for ways to love with more than words; let’s love with an active love. ❤️
–Steve Troxel
When God called you, He knew exactly what He was getting with the package. You may not know what you said yes to, yet…but God knew what He said yes to when He accepted you.
So here’s the question…”if He accepted you unconditionally, then what sin…
what shame…
what mistake…
what misdirection…
can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus?”
Here’s the GREAT NEWS this morning:
God called you
God is for you
…and He’s more than the world that may be against you right now!! ❤️
HALLELUJAH!!!
NO SUCH THING AS A CROSS-LESS CHRISTIANITY
John Stott said, “Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.” If we get what Stott is saying, we will forever be grateful for Jesus’ triumphant accomplishment expressed on the cross in one word; tetelestai — which means, “IT IS FINISHED.” This was the shout of a victor…not a victim. It reverberates down through the corridors of time and makes every living thing celebrate or tremble… or should.
The power of sin is broken.
Peace with God is possible.
A bridge to God was built.
Death no longer terrorizes.
Think of these amazing words:
IT
IS
FINISHED
Tetelastai was used in the first century when a servant FINISHED a task that a master had assigned. IT IS FINISHED. It was the word used in banking when a debt was Paid in Full. TETELASTAI. It was the word used by priests inspecting a lamb to make sure it was spotless. IT IS PERFECT. Jesus died around 3:00 pm… the exact time on Passover that people lined up at the temple with their perfect lambs. Priests were slitting the throats of the lambs and saying, “Tetelastai” at the same time Jesus shed his blood and cried, “IT IS FINISHED.”
The Centurion at the foot of the cross was moved by Jesus’ words and said, “Surely this man was the son of God.” He believed. You can too. The finished work of the cross is the ONLY WAY your sins can be paid for without your own eternal death. Christ’s finished work paid the price of your sin. When Jesus said, “tetelastai,” he meant there was nothing else to do, nothing more to pay. Jesus paid it all…totally, completely, permanently. Have you accepted Jesus’ finished work as full payment for your sins?
Guilt?
Finished.
Condemnation?
Finished.
Loneliness?
Finished.
Trying to measure up?
Finished.
Insecurity?
Finished.
Separation?
Finished.
May we meditate on these three powerful words today and even voice them at the darts and missiles of the evil one… IT IS FINISHED! IT IS FINISHED. IT IS FINISHED! PRAISE GOD. ❤️
—Michael Sprague
Psalm 9:10
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
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You have the opportunity right now to place all of your insecurity and all of your uncertainty into God’s hands. And if you do, here’s what He’ll show you:
You’re stronger than you thought you were.
That struggle didn’t kill you…it made you better.
You thought you weren’t ready for it…but here it is, and you can handle it…if you TRUST HIM! ❤️
Hallelujah!! Let’s give Him a shout of praise this morning for His forever faithfulness!! 🎉🎉
To See the Glory of God’s Purposes
”I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might“
Ephesians 1:18-19
The light of Christ provides hope, love, and power to overcome any darkness.
If you’ve ever stumbled through your house in the dark, then you know that even perfect vision is useless without light. But flip a switch, and everything suddenly becomes much clearer.
That’s what Paul’s getting at when he prays “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” (Eph. 1:18). It’s not a prayer for some kind of spiritual X-ray vision; rather, he’s asking that God enable the Ephesians to view everything they experience in the best light of all—His light.
What did they need to see? The scope and richness of salvation in Christ. First, it’s grounded in hope…something the Ephesians didn’t have before their encounter with Jesus. They’d been outside God’s kingdom…but as a result of His calling…they became His people. That reality transformed not only their future but also their present.
Now, as God’s treasured people, they were no longer to rely on their own strength. With the King and kingdom resources at hand, believers had “boundless” divine power working for, in, and through them (v. 19).
It’s also a good reminder for us. Despite the world’s apparent darkness…we can live in the light, hope, and power of God’s good news.
—Charles Stanley
“but those who wait on the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:30-31)
Are you soaring as you are carried along by an ongoing gust of the wind of the Spirit? Is everything going right? Enjoy every minute of it. Be grateful. Celebrate. Don’t feel guilty. Don’t start thinking you are soaring on your own strength.
Are you running? Plodding ahead even when it’s hard? Not seeing a whole lot of fruit or answered prayer? Keep on running. You will reap in due time. Persevere. Feel God’s pleasure. Be faithful. Don’t try to manufacture soaring or compare yourself to those soaring. You will soar at the right time.
Are you walking? Limping? Feel like fainting? Maybe you are facing a crisis, pain, confusion, wounding, doubt, hurt or fatigue. Put one foot in front of the other and take a step in the direction of obedience. Maybe it will only be a half step. Cling to God and say, “I’m not letting go.”
Today, may you wait upon the Lord…actively…confidently…and expectantly.
May you go into the streets of this world, knowing that you are not alone.
May you go with the intention of being faithful to Jesus. Amen. ❤️
—Michael Sprague
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10
As the sun rises and the world awakens, let us turn our hearts to Psalm 46:10, a verse that beckons us to be still and know that God is sovereign. In the hustle and bustle of life…amidst the noise and chaos…this verse invites us to find tranquility in the presence of our Almighty Creator.
Today’s verse calls us to a place of inner peace and quiet confidence…reminding us that God is in control…even when circumstances seem overwhelming. In the stillness of our hearts, we can find refuge from the storms of life…resting in the assurance that God is working all things according to His perfect plan.
As we contemplate Psalm 46:10, let’s carve out moments of stillness and solitude in our busy lives, where we can commune with God and listen for His gentle voice. It is in these moments of quiet reflection that we can gain clarity, wisdom, and renewed strength to face the unknowns of the day ahead.
As we embrace the truth of Psalm 46:10, may we find peace in the midst of life’s uncertainties, knowing that our God reigns supreme. Let’s surrender our fears, worries, and anxieties to Him…trusting that He is faithful to guide us, protect us, and lead us into paths of righteousness.
With hearts attuned to His presence, let’s walk in faith and confidence…secure in the knowledge that He is indeed our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble!! ❤️
—Cathy C. Charles
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Wounds are not wasted.
Difficulties may end up as divine appointments.
Our problems often become our pulpits or reveal some of our purposes.
Our obstacles may become our opportunities.
God paints on a canvas bigger than we can see or imagine.
“One day you will tell your story of how you’ve overcome what you’re going through now… and it will become part of someone else’s survival guide” ❤️
GOD WILL SEND THE RAIN
When your faith seeds are in the ground…it’s time to engage your faith.
Learn the secret of active waiting and faithful expectancy. When the harvest is yet to come…use the time in between to care for your soul.
Are you weary? Give priority to rest.
Are you disillusioned? Take some time in God’s presence and let Him renew your perspective.
Do you feel beat up by life? Draw near to Jesus so He can restore you.
Remember who you are in this season of life. You’re a treasure, loved, called, and appointed.
God has not lost your address. He knows where you live…and at just the right time, He will break through…be encouraged today! ❤️
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV ~ I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
–Susie Larson
RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE
Our life can be a long and sometimes difficult race. We often grow weary and are in great need of rest. But this race is not like any we have ever run. We do not compete against the other runners…nor do we all even run the same course. We run the race marked out by our Heavenly Father; and yet, we ALL must strive toward the same finish line.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Perseverance means “to persist in spite of opposition or discouragement.” But the original Greek includes the idea of patience and a determined endurance. We are therefore being told to patiently run the race…and to keep on running with determination and endurance…in spite of opposition or discouragement. What a wonderful picture!
Remember that our race is a long marathon, not a quick sprint. In order to persevere, we must prepare for many hills and valleys (and weeds) along the way. We must develop a burning desire to one day boldly say; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Jesus endured the cross (finished the race) because of “the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). And if we will keep our eyes on Jesus as our eternal joy, we “will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3).
No matter what this day may bring…we must persist with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus until we hear Him say: “Well done, good and faithful servant….Come and share your Master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23). Some days we may only be able to take small baby steps, but still we must continue and run with the sole purpose of bringing Him glory and honor in ALL we do.
Our race can be filled with joy and peace, but we must commit to a life of absolute trust and run with perseverance! ❤️ —Steve Troxel
KINGDOM GROWTH
“For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.”
Mark 4:28
The poster read, “Lord, please give me patience; and give it to me NOW!” How like us all! And the same trait seems all the more tempting as we begin to learn of our privileges as people of the kingdom. Since our Lord has commissioned us to “Go and bring forth fruit,” it is understandable that as we pray, or as we do kingdom business, that we would prefer quick or immediate action.But Jesus is reminding us of how “kingdom growth” occurs. As surely as it is true that the words we speak in prayer are heard…and as surely as the promises of God we claim are seed…so just as certainly it takes time for those promises sown in prayer to come to fruition. The parallel is beautiful:
we sow as God’s Word is laid hold of in faith;
we water with prayer and praise;
His love and grace provide the sunshine;
and the fruitfulness of harvest will come!
But remember the process — first, the small, grassy blade of mere beginnings…second, the growing evidence of coming fruit…and finally, the fulfilled promise in its completeness. ❤️ —Jack Hayford
He is forever faithful…His timing is always perfect…and He never changes!! ❤️