Joy

Promise of the Day:
These things have I spoken unto you...that your joy might be full.
(John 15:11)

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Paul is an example of one who knew Your word, walked in Your presence, and he was joyful. Even though he listed all his trials, and many problems which we would call "tragedies", yet he also said he was always rejoicing. He found it joy to suffer for Your sake, and to share in Your sufferings. When he had what he called "a thorn" (whether physical, mental or spiritual he doesn't say) he found Your grace to be sufficient. May I too face life this way. All I am or ever hope to be comes from You. Your way is truth and it is Joy. Your Joy is all I need for strength and peace. I will delight myself in You. Amen

But For Your Grace

Promise of the Day:
To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
(Eph. 4:7)

Prayer:
But for Your Grace, dear Lord, I would not be saved! But for Your Grace I would not be in union with You! But for Your Grace I would be weak and would have gone my own miserable way. But now I can sing "Amazing Grace'' that You saved a wretch like me. I was lost, but You found me and set my feet on the Rock. This marvelous, wonderful Grace is mine because of You, my Jesus. You are all I need. Your Grace is sufficient! Amen

Sing to the Lord!

Promise of the Day:
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. (Psalm 33:3,4)

Prayer:
Jesus, my Lord, I adore You. Perhaps this is why I so love singing with our worship team at church every Sunday. It is my way of praising You and to 'sing unto Him a new song'. I not only get to do this for Sunday morning worship, but 2 other times as well as we practice the songs. There is nothing like being down in the spirit, and then to begin praising You in song. It lifts the spirit so high, I feel as though I could float. Praising You keeps my focus on You! Praise stimulates my faith, and praising You in a trial will help me see the goodness in that situation. In Psalm 22:3 it states that You 'inhabit my praises.' Another translation says that You are 'enthroned on my praises.' "Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psalm 107:8) Amen

Created By God

Promise of the Day:
Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days (of my life) were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.
(Psalm 139:16 Amp.)

Prayer:
Lord, this thought that You knew me when I was yet unformed in the womb, staggers my mind. Oh yes, I can see You knowing David maybe; Isaiah, I am sure; Moses, for sure; and for other 'greats' it makes sense, but me?! I have so few natural abilities, I can not write a poem, I can not paint a picture. I am not able to preach a sermon, or even speak to a group; but yet You knew me, You loved me, You have kept me in the hollow of Your hand. Sometimes my mind is overwhelmed with the thought of it. Verse 14 of Psalm 139 states: "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well." You are the Life in me, O most Holy Lord!
Amen

My Lord

Promise of the Day:
"And Thomas answered and said unto him, 'My Lord and my God.'".
(John 20:28)

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Because You are God and cannot lie, You are bound by Your Lordship to care for me, protect me, and provide for me. In return I am not only duty bound to obey You, but it is with a grateful heart I am going to bow before You and proclaim as Thomas did "My Lord and my God". My loyalty comes to You not because of what You can do for me, but because of what You did do for me on Mount Calvary. You gave Your life, what more could You give. My faith is in You Lord. A. W. Tozer states that 'faith is the gaze of the soul upon a saving God.' And so I bow before You lifting up my hands to praise You. I will honor You and obey You, my God and my King. Amen

Dwell There

Promise of the Day:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

Prayer:
Dear Lord, On a warm day, we often look for the shadows, shade of a rock or of a tree in order to be cooler. It is here in the shadow where we are revived, and we will find a resting place, a shelter from the blast of heat. Your Word states You cover me with Your feathers which brings to mind a mother hen covering her chicks so no harm will come. They are hidden from sight and sheltered from any onslaughts of an enemy. My enemy is Satan, but if I stay close to You, remain in Your shadow, he cannot touch me. My only safe place is to remain in the shelter or shadow of Your wings. Psalm 17:8 states: "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings." Amen

Platforms

Promise of the Day:
My Father is the husbandman. (John 15:1)

Prayer:
Lord, You are in ALL of the events of my life which means even the sorrows that come to me. Even the pressures of pain, as well as the good times. Isobel Kuhn calls the times of pressure "platforms". And so they are; each causing me to step higher and be closer to You. We learn in the good times, we learn in the hard times. I just pray, Lord, that any lessons coming my way will not be wasted. You are in control of the whole of my life. You may have to prune the vine of my life all the way down, but the outcome will be the greater abundance of fruit. There are blessings known only to the 'husbandman' that we can never have unless we are ready to pay the price of pain, and reach the next platform.
You are my 'husbandman'. You know the way I take. Amen

His Goodness

Promise of the Day:
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Goodness is one of Your attributes. This means that as an attribute You are "all Good". A. W. Tozier states: 'the goodness of God is the drive behind all the blessings He daily bestows upon us.' Your goodness is that which causes You to be kind, cordial, and full of good toward all of man. As an attribute, it is self-caused, infinite, perfect and eternal. Your Goodness, Lord, is an unmerited, spontaneous goodness of God and is back of all Your acts. The last verse of a poem written by Charles Wesley fits here, Lord:

Before my faith's enlightened eyes

Make all thy gracious goodness pass.

Thy goodness is the sight I prize:

O might I see thy smiling face:

Thy nature in my soul proclaim.

Reveal Thy love, Thy glorious name!

"O Taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Psa. 34:8) Amen

The Life-Giver

Promise of the Day:
When he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he...blessed, and brake the loaves...and they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
(Mark 6:41-44)

Prayer:
You, dear Lord, are the 'life-giver'. You not only give me what I need, but You will take from me what I do not need. You have promised to help me carry my burdens, and that I should cast it all before You. In the New Testament, Paul likens our time on earth to a race that we must run to win. We could never run a race if we are encumbered with a heavy burden, or if we are weak from hunger. So You take the load, and then You fill me with Your 'bread of heaven'. Life giving nourishment from You to help me go singing and free on my way through this life. Thank You, Lord for supplying all my needs. Amen

I Do Not Understand

Promise of the Day:
What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.
(John 13:7)

Prayer:
No, Lord, I do not understand why You had to suffer and die that we might have life; or why Your children are persecuted and have to suffer in this life. You could put a hedge around all Your children, but we would then become weak; we would not have learned how to use Your armor. You say in I Peter 4:13 that our suffering is working for us and will make us rejoice even more when we see Your glory. David said that before he was afflicted, he went astray. I know that all that comes my way is allowed for my good, and I pray I will not waste the trials You allow for me. I also know that nothing touches me that has not gone through You first. You have a design for me, and though I may not understand it, You will use it for my good. Thank You Lord for all You do for me even if I do not understand. Amen

Obedience

Promise of the Day:
"Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
(II Corinthians 10:5)

Prayer:
My Lord, Your Word says that when You were in Your human body You did nothing of Yourself. You looked to the Father for direction. How much more it should be for me to look to You, the Father and Holy Spirit for my direction. The Moffat translation of the Promise verse is: "I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ." I want every thought, action and project to be under Your control. Only then can I feel I am truly living as You would have me to live. You are my dwelling place. Amen

The Perfect Example

Promise of the Day:
"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet." (John 13:14)

Prayer:
Lord, You said You had given us an example of how You want us to live. That example had You on Your knees before the ordinary men of that day, washing their feet. When You stood before Your accusers You did not talk back. You laid down Your life for Your friends. You gained Your strength by being alone and often with the Father. Lord, help me to take Your examples and apply them in my own life. I want to be ready, always! Amen

Sweet to My Taste

Promise of the Day:
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
(Psalm 34:8)

Prayer:
Many analogies are throughout Scripture to help me understand how to be in union with You, Lord. Psalm 34:8 is one with: "Oh taste...". You speak of Yourself as the 'bread of life'. Your Word is as sincere milk, and we are to grow in order to take in the 'meat' of the Word. In all ways it shows how important it is to feast on You, on Your Word, every day. I am to take 'You in', drink and eat from Your Word, until it makes me strong, filled with Your love, ready to offer a cup to those who are hungry and thirsty for You. 'No one can satisfy the hungry heart like Jesus'. In You I am satisfied! Amen

My Mornings!

Promise of the Day:
Come up in the morning...and present thyself there to me
in the top of the mount. (Exodus 34:2)

Prayer:
For the past 8 or 9 years, Lord, I have made it a habit to spend at least an hour with You. O that I could say that I had done this for the past 50 years! But one cannot spend time weeping over the past. Paul says to forget the past. It is done, it cannot be changed. But we can press forward toward our goal. These years of a time each morning have been precious. A way of beginning each new day with You. A time to praise You and realize each new day brings me a day closer to You. Each morning I awake and know You are still with me and have watched over me all through the night; so I thank You for Your faithfulness. I look ahead without fear because I know You are in control and I can face each new bend in the road. I give You my heart, Lord. I give You my life, and I give You my day. Amen

When Faith Fails

Promise of the Day:
"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24)

Prayer:
O Lord, how often I have said "help thou my unbelief". Yet we are told by Paul in Galatians that it is by "Your faith" that I have life. All I have to do when I feel weak and helpless and lacking in faith, is to lean heavily on You. Being God, You have an attribute of 'faithfulness'. I do not need to keep striving for more faith, but to learn to just rest on You, my All-Faithful friend. In a book written by a saint over a hundred years ago, this statement was made: "The Lord Jesus received is holiness begun; The Lord Jesus cherished is holiness advancing; the Lord Jesus counted upon as never absent would be holiness complete..." This, Lord, is Faith. Amen

Shout of Faith

Promise of the Day:
And when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout;
and the wall of the city shall fall down flat,
and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. (Joshua 6:5)

Prayer:
Lord, it was not the 'shout' that caused the wall to fall, but the act of faith. You had told the Children of Israel that Jericho already belonged to them, so they had the 'hope' of victory. Just as I have the 'hope' of Glory, but before I get there I am to follow You and be willing to fulfill Your work here. What You say You will do. "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1) Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Thank You Lord! My hope, my faith, is in You. Amen

Abundant Life

Promise of the Day:
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
(John 10:10 NIV)

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I do have a deep 'artesian well' from Your Holy Spirit within me--always full and bubbling to overflowing. Yet, until I dip into it and drink of the freshness, I do not experience the joy that is there for me. No wonder there are so many sad Christians. You fill the life with Your bubbling spring, yet it is not absorbed or applied. Fill my cup, Lord, I hold it up to You! I will drink from the saucer as Your peace and joy overflows in my life. Thank You, Lord!
Amen

Find Joy

Promise of the Day:

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice:

let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them:

let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord,

wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

(Psalm 5:11, 12 KJV)

Prayer:

As I was reading these verses, Lord, a thought came to my mind. Just as the priests first had to step into the river before you parted the water's of the Jordan, so I must lift my heart to You in a 'Sacrifice of Praise' to find the joy You give. I cannot expect to sit in misery and fear and then wonder why I don't have joy. I must keep my thoughts on You, and lift my heart to You, look at the roses, look for the silver lining, and Thank You for Your blessings and peace. Then I will experience Your joy.

Stay in tune with the Master.

He is your strength each day.

Lift your heart to Him in song,

And you shall then find joy.

(Unknown)

Amen

You Are My Joy

Promise of the Day:

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,

but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

because anyone who serves Christ in this way

is pleasing to God and approved by men.

(Romans 14:17-18 NIV)

Prayer:

You, Lord, are the Joy of my Salvation. Your peace passes all understanding. And it is this joy and peace that I have within me because You are IN me. Ephesians is very clear about the 'fullness of God' being within me! This to me is a 'Wow' thought! This is where Your kingdom is right now, within my being. So I look to You today for total peace and joy in whatever I face. Your Joy is my strength, and You are my Comfort and my Peace. Amen

Come, Lord Jesus

Promise of the Day:
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:
and the dead in Christ shall rise first. (I Thess. 4:16 KJV)

Prayer:
O what a Day that will be--when my dear Savior I see! To actually behold You Lord, in all Your Glory! And I shall be like You, Blessed Redeemer! There are times when I hear of all that is happening in this world that I cry to You 'how long, O Lord, how long' until You call it enough. May I not waste my time while waiting, but may I be Your light every day. Even so, come quickly! Amen

Your Return

Promise of the Day:
No one knows about that day or hour,
not even the angels in heaven,
not the Son, but only the Father.
(Matthew 24:36 NIV)

Prayer:
O Lord, I want to see You, I want to hear the sound of Your voice, and I want to feel Your touch. I can only imagine what it will be like! As the song goes: "will I dance for You Jesus? Will I fall on my knees?" I think I will fall on my Face before You and perhaps weep that I have not done more. Lord, will I see my children? my grandchildren? all of my dear family and friends? O I pray it will be so. Draw them all to You and come quickly, Lord Jesus. I know I will join the many other saints praising You, and filled with awe and reverence! O Lord, I want to see You soon! Amen

Hope!

Promise of the Day:
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
(I John 2:25 KJV)

Prayer:
What a glorious hope we have! The term 'hope' means a promise of a known fact. Romans 5:2 states "...we stand and rejoice 'in hope' of the Glory of God." And another verse in Romans 15:13 "The God 'of hope' fill You with all joy and peace." What a blessed hope (promise) we have in You, my Jesus. "I am not worthy the least of His favor", yet You left heaven and died in my place that I might have this 'hope' of eternal life. I praise You and Thank You for all You have done and are preparing for me. Amen

The Beginning to the End

Promise of the Day:
"...I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning..." (Isaiah 46:9-10)

Prayer:
O Lord God, Maker of all, Ruler of all! You see the end from the beginning. You knew me before I was born, and You see my days and know what is in my future. You have promised to never leave me, and You have proved this to be so as You have carried me over the rough spots. Even when I left You for a time, You never left me. When I returned You held me to Your cheek. Thank You Lord, that Your presence is with me now and through eternity. Amen

The Good in Life

Promise of the Day:
Whatever is true...whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable...think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

Prayer:
Lord, so often You tell us to keep our minds on good things. Psalm 19:14 says that I should "let the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, be right in they sight, O Lord." This is the answer to a sound mind, peace in my heart, seeing You with me through this path of life. Keeping my focus on You, on the true, the lovely, and I will not stray. You are my redeemer and my salvation.

What of the past still lingers?

Bitterness and strife?

Nay, for I hear You whisper,

"Think of the good in life."

(unknown)

I will keep my thoughts on You! Amen

Self-Sufficiency of God

Promise of the Day:
For even as the Father has life in Himself and is self-existent, so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself and be self-existent. (John 5:26 Amplified)

Prayer:
Teach us, O God, that nothing is necessary to You. Were anything necessary to You that thing would be the measure of Your imperfection: and how could we worship one who is imperfect? If nothing is necessary to You, then no one is necessary, and if no one, then not we. You seek us though You do not need us. We seek You because we need You, for in You we live and move and have our being.* Amen

*Prayer by A.W.Tozer
The Knowledge of the Holy

Because of You

Promise of the Day:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NIV)

Prayer:
I have recently read Revelation 12 where it speaks of Satan being our accuser day and night. He not only is my accuser before You, Lord, but he is my accuser to myself. Always bringing to mind my guilt and blame. You are so much greater, though, Lord, and You have given me a clean heart. You have forgiven and forgotten all my sin. You have given me the gift of eternal life. Your banner over me is Love. Because of You death and sin have lost--Life has won! Because of You I have been given the Victory. Praise Your Name forever! Amen

I Am On God's Mind

Promise of the Day:
"I am poor and needy; yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me..."
(Psalm 40:17 Amplified)

Prayer:
Just to think, dear Lord, that I am ever on Your mind! Even with the millions who are Your children, yet because You are God, You think of me as though I were the only one. You call me Your beloved, and You call me by my name. Your desire is to me, and Your thoughts of me are precious (Psa. 139:17). You saw me being formed in my mother's womb and loved me even then. You have said You will care for me even to my old age and gray hairs. I am the apple of Your eye, and through You I am rich and possess all things. When I go to sleep, You see me; when I awake You are still with me. Praise God, I am Yours, and I am on Your Mind! Amen

Trust Him!

Promise of the Day:
"The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead."
(Proverbs 11:8)

Prayer:
Lord, You are always ready and wanting to be my guide and my help. When life is chaos, You will replace it with order. When I am tired, You will give me rest. When I seem to fail, You will give me victory. In II Tim 1:7 You have said "God hath not given us a Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind," so when I am fearful, You replace it with Your peace. You created all, and You hung the stars in place, even giving each of them a name, so I know You can control my little world. I will trust You with all of my heart, soul and mind. Amen

Bread of Heaven

Promise of the Day:
The bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. (John 6:33)

Prayer:
"I've a longing in my heart for Jesus." Just as we get hunger pains from lack of food, so my heart feels empty and aching when I don't get my morning time with You, My Lord. My heart longs for You, yea, thirsts for You. Just as a newborn must have nourishment to thrive, so my soul needs You to keep alive and healthy. This is why You are called the "bread"; You are the "Bread of Heaven". Feed me Lord, feed me till I want no more. Fill my cup, Lord. As Jabez said, "bless me, bless me indeed O Lord." It has been said that the hunger of our souls and the longing of our hearts can only be satisfied in Jesus. Just give me Jesus! Amen

All Things New

Promise of the Day:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (II Corinthians 5:17)

Prayer:
O Lord, You make all things new. You made me a new creation when I believed in You. You bring beauty out of the ashes; You can cause sorrow to turn into joy, peace from pain; quietness out of chaos. In Isaiah 61:3 it puts it this way: "A garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting..." Isaiah 62:2 says that I will be called by a new name, and this is repeated in Revelation 2:17. So Lord, You not only make me a new creation, but everything about me will be new, including my home with You in Glory. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Amen