Determined

It is time to get in the fight and set your mind to winning the fight. Be determined and not be willing to be moved in any area of your life.

God Bless.

Determined

From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth.  He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. (NLT) -Acts 17:26

Do you ever feel like you are just drifting along in life, meandering along without a way or purpose?  God created you and determined a reason for your existence.  You are special and have value.  From the beginning of time He thought you were important and deserved to be included in His grand plan.  Ask God to bring His plan into your view.  Even if it takes 3 months, 2 years, or a lifetime, continuously ask for God to reveal your purpose to come to fruition.

Download this app to get your daily devotions: http://www.jctrois.com/dailybibledevotion/

The Reality of Blessings and Curses

I must say, I rather live in the blessing than the curse. But the problem is, donI understand the difference between them and how God views the subject?

The answer is no. Enter this little devotional and I'm grateful for all that is written below.

And as we go through this season, may the blessing be more powerful than the curse and send it back to hell where it belongs.

God Bless.

The Reality of Blessings and Curses
Jesus was made a curse that we might enter into the blessing.
Christ was made a curse on the cross so that we might qualify for and receive the blessing. In order to receive this provision God has made for us, it is necessary that we understand the nature of blessings and curses. If we do not understand these two concepts, we will not be able to avail ourselves of God’s provision.
Both blessings and curses are major themes of Scripture. The word “bless” or “blessing” occurs more than 410 times in the Bible; the word curse occurs nearly 160 times. In other words, the Bible has a great deal to say about both. Both are absolutely real—so real that Jesus had to be made a curse so that we might be redeemed from the curse and receive the blessing.
Some people are inclined to think that blessings are real but curses are imaginary, or hypothetical. That is an illogical idea. If we consider any pair of opposites, it stands to reason that if one is real, the other must be real. Take day and night, for example. If day is real, then night is also real. Heat and cold—if heat is real, then cold is real. Good and evil—if good is real, then evil is real. We cannot accept one and ignore the other. So it is with blessings and curses. Blessings are real, and so are curses.
The Bible has much to teach us about the nature of blessings and curses, how they operate, how to recognize a curse at work in your life, and how to be delivered. If we remain ignorant, it will be to our own cost. We will miss much of the total provision that God has made for us through the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross if we fail to understand His exchange of blessing for curse.
Thank You, Jesus, for Your work on the cross. I proclaim my belief that blessings are real, and so are curses—so real that Jesus was made a curse that I might enter into the blessing. Amen. 

-Author Unknown 

Your Mess

I love this little devotional and the hope it portrays in the written words.

Nothing is final until God say's it is and as long as we live our life living by His word, than He will move heaven and earth to raise us up and set us on a path of love and forgiveness. So, be encouraged my friend if He is for us, then who can be agaisnt us?

God Bless.

Your Mess

But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. (NLT) -Psalm 146:5

Where do you turn when your life turns into a mess?  How do you pick up the pieces?  A mess is always easier to clean when you have someone helping you.  God is just waiting for you to invite Him into your mess.

Download this app to get your daily devotions: http://www.jctrois.com/dailybibledevotion/

Why Is It That

Love this! We can't do this thing called life on our own. We need Him and only He can get us to the other side so we can live our best life.

It is time to let go and let God be God and do His thing.

God Bless

But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. (NLT) -Romans 9:31

Why is it that the Israelites never succeeded in getting right with God? It certainly isn't because they didn't try hard enough. It's because they couldn't earn their way. When you begin to think you can work your way in God's favor, watch out. We can't go to church, give enough money, or do enough good to be right in God's eyes. Only faith in God's grace is powerful enough to keep you right with Him. 

Download this app to get your daily devotions: http://bit.ly/16uZrQ5

Quote Of The Day - God Can Make Miracles

Wisdom for the time we live in will be found below.

Be encouraged and God Bless.


Quote of the Day -Joyce Meyer
“God can make miracles out of messes and mistakes when we have a positive attitude and believe all things are possible with God.”
-Joyce Meyer, I Dare You: Embrace Life with Passion]

Pray For Anything

Wisdom for trying times.

God Bless.

Pray for Anything

I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. (NLT) -Mark 11:24

God cares about it all.  No desires, dreams, needs, or frustrations are too minimal to bring to God in prayer.  He wants to wow you with his gracious ability to answer your prayers.  Pray for anything that is burdening your mind today. 

Download this app to get your daily devotions: http://www.jctrois.com/dailybibledevotion/

Quote Of The Day - Don't Overspiritualize Prayer

So good advice and wisdom below. Let us have a little talk with Jesus and tell Him all about our sorrows.

God Bless.


Quote of the Day -Joyce Meyer
“If you overspiritualize prayer, you are in danger of not doing it. Remember, prayer is simply talking to God, worshipping and praising Him, and being thankful at all times.”
-Joyce Meyer, Making Good Habits, Breaking Bad Habits: 14 New Behaviors That Will Energize Your Life

Before Daybreak

Disconnect seems to be the word of the day. You can't go anywhere or be with anyone because of this virus. 

But just remember, even though it seems like we are under house arrest, there is a new day that dawn so what are we going to do with?

Make this time count and go for the world of God instead of a snack and when this is all over, you will have a unshakable knowledge that the Lord is your strength.

God Bless.

Before Daybreak

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. (NLT) -Mark 1:35

Are you feeling disconnected from God? Do you feel a void in your life? Maybe it's time you take some time out intentionally to spend time with God. Eliminate yourself from any interruptions and seek God in prayer. We should have private time with God even if we aren't feeling separated from Him in order to focus on God.

Download this app to get your daily devotions: http://www.jctrois.com/dailybibledevotion/

Jesus’ Supernatural Knowledge and Wisdom

This is such a much needed little devotional.

If we ever needed the supernatural knowledge and wisdom of Jesus, this is it. 

Jesus, we need you for our bodies, mind, and soul and everything in between.

God Bless.


Jesus’ Supernatural Knowledge and Wisdom
My Father knows what I need, even before I ask Him.
The supernatural knowledge and wisdom of God was manifested throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus, but perhaps never more clearly than through His dealings with Judas Iscariot. When the disciples told Jesus, “We have come to believe and know that You are the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the living God” (John 6:69), Jesus gave them an answer in which He revealed that being the Messiah would entail being betrayed by one of His own followers: “‘Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?’ He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:70–71). Jesus knew, by the Holy Spirit, that Judas would betray Him, even before Judas knew it himself.
Even so, Judas could not carry out his plan until Jesus spoke a word that released him to do so. At the Last Supper, Jesus warned His disciples, “One of you will betray Me” (John 13:21). When questioned about who it would be, Jesus replied,
“It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”...Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately.(John13:26– 27, 30)
I am awed by the realization that Judas could not carry out his plan to betray Jesus until Jesus Himself spoke the word that released him to do it. Throughout this whole scene, it was the Betrayed, not the betrayer, who was in control.

Thank You, Father, that You know me completely. I proclaim that Jesus manifested the supernatural knowledge and wisdom of God, who knows all. My Father knows what I need, even before I ask Him. Amen.

-Author Unknown 

Be Kind To One Another

Kindness is something everyone needs right now. This time calls for patience, understanding and most of all our kindness.

We need people to see the One who lives in us and what He is going for us during this time not some maniac who can't keep a cool head.

This is a great opportunity for the church to rise up and be the church the world is waiting for.

God Bless.

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (NLT) -Ephesians 4:32

Is there someone in your life you struggle to show kindness towards? Maybe that one person who just pushes your buttons? God instructs us to instead of responding with irritation or anger, to be kind and forgive. How might embracing this model might transform some of your relationships? Imagine how laying down your “right” to be offended could pave the way for you to show a bit of God’s unconditional love to others! Be a vessel of God’s goodness through the simple choice to show kindness as you go through your day. 

Download this app to get your daily devotions: http://www.jctrois.com/dailybibledevotion/

What Binds The Hands Of Love

As we go into this unknown time and one of the greatest seasons of being a Christian we need to keep in mind who is in control and why we are doing this thing called life and the reward that awaits us as we remain faithful and true to the One has the whole world in His hand.

God Bless.

What Binds the Hands of Love

Daily devotional with John Piper

Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ.


What Binds the Hands of Love?

---

• Devotional by John Piper

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. (Colossians 1:3–5)

The problem with the church today is not that there are too many people who are passionately in love with heaven. The problem is not that professing Christians are retreating from the world, spending half their days reading Scripture and the other half singing about their pleasures in God all the while indifferent to the needs of the world. That’s not happening! The people of God are not so full of love to God that they spend half their days in his word.
The problem is that professing Christians are spending ten minutes reading Scripture and then half their day making money and the other half loving and repairing what they spend it on.
It’s not heavenly-mindedness that hinders love for the lost and hurting of this world. It is worldly-mindedness that hinders love, even when it is disguised by a religious routine on the weekend.
Where is the person whose heart is so passionately in love with the promised glory of heaven that he feels like an exile and a sojourner on the earth? Where is the person who has so tasted the beauty of the age to come that the diamonds of the world look like marbles from the dollar store, and the entertainment of the world feels empty, and the moral causes of the world are too small because they have no view to eternity? Where is this person?
To be sure, he is not in bondage to the Internet or eating or sleeping or drinking or partying or fishing or sailing or putzing around. He is a free man in a foreign land. And his one question is this: How can I maximize my enjoyment of God for all eternity while I am an exile on this earth? And his answer is always the same: by doing the labors of love. By expanding my joy in God, no matter the cost, if by any means possible I might include others in it.
Only one thing satisfies the heart whose treasure is in heaven: doing the works of heaven. And heaven is a world of love!
It is not the cords of heaven that bind the hands of love and make them ineffective. It is the love of money and leisure and comfort and praise — these are the cords of selfishness that bind the hands of love. And the power to sever these cords is Christian hope. “We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven” (Colossians 1:4–5).
I say it again with all the conviction that lies within me: it is not heavenly-mindedness that hinders love on this earth. It is worldly-mindedness. And therefore the great fountain of love is the powerful, freeing confidence of Christian hope.

Devotional excerpted from “The Fruit of Hope: Love

SOLID JOYS

A DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH JOHN PIPER

#SolidJoys http://solidjoys.desiringgod.org/en/devotionals/what-binds-the-hands-of-love

Protect Me

This is definitely not the time to walk around with a poor me attitude.

Now is the time to dig in and find out what God has for us as well as developing a deep non-waivering faith and knowledge that God will never leave us nor forsake us.

Stay strong in the knowledge of not only who we are in Christ but also in the knowledge of who He is and what He will do for us.

God Bless.

Protect Me

Protect me, for I am devoted to you.  Save me, for I serve you and trust you.  You are my God. (NLT) -Psalm 86:2

Sometimes circumstances happen just beyond the reach of your fingers.  Sometimes God steps in and changes your direction.  When you find yourself in a vulnerable position there are two very distinct attitudes you can take.  The first is, "poor old me!"  The second is trusting that God can turn any situation into good.  Faith is trusting in God to have a purpose for every lesson He teaches you.  Your direction may take a path that you don't want.  But He knows better and will bring you through it.

Download this app to get your daily devotions: http://www.jctrois.com/dailybibledevotion/

Quote Of The Day - When You Spend TimTime With God

While we are living away from love ones and others, make spending time with God a must.

With Him, you have everything and without Him, well, it ain't  pretty. Spending 30 to 40 minutes out of your day is nothing compared to the alternative.

God Bless.

http://joycemeyer.10000quotes.com/quote-of-the-day-by-joyce-meyer-when-you-spend-time-with-god/

Quote of the day by Joyce Meyer -“When you spend time with God,…

Quote of the Day -Joyce Meyer
“When you spend time with God, it becomes evident. You become calmer, you’re easier to get along with, you are more joyful, and you remain stable in every situation. Spending quality time with God is an investment that yields rich benefits.”
-Joyce Meyer, Hearing from God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions

So It Is With Joy

It is time for some much need joy to arise and take over the pain and sorrow and worry that is taking place all over the world.

Negatively is so much on the forefront of everyone's mind and heart and I'm sick of it.

The bible states the joy of the Lord is our strength and it is time for us to start tapping into it and start changing the world for the glory of God.

God Bless.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

In this life of sin and pain, joy is embattled. Just like faith. And Paul says to Timothy, “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). 

So it is with joy. We must work for it and fight for it. Paul said to the Corinthians, “We work with you for your joy” (2 Corinthians 1:24). How then shall we fight for joy? Here are 15 pointers. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly. And don’t be put off by the paradox of these first two pointers! Resolve to attack all known sin in your life, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt — how to fight like a justified sinner. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see — to see God for who he is. Meditate on the Word of God day and night. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God. Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight. Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence. 

Get the rest, exercise, and proper diet that your body was designed by God to have. Make a proper use of God’s revelation in nature — take a walk in the woods. Read great books about God and biographies of great saints. Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (your verbal witness and deeds of mercy). Get a global vision for the cause of Christ, and pour yourself out for the unreached. Every one of those has Bible verses to support it. If you want to see them, they are in the book, When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy.

-Author Unknown 

Two Ways To Remember Jesus

As we get ready to celebrate the greatest time in history, it would serve us well to reflect on anything we can get our hands on concerning Passover and the Resurrection.

So, here is a little devotional to help us remember the reason for the season.

God Bless.


Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel. (2 Timothy 2:8)

Paul mentions two specific ways to remember Jesus: Remember him as risen from the dead. And remember him as the offspring of David. Why these two things about Jesus?

Because if he is risen from the dead he is alive and triumphant over death — including our death! “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).

Which means that no matter how serious the suffering becomes, the worst that it can do on this earth is kill you. And Jesus has taken the sting out of that enemy. He is alive. And you will be alive. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28).

But more than that, the resurrection of Jesus was not a random resurrection. It was the resurrection of the son of David. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David.” Why does Paul say that?

Because every Jewish person knew what that meant. That meant that Jesus is the Messiah (John 7:42). And that meant that this resurrection was the resurrection of an everlasting King. Listen to the words of the angel to Mary, Jesus’s mother:

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31–33)

So, remember Jesus, the one you serve, and the one for whom you suffer. He is not just alive from the dead, but he is alive as a King who will reign forever — of his kingdom there will be no end. No matter what they do to you, you do not need to be afraid. You will live again. And you will reign with him.

John Piper Devotional

A Special Prayer For You

During this trying time, here is a prayer from my heart to yours. Stay strong and God will see us through this storm.

God Bless.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Father God, I pray for my sister who is reading this right now. Thank you that you are her Shepherd, and she shall not want for anything. In you, she has everything she needs to thrive. Help her to trust you to be her Shepherd and trust your leading. You have abundance for her even when it hasn’t yet materialized. Thank you that you will minister strength to her spiritual need, her emotional need, her physical need and her financial need. Every area of her life is being made strong. Father, after you have strengthened her, use her to strengthen others. When you have blessed her, use her to bless others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Read Psalm 34:9; Psalm 34:10; Philippians 4:19; Psalm 84:11)

Daughter Of The King Devotional 

You Should Pray

During this time of uncertainty, we need to remember our fundamental foundations. And one of those fundamental is prayer.

This is the time not to shrink back but to boldly move forward and take back what is ours, our land, and everything that we put our feet and hands to. Prayer is the answer!

God Bless.

You Should Pray

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray.  Are any of you happy?  You should sing praises. (NLT) -James 5:13

Prayer is a silent, powerful tool, often overlooked.  We should pray through the good times and the bad and everything in between.  Take just one minute, think of a friend, and take slow deep breaths as you pray for that person.  Be comforted in knowing that God heard you.

Download this app to get your daily devotions: http://www.jctrois.com/dailybibledevotion/

An Easter Prayer For You

An Easter Prayer

Lord, thank you for loving us more than life itself. God, life is hard and uncertain. So much pain, hurt, and heartache seems to surround us. And yet, knowing this, You still willingly gave up your life and became God with us and God who rescues us. Thank you. Because of Your sacrifice, we can spend eternity with You. There is no pain You cannot conquer, no hurt You cannot heal, and no life You cannot transform. Your death and resurrection proved that nothing is impossible for You, and that we are more than conquerors because of You. Today and every day, help us to fix our hearts and our minds on You. And as we do, please give us more of Your joy, hope, and peace. We love You, and we want to worship You. You Version Prayer Study

Holy Week

Holy week in a nutshell. Be blessed and remember all He did and give for you and for me knowing He would shout it from the mountaintops, His sacrifice was worth it and given then chance, He would do it all over again.

God Bless.

Take It All To Jesus

I must say after reading this little devotional is easier said than done. 

I have a tendency to take everything to heart and try to solve things on my own and in the end, my plan usually fails but I keep on doing it. Yes, I never seem to learn.

However, I long for a stronger walk with God that is unwavering and I know I can run to Him with everything and He is going to show up for me. 

But, I've been through to much and if I am honest, it is going to take more than a little devotional to make a difference but yet, I.keep going and growing and hoping that maybe it will at least get better.

And it does. I am and will be forever thankful for little devotional's like the following for it let's me know God hasn't given up on me.

God Bless.

Take It All to Jesus!

In the past couple of weeks, I have done a few things that I regret. I showed extreme impatience in a specific situation, and my behavior was not a good example to my children. I also made a decision and started getting other people involved in my plan, only to realize I didn’t have peace. I also realized I had not even prayed about it; I just acted on my own. Wow! I should have known better in both of these situations.
Do you ever do things and then think, I cannot believe I did that? Realizing our mistakes is the first step toward repentance. Thankfully, we can go to Jesus with all of our failures and weaknesses and be assured that He will never reject us. I am sorry for my foolishness, but I am also very glad that I don’t have to waste several days feeling guilty.
Today, take all of your sins and failures to Jesus. Talk to Him about them openly and honestly, receive His forgiveness, and rejoice that you don’t have to be condemned. I am sure that, like me, you want to change, and God will indeed change us into His image as we continue in His Word and place our trust in Him.

Prayer:

Father, I am sorry for all my sins, and I ask You to strengthen me in every area where I am weak. I am excited about spiritual growth, and I trust You to change me to be more and more like You.

What If You Let Yourself Be Led

Some food for thought.

God Bless.

What if you let yourself be led by the Holy Spirit? Of all the voices that you could hear, the Holy Spirit’s voice is, without a shadow of a doubt, the sweetest and the strongest, the most heavenly and most profound. When the Spirit of God speaks to you, it transcends everything that you are, all that you have known. The voice of the Lord is the most loving of voices and His ways, the wisest. Listening to Jesus is the best path and decision. The Holy Spirit speaks to you. He speaks to you every day:

Through dreams Through your daily reading of the Word Through sermons and teachings Through a friend When you listen to the Holy Spirit, that’s when the miracle happens, when your human limits are crushed to pieces because you receive the wisdom, advice, and instructions of the Most High God! My prayer and invitation is that you listen to and obey the sweet voice of the One who loves you, of the One who witnessed your birth and desires for you to be happy and thrive more than anything. 

Pray with me: “Father, I quiet my soul even right now and listen to Your heavenly voice. It is the sweetest and most profound voice I could ever hear. Thank You for what you’re speaking to me...I love You. In Your name, amen.” Thanks for existing!

Eric Célérier

God's Love Is Enough

This is an interesting read and the content of this little devotional is something I feel as we don't believe in enough.

God's love is indeed enough but we don't believe it which is sad. And I can honestly said, I'm a member of the club. When you go through a lot of crap, it takes a toll on you and you start thinking life can't get any better than what it is now.

So, my struggle is real and in my heart of hearts, I know God is all I need and He will bring me through, and in the end, this will all be worth it.

God Bless.

God’s Love is Enough

Abraham had a true understanding of the heart of God. God had told him to sacrifice his only son. Yet Scripture never records Abraham questioning God’s plans. He never said, ‘Why me?’ or ‘Why did you give, if you were going to take away?’ He just took Isaac to the mountain, confident that God had the best in mind for him. Where did this confidence come from? It came from an understanding that his Father in heaven, who loved him so much and who gave him this son, was good.

He knew that God would never do anything wrong. He had seen God’s love and couldn’t question God’s plans for him. He trusted in God’s love. If we truly understand the nature of God, it will change the way we look at Him, His plans, and our circumstances. Psalm 86:15 (NIV) says, But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. This sums up the nature of God so beautifully. God stands for everything good in this world. He doesn’t intend for any harm to come our way. He only has plans to prosper us, to give us a future and a hope. Why? Because He loves us.

Unconditionally! Today, ask God for a greater understanding of His heart. Once you’ve experienced His love in your life, your life will never be the same. You will be able to trust in Him completely. You will see Him lead you to victory, even when circumstances seem bleak. Remember, He didn’t even spare His Son for you. Will He not also give you everything else you need? Know today, that God loves you and wants the best for you. 

Prayer Father, thank You for Your unconditional love towards me. Give me a deeper understanding of Your love. I choose to trust Your plans for me, because I know that they are good. Amen.

-Author Unknown