We say, “The world’s out of control!”
Ponder this: the sun still rises and sets, the tides rise and fall, the moon waxes and wanes, the seasons come and go. Seems to me, God still has our little planet under control.
Psalm 104:1-2, 19 (CEV)
I praise you, Lord God, with all my heart.
You are glorious and majestic,
dressed in royal robes and surrounded by light.
You spread out the sky like a tent …
You created the moon to tell us the seasons.
The sun knows when to set.
Sometimes it feels like we’re losing the battle. We wonder if we’re victims of circumstances beyond our control.
Romans 8:37 (ESV)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
“More than conquerors.” Victors, not victims.
The war was won on Calvary’s hill. Final victory is only a matter of time.
Good morning, Lord. When things are going well–for me!–I forget that we’re in a spiritual battle. When I forget about the enemy, I’m open to his attack. Teach me to “keep watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41), teach me to avoid temptation and get in front of the enemy’s schemes to harm me and those I love.
When things are going well for me, may I be faithful to pray for the wellbeing of others–in the power of Jesus’ name.
Ephesians 6:12 (MSG)
This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
We’re in a spiritual war. Don’t limit it to defending your ground for the short-term. Take the offense, step into the thick of the battle, head for the front line–be a prayer warrior. Fight from your knees.
Remember: we’re on the winning side.
Good morning, Lord. The Beatitudes (the “blessed are you” part of Matthew 5) seem backwards to me. We’re blessed for being poor in spirit, meek and insulted. Our culture says, “be strong, stand up for yourself, step away from toxic people.”
I know Your ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:9), but this is hard to understand. Teach me to make Your ways my ways, in Jesus’ name.
It’s easy to get upset when others insult you for your faith. Here’s what Jesus said:
Matthew 5:11-12 (NLT)
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.“
The more they curse, the more we’re blessed. Whodathunk?
Good morning, Lord. I will encounter some grumpy people today. Don’t let their bad attitudes influence mine–may my good attitude influence them. Fill me with joy and let it overflow to others–not as a pasted-on smile, but with Your peace. May my attitude be a breath of fresh air in our stagnant world.
2 Corinthians 2:15 (NET)
For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
We are called to be the aroma of Christ, a sweet fragrance, a breath of fresh air … in a very stinky world.
Things seem to be getting worse at a faster rate. Don’t let it change you.
Romans 12:2 (ERV)
Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
Let God change you. Be changed for good.
Good morning, Lord. Your timing is perfect, this I know. And yet, I keep hoping You will follow my timeline. I keep asking You to do what I want when I want. Forgive me for thinking You aren’t listening when things don’t go my way.
Teach me to trust You. Teach me to wait patiently and to accept the unexpected. Teach me to walk to the drumbeat of Your eternal plan.
