DAY 1 “Is the LORD among us, or not?” Exodus 17:7
When the Israelites came to a “no water” situation at Rephidim, they encountered a genuine need. They were thirsty. They began to doubt that the LORD was even among them. They railed with their leader and demanded water. As we read the context from which this verse is taken we find that the Israelites were there because they had obeyed the command of the LORD. How like them I can be? At times, I find myself doubting the Word of God or the place or position in which I find myself.

“Father, today I praise You that You are everywhere present. I confess and turn aside from fears that have caused me to doubt and believe things contrary to Your Word. I ask You to forgive me. Thank You that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that we can come to You through Him. Today I ask You for grace to follow my Master and my Friend, in whose name I pray. Amen.”

DAY 2 “He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him.”
I John 5:18 Jesus asked of His Father that those who were born again (not by the will of man, but by the Spirit of God) would be kept from the evil one. (John 17:15) Our verse today (above) is confirmation of that answer. Therefore, every believer should shout for joy knowing that we belong to God and are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. The evil one may be able to tempt us, sorely try us, and test us. He may put pitfalls and snares in our way, but he cannot lay hold of us!

“Father, today I praise You for Your protection. You are my shield. I praise You that even when I have allowed myself to fall into temptation, been sorely tried or tested, he cannot lay a hold of me so as to prevent me from Your healing touch and drawing near to Your presence. I confess and repent that I have bowed to his lies often. I thank You today for Your forgiveness and Your restoration. In Jesus name. Amen.”

DAY 3 ”And it came about, when David dwelt in his house that David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under curtains.” I Chronicles 17:1 In his heart of hearts, David, King of Israel, desired to build a “house” or a temple for Yahweh (God). In the pagan culture, which surrounded David, it would have been common to build temples for their gods. God sent a message to David through Nathan saying, “You shall NOT build a house for Me to dwell in…” Elsewhere in Scripture, God tells us that He doesn’t dwell permanently in a building made by hands. His dwelling place is within the heart of man. True to His character, God also relayed the message that while David was thinking of a physical, temporal house, instead, God was planning to build a physical, eternal dynasty for David. God’s plan was to “settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.” Isn’t that just like God?

Father, like David responded, “Who am I, 0 LORD God, and what is my house that Thou hast brought me this far? …There is none like Thee, neither is there any God besides Thee.” I praise You for who You are. I thank You for making me Your own, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

DAY 4 “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe…” Hebrews 12:28 NASB When God appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai we are told that His voice shook the earth. Imagine. The voice of God can cause this planet to tremble. Did you know He has promised to once again shake not only the earth, but also the heaven? What a day that will be! Everything that can be shaken, will be shaken and that which cannot be shaken will remain. Therefore, we need to ask ourselves “What ‘kingdom’ do I want to be clinging to when this happens? Whose rule and reign am I presently under?” If you are clinging to an earthly kingdom that can pass away at a shaking, you will pass away with it. But if you are clinging to God’s kingdom (His rule and His reign in your heart) you will be secure, for as the Scripture says, His kingdom cannot be shaken.

Father, we praise You for being unchangeable and immutable. Your Word will never pass away. I confess and repent that I often cling to worthless idols – defined as those things that take my devotion away from You. Forgive me and cleanse me from my sin. Thank You for showing me, before it is too late, that Your kingdom is different from what the world has to offer. I thank You by giving myself over to You. May Your rule and Your reign be established in my life, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, my Lord. Amen

DAY 5 “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 This last book in the canon of Scripture unveils an awesome picture of Jesus Christ. In this verse, the promise is that a blessing is stored up for the reader, the heeder and the hearer. God is also forewarning that there is a season fixed in His scheme of things for which He wants us to be prepared. We would do well to resolve to become better acquainted with its contents. Determine to read Revelation and always preface your time in His Word with prayer, asking God to unveil Jesus first and foremost, rather than the wonder of the future.

“Father, I praise You for Your glory made manifest in Your Son. I confess that I have thought more about the thrill of possibly tapping into the mystery of the future instead of seeking primarily to see Jesus. I thank You for the blessing You have for me as I read this book and I ask for knowledge, understanding and wisdom. As I pursue Him, I know that I will also have a greater understanding about the season of time You say is near. May I be fully prepared through Jesus Christ. Amen.

DAY 6 “And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him, purifies himself just as He is pure.” I John 3:3 Every child who belongs to God has the hope of one day seeing Jesus just as He is and being changed into His likeness. Until that event, fixing our hope on Him and looking forward to this blessed event causes us to live differently. This verse holds the key for children to remain faithful to their Maker. Knowing that Jesus is coming again and knowing we can live so as not to be ashamed at His sudden appearance, should motivate us to prepare for that day by living in purity.

“Lord, I praise You for Your pure example. I confess that I often want to live for myself. I repent and embrace Your will for my life. I thank You for the promise of someday seeing You. I thank You that the Holy Spirit will guide me in making choices that are good for me. This portion of Scripture motivates me to live a pure life so that I do not have to blush at Your appearance. Fix my hope on Jesus and nothing else, in whose name I pray. Amen.”

DAY 7 “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.” I John 2:23 The Scripture is clear. The world and its multiple ways to god are in rebellion. Jesus Christ – Yeshua – the Son of the Most High God is the One who brings salvation to the world through His shed blood and subsequent death, burial, and resurrection. Yet there are those, for whom He died, who deny Him. Why? Because if they acknowledge His existence they intuitively know they must pay honor to such a One. Many there are who will perish because they choose to suppress the truth.

“Father, I praise You that You are One with Your Son, Jesus. I confess I have looked for other ways to get to heaven. Thank You that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that I can come to You through Him. Thank You for eternal life in His name. I ask that the veil which blinds so many will be removed that they too might receive Him as their Savior. Amen.”

DAY 8 “He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7 Someone has said that all of our thoughts are processed through either fear-based emotions or faith-based emotions. Of course, our thoughts would come from our five senses. How we respond sets off a chemical reaction in our brain that affects our entire body. God has made us so wonderfully complex! In this world of bad news that we live in today, we have a choice to receive that news with fear or faith. What enables us to accept evil tidings with faith instead of fear? The Psalmist says having a heart that is committed (and submitted) to the Lord will permit us to trust Him even in those times.

Father, receive my praise for You are trustworthy. I confess that my faith wavers at times because I have allowed thoughts that don’t line up with who You are or the power of Your word. Thank You that Your word is fixed in the heavens. Thank You for delivering me according to Your word. In His wonderful name, Jesus. Amen.

DAY 9 ”For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem…” Joel 3:1 This verse is a cliff hangar, I know, but let it speak to you just as it is. There is a day yet ahead for all humanity when God will do as He has spoke through the prophet, Joel. He WILL restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem. How grateful we can be for a loving Father who keeps His word to His people.

Father, receive my praise for Your faithfulness to the nation of Israel as well as those who have come to faith in You through our Jewish Savior, Jesus Christ. I confess, at times, I have been jealous of Your attentiveness to this nation as Your chosen people. Now I see that I too, by faith, have been grafted in to this rich olive tree. You are attentive to me as well and I can only thank You for Your love and mercy. Thank You that You have not forgotten Israel and one day You will make them a praise among the nations. Thank You that I can be restored as well. In Jesus name. Amen.

Day 10 “For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established…” Romans 1:11 How often I wish I could be face to face with a friend like you, rather than the virtual writing tablet we have now which we call the computer and the internet. Relationships are such a vital part of who we are and while we are building relationships of a sort via this means, I am wondering about the days ahead. I wonder if we will eventually ever be able to meet eyeball to eyeball and freely converse or if we will need a screen and a mouse in order to interact. But, until then, let’s keep sharing our faith.

Father, we praise You that You desire a relationship with us, through Jesus Christ. Thank You that we can build relationships with others. Thank You for computers and the internet and new friends we’ve been privileged to know through the use of modern technology. May this serve to honor You. I thank You that we have this means to share a word of encouragement from time to time and build one another up in our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in whose name we pray. Be blessed, Lord, by our mutual love for You and for one another. Amen

Day 11 “Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.”
2 Timothy 2:20 My mother used to have a set of dishes that she used only for special company. They were beautiful, expensive and had to be washed by hand. We knew that when she used them, the guests were to be honored. That meant we were to be on our best behavior. In the Lord’s house, I want to be a vessel of honor, ready for the Master’s use. I know you do too.

Father, You alone have made me worthy to praise You. You took this broken vessel and made it new. Thank You that when you chose me, You chose me for honor. Thank You that You cleansed me and purified me so that I could be ready for Your use. Keep my thoughts and deeds pure that I might be used by You whenever You desire. In Christ alone. Amen.

Day 12 “Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee.” Psalm 139:12 Have you ever been afraid of the dark or the unknown? Have you wondered if there would ever be light at the end of your tunnel? What comfort there is in knowing, intimately, the One who is not overwhelmed by the darkness of night. What appears dark to us is as bright as daylight to Him.

Father, I praise You that there is no night with You. Even though my senses are telling me that things around me are getting so bad and I seem to feel the weight of the darkness, I can slip my fears into Your hand and experience peace. I know You will transform my fears into faith, for the darkness is not dark to Thee and I am not afraid anymore. Thank You. In Christ who makes it possible. Amen.

Day 13 “Then he said to Him, ‘If Thy presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.’” Exodus 33:15 The LORD had just told Moses that He would go with him, and Moses responds by confirming to God that he does not want to go anywhere, even if it means advancing, unless the LORD Himself goes with him. Have you gotten to the point in your life where you believe it is far worse to advance without Him than to stay in one place? In other words, I’m not moving until You tell me where and when to move. This is complete abandonment.

My LORD and my God, I praise You for Your presence. I must confess that all too often I have run on ahead of You; without even consulting You. How wonderful it is to be at this place in my life where I live in total abandonment to You. I shall not follow where You do not lead. Thank You that you know my name. Thank You that I can know Your ways. Jesus, hear my prayer. Amen.

Day 14 “…for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God…” Exodus 34:14 This verse has shaken some people’s concept of a Holy God. Their reasoning is that jealousy seems to be more of a human emotion and they don’t like thinking of a Sovereign God as being jealous. Actually, they are creating a god in their own image, instead of the other way around. Why would God be jealous over His children showing devotion to another god? Because He is the only One, True and Living God. He didn’t want them to be deceived or to cling to worthless idols and forfeit His gift of grace. He knew what was good for them. He didn’t want their heart to be divided.

Father, to think You are JEALOUS for my affection makes me bow in deep humility. You know what is best for me and that is to love only You and to put no false gods before me. Forgive me for the times I have given myself over to other things and not worshipped You as You desire. You deserve my total dependence and gratitude. Thank You for loving me so much. In Jesus name. Amen.

Day 15 “And now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Genesis 45:5 As a mere teenager, Joseph was sold by his brothers; kidnapped from his native land; thrown in a dungeon when he was innocent of the crime; and yet, raised up to rule second in command over all the land of Egypt; because God was in charge of his life. How secure is your future? Are you able to say, whatever happens, God is trustworthy? When you go through a trial, can you accept it as from His hand? Are you storing up bitterness and vengeance or are you storing “grain” in the good times to share with others that are less fortunate when trouble comes?

Sovereign God, I praise You that You know the beginning from the end. Thank You that even in life’s trials and even when I don’t understand, You are still trustworthy. I bow before You, desiring that Your will be done in my life. Thank You for hearing my prayer and securing my future in Christ Jesus, my Lord. Amen.

Day 16 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” Leviticus 17:11 Why did Jesus have to die? In the Old Testament, why did the innocent animals have to die to atone for sin? Often I can see the pained expressions when people discover for the first time what price salvation and eternal life cost. It is painful. It hurts to think of humble little animals, innocent and helpless suffering for our sins. It causes me anguish to think of Pure Innocence suffering on my behalf, when I am the guilty one. My blood should have run down that old rugged cross. But, that is the grace of God. The life-blood of the perfect, spotless Lamb of God was the only blood that could eradicate my debt. His life was given to make me “at one” with God.

Father, I praise You for Your plan of salvation. Thank You for redeeming me through the precious, priceless blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You that He died on my behalf and was raised from the dead, is seated at Your throne and will come again someday to take me to be with You. It’s His name I praise and in His name I give thanks. Amen.

Day 17 “The LORD bless you, and keep you;” Numbers 6:24 This verse is a portion of the Aaronic blessing God gave to His chosen people, the Israelites. The priest would hold his hands over the people in the form of the Hebrew name for YHWH (Yehweh), or Jehovah, and pronounce this blessing to the masses, yet it was considered to be a blessing for the individual. Isn’t that just like God! He treats each person as though he or she were the only one. God is so big, that He hangs the stars in place and yet, He also knows the number of hairs on my head.

Father, You make me feel so exclusively Yours and yet I share Your grace with many, many brothers and sisters around the world. Receive my praise for Your individualized love and my thanks for all who, like me, have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and are in the world-wide family of God. We receive this blessing and ask that we might also be a blessing to others, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day 18 “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For Thou alone, 0 LORD, dost make me to dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 This is a good verse for those nights when your tired head hits the pillow, but your restless mind doesn’t. If you are like me, sometimes in the frustration of trying to fall asleep, I have mentally dissected this verse. I will ask myself what does “in peace” mean? Not experiencing that, I then remind God that the word “both” is there. I’m already lying down, but the verse says “and” sleep. “LORD, do You really see my helpless state?” More recently, I’ve come to realize those spring from fear. Really, I’m wondering (and possibly worrying) if I truly am in a state of peace. Next, I am wondering if the LORD is truly aware of me since I have not drifted off to sleep as I think I should have by now. Then I begin to doubt the truth of His Word. However, the next statement is so comforting because it is so faith-based. I am actually declaring the Truth about God. I am telling my brain to heed the message that, indeed, it is the LORD, no one else, who makes me dwell in safety.

Father, I give You praise because this verse is true. Thank You that You are my peace. Thank You for the restorative power of sleep. In Jesus name, Amen.

Day 19 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:2 Israel celebrated 60 years as a modern nation on May 14, 2008. On that day in 1948 David Ben Gurion read the Israeli Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv in front of 200 people. Present to capture that momentous occasion on film was, not hundreds of photographers, but only one. Eleven minutes after the declaration was in effect, President Harry S. Truman issued a recognition statement. The United States was the first nation to recognize the new state of Israel. When Israel was re-established as a nation and recognized by the world, this became the prophetic yardstick, if you will, of end time Biblical prophecy. One such prophecy stated that the Jewish people would return to their homeland and when that happened, God’s time clock regarding His physical return to earth began ticking.

“God, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, receive our praise for keeping Your word to Israel. You did not say they would not go through the fire, but You did say You would preserve them through it. We thank You for Your faithfulness and we thank You that You are coming again. We await Your appearing. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Day 20 “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.” Lamentations 3:22 Are you discouraged today? If not, maybe you know someone who is. It seems we all need some sort of encouragement these days. God knew we would experience difficult days and we are often told that an antidote is to “remember”. So my prayer for you today is that hope will arise as you recall this truth. Whatever encompasses the Lord’s character will never cease to exist. That is, we will not wake up one morning to a red-letter day where our calendar is marked “God’s love ends today”. Get to know Him, let Him be your everything.

“Oh Lord, You are so worthy of our praise. Often times we feel like giving up and hopelessness takes root. Father, forgive us. Thank You for Scriptures like this one that remind us that Your love is everlasting. Envelop us in that love today through Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Day 21 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, 0 God, Thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17 NASB Has your heart ever been broken? Where do you go when it is? This Scripture tells us how God views a broken spirit. It is precious in His sight for it is an offering brought to the LORD at personal expense and often more than once. Think through life’s experiences. How often does something need to be broken before it can be fully utilized? Take for example, the kernel of grain whose outer shell needs to be broken in the cold, dark soil before life can sprout forth. Or, how about the loaf of bread that needs to be broken before it can provide nourishment. So it is with us. When we come broken before the LORD in repentance for missing His mark, or when accusation has been brought upon us; when our hearts are heavy and break beneath the weight, we need to take it to His cross. It was there He was broken that we might be whole.

“Father, Lover of our souls, we praise You for being that competent Physician to mend our brokenness. Thank You for being able to set in place, that which is amiss. You are so kind to give us second chances. You always go before us and prepare the way. You are the God of broken things and You love to heal! Praise Your wonderful name. Amen.”

Day 22 “Wondrously show Thy lovingkindness, 0 Savior, of those who take refuge at Thy right hand from those who rise up against them.” Psalm 17:7 Today, Lord, show Your marvelous loving kindness to all who put their trust in You. Together we praise You for Your strong hand of salvation and deliverance from those who rise up against us. Knowing that some of us, today, will be surrounded by the taunts of these, we ask that we will remember who our real enemy is, for we do not war against flesh and blood. Thank You that You hold us up, Your children, to be precious in Your eyes. No one who waits on the LORD shall be ashamed, but those who taunt us will one day be ashamed for they transgress without cause, according to Your Word. Thank You for hearing our prayers today and not hiding Your face from us. We love You. In Jesus name. Amen.

Day 23 “Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.” Psalm 27:3 How can I be confident when everywhere I look or whatever I read tells me something is wrong with the world in which I live? Oh, my friend, that is the point! There is a world which promises peace, safety, freedom from pain, freedom from suffering, a fulfilled life. It is the hope of those who have put their faith in Jesus, the life-giving, Son of God, Yahweh. We are only passing through this physical world; it is not our eternal residence. Let your hope be anchored in this good news: that Jesus secured this for you because of His death and resurrection. Place your trust in His finished work of paying for your sins by shedding His blood on the cross and be confident that though war and tribulation arises around you, the Host of Heaven’s armies camps around you and is no match for the host of troubles surrounding you.

Praise You, LORD, for being this new-found strength in my life. Thank You for being my salvation and the light for this dark world. Amen

Day 24 “The LORD favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness.” Psalm 147:11
Do you want to know how to please the LORD? It’s very simple, but costly. Trust Him. Hope in His mercy. We cannot stand on judgment day except for His unmerited mercy. All He desires is complete abandonment – a total surrender, saying, “Father, I come to You, King of Kings and Lord of all Lords, in the name of Jesus. I praise You for taking away my sins, for giving me life eternal with You. Thank You that You receive me this day. I have nothing in my hands to bring You. They are empty, but I ask You now to fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I look forward to eternity with You and place my hope in what You did for me, Jesus. I acknowledge that You have released me from my sins by Your shed blood. Thank You.

Where once there was sorrow and guilt, now the burden has lifted. Instead of feeling entrapped in the cocoon of self, I have been released and am free to be all that You purposed in Christ Jesus for me to be. I praise You and give You my life so that You can live Your life in and through me. Amen.

Day 25 “I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’; and Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5 It is so simple and yet so profound. Simple in that we must just acknowledge our sinfulness to a patient, loving heavenly Father. Where can we go to hide from the guilt? We can’t. Adam and Eve tried hiding behind a tree. They also tried hiding behind fig leaves. What “fig leaves” are you crouching behind? They come in all shapes and sizes but the truth remains, there is no place to hide or to bury ones guilt, but in the precious blood of Jesus. There we find sweet release. So, when we decide that nothing is hid from Him and confess our waywardness to Him, He can then forgive us. The old is passed away and a new life begins. Halleluiah!

So, today, Father, I praise You for accepting me through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Thank You for making me aware of Your love and forgiveness. In His matchless name, I pray. Amen.

Day 26 “I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4

Someone who has studied the process of thinking concluded that every thought is stimulated through input from our five senses. When this thought is then formed, it responds with an emotion that is either faith-based or fear-based depending on how we process the information that comes our way. When things or people have failed you, you can know that there is One who will not. His name is Jesus. He has provided for us the way to God, the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He will come to You when you seek Him with all your heart. Seek Him today and place your life in His hands. He loves you and wants you to be with Him forever in paradise. He alone can deliver you from all that troubles you.

“We praise You, LORD God, for hearing our cry and coming into our lives. Thank You that You alone can deliver us from all our fears. In Jesus name, we are free to trust You. In His name we pray. Amen.”

Day 27 “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.”
Psalm 34:7

Do the headlines in the news frighten you? It seems the world is on a roller coaster ride to famine and disaster. Today’s verse tells us where to place our “fear”. We who are God’s children (known as saints because we have been released from the bondage to sin), are to replace fear of all which is going on around us with faith in our Eternal Father. Our reverence should be greater than our tendency to be afraid.

It has given me great comfort through these many years to know that the LORD has an angel that camps round about me and rescues me from that which could cause me great fear.

Praise You, LORD that You deliver us. Praise You that Your own personal messenger takes up residence around me to protect me. How awesome You are! Thank You, Jesus.

Day 28 Thou art my hiding place; Thou dost preserve me from trouble; Thou dost surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7

Where do you go to hide? These are troublesome times. These are times from which we need deliverance. Here, the song writer and psalmist declares that God and God alone can hide us and in so doing He preserves us. He even sends songs which remind us of His promise to hide, preserve and deliver. Blessed be the name of the most High God. He is our hiding place. Don’t waste time. Make Him your hiding place today. Feel His loving arms of protection and deliverance.

Praise You Lord that we can hide in You. Praise You that You promise to preserve us in the times of trouble. Thank You for Your presence as you surround me. I can sing even when surrounded by trouble for I know that You are with me. In Jesus name. Amen.

Day 29 “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” I John 5:19

Wow! What a contrast. It makes me tremble. There is no slack here! My friend, as I write this I do wonder if you know where you are in this picture? The apostle John, writes this because he wants you to know, you don’t have to wonder. The “we” refers to those “born of God”. The “world” has an adjective that leaves no one out. Where are you? It is the same question God asked Adam when he hid in the garden to cover his shame. If you want to be released from your sin and shame then ask God to accept you into His family through His Son, Jesus Christ. As an act of faith, receive His gift of grace to be free from the grip of the evil one. Become “born of God” (a spiritual rebirth) and enjoy a new life in Christ.

Father, we praise You through Jesus Christ our Lord that You so loved us that You sent Your Son to die in our place. Thank You that His blood was spilled on behalf of the whole world to defeat the power of the evil one. Thank You my Deliverer! Thank You that we can be released from the evil one’s grip and be assured of eternal life when we humble ourselves and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for so great a salvation. Amen!

Day 30 “Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:4

Nehemiah was in a pagan land, far from his beloved homeland when he exhibited this passionate response to a question he had asked. His burden for the condition of his people and his country never left his memory even while surrounded now by a totally different culture from what he had once known. While in exile, he didn’t look for excuses to forget the burden for his countrymen, nor his land. When he heard of the distress and devastation, he was driven to his knees in desperation.

Oh, Father, how soon we forget or turn our back on that which falls apart. We give up so easily. Instead of laying a hold of Your great promises to hear our cries for that which concerns us, instead, we believe lies from the evil one who destroys all hope of restoration. Father, forgive us. We have sinned against You and Your promises. We praise You for Your forgiving heart. Thank You for hearing us, for restoring us, for letting us be burdened with that which burdens You. It’s Your name we hold in high esteem. Come, save us from ourselves and give us success this day. Amen.

Day 31 “I bow toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your steadfast love and faithfulness, because You have exalted Your name, Your word, above all.” Psalm 138:2 (The Jewish Bible)

If God exalts His name and His word above all other things, then how can we do less? God’s character backs His word. In human terms, it would be like our signature to an official document. We are backing what we say. Sometimes we don’t understand or can’t figure things out and we get frustrated and angry. But just think, if we could figure everything out, then one of us wouldn’t be necessary. This doesn’t mean we check our brains at the door when we enter into a relationship with our Savior, but it does mean that we need to change lenses on our five human senses. Let’s look at the world through His lenses and not those we have fashioned over the years by being in this distorted world.

Almighty God, we praise You that You are above all other things and that You love us and have given us Your Word, backed by who You are. Thank You for so great a love. In Jesus name. Amen.

Day 32 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horseman because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!” Isaiah 31:1

What vivid imagery the Lord gives us in this section of Scripture. Egypt is a picture of the world (or the flesh). In the world, there are many “horses” which I lean on for strength and many “chariots” all too eager to help me reach my goal. Sometimes those driving the “horses” may look stronger and more capable and even closer than God. After all, they have skin on and God doesn’t, for He is Spirit. Together these things are able to get me from one place to another, or at least where I think I should go.

Spirit of the living God, this is painfully true. I’m reminded of the things in this world (the arm of flesh) that I have sought instead of You. I confess that I have relied on them more often than You. Forgive me. I see my pursuit of the things of this world for what it is. Selfishness. Today, as I seek You, I praise You for Your faithfulness and for restoring my vision. I praise Your sufficiency. Thank You for being capable of meeting all my needs through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Day 33 Jesus said, “I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” John 17:23 (NASB)

This verse boggles my mind! Having been sent on a mission by His Father, Jesus is about to go to the cross to die in place of sinners. Just before He does, He prays to His Father that they would someday be able to comprehend just how much the Father loves them. Jesus has heard the Father declare from heaven several times that He is His “Beloved.” He knows His sacrifice will reconcile many to be “one” with the Father, even as He is. I don’t know about you, but if you have siblings, isn’t it true that you feel a bit smug if you think at least one of your parents loves you just a teensy-weensy bit more than your brothers or sisters? Be honest now. However, here we get a glimpse of Divine Love as Jesus unselfishly prays that we might allow ourselves to be enveloped in His love and finally grasp that God loves us as much as He loves His Son.

We praise You, Father, for sending Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for being obedient. Thank You for allowing me to finally realize the depth of Your love. I receive Your love and forgiveness and ask that I might also love others through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Day 34 “The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19

Someone once posed the question, “How will you feel when you get to heaven and go to shake hands with the prophet Habakkuk and he asks “Did you like my book?” – Oops! Since at the time I wasn’t that familiar with the Old Testament, I decided to cross that one off my list and get to it. I was pleasantly surprised to find quite a message in the short three chapters. In fact, at the beginning it sounded like my heart cry all too often. Then, at the end, he makes this declaration that no matter what the Sovereign God permits in his life; he will mount up over it because of the LORD being the strength of his life. It was quite a faith lesson.

Sovereign Lord, I give You the highest praise for nothing else matters if I am yours and You are mine. Thank You for giving me endurance in the face of mountains too big to cross over in my own strength. Thank You for this portion of Scripture meant for me today. Amen.

Day 35 “For perhaps he was for this reason parted from you for a while, that you should have him back forever…” Philemon vs. 15

Are your arms empty today because someone you love is no longer with you? Do you have a loved one whose feet used to sit at your table but is now separated from you? Maybe you had dreams and aspirations for this person that are now barren and hopeless. In this small book in the New Testament, Paul was writing to tell Philemon, the owner of a missing slave named Onesimus, that as painful as the present separation was, there was a bigger picture. Under Roman law, Onesimus faced death for running away. However, while he was away from his owner, he had come to faith in Jesus Christ and because of this heart transformation, he was returning to his owner. The slave, Onesimus, had an advocate who made an appeal for him, but would Philemon, his master, forgive him? Under Roman law, he didn’t have to. But if he did, he would have more than a slave, he would have a brother in the Lord. Is there someone you need to receive back into your life by forgiving?

Father, it was Your love that sought me. Jesus, it was Your sacrifice that bought me. Holy Spirit, it was Your perseverance that caught me. Receive my praise this day, because legally, I should have been eternally separated from you because of my sin. Thank You for paying so great a price for my freedom and acceptance. Help me to forgive as I have been forgiven. Amen.

Day 36 “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him…” Colossians 2:6

How does one receive Christ Jesus as Lord? By faith. How, then does one live afterwards in this new relationship? By faith. What is faith? Although faith is not revealed to the five senses, that is, you can’t touch, taste, see, hear or smell faith, still you are convicted that it is real. Faith can be great or little, move mountains, ford streams, survive fiery furnaces, heal, save, grow, sanctify, justify, give access to grace, cause us to stand, be full of power, take dominion and yet we can’t give it away. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Will you receive His gift to you today and live for Jesus?

Father God, for being the Author of faith, we praise You. For Your provision of faith, we thank You. For making it possible for us to receive and live anew in Christ Jesus, we thank You. Amen.

Day 37 “Let your way of life be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 NASB

Are you concerned about present trends in our nation? Gas prices continue to rise like a giant tsunami leveling everything in its path. Is the real problem the use of fuel or the lack of it? Or is it the love of money? What can we, as individuals do about it? Maybe I can’t tame a tsunami or a nation gone awry, but I have a choice. I can make my life free from the “love” of money and its mastery. Instead, I can assess what resources God has given me and use them for the betterment of others; then, declare my utter dependence upon the One who will never leave me and cling to this truth.

Our awesome God, we praise You for Your sustaining power. Thank You that the Word bears record that You are sufficient and when we look to You, You will not fail, nor forsake us. We declare our dependence upon You this day, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Day 38

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

The “traditions of men” and the “elementary principles of the world” are what come about because man has rejected the Word of God. They would not be necessary if mankind had accepted the truths of Scripture. They are a substitute, in other words, for the Real Thing. Why does mankind strive to develop these manifestos? I fear it is because they don’t want to acknowledge that there is a God in heaven to whom they might be accountable if they were to admit He exists. May the Lord grant us grace this day to separate truth from lies and then, to be taken “captive” by the Way, the Truth and the Life, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Praise the name and the Word of the Most High God. Thank You that we don’t have to be taken captive by deception, but can be free from that bondage through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day 39 “Yes, brother (sister), let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.” Philemon:20

Using this verse as a springboard, we’d like to change this around and make this our prayer for you today as we draw close to the end of our 40 days together. Whoever you are, however you happened to come to this site, whatever is going on in your life today, we have prayed for you. All of the women on our team have lives to live, houses to clean, meals to prepare, dishes to wash, places to go and people to see. However, God has called us together for a reason and for a season. We pray for you, even though we don’t know who you are. We pray that as we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with you, it will be an advantage to you and refresh your heart. In our own power, we can do nothing, but Christ has promised His Holy Spirit will help us. Be encouraged this day, our friend, that you didn’t come here by accident, but rather, the Lord wanted you to be refreshed in your inner being. We love you because He first loved us.

Prince of Peace, we praise You for loving us. It’s simply Your character to do so. Thank You that someone shared Your love with us. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for allowing us to share that gift in Your power. Refresh this dear one today, in Jesus name. Amen.

Day 40 “Praise the Lord, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, I tell myself, and never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5

At the moment Jesus died on the cross, the temple curtain was torn from the top to the bottom, symbolizing that the barrier between God and mankind was removed Matthew 27:51. From that moment on, because of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, we can approach God and personally come before His Throne with our petitions, our confessions, and our praise. At any time or any given place. The moment we begin praising God, we immediately come into His presence, for God dwells in the praises of His people. Our praise takes the focus off our circumstances and puts it on the Him. Praise glorifies God and acknowledges His authority, His righteousness, and His holiness. It outwardly proclaims that Christ is on the Throne of our lives; He is our Lord and Savior!

Celebrating good news? Praise God! Experiencing the awesomeness of creation? Praise God! Counting your blessings? Praise God! Worried over a child not yet home? Begin praising God. Fearful? Praise God! There are times when we just don’t feel like praising or thanking God. Be open and honest with Him, for He already knows what we’re going through and loves us with His unconditional love. But as you’re sharing your heart, CHOOSE to praise Him in the midst of your circumstances. I Thessalonians 5:17-18 Having trouble getting started? Immerse yourself in the Psalms. Here you will find refreshment for your soul and hope in the trials of life.

“I will praise you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. I will bless you every day, and I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!” Psalm 145:1-3a