Stay faithful and finish the race God has set before you.

Share this with someone who needs encouragement to keep going and finish well.

#2Timothy47 #KeepTheFaith #FinishTheRace #FightTheGoodFight #PersevereInFaith #WalkByFaith #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #StayFaithful #Lordsbook

‍ Run your race with endurance and keep your eyes on Jesus.

Share this with someone who needs encouragement to keep going.

#Hebrews1212 #RunWithEndurance #FixYourEyesOnJesus #FaithJourney #PersevereInFaith #WalkByFaith #FaithInChrist #ChristianLiving #FinishWell #Lordsbook

One failing of the American church today - there are surely others as well, but I'm going to focus on this one - is the lack of connection. The book of Acts tells us that the church met daily. House to house. Breaking bread. Of course with fellowship, and that would mean mutual support.

Now that does not mean we have to meet together every day. Nor does it mean that we must go from house to house. Our modern culture and society is different. And that's ok. We don't have to copy, to the detail, the methods of that time.

But the spirit of the idea should remain the same. But when the normal for us is to show up three minuets before the beginning of the Sunday morning service, and be in our cars driving away three minutes after the final benediction, we're never going to have connection with our fellow believers. You can't offer a quick handshake and a "how are you doing?" and a "good to see you," as we pass on down the aisle toward our own seat, and call that "being friendly."

You could do that every Sunday morning for years and never actually know the other person. Some of us remember when after Sunday morning church, we'd either invite someone to come have dinner at our house, or have someone invite us to theirs. It is over a meal that you get to know the person. What is that person, or that family going through right now? What might be the struggles they're dealing with?

But we seem to live in a time when nobody wants to know anything about our neighbor. That person, or that family who sits in the pew in front of us, or behind us. And we don't want anyone else to know about us either. Certainly not know our business. But that's not the accurate definition of a "body of Believers."

So what are we going to do to change that? Or would we rather keep it as it is. It's more tidy that way, we believe, and that's the way we seem to like it. But that is not the way of the church.

Matthew 21:1-17

Now Jesus has determined to enter the final phase of his earthly ministry, elsewhere in Luke in the King James vernacular He “set His face toward Jerusalem”. It is here that in Matthew's own style to point to Jesus as the prophecied Messiah using the verse from Zechariah while describing Jesus's actions.

Zechariah 9:9
[9] Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah is writing a list of things to come while addressing the situation with the rebuilding of the walls and temple to replace the first destroyed Solomons temple. Don't forget that the first hearers and readers of Zechariah had no king.

Both the northern and southern kingdoms have been destroyed and there is no king in either. So when Zechariah says a King is coming, there is no doubt Zechariah anticipated this King to be the Messiah. The Jews understood this, so when Jesus rode that donkey into Jerusalem they clearly understood this to be the receiving of the Messiah.

Now here's the part where my ADHD brain begins asking, was there some supernatural knowledge that this colts owner was privy to regarding this or did he just faithfully accept, “The Lord has need of this” as a valid reason?
We will never know for sure but it is fun to think about.

The actions of the crowd are those of a city welcoming a king after a great victory or anointing. The laying out of cloaks, palm leaves and more were to not allow this arriving king to soil the feet of even the animal he's riding in on.

The children are calling out, “Hosanna” which means “God save us”. Let's make this clear, there was NO confusion about Jesus's claim here. The Jewish Leaders were well aware of the Messianic claim here. So when He dismounts in Jerusalem and begins what is considered the second cleansing of the temple there is no debate, Jesus is claiming to be the Messiah in no uncertain terms.

So when the leaders approach Him with the question, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 in response.

Psalm 8:2
[2] From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have established strength Because of Your enemies, To do away with the enemy and the revengeful.

In the Hebrew, the word used means strength from the root word for stronghold. Here, Jesus is quoting the Septuagint or Greek version where the word ‘praise’ is used. It's this praise that acts as a source of strength against God's enemies.

Yes, Jesus is calling the Jewish leaders the enemies of God. And without even attempting a debate with them, Jesus turns his attention to healings amidst the destruction.

Some Jews believed He was there to act as King and they were ready and willing to go to war against Rome to have a king back. They were willing to die for this new king. But He didn't take a throne they could see, didn't receive a crown of a king and simply continued preaching. And this event took place roughly a week prior to the cross.

So the calls took a week to devolve from Hosanna to “Crucify Him” because the Kingdom Jesus ushered in was the Kingdom of Heaven, not Israel. How many times in our lives do we go from thanking and praising Him to neglecting Him, because the answer to our praise and prayers isn't the answer we expected? It doesn't take much to turn someone from God. A week? God, please give us the strength to continue in faith.



[1] When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, [2] saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to Me. [3] And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them on immediately.” [4] Now this took place so that what was spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: [5] “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” [6] The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, [7] and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their cloaks on them; and He sat on the cloaks. [8] Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. [9] Now the crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” [10] When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” [11] And the crowds were saying, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.” [12] And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. [13] And He *said to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” [14] And those who were blind and those who limped came to Him in the temple area, and He healed them. [15] But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant, [16] and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus *said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?” [17] And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

Psalm 32:1-2 KJV
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile."

Hallelujah!!

That is the believer's state of right standing with God.

By the grace of God, because of our faith in Jesus and his "finished" work at the cross, we are not only blessed with already having all of our sin debt washed away in the blood of Christ (our transgressions forgiven and sins covered), but also we enjoy a continued blessing going forward of God not counting our iniquities against us. We are forgiven, and we continue to be held in a state of sinlessness.

Such blessings are not due to our performance. They are due to God's mercy and grace.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 KJV
"And all things are of God, who 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

#grace #mercy #faith #cross #forgiveness

Amazing Facts.
Daily Devotionals

Where is the line between persisting in prayer and vain repetition?

August 24, 2026

Prayer is not for informing God; rather, it draws us up to God. The Lord wants us to pray to Him for our benefit, and not because He wouldn’t know what’s going on if we didn’t pray. It binds us to God. He knows what you need even before you ask, so the Lord lays certain burdens on our heart, and as long as those burdens are there, we should keep praying for them.

The heathen would utter the same prayer several times in one sitting. That’s not prayer. Prayer is the intelligent cry of your heart to the heart of God. Prayer elevates you. When you pray, you should think about the prayer and what you’re saying really means.

The Greek word for “vain repetitions” is only found in this one place in the New Testament. It means “to babble” and to “rattle off without giving much thought to what is being said.” Is this how Jesus wants us to pray? What follows in verses 9–13 is a simple example of how we might pray. But it’s not intended to be a magic formula that will do wonders if we vainly repeat it.

There are some Christian denominations that tell people that when they sin, they should say a certain prayer over and over again in order to right the wrong they did. That’s not biblical.

Then you’ve got people like Elijah who knelt down and, seven times, asked God to send the rain. I don’t think he prayed the exact same prayer seven times. Rather, seven different times he pled with the Lord to fulfill His Word and send the rain. People who have children wandering from God pray for their salvation every day. That’s not praying in vain repetition. You can be sure that Jesus prayed for the disciples every day (John 17).

Key Bible Texts
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Matthew 6:7 KJV)

I don’t feel like I’m running the race anymore, I feel like I’m crawling. I’m still grieving and I’m stressed and in pain. I know God is good. even if I can’t see it I know He is working. I just need prayer, and some encouragement to keep going.

MONDAY MORNING PRAYER
“THAT SETTLES IT!”
Scripture: Isaiah 55:1–11 (KJV)
Key Scripture:
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please...”
— Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)

Heavenly Father, in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we come before You on this Monday morning giving You glory, honor, and praise!
Thank You, Lord, for waking us up to see another day and allowing us to enter another week. Before we look at our schedules, our responsibilities, our problems, or our circumstances, we look to You. You are still God. You are still faithful. Your promises are still true, and Your Word still stands!
Your Word declares:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
— Isaiah 55:8
Father, when we don't understand what You are doing, help us to trust what You have said. When Your way doesn't look like our way, remind us that Your wisdom is higher than ours. When we cannot trace Your hand, give us faith to trust Your heart.
If You said it, THAT SETTLES IT!
When fear says, “It won't work,” Your Word says:
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.”
— Isaiah 54:17
THAT SETTLES IT!
When worry says, “How are you going to make it?” Your Word says:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:19
THAT SETTLES IT!
When sickness, weakness, and pain try to discourage us, Your Word says:
“For I am the LORD that healeth thee.”
— Exodus 15:26
THAT SETTLES IT!
When the enemy tries to remind us of our past, Your Word says:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 8:1
THAT SETTLES IT!
When circumstances tell us there is no way, Jesus declares:
“With God all things are possible.”
— Matthew 19:26
THAT SETTLES IT!
Father, Isaiah 55:10–11 reminds us that just as the rain and snow come down from heaven and accomplish their purpose, Your Word will accomplish what You sent it to do.
Your Word will not return void!
So this Monday morning, we choose to stop arguing with what You have already spoken. We will not allow fear to have the final word. We will not allow people to have the final word. We will not allow circumstances to have the final word. We will not allow the doctor's report, the bank account, the workplace, the opposition, or yesterday's failures to have the final word.
GOD, YOU HAVE THE FINAL WORD!
Go before us this week, Lord. Order our steps. Guard our families. Cover our homes. Protect our children and grandchildren. Strengthen marriages. Restore relationships. Open doors that no man can shut. Provide for every need. Give wisdom for every decision. Bring peace into troubled minds and strength to weary hearts.
Where there is confusion, speak peace.
Where there is sickness, release healing.
Where there is lack, release provision.
Where there is discouragement, restore hope.
Where there are closed doors, direct us to the doors You have ordained.
And where the enemy has spoken lies, give us the courage to answer him with THE WORD OF GOD!
For You declared:
“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace...”
— Isaiah 55:12 (KJV)
Therefore, we will enter this week with JOY!
We will walk through this week with PEACE!
We will face this week with FAITH!
We don't have to know every detail because You already know the outcome.
We don't have to understand everything because Your ways are higher than our ways.
We don't have to fear tomorrow because Your Word has already gone before us.
And according to Isaiah 55:11, what You have spoken shall accomplish Your purpose!
So we put a period where the enemy keeps trying to put a question mark.
GOD SAID IT.
WE BELIEVE IT.
HIS WORD WILL ACCOMPLISH IT.
AND THAT SETTLES IT!
In the mighty, powerful, undefeated name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN!

DECLARATION...
I DECLARE that I will begin this week standing firmly on the Word of God!
I will not be controlled by what I see, what I hear, or how I feel.
God's Word is my final authority!
His thoughts are higher than my thoughts.
His ways are higher than my ways.
His promises will not fail.
His Word will not return void.
What God has promised, He is able to perform!
I declare that I will walk in faith instead of fear, peace instead of anxiety, confidence instead of doubt, and victory instead of defeat.
GOD SAID IT!
I BELIEVE IT!
HIS WORD WILL ACCOMPLISH IT!
THAT SETTLES IT!
In Jesus' Name — AMEN!

August 24
“WHO GOD IS TO ME”
THE ONE WHO WALKS WITH ME
Isaiah 43:2 (LLV) —
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and the flame will not consume you.”
There are promises
we might wish
God had made.
“You will never
face deep water.”
“You will never
walk through fire.”
“You will never
experience anything
that frightens you.”
But God
does not say
those things.
He says,
“When you pass
through the waters…”
“When you pass
through the rivers…”
“When you walk
through the fire…”
Not if.
When.
Faith does not
exempt us
from difficult
places.
But neither
does difficulty
mean God
has abandoned us.
“I will
be with you.”
Perhaps those
are the words
we need most
when the water
begins to rise.
God does not
always stand
on the distant shore
and call,
“Keep going.
You'll make it.”
He enters
the water
with us.
When the river
is stronger
than we are,
He is there.
When circumstances
feel overwhelming,
He is there.
When we find
ourselves walking
through something
we never imagined
we would face,
He is there.
And notice
another important word:
“through.”
The water
is not
our destination.
The river
is not
our home.
The fire
is not
the end
of our story.
We pass
through them.
Sometimes
God delivers us
by removing
the difficulty.
Sometimes
He delivers us
by carrying us
through it.
And sometimes,
only after
we reach
the other side,
do we look back
and realize
how faithfully
He was with us
every step
of the way.
We may enter
the water
afraid.
We may enter
the fire
wondering
how we will
possibly endure.
But we never
enter
alone.
The God
who promised,
“I will
be with you,”
does not leave
when the road
becomes difficult.
That is precisely
when His presence
becomes
most precious.
A new beginning sometimes lies on the other side of deep water:
I do not need a life without difficult passages; I need the assurance that God will walk through them with me.
Reflection: Am I interpreting a difficult season as evidence that God has left me, or am I looking for His presence with me in the middle of it?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You never promise from a distance. When I pass through deep waters, You are with me. When circumstances threaten to overwhelm me, You remain beside me. When I must walk through the fire, help me trust Your presence more than I fear the flames. Give me courage for today's passage and faith to remember that I am only passing through. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Don’t Give Up on God (Galatians 6:9)

There are moments when you feel tired.

Tired of praying.

Tired of waiting.

Tired of trying.

Tired of fighting the same battles.

Tired of seeing other people move forward while you seem to be standing still.

And sometimes the easiest thought is:

“Maybe I should just give up.”

But God's Word reminds us:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Read that again:

If we do not give up.

Following Jesus doesn't mean you will never become tired.

Faith doesn't mean you will never experience disappointment.

Being a Christian doesn't mean every prayer will be answered immediately.

There will be seasons when you have to keep walking even when you cannot see the destination.

Think about a farmer.

A farmer plants a seed, but doesn't see the harvest immediately.

There is a season of waiting.

A season of watering.

A season of working.

A season when nothing seems to be happening above the ground.

But beneath the surface, something is happening.

Your spiritual life can be like that.

You may pray and feel like nothing is changing.

You may read God's Word and wonder whether your situation will ever improve.

You may serve others without seeing the impact.

You may share your faith and wonder whether anyone is listening.

Don't assume that nothing is happening simply because you cannot see the results yet.

God can be working in ways you don't understand.

Your responsibility is to remain faithful.

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Keep serving.

Keep learning.

Keep loving.

Keep obeying.

Keep sharing Jesus.

And when you fall, get back up.

Peter failed Jesus.

David made serious mistakes.

Elijah became discouraged.

Moses became frustrated.

Many people in Scripture experienced moments of weakness.

But their weakness wasn't the end of their story.

God's grace met them there.

Maybe today you feel like you've failed God too many times.

Remember:

Failure is not an invitation to run away from God.

It is an invitation to return to Him.

Confess.

Repent.

Receive His grace.

Get back up.

Keep walking.

Sometimes perseverance doesn't look dramatic.

Sometimes it simply means getting out of bed and praying again.

Opening your Bible again.

Going to church again.

Trying again.

Forgiving again.

Serving again.

Believing again.

Taking one more step.

And another.

And another.

You don't have to finish the entire journey today.

Just take the next faithful step.

There may be people around you who are also struggling silently.

Your perseverance can encourage them.

When they see you continue trusting God through difficult seasons, they may discover that faith isn't about having a perfect life.

It's about having a faithful God.

And ultimately, our hope isn't based on our ability to remain strong.

Our hope is based on Jesus.

He endured rejection.

He endured suffering.

He endured the cross.

And He rose again.

Because Christ overcame, we have reason to keep going.

So if you're tired today, rest—but don't quit.

If you need help, ask for it.

If you need prayer, pray.

If you need encouragement, reach out to another believer.

But don't walk away from God because the road is difficult.

The harvest may not be visible yet.

Keep sowing.

Keep trusting.

Keep believing.

At the right time, God will bring about what He has planned.

Don't give up in the season when you cannot yet see the harvest. God is still working.

What is one area of your life where you need to keep trusting God instead of giving up?

#DontGiveUp #Galatians69 #Perseverance #KeepTheFaith #TrustGod #FaithOverFear #ChristianYouth #JesusSaves #ShareJesus #DailyFaith #Lordsbook #JMSM #KNKA