THANKFUL THURSDAY MORNING PRAYER!
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” — Psalm 107:1 (KJV)
Heavenly Father, in the mighty and precious name of Jesus, we come before You this Thursday morning with grateful hearts.
Before we ask You for anything, we simply want to say THANK YOU!
Thank You for waking us up this morning. Thank You for another day of life. Thank You for breath in our bodies, strength to rise, and another opportunity to experience Your grace and mercy.
Your Word declares:
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (KJV)
Lord, everything may not be the way we want it to be, but You are still good.
Some of us woke up carrying burdens nobody knows about. Some are worried about their families. Some are concerned about their health. Some are struggling financially. Some are grieving the loss of someone they love. Some are dealing with problems in their marriages and relationships. Some are concerned about their children. Some are waiting on employment or a better opportunity. Some are fighting battles in their minds. And some are simply tired from everything life has brought their way.
But this morning, we choose gratitude over complaining, faith over fear, and worship over worry.
Your Word tells us:
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
Father, thank You for the prayers You have answered, and thank You for the prayers where the answer is still on the way.
Thank You for the doors You opened, and thank You for the doors You closed because You knew what was on the other side.
Thank You for what You allowed, and thank You for what You prevented.
Thank You for protecting us from dangers seen and unseen.
Thank You for the times we didn't know how we were going to make it—but somehow You made a way!
Lord, somebody needs healing this morning. Touch bodies from the crowns of their heads to the soles of their feet. Strengthen those who are weak. Comfort those experiencing pain. Bring peace to troubled minds and encouragement to discouraged hearts.
For Your Word declares:
“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD.” — Jeremiah 30:17 (KJV)
Father, remember those who are grieving. When the house feels different, when memories bring tears, and when loneliness becomes overwhelming, wrap Your loving arms around them.
Remind them:
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4 (KJV)
Lord, bless our families. Restore broken relationships. Bring parents and children together. Strengthen marriages. Heal misunderstandings between siblings. Remove bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy, division, and confusion.
Teach us to love one another, forgive one another, pray for one another, and appreciate one another while we still have the opportunity.
Father, somebody is worried about finances. Bills are due. Prices are high. Resources may be limited. Someone needs employment, a promotion, increased income, or simply enough to make it through.
But we stand upon Your Word:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
Provide, Lord. Open doors. Give wisdom concerning finances. Create opportunities that no person can shut.
Father, we pray for those struggling silently with anxiety, fear, depression, loneliness, disappointment, and discouragement.
Your Word says:
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
So this morning, we give You what we cannot carry.
We give You our children.
We give You our marriages.
We give You our health.
We give You our finances.
We give You our careers.
We give You our unanswered questions.
We give You our fears about tomorrow.
Lord, we put it all in Your hands!
Father, draw those who do not know Jesus into a saving relationship with You. Let hearts be softened, lives transformed, and souls saved. Restore those who have walked away and remind them that there is still room at Your table.
And Lord, as we go through this Thursday, order our steps.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” — Psalm 37:23 (KJV)
Go before us into every workplace, classroom, hospital room, doctor's office, courtroom, meeting, highway, and home.
Protect those traveling.
Give wisdom to those making difficult decisions.
Give strength to caregivers.
Give peace to families facing uncertainty.
Give hope to those waiting for an answer.
Give courage to those beginning again.
And give endurance to those who are simply trying to make it through another day.
Most of all, Lord, keep us thankful.
When we are tempted to focus on what we don't have, remind us of what You have already provided.
When we become discouraged by how far we still have to go, remind us how far You have already brought us.
When life becomes difficult, remind us that we are never walking alone.
“For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” — Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
So today we declare:
THANK YOU, LORD, FOR LIFE!
THANK YOU FOR GRACE!
THANK YOU FOR MERCY!
THANK YOU FOR PROTECTION!
THANK YOU FOR PROVISION!
THANK YOU FOR OUR FAMILIES!
THANK YOU FOR EVERY BLESSING—SEEN AND UNSEEN!
And even for the things we don't understand, we will still trust You.
Let this Thankful Thursday be filled with peace in our minds, joy in our hearts, strength in our bodies, love in our homes, provision for our needs, and the presence of God everywhere we go.
We give You all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise.
In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray.
AMEN AND AMEN!
THURSDAY DECLARATION...
Today, I choose gratitude over worry. I will thank God in every circumstance. I believe He is working even when I cannot see it. My family is covered, my steps are ordered, my needs will be supplied, and God will give me strength for whatever this day brings. This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it! In Jesus' name, Amen!

Really Jesus has done it all for you, sickness, poverty, frustration etc should be a thing of the pass in a Christian life. We are not strangers to all this because we have seen and handled them in Christ Jesus. He won it all for you, you need to tell your self I'm different and I don't bow down to any situation because Jesus did it all for me and I know who im

Seek God's Direction Before the Battle

Scripture

Judges 20:18 (NKJV)

So the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God to inquire of God. They said, Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin? The LORD said, Judah first!

Obedience Is More Than Asking God for Direction

Judges 20 records Israel's response to the horrific events of Judges 19. The nation gathered together in unity to confront the tribe of Benjamin because of the wickedness committed in Gibeah. Their desire for justice was right, but the chapter reveals that even a righteous cause must be pursued with humble dependence upon God.

Before going to battle, the people sought the Lord and asked which tribe should lead the attack. God answered their question, and Judah went first. Yet despite seeking God's direction, Israel suffered a devastating defeat. They returned to the Lord weeping and inquiring again, and once more God instructed them to fight. Again they experienced heavy losses.

Only after they humbled themselves through fasting, worship, sacrifices, and sincere dependence upon the Lord did God give them complete victory over Benjamin.

This chapter teaches an important spiritual lesson. It is possible to ask God for guidance while still relying upon our own strength. Israel initially wanted God's direction, but they had not yet reached the place of complete surrender. As the battle continued, their confidence shifted from their own military strength to total dependence upon God.

Believers often make the same mistake. We ask God to bless our plans while still trusting in our own wisdom, abilities, or resources. God desires more than our questions; He desires our hearts. True faith is not simply asking God what to do but trusting Him completely as we obey Him.

Judges 20 also reminds us that God's timing and methods are sometimes different from our expectations. Temporary setbacks do not always mean we are outside God's will. Sometimes God uses difficulty to deepen our dependence upon Him and to teach us humility before He grants victory.

The Lord desires His people to seek Him with sincerity, worship Him with humility, and trust Him completely. Victory belongs to those who rely on His strength rather than their own.

Reflection Questions

1. Am I seeking God's direction while still depending on my own strength?

2. How do I respond when God allows temporary setbacks in my life?

3. What area of my life needs greater surrender and trust in the Lord today?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, teach me to depend completely on You. Help me not only to seek Your guidance but also to trust Your timing, Your wisdom, and Your strength. When I face challenges or disappointments, keep me from becoming discouraged. Instead, draw me closer to You and deepen my faith. May my confidence always rest in Your power and not in my own abilities. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Wednesday evening Bible study.
Bless us Lord. Continue The Book of Romans

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*God wants our hearts in this relationship. To daily grow and learn how to Live, pleasing To God.

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*it’s here we learn and grow how to Live. Trusting God.
God gives us what we need to serve Him.

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*enthusiastically Rejoice. Keep on Praying.
Honorable
Peace.
Kindness
Do Good.

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*do what is right. Bless those in authority.
Honor God do what is right.

“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*don’t even allow it, give up sinning. Be Full of Christ.
*All Jesus, no more of the flesh.
*back to verse 2 Daily forever Transforming
*Life being pleasing and perfect

“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*people having issue with meat offered to idols. Still hung up on religious customs.

*its all about the Heart.

“Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval. In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*Jesus Standing in our Place. We’ve got to be assured of Living for Him.
It’s about our Heart.

“So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬
*be living and honorable.
Goodness and Peace.
Pleasing to God.

“Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

*do what is Right.
*Trust God… it’s about the Heart. Relationship with God, relationship with one another…

God has always spoken to people in different ways, and one of those ways is through dreams and visions. All throughout the Bible—Joseph, Jacob, Daniel—you see God using these moments to guide, warn, or encourage people. And Joel 2:28 even says that God will continue to speak this way, which is why many Christians still believe He does today.
I’m one of them. So many people have had dreams or visions that gave direction or revealed something true later on. God hasn’t gone silent; we just have to stay open, pay attention, and make sure everything lines up with Scripture. As we keep going, we’ll talk about how to recognize God’s voice and how to test what you experience so you can grow in confidence and wisdom.

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**Jesus Calls Everyone to Repentance and New Life**

Peter From Sinner to Transformed Man

Peter was an ordinary fisherman, living a simple life, when Jesus called him to become a "fisher of men" (Matthew 4:19). Even while walking alongside Jesus, Peter still carried his human weaknesses — impulsive, full of passions, and he even denied his own Master in a moment of persecution (Luke 22:54-62).

But Jesus already knew this and interceded for him: *"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail"* (Luke 22:31-32).

After the resurrection, Peter received the visitation of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and from then on he became a different man. So much so that, faced with the lie of Ananias and Sapphira, who deceived the Holy Spirit, Peter confronted them with authority — and both fell dead before God (Acts 5:1-11). A sign that God does not delight in falsehood among those who follow Him.

Peter, now transformed, teaches us that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and that those born of God live in holiness — without lying, envy, immorality, theft, or fraud (Galatians 5:19-21).

**On sin and repentance:**

- *"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"* (Romans 3:23)
- *"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins"* (1 John 1:9)
- *"Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out"* (Acts 3:19)
- *"I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live"* (Ezekiel 33:11)

God does not desire the sinner's condemnation, but awaits their repentance and conversion with an open heart. He hears the prayer of those who sincerely seek Him.

RUN YOUR RACE WITH YOUR EYES ON JESUS!
Don’t Let the Weight Stop You From Reaching the Finish Line!

Scripture :
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”— Hebrews 12:1–2
Thought Of The Day...
There comes a time in our walk with God when we have to ask ourselves a serious question:
What am I carrying that God never told me to carry?
Hebrews 12 tells us that the Christian life is like a race. But this is not a sprint. It is a race that requires faith, endurance, discipline, patience, and focus.
The writer says:
“Let us lay aside every weight…”
Notice that the Bible distinguishes between a weight and sin.
Everything weighing you down may not necessarily be sinful, but it still may be keeping you from running effectively.
Some weights are fear.
Some weights are disappointment.
Some weights are unforgiveness.
Some weights are people’s opinions.
Some weights are past failures.
Some weights are relationships that constantly drain your spirit.
Some weights are worry about things you cannot control.
And sometimes we are asking God to give us strength to carry something when God is saying:
“I NEVER TOLD YOU TO CARRY IT. LAY IT DOWN!”
First Peter 5:7 says:
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
You cannot run freely while trying to carry yesterday’s pain, tomorrow’s worries, and today’s responsibilities all at the same time.
Some things have to be laid at the feet of Jesus.
LAY ASIDE THE SIN THAT EASILY BESETS YOU
Hebrews does not stop with the weights. It says:
“…and the sin which doth so easily beset us…”
There are some things we need God to carry, but there are other things we need to repent of and put away.
David prayed in Psalm 139:23–24:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me…”
We cannot ask God to bless what He has told us to surrender.
We cannot run toward destiny while deliberately holding onto something that keeps pulling us backward.
Sometimes spiritual growth requires us to say:
“Lord, show me ME.”
Not my neighbor.
Not my spouse.
Not my family.
Not the people at church.
ME!
Show me what needs to change.
Show me what needs to go.
Show me what I need to surrender.
Because I don't want anything interfering with the race You have placed before me.
RUN THE RACE GOD SET BEFORE YOU
The Scripture says:
“…let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Notice it says “the race that is set before us.”
You don't have to run somebody else's race.
You don't have to compete with somebody else's calling.
You don't have to compare your chapter three with somebody else's chapter twenty.
Galatians 6:4 says:
“But let every man prove his own work…”
God has given you a race.
Your assignment may be different.
Your journey may be different.
Your timing may be different.
Your obstacles may be different.
And your testimony may be different.
Stop looking at how quickly somebody else seems to be moving and trust what God is doing in your life.
YOU ARE NOT CALLED TO OUTRUN OTHER PEOPLE. YOU ARE CALLED TO FINISH YOUR RACE FAITHFULLY!
RUN WITH PATIENCE
This may be one of the hardest parts.
“…run with patience…”
We want God to do it now.
We want the prayer answered now.
We want the door opened now.
We want the healing now.
We want the breakthrough now.
We want the situation changed now.
But sometimes God develops us while we are waiting for what He promised us.
Isaiah 40:31 declares:
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength…”
Patience does not mean you have stopped believing.
Patience means:
“God, even though I haven't seen it yet, I still trust You.”
When you're tired—keep running.
When you're disappointed—keep running.
When people misunderstand you—keep running.
When prayers seem unanswered—keep running.
When you cannot see the finish line—keep running.
Why?
Because God never promised that the race would always be easy.
But He promised that He would be with you.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS
Hebrews 12:2 gives us the secret:
“Looking unto Jesus…”
Your strength will not come from constantly looking at the problem.
Your peace will not come from constantly looking at people.
Your confidence will not come from constantly looking at circumstances.
LOOK TO JESUS!
Peter learned this lesson when he walked on water.
Matthew 14:29–30 tells us Peter stepped out of the boat and walked toward Jesus. But when he focused on the wind, fear entered and he began to sink.
The storm was already there when Peter stepped out.
The difference was where Peter was looking.
As long as his attention was directed toward Jesus, he was walking through something that should have overwhelmed him.
But when his focus shifted from Christ to the crisis, fear began taking over.
And somebody needs to hear this today:
DON'T LET WHAT IS AROUND YOU BECOME BIGGER THAN THE JESUS WHO IS BEFORE YOU!
JESUS IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER
Hebrews calls Jesus:
“…the author and finisher of our faith.”
If Jesus is the Author, He knows your story.
If Jesus is the Finisher, He knows how your story ends.
Philippians 1:6 says:
“He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
God did not bring you this far just to abandon you halfway through the race.
There are still chapters God is writing.
There are still prayers God is answering.
There are still doors God can open.
There are still people God wants you to impact.
There is still purpose in you.
So don't quit because you're tired.
Don't quit because it became difficult.
Don't quit because somebody walked away.
Don't quit because things didn't happen according to your timetable.
LAY ASIDE THE WEIGHT.
TURN AWAY FROM THE SIN.
STOP COMPARING YOUR RACE.
RUN WITH PATIENCE.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS.
And when your strength gets low, remember:
THE SAME JESUS WHO CALLED YOU TO THE RACE WILL GIVE YOU THE GRACE TO FINISH IT!


PRAYER...
Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, thank You for reminding us that we are not running this race alone.
Lord, reveal every weight that has been slowing us down. Help us release fear, worry, disappointment, bitterness, unforgiveness, painful memories, and every burden You never intended us to carry.
Search our hearts, O God. Reveal every sin that easily besets us, and give us the courage to repent, surrender, and walk in obedience.
When we become tired, strengthen us.
When we become discouraged, encourage us.
When we become distracted, redirect our eyes toward Jesus.
When we cannot understand what You are doing, give us faith to trust You anyway.
Help us stop comparing our journey with others and faithfully run the race You have personally placed before us.
We declare that our past will not stop us, our problems will not defeat us, distractions will not derail us, and discouragement will not cause us to quit.
Our eyes are on Jesus—the Author and Finisher of our faith!
Give us grace to run.
Give us patience to endure.
Give us strength to continue.
And give us faith to finish.
In the mighty name of Jesus,
Amen and Amen!

DECLARATION...
TODAY I DECLARE:
I will lay aside every weight that hinders my walk with God.
I will turn away from anything that separates me from His will.
I will not compare my race with anyone else's race.
I will run with patience when the journey becomes difficult.
I will trust God when I cannot understand His timing.
I will keep moving when I feel tired.
I will keep believing when I cannot see the breakthrough.
MY EYES ARE FIXED ON JESUS!
He is the Author of my faith.
He is the Finisher of my faith.
What God has started in me, He is faithful to complete!
I WILL NOT QUIT!
I WILL NOT GIVE UP!
I WILL RUN MY RACE!
I WILL KEEP THE FAITH!
AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I WILL FINISH STRONG!
In Jesus’ name—Amen!

August 26
“WHO GOD IS TO ME”
MY HOPE
Psalm 71:5 (LLV) —
“For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You have been my trust since my youth.”
Hope
is often
spoken of
as something
we wish
will happen.
“I hope
things get better.”
“I hope
everything works out.”
“I hope
tomorrow
will be easier.”
But biblical hope
is different.
It is not
a wish.
It is
confidence
placed
in Someone.
“For You
are my hope,
O Lord GOD.”
The psalmist
does not say,
“My hope
is that
my circumstances
will improve.”
His hope
is God.
Then he looks
backward.
“You have been
my trust
since my youth.”
There is something
beautiful
about faith
that has lived
long enough
to remember.
Years
bring memories.
Some joyful.
Some painful.
Some we would
gladly live
again.
Others
we are simply
grateful
to have survived.
But when
we look back,
we can often see
something
we could not see
while we were
living through them.
God
was there.
Through doors
that opened.
Through doors
that closed.
Through prayers
answered
as we hoped.
Through prayers
answered
in ways
we did not
understand.
Through beginnings.
Through endings.
Through laughter.
Through tears.
God
was there.
And yesterday's
faithfulness
becomes
today's reason
for hope.
The psalmist
does not pretend
the future
holds no uncertainty.
Later he prays,
“Do not cast me away
when I am old;
do not forsake me
when my strength
is gone.”
He knows
life changes.
Strength fades.
Tomorrow
contains things
we cannot predict.
But God
does not change
with our seasons.
The God
who held us
when we were young
does not become
less faithful
as the years
pass.
So hope
does not require us
to know
what happens next.
Hope says,
“I know
who will be there.”
Perhaps
that is why
this is
the right place
to finish
our journey.
We have called Him:
My Rock.
My Shepherd.
My Light.
My Refuge.
My Strength.
My Keeper.
The One
who walks
with me.
My Hiding Place.
And now,
after remembering
all those things,
we can look
toward whatever
comes next
and say:
You are
my hope.
A new beginning can face an unknown tomorrow because it remembers a faithful yesterday:
I may not know what lies ahead, but I know the God who will be there.
Reflection: When I look back over my life, where can I see God's faithfulness giving me reason to trust Him with what still lies ahead?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have been faithful through every season of my life. Thank You for the times I recognized Your hand and for the times You were working when I could not see it. When tomorrow feels uncertain, help me remember yesterday's faithfulness. You have been my trust, and You remain my hope. Whatever years or days lie ahead, let me face them with confidence—not because I know what they hold, but because I know You will be there. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily devotion for August 26th
Giving Cheerfully
From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites.

Nehemiah 12:44b
Those offerings and contributions were given with pleasure. The Scriptures carefully inform us that offerings mean nothing if they are not given cheerfully. If you are not giving with pleasure, God does not want your gift. He does not care how big or small it is. If all you are after is to make an impression on others by the size of your gift, God is not interested in that. Jesus told of a widow who put two tiny pieces of money into the treasury, saying that she had given more than all that the rich people had cast in that day. God would pick up that insignificant amount and use it more mightily than He would the larger gifts of the wealthy. What God looks for always is a note of pleasure, of delight, of cheerfully returning funds to him out of a thankful heart.

Dr. H. A. Ironside used to tell the story of an old Scotsman who inadvertently dropped a gold sovereign in the collection bag at a church service. In Scotland, when the ushers take up the offering, they use a long pole with a bag on the end of it, which they pass among the pews. This old Scotsman put in a gold sovereign by mistake when he meant to put in only a shilling. As soon as he realized his mistake, he tried to retrieve his sovereign. But the usher pulled the bag back and said, Nah, once in, always in! The old man said, Ah well, I'll get credit for it in glory. The usher replied, Nah, you'll get credit for the shilling! That is all the old man intended to give. So we are to give as God has given, freely and gladly.

The closing sentence of this paragraph says, They also set aside the portion for the other Levites. They were careful to take care of others who were not able to be there or who were busy performing and therefore did not have opportunity to share in the offerings. This is a beautiful picture of the oneness of the nation of Israel. God was constantly seeking to teach these people that they belonged to each other. They were not individualists, doing their own thing, but they were workers together with God. I do not know any truth that is more important in the body of Christ than to recognize that God uses people different from us. We must recognize that our way of serving God is not the only way but that we belong to and need one another.

Father, thank You that out of the abundance of what You have given to me, I can give to others, knowing that You will continue to provide for my needs.