THANKFUL THURSDAY MORNING PRAYER

“Lord, We Thank You for Everything!”

Scripture...
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” — Psalm 107:1 (KJV)

Heavenly Father,
On this Thankful Thursday morning, before we ask You for anything, we want to thank You for everything.
Thank You for waking us up this morning. Thank You for watching over us through the night. Thank You for the breath in our bodies, the activity of our limbs, and the soundness of our minds. Thank You that when our eyes opened this morning, we were given another opportunity to experience Your grace, walk in Your purpose, and declare Your goodness.
Your Word says:
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (KJV)
So today, Lord, we choose to rejoice. We may not have everything we want, but we thank You because You have been faithful to provide what we need.
Thank You for What We Saw—and What We Never Saw
Father, we thank You not only for the blessings we recognize, but also for the things You protected us from that we never knew were coming.
Thank You for dangers seen and unseen.
Thank You for doors You closed because something harmful was on the other side.
Thank You for delays that frustrated us but protected us.
Thank You for people You removed because they could not go where You were taking us.
Thank You for the accidents that did not happen, the sickness that did not overtake us, the plans of the enemy that did not prosper, and the traps that never caught us.
Your Word declares:
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” — Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)
The weapon may have formed, but it did not win!
The storm came, but it did not destroy us!
The enemy attacked, but he could not cancel Your purpose!
We are still here because Your hand has been upon us.
Thank You for Your Mercy
Father, thank You for mercy.
Thank You that You did not give us what our mistakes deserved.
Thank You for forgiving us when we confessed our sins. Thank You for cleansing us, restoring us, correcting us, and giving us another opportunity to get it right.
Your Word says:
“It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 (KJV)
New mercy this morning!
Not yesterday's mercy.
Not leftover mercy.
But fresh mercy for a brand-new day.
Lord, forgive us for every sin—those committed knowingly and unknowingly, in our words, thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us.
Thank You for Jesus
Most of all, Father, thank You for Jesus!
Thank You for the cross.
Thank You for the blood.
Thank You for salvation.
Thank You for redemption.
Thank You that the grave could not hold Him.
Thank You that Jesus got up with all power in His hands!
Your Word declares:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” — John 3:16 (KJV)
Jesus, thank You for loving us when we were unlovable. Thank You for reaching for us when we were running from You. Thank You for being our Savior, Lord, Advocate, Shepherd, Deliverer, and Friend.
Thank You Even in Difficult Seasons
Father, teach us to thank You even when life does not make sense.
Your Word says:
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
It does not say that everything that happens is good. It tells us that in everything, we can still give thanks.
So even in the valley, we thank You.
Even while waiting, we thank You.
Even when our prayers have not yet been answered, we thank You.
Even when we cannot trace Your hand, help us to trust Your heart.
We believe:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…” — Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Father, take what was meant to break us and use it to build us. Take our tears and produce testimony. Take our trials and develop endurance. Take our disappointments and redirect us toward Your purpose.
Lord, Touch Those Who Need Healing
This morning we lift up everyone who is sick in body, troubled in mind, emotionally wounded, exhausted, grieving, or discouraged.
You declared:
“For I am the LORD that healeth thee.” — Exodus 15:26 (KJV)
Lord, stretch forth Your healing hand.
Touch those dealing with cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, lupus, dementia, Alzheimer's, chronic pain, and every disease and condition.
Strengthen weakened bodies. Restore energy. Give doctors wisdom. Guide surgeons' hands. Let medications work as intended. Bring peace to caregivers and families.
We pray for those fighting battles in their minds—anxiety, fear, depression, loneliness, grief, confusion, and despair. Let the peace of God guard their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Lord, Provide for Every Need
Father, remember those looking for employment. Open the right doors.
Remember those who need promotions and increases.
Remember families struggling financially.
Remember those facing bills they do not know how they will pay.
Remember those worried about food, housing, transportation, or other necessities.
Your Word promises:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
Father, make a way where there appears to no way.
Give wisdom concerning finances. Provide resources. Create opportunities. Send favor. Connect people with the right opportunities at the right time.
Bless Our Families
Lord, cover our families.
Protect our marriages. Strengthen husbands and wives. Draw parents and children closer together. Heal broken relationships. Restore communication. Bring forgiveness where there has been hurt.
Protect our children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, grandparents, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended families.
Let Joshua's declaration become the declaration of our homes:
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
Save those who do not know Jesus. Draw back those who have wandered away. Let our homes become places of prayer, peace, love, forgiveness, worship, and the presence of God.
Order Our Steps Today
Father, as we go into this Thursday, order our steps.
Your Word says:
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” — Psalm 37:23 (KJV)
Guide our conversations.
Guide our decisions.
Guide us on the highways.
Guide us at work.
Guide us in our homes.
Guard our mouths so that our words bring life and not destruction.
Give us discernment so that we recognize what comes from You and what does not.
When temptation comes, give us strength to say no.
When opportunity comes, give us wisdom to know whether to say yes.
When trouble comes, remind us that You are already there.
We Thank You in Advance
Father, before we see the answer, we thank You.
Before the door opens, we thank You.
Before the healing manifests, we thank You.
Before the breakthrough comes, we thank You.
Before the financial situation changes, we thank You.
Before our loved ones come to Christ, we thank You.
Because our thanksgiving is not based only on what You do—it is based on who You are.
You are still God.
You are still faithful.
You are still holy.
You are still sovereign.
You are still our Provider.
You are still our Healer.
You are still our Deliverer.
You are still our Way Maker.
You are still our Keeper.
And You are still worthy of all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise!
Thursday Declaration...
Today we declare:
I will not allow complaining to overpower my thanksgiving.
I will not allow fear to silence my faith.
I will not allow yesterday's disappointment to steal today's joy.
I will not allow what I do not have to make me forget everything God has already done.
I am thankful.
I am blessed.
I am covered.
I am kept.
I am loved.
I am forgiven.
I am redeemed.
And because God has brought me this far, I believe He will carry me the rest of the way!
Father, thank You for yesterday.
Thank You for today.
And by faith, thank You for tomorrow.
May everything we say and do today bring glory to Your name.
We seal this Thankful Thursday Morning Prayer in the mighty, matchless, wonderful name of Jesus Christ.
Amen, Amen, and AMEN!

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” — Psalm 107:1 (KJV)

“No matter what this Thursday brings, I WILL GIVE GOD THANKS! He has been too good, too faithful, and too merciful for me to remain silent. THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE, AND I WILL REJOICE!”

FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD
Believe, Come, and Diligently Seek Him

Key Scripture:
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

Thought Of The Day...
There are many things we desire from God—healing, provision, direction, protection, restoration, peace, deliverance, and breakthrough. But Hebrews 11:6 turns our attention from what we want God to do for us to what pleases God.
And Scripture gives us the answer:
FAITH PLEASES GOD.
Not perfect circumstances.
Not having every answer.
Not knowing how everything will work out.
Faith.
Faith says, “God, I may not understand what You are doing, but I still believe You.”

• WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD
The Scripture does not say it is difficult to please God without faith. It says:
“Without faith it is impossible to please him.”
Why is faith so important?
Because faith reveals where our confidence rests.
When everything is going well, it can be easy to say, “I trust God.” But genuine faith is revealed when the diagnosis is uncertain, the money is tight, the family is struggling, the door has not opened, the prayer has not yet been answered, and you cannot see what God is doing.
Faith says:
“Even here, I trust You.”
Job declared:
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” — Job 13:15 (KJV)
There will be seasons when you cannot trace God's hand. But you can still trust His heart.
Your circumstances may change, but God has not changed.

• YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT GOD IS!
Hebrews says:
“…he that cometh to God must believe that he is…”
Before believing God for something, we must believe God is.
He is God when you understand Him.
He is God when you don't.
He is God when the door opens.
He is still God when the door closes.
He is God when the answer comes immediately.
He is still God when He makes you wait.
Sometimes our faith becomes focused primarily on God's gifts: “Lord, give me this. Lord, change that. Lord, open this door.”
But mature faith says:
“Lord, even if You don't give me what I requested when I requested it, I still want You.”
Remember the three Hebrew men standing before the fiery furnace:
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…” — Daniel 3:17 (KJV)
But then they declared:
“But if not… we will not serve thy gods…” — Daniel 3:18 (KJV)
That's powerful faith.
God can.
God is able.
I believe God will.
But even if He chooses another way, HE IS STILL GOD!

• FAITH COMES TO GOD
Notice the wording:
“…he that cometh to God…”
Faith doesn't run away from God during trouble.
Faith runs toward God.
When you're hurting—come.
When you're confused—come.
When you're disappointed—come.
When you're weary—come.
When you've made mistakes—come.
When you don't know what tomorrow holds—COME TO GOD!
David said:
“When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” — Psalm 61:2 (KJV)
Your feelings may tell you to withdraw.
Your disappointment may tell you God has forgotten you.
Your circumstances may tell you prayer isn't working.
But faith says:
“I'm going back into His presence.”

• DILIGENT FAITH DOESN'T QUIT SEEKING!
The verse concludes:
“…he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
There is a difference between casually seeking God and diligently seeking God.
Diligence means persistence.
It means you keep praying.
You keep believing.
You keep worshiping.
You keep reading His Word.
You keep serving.
You keep showing up.
You keep trusting God even when nothing appears to be changing.
Jesus taught:
“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1 (KJV)
Some answers require faith that refuses to quit.
You prayed yesterday?
Pray again.
You worshiped yesterday?
Worship again.
You believed yesterday?
Believe again today.
Don't allow God's silence to convince you that God is absent.
Silence does not mean abandonment.
Waiting does not mean denial.
Delay does not mean God has forgotten you.

• GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM!
God promises that He is:
“…a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
But we must understand the greatest reward of seeking God.
The greatest reward is not merely receiving something from His hand—it is experiencing more of His presence.
Sometimes the reward is an open door.
Sometimes it is healing.
Sometimes it is provision.
Sometimes it is restoration.
But sometimes the reward is strength to endure what God has not yet removed.
Paul prayed three times for his thorn to be removed, but God's response was:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
Paul asked for removal.
God gave him sustaining grace.
Never limit God's reward to one particular answer.
Sometimes God changes the situation.
Sometimes God changes you while you're walking through the situation.
Either way, God remains faithful.
DON'T STOP BELIEVING!
Perhaps you have been praying about something for a long time.
You've asked.
You've waited.
You've cried.
You've prayed again.
And you're wondering:
“God, when will You answer me?”
Hebrews 11:6 speaks directly into that season:
KEEP BELIEVING.
KEEP COMING.
KEEP SEEKING.
KEEP TRUSTING.
Your faith is not wasted.
Your prayers are not wasted.
Your worship is not wasted.
Your obedience is not wasted.
God sees every moment you choose faith instead of fear.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
You don't need to see everything God is doing to believe God is still working.

PRAYER...
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today declaring that You are God, and besides You there is none other.
Lord, increase our faith.
When we cannot see the way, help us trust You.
When we don't understand what You're doing, help us trust You.
When our prayers seem unanswered, help us trust You.
When our bodies are hurting, our finances are strained, our families are struggling, our hearts are heavy, and our minds are weary—help us trust You!
Father, forgive us for the times we allowed fear to speak louder than faith.
Forgive us for the times we doubted Your goodness because we could not understand Your plan.
Today we declare:
YOU ARE STILL GOD!
We believe that You are.
We believe You are faithful.
We believe You are able.
We believe You are our Provider.
We believe You are our Healer.
We believe You are our Deliverer.
We believe You are our Keeper.
And we believe You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek You.
So we will seek You when life is good, and we will seek You when life is difficult.
We will seek You when doors open, and we will seek You when doors close.
We will seek You when we understand, and we will seek You when we don't.
Give us faith that refuses to quit.
Let our lives declare:
“I DON'T HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE I KNOW THE GOD IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!”
We trust Your timing.
We trust Your wisdom.
We trust Your Word.
We trust Your plan.
And most importantly, we trust You.
In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen and Amen!

DECLARATION OF FAITH...
Today I declare:
I WILL WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT!
I believe God is.
I believe God can.
I believe God is able.
I believe God is faithful.
I will not allow what I see to cancel what God has spoken.
I will diligently seek Him.
I will keep praying.
I will keep worshiping.
I will keep trusting.
I will keep believing.
And even while I am waiting, MY FAITH WILL STILL PLEASE GOD!
BELIEVE. COME. SEEK. TRUST.
GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL!
“But without faith it is impossible to please him…” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

we still continue to hope and pray for the world where we will truly be our brothers keeper...

***The Mark of the Beast***

This is what I see the Bible says of the mark of the beast:

Revelation 13:16-18 KJV
And *he (the beast of Revelation 13:11) causeth all*, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, *to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads*: [17] And *that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name*. [18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding *count the number of the beast*: for *it is the number of a man*; and his number is *Six hundred threescore and six.*

Here the beast of Rev 13:11 causes all but those whose names are written on the Lambs book of Life to receive a mark on their hands and their foreheads.

Revelation 13:8 KJV
And *all that dwell upon the earth shall worship* him, *whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world*.

Now where else in the Bible does it speak of receiving a mark on the forheads or in the arms? If this mark is spoken of in the Bible, then the Bible must provide the answer as to what this mark is.

When we examine the scriptures it points us to these scriptures:

Job 10:14 KJV
*If I sin, then thou markest me*, and *thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity*.

Hebrews 10:26-27 KJV
For *if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins*, [27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

We find that Job says that if a man sins, God will mark him and shall not aquit him of his iniquities. Paul later says that if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for our sins.

Does the Bible give evidence of someone who sinned wilfullyagainst the Lord and received a mark?

Yes, it does.

Genesis 4:5-16 KJV
But* unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect*. And *Cain was very wroth*, and his countenance fell. [6] *And the LORD said* unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? [7] *If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door*. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. [8] And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that *Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him*. [9] And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? [10] And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. [11] And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; [12] When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. [13] And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. [14] Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; *and from thy face shall I be hid*; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. [15] And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And *the LORD set a mark upon Cain*, lest any finding him should kill him. [16] *And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD*, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.

God warned Cain and told him that if he doeth well, he would be accepted and if he did not do well, sin lies at the door. Cain did not take heed to God but rose up against his brother, who had the better sacrifice, and slew him. He sinned willfully after he had received the knowledge of the truth. And God put a mark upon Cain. And after Cain received that mark, it says that Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and that He was hid from the face of the Lord. In other words, the Lord had turned His face from dealing with Cain.

Now, here is an interesting fact, the number of the beast is 666.

There is only one Scripture in the Bible with the number 666:

John 6:66 KJV
_From that time *many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him*._

It speaks of those disciples of Jesus who, having come face to face with the Truth, chose to walk away from Him and to disbelieve Him. Like Cain, they went out from the Presence of the Lord and were hid from the face of the Lord. I do not think it a coincidence that the verse that speaks of this occurrence is the verse that bears the number of the beast. I believe this is God vindicating what the mark of the beast really is.

Daily devotion for August 18th
Where To Begin
Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.

Nehemiah 9:5b
This prayer in the book of Nehemiah is a great model that will teach us much for our own prayer life. It begins with a great section of praise. First, God is praised as the Creator and Maker of everything. Beginning with the life He gave you is a great place to start when you are praising God. It seems strange to me that people who are dependent every moment on God to give them life allow themselves so easily to forget that fact. God sustains us moment by moment. We ought to be grateful for that. Let us never forget that our very breath comes from Him.

The next section praises God as the caller and chooser of people. He is the one who gives undeserved blessings to those He chooses. God is the keeper of promises. Not one of us would be here today if it were not for that merciful, sovereign call of God. Jesus said, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him (John 6:44). We are here today because the Spirit of God in wondrous grace has drawn us to Himself.

Then the people praise God as the deliverer from sin and its enslavement. They retell the history of this nation, beginning with the call of Abraham and their deliverance from Egypt. Some of us have forgotten the lessons God has taught us and have returned to the same sins, plunging ourselves once more into rebellion and slavery. Let us never forget that we have been wonderfully, even miraculously, delivered by the great hand of God.

Praise for God as the great provider of wisdom and the necessities of life follows. Here is God's providential care of His own. He taught this people how to live in the midst of great wickedness. He knew he was sending them into a land inhabited by tribes who were morally degraded to a degree that is appalling to us today. They offered their children to the god Molech by throwing them alive into a furnace of fire. It was among these people that the Israelites had to live. Yet God taught them how to avoid defilement from those things. He taught them how to be friends with these people but not be destroyed by their immorality. It is exactly the situation we are called to live in today. God has given us this wonderful book that teaches us the rules of life, health, salvation, and deliverance and the inner strength that can resist the temptations that abound all around us. To neglect it is folly.

God also supplied their needs. He gave them bread to eat when there was none. He gave them water from the rock in the middle of the desert. That is not only an account of meeting physical needs, but it describes the meeting of spiritual needs as well. The New Testament tells us these are pictures of Christ: He is the bread of life; He is the water of life. As the Israelites learned the meaning of these symbols, they began to understand that there was One coming who would fully meet the need of the human heart.

Father, I praise and worship You as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, as the One who has chosen me and drawn me to Yourself and the One who provides all that I need

MONDAY MORNING PRAYER
“BUT IF NOT!”
A Faith That Trusts God Regardless of the Outcome!

Scripture: Daniel 3:17–18 (KJV)
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace... But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods...”

Heavenly Father, we come before You this Monday morning with hearts still overflowing from the awesome service we experienced yesterday. Thank You for Your presence, Your Word, Your power, and the reminder that You are still God—even when life doesn't turn out the way we expected.
Lord, as we begin this new week, give us the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They stood before a fiery furnace knowing You were able to deliver them, but their faith wasn't dependent upon whether You did.
Their declaration was simple but powerful:
“Our God is able... BUT IF NOT, we still won't bow!”
Father, give us that kind of faith!
When the prayer hasn't been answered yet—we will still worship You.
When the healing hasn't manifested yet—we will still trust You.
When the financial breakthrough hasn't come yet—we will still praise You.
When the family situation hasn't changed—we will still believe You.
When the door doesn't open—we will still serve You.
When we don't understand what You're doing—we will still declare that You are good!
Lord, teach us that real faith doesn't say, “I'll trust You if You do what I want.” Real faith says, “God, I know You are able, but even if You choose another way, I will not bow, I will not quit, and I will not turn away from You!”
Father, some of us may walk into a furnace this week—a difficult conversation, an unexpected problem, pressure on the job, financial concerns, family struggles, disappointment, or circumstances beyond our control.
But remind us that the furnace does not mean You have abandoned us!
Daniel 3:25 declares, “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire... and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
God, meet us in the fire!
If You don't keep us from it, walk through it with us.
If You don't immediately remove it, give us strength to endure it.
If You don't change the situation today, change us while we're standing in it.
And when we come out, let us come out like those three Hebrew men—not destroyed, not defeated, and not smelling like what we've been through!
Your Word says in Daniel 3:27 that “the smell of fire had not passed on them.”
So Father, don't let yesterday's fire contaminate today's attitude. Don't let past disappointments determine this week's expectations. Don't allow bitterness, fear, frustration, or discouragement to follow us into this new day.
We declare:
THE FIRE WILL NOT HAVE THE FINAL WORD!
We may be tested, but we will not bow.
We may be pressured, but we will not compromise.
We may be surrounded by flames, but we are not alone.
We may not understand God's plan, but we trust God's heart.
Father, cover our families today. Cover our homes, marriages, children, grandchildren, loved ones, churches, pastors, leaders, workplaces, businesses, finances, and every concern we're carrying.
Go before us on the highways and byways. Protect us from dangers seen and unseen. Give us wisdom in every decision, grace in every conversation, patience in every challenge, and strength for every assignment.
And Lord, when the enemy whispers, “What if God doesn't do it?”
Give us enough faith to answer:
“BUT IF NOT—I STILL TRUST HIM!”
Because our faith isn't merely in what God can give us—our faith is in who God is!
You are still Jehovah Jireh—our Provider.
You are still Jehovah Rapha—our Healer.
You are still Jehovah Shalom—our Peace.
You are still our Deliverer, our Keeper, our Refuge, and our Strength!
So we enter this Monday declaring:
OUR GOD IS ABLE!
But even if He doesn't do it the way we expected...
WE WILL STILL WORSHIP!
WE WILL STILL SERVE!
WE WILL STILL PRAISE!
WE WILL STILL BELIEVE!
WE WILL STILL STAND!
Because whether God delivers us from the fire or meets us in the fire, we know one thing for certain:
WE WILL NEVER WALK THROUGH THE FIRE ALONE!
Father, let the Word we received yesterday live in us throughout this entire week.
“BUT IF NOT!”
Our circumstances will not determine our worship.
Our disappointments will not destroy our faith.
Our trials will not make us bow.
GOD IS ABLE—AND GOD IS STILL GOD!
In the mighty, matchless, and victorious name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
AMEN!

MONDAY Morning Declaration...
My God is able! But if He chooses another way, I will still trust Him. I will not bow to fear, pressure, doubt, or discouragement. If I have to walk through the fire, I know I will not walk alone. God is with me, God is for me, and my faith will remain standing. BUT IF NOT—I STILL TRUST GOD!

Why do we believe the apostle Paul had no children? We can infer this from what the Bible tells us about him. By his own admission, it seems he didn’t have a wife (1 Corinthians 9:5). And prior to his conversion to Christ, he’d been a law-abiding Pharisee “zealous for God” (Acts 22:3). It’s highly unlikely that such a law-keeper would have children outside of marriage. It’s possible that Paul may have been married and then widowed, but there’s no indication of this in Scripture. In addition, he strongly implies that he has the gift of singleness (1 Corinthians 7:7). Twice he refers to “my true son” in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4). But “son” refers to spiritual children he introduced to Jesus and then discipled, not to physical progeny. Today, we can ask God to help us share our faith with the children and others that God places in our path.

The Almighty God, who is the Creator of the universe, is beyond compare — supreme in power, unmatched in holiness, miraculous in works, and overflowing with love and mercy.
This transcendent God revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus came into this world so that we might truly understand who God is in a way tangible to us.

Indeed, there is none like Jesus — our Saviour, Healer, Miracle Worker, Counselor, Provider, Protector, Mediator, Teacher, Shepherd, Promise-Keeper, the Truth, the Way, and the Source of abundant Life, now and for all eternity.

Have a joyful day and let's exalt the name of Jesus above everyone and everything else in our lives.
Esther Collins
Based on Jeremiah 10:6

Acts 16:

"1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed."

John 15:1-11

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard.
2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.
3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.
5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.
7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving...