Do not worry

​s-Luke 12:22-26 NIV

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]?26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

O- Jesus addresses his disciples to put their minds at ease.   Worry about provision of food and clothing and other needs comes natural to us but Jesus wants to show us a way to live free of these worries.  He explains that are lifes are more than just the food we eat or clothes we were. God has a plan for provision for the Ravens who worry about where their provision is coming from.  They neither plant seed or sow a harvest of their own making but the Lord still feeds them. Since the Lord provides for the ravens, how much more will He provide for us.   Worrying about these things does not lead to adding an hour to our lives and since we can add to our life by worrying about littel things we should not worry about the rest.

A - The application for me is to place my trust in God and His provision.  I have so many individual worries that at times it can overwhelm me but God has me in his palm looking over me and providing for my every need.  I need to commit to surrender my worries to the Lord and allow Him to be my good shepherd and show me His ways and His provision.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's message may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I pray for you abundant provision in my life. I surrender all my cares and worries to you.  Show me you ways and provision so I may walk in a manner that exemplifies my trust in you.  I pray this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

​S -Luke 11:9-10 NIV

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you;seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

O-

Sitting at the feet of Jesus

​S-Luke 10:38-42 NIV

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feetlistening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

O-  I think I have always related to Martha in this scenario.   Martha had heard Jesus was coming and opened up her home to Him and His disciples.   A result was that she became focused on being a good host and making preparations for what was likely a meal for the entire group.   The problem was that Mary had chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to all He had to say,  she likely realized just how special it was to have the son of God over their house and that this opportunity was once in a lifetime to sit at the feet of the messiah.  When Martha complains to Jesus about Mary  not helping, Jesus does not rebuke  her but simply tells her she is worried about too many things and is not focused on the one important thing which is sitting in the presence of Jesus and receiving what he has to say.  

A - The application for me is to take this gentle rebuke from the Lord to be my own.  I am to rejoice and settle in to just being in the Lord's presence, rather than focus on the many tasks I can feel I need to be doing.   I am not to point out the dust in the eye of those around me that I feel are not doing what I would prefer to see them doing.  I am to focus on removing the plank from my own eye first and sitting at the feet of Jesus to receive His wisdom and truth.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion, may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I pray that you would help me to be more like Mary and choose to spend time at your feet and not overly focused on tasks that can be done.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen. 

Denying ourself

​S- Luke 9:23-25 NIV

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

O- Here Jesus shares what it mean to be his follower.  Everyone who wants to be his disciple must deny themselves and take up his cross and follow Him.  The person is worried about saving their life will lose there way in being a disciple of Christ,  but whoever gives up their life in order to follow God will save it.  For those struggling with this, what good is it to gain the whole world and yet lose your very self in the process.

A - The application for me is deny myself by giving my entire self to Christ.    I must pick up the cross I have been called to carry and follow Christ.  I can do this by sitting with him daily and seeking His guidance and direction. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you help me surrender my life to you and follow your ways.  I pray this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Forgiveness of sins

​S-Luke7:44-47 NIV

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

O- This occurs when Jesus is eating at a Pharisee's house.   The Pharisee's were curious but more suspicious of what and who Jesus was.  He was likely invited to find way's in which he led His ministry and ways in which he violated the law.  When the woman washes and annoits Jesus feet with perfume,  the Pharisee's warned Jesus of the sins this woman had committed, but instead of condemn her, Jesus showed compassion and forgave her her many sins because of the great love she had shown Him.  Great love had brought great forgiveness to her in order to cover her mulitude of sins.

A - The application for me is to check my heart and ensure I am loving others with a great love.  I am a man who has sinned and been covicted and forgiven.   I now must take God's grace and allow it to heal and restore my love for others.  I am not to focus on others sins, but rather focus on God's love for them.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that I can love like you love.  Help me to show grace and mercy that you have shown me to others.  I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Attitudes to exhibit

​S-Luke6:37-38 NIV

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

O- These actions and reactions are to give us the wisdom of how we are to be as Christians.  Often times they may feel the opposite of what our mind and flesh may feel like doing, but the spirit lead Christian can see things differently because Christ has shared these truth's.   Do not judge and condemn other people because this is not your job, but is God's alone.   Forgive those who sin against you , for God forgives them.  Give out of the deepness of your heart and more will be given to you.  Measure generously and generosouly it will be measured for you.

A - The applicatin for me is to carry out these behaviors in my own life.  I am not to judge others in and around my life because God has that role and not me.  I am not to condemn others for God provides all the justice that is needed.  I am to live generously giving from what I have to help others.  I am to measure things out generously to others because a generous measure has been poored out to me by God.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would help me not to judge or condemn others,  to forgive and give generously to others and to be generous in my measures.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name,  Amen.

Faith to be healed

​S- Luke 5:12-13 NIV

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[b]When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

O- The faith of this Leper is commendable as he had likely only heard of Jesus before he came and had never seen him perform miraculous healing.  He likely heard that Jesus was coming and therefore ran to meet him.  When he finally saw Jesus he humbled himself with his face to the ground and begged him  "If you are willing you can make me clean".   Jesus having compassion on him reach out and touched the leper and healed him.  His choice to touch the untouchable and heal the afflicted gave testimony to where he was from.  

A - The application for me is to take the wise lesson of the leper and come to Jesus humbly and seek his healing.   Pray if it is your will lord you can heal me.   Pray over all of my mental afflictions and pray over my marriage that He can and will heal me.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you would heal my mind of the affliction of bipolar and give me the strength and knowledge to walk in your ways, which are better than my ways.  I pray you heal my marriage and restore my relationship with Abby.  I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Casting out impure spirits

​S-Luke 4:33-37 NIV

33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

³⁶ All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authorityand power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” ³⁷ And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

O- This miracle that Jesus performs is one of many he is performing during this part of his ministry.  Note the fact that this demon possessed man was in the synagogue which Jesus was going to to teach.  When confronted by the demon Jesus rebukes him and commands him to leave the man.  He does this to witness to the people his authority but also to quiet the demon who knows who Jesus is.   The people were amazed at the words of authority that Jesus spoke, that he was able to command the impure spirit to leave.  

A -  The application for me is to remember the power that Jesus had and has today to command spirits in my life is real.  I will face unpure spirits in my time and I am to rebuke them in Jesus name.  The same power is available to us today that was present in the time that Jesus walked his ministry. The Lord wants to rebuke evil spirits, heal the sick, and open hearts and minds to His ministry of reconcilation.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord for a rebuking of any spirit I have allowed to settle on me.  I pray for the epunging of any evil or non healthy ways I have in me and pray for your healing.   I pray this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Made new in Christ

​S-Luke 2:21-22 NIV

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying,heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

O-John the baptist came preparing the way for Jesus' ministry.  He prepared the people by having them repent and be baptised for the cleansing of their sins.  At Jesus baptism the Holy Spirit came down and descended on him like a dove and the voice proclaimed that Jesus is God's son, whom He loves and is well pleased.

A - The application for me is remember my own baptism where I proclaimed Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  My old self died and a new creation was reborn.  I received the Holy Spirit as a helper and began my walk with God in earnest.   Since then circumstances had led me astray and I find myself in need of a spiritual rebirth .  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord for a spiritual rebirth or renewal, that you would make me new again in your way.  I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

God's promises fullfilled

​S -Luke 2: 16-20 NIV

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising Godfor all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

O - The shepherds in Bethlehem received word from an angel of the Lord that the messiah was born in Bethlehem and they heard the crowd of heavenly host giving praise for the baby Jesus was born.  They followed the prompting of the angel and went to find the baby that was born to be the messiah and they found him in a manager just as the angel had told them.   They were overjoyed and spread the word concerning what the angel had told them and what they had seen with their own eyes.  Mary treasured all that was happening, likely because she had spent most of her pregnancy under some scrutiny because she had given birth before actually marrying Joseph.  She knew the truth of her conception by the Holy Spirit but up until this moment only her and Joseph knew what God had told them of Jesus birth and now these shepherds were proclaiming the truth of the messiah being born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph.

A -  The application for me is to remember that God has promised an abundant life for me and my family.  He has proclaimed it long before it has actually happened.  In this season of recovery it feels as if there is no end in sight but I know the Lord's promises and true and like Mary and Joseph we only need to hold on to the promises God has proclaimed in His word and His spirit's testimony to us. 

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord for the faith and strength to hold onto to your promises during this valley season in my life.  I pray you show me your ways so I would not rely on my understanding but would lean on you and my source of strength and hope.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

The gift of the water of life

​S-Rev 22:16-17 NIV

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a]this testimony for the churches. I am the Rootand the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

O- In this prophesy of John,  Jesus testifies that He has sent the Angel to John to give the propeshy for the churches to hear.  The spirit of the Lord and the church say come to all who hear and the one who hears says come and let the one who is thirsty for living water that runs through the city and they receive the free gift of the water of life.  

A - The application for me is to take the book of revelation as a gift from Jesus describing end times and the end state of life for those that are found in the book of life.  Those that hear the calling of Christ to come and they themselves call others to join them in the free gift of the water of life.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord thank you for proving the gift of the water of life,  I receive it in your name.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Fear the Lord

​S-psalm 128:1-4 NIV

1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
    blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
    for the man who fears the Lord.

O- The psalmist proclaim that blessed are the man who fears the Lord and walks in obedience to Him.  We are to seek this obedience and fear in our lives so that the fruit of our labor will be blessings and prosperity.   Your wife and children will bare much fruit and be a blessing onto him who fears the Lord.

A - The application for me is to have a reverant fear of the Lord and walk in obedience to him.  I do this by leaning on God for understanding and direction and then walking in obedience to his promptings.  Having a healthy fear of the Lord will keep me postured to come to him because His ways are better than my ways and he knows the way to abundant life.  

P - Dear heavenly Father,  thank you for this devotion today may it be sealed to my heart.  I come to you humbly asking you to guide my steps and help me to walk in your ways.  I pray this all in Jesus Christ name, Amen

Restoration from the lord

​S-Ezekiel 39:25-26 NIV

25 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lordsays: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob[d]and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name.26 They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid.

Psalm 145:14-15

14 The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

O-  God is faithful to his word and here we see his promises to the people who were exiled that he will have compassion on his people.  The peoples response will be to forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward God and would live in the safety of there land once again with no one to make them afraid.  The psalm here reminds of what our response to God's grace should be to be when we have fallen, and bowed down to the Lord he upholds us in this state.  

A - The application for me is to recognize I am in my fallen state and need to humble myself and come to the Lord bowed down and seeking his rescue.  I am to pray for his restoration and provision in my life and accept his grace upon my life.   

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would see me in my current state and restore my faith and provision in your name.  I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Turn to the Lord

​S-Ezekiel 37:12-14 NIV

12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settleyou in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”

O- This is God's word for the exiled people of Israel.   God was letting them know no longer will they be defeated and abandoned,  but that the Lord would come for them ,  restore life in them and put His spirit in them so they may leave and not be dead.  He returns them to the promised land so they will know they are God's creation and they belong to Him.  

A - The application for me is to realize that no matter how far God seems and how dead parts of me are,  he will come for me to restore me.   Jesus came for all who have strayed and lost their way and wants to restore new life in those who repent and follow Him.  I simply need to turn from my old ways and look to the Lord for a new spirit in me so that I may be known by God and know God. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you accept my repentant heart and would place your Spirit in me.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen

Resist the devil

​S- Matthew 4:8-10    NLT

“Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’””

O - During the Lords 40 days in the desert He was tested by the devil.  These temptations are the same that the devil uses today to tempt us to part ways with God and follow him.  In this temptation the devil takes Jesus to a very high mountain looking down on all the kingdoms of the world and offers it up to Jesus if He will simply kneel down and worship him.  Jesus rebukes satan showing us how we are to react to satan's temptations.  Then he uses scripture to rebuke the temptation for the scripture says we are to worship the one true God only.   

A - The application for me is to respond to Satan's temptations for me to have possesion of all the power and riches of the world in exchange for my loyalty to him.  I am to rebuke Satan's temptation with the word of God and the witness of my testimony that Jesus is the Lord of my life, he is my Lord and Savior. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I pray for the wisdom and the strength to rebuke Satan's attempt to worship him in exchange for power and glory in this world.   I pray for the wisdom and discernment to know your ways are my ways.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Repentance

​S- Lamentations 3:40-42 NIV

40 Let us examine our ways and test them,
    and let us return to the Lord.
41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
    to God in heaven, and say:
42 “We have sinned and rebelled
    and you have not forgiven.

O- These verses are a reminder that we need to examine our ways and test them.  If we are not aligned with the Lord we need to return back to him and away from our ways that are apart from him.  We need to lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven and confess our sin and turn toward him.   Though our sin condemns us,  the redemptive power of what Christ has done on the cross intercedes for us.

A - The application for me is to examine my ways and test them.  Every day in the morning examine my feelings and direction for my day and in the evens examine what I have done.  I need to test them against the will of God in my life.   I need to check my heart and repent for the sinful ways in which I have not had my heart after God.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for your word and for your affirmation and heart check.  I pray Lord you help me to walk this verse out in a daily way that I might check my heart and mind.  I pray you give me wisdom and discernment and I bring a repentant heart to you for all the ways that I fall short. I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

A word for those left behind

 S- Rev 14:6-7 NIV

6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

O - This angel is the second angel that appeared after the angel who spoke to the 144,000 had spoke.  This second angel spoke to those who were not the 144,000 chosen to have the mark of God on their forehead.  This second angel still had the eternal gospel to speak over those that remained on earth, to every nation, tribe, language and people.  He called these people to fear God and give him glory.   They were to worship God who made the heavens, earth and sea.  Even in the end God gives grace and mercy to those that remained separated from Him, allowing them to proclaim God's rightful place in their life as Lord and Savior.  

A - The application for me is to relate to the oppurtunity God gives those that are not marked with the mark of God.  At times I do not feel worthy but know there is sufficient grace for me in God's eyes.  I need simply repent and turn towards Him and not away.  I give God all the glory for the life I have and the provision He has provided.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord for your continued grace in all my current circumstances.  I pray for wisdom, strength and courage to walk the path you have laid before me.   I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Trust in the Lord

 S- Hebrews 4:16 AMP

16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]

O - The author of Hebrews is calling us to approach God's gracious throne in confidence and without fear for we have a loving and merciful God who is ready and waiting in our time of need.  We are not to let fear separate us from receiving God's love and mercy.

A - The application for me is a reminder to daily go to the throne of God with all my thoughts and worries, repentant of my transgressions and He will faithfully be there to love and guide me.  His grace is truly amazing, that inspite of my wandering ways He is there for me, waiting with open arms.  I need to heed the scripture to approach God's throne in confidence in Him because He is worthy of my trust.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson may it be stored in my heart.  I pray Lord for your forgiveness for my being slow to come to you daily,  for not seeking you in all my ways.  I pray Lord you guide me today in my dealings with the truck and cars in general.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen

Triumph over satan

S - Rev 12:10-12 NIV    

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God,
    and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
    who accuses them before our God day and night,
    has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him
    by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
    as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens
    and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
    because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
    because he knows that his time is short.”

O -  This revelation speaks to the battle in heaven between God's angels and Satan. The victory in heaven occurs by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.  But woe to those on earth because the the devil had been hurled down from heaven and he was filled with fury and knows his time is short.  

A - The application for me is to recognize that God's testimony is true and salvation is here by the blood of Christ.   Victory over the devil is made possible by the testimony of Christ in heaven.  I am to receive this gift of salvation by my testimony of who God is in my life. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for you this gift of salvation and deliverance from evil.  I pray that you help me to remember where my salvation comes from and guard me and my heart from the attacks of satan.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name,  Amen. 

The two witnesses in end times

 S - Rev 11:4-6 NIV

They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.”[fn]

If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies.

 This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.

They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

O - The two witnesses that come in Revelation 11 are two prophets who will stand for 1260 days and prophesy.  They are protected during this time as fire will come from their mouth and destroy anyone who comes to harm them.  They are there to deliver the messages God has for all people and they will capture peoples attention with holding back of rain from above and by turning water to blood and every kind of plague.  

A -  The application for me is to be ready for end times as we are walking in them.   If two witnesses are found in Jerusalem prophesying as these two people I can know for sure end times are here.  This is just enough to know God has end times in his plan already and know how it will go and who will reign in the end as Christ returns and the new Jerusulem comes to earth from heaven.

P -  Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you continue to give me revelation and insight in how I am to go in present times.  I will wait patiently on you as each day goes by and you reveal more and more of yourself to me.  I pray all this in Jesus name,  Amen.

Revelation of God's mystery

​S-Rev 10:5-7 NIV

5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven.6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! 7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mysteryof God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”

O-John here continues to prophesy what is revealed to him about the coming times.  Here the seventh angel who appears in end times speaks across the land and sea or all of the earth and has his right hand raised to heaven.   The angel makes this proclamation in the name of God who is the creator of heaven and earth.  In the futue prophesy there will be a revealing of the mystery of God, things which we do not know now because God has not revealed it. 

A - The application for me is to believe in God and his promises for the future.  There are many things I don't know that God can and will reveal in its right time.   There is much I can still learn just by studying and contemplating His word.  I need to be comfortable for receiving his revelation for the already accounted for truth's in the bible and even more comfortable that much more of the mystery of God will be revealed in end times.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.   I pray Lord for your revelations to things in my life that I need to know.  Give me patience to wait on you and your timing and give me courage to what in the mystery of knowledge of you.   I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Redemption in the Lord

​S- Ezekiel 18:21-22 not

“But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18:21-22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/ezk.18.22.NLT

O - God's ways always lead to redemption for those whom are called to him.  The Lord has set salvation in our hearts and made a way for us to be reconciled.  Reconciliation  occurs only when we repent and turn away from the sins we have committed.   We are to turn to what is just and right.   Not only are we shown grace and forgiveness our account of our wrongdoing will not be remembered and brought up at a later time.  God's grace is bigger than any sin we may commit or any mistake we make.

A - The application for me is to be sure I am no longer in sin but have turned away from my sins, repented and received God's grace. It is only in His grace can I live not condemned by my past but live expectant of my future.  If I keep my face toward God and attuned to his Holy Spirit I will be able to walk in His ways.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I repent for my past sins and pray for your cleansing forgiveness.  I wish to be free from the bondage of sin and live freely in your righteousness.  I pray this all in Jesus name, Amen.

Come humbly to the Lord

​s-Psalm 70:4-5 NIV

4 But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    Lord, do not delay.

O - This psalm of David shows us the attitude and posture of the righteous.  All that seek God will rejoice and be glad in God and those that long for God's saving ways proclaim the Lord is great.  David comes humble to God acknowledging he is  poor and needy and ask for God to come quickly to his rescue for he knows God is his help and deliverer.   

A - The application for me is to seek the Lord with all of my troubles and rejoice and be glad in the Lord.  I am to long for God's saving help because I know in my heart and mind that He is great.  I can ask for the Lord to come quickly and help deliver me from my troubles as He is willing and able to save me.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for todays devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would help me deliver me from my troubles with finances and troubles from my cars and also troubles in finding the right counselor. I pray all this in Jesus name, amen.