November 7, 2024

Forever with Jesus

“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17

When the church is raptured, it will not be for a short retreat, but we will forever and always be with our Lord. God the Father has been on the edge of His throne longing for the day when His Son Jesus will come take us to our forever home. We do not worry that we won’t be ready because each day we fix our eyes toward this Blessed Hope.

There will be a translation for living saints on the day Jesus returns and catches us up with Him and the resurrected saints, but the point of encouragement for us is that this grand climax of history will never be undone.

Let’s pray today that we may each long even more for our Lord’s return and rejoice that it will be forevermore.

November 6, 2024

Death is Not the End

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Death is grievous but it is not the end for the believer in Christ who dies or for the believer left in loss. To know that we will see our loved ones again, to know that death is not permanent, and to know that our own Lord conquered death through His own resurrection, is to grieve with a sense that death is not the end.

Remember that life on this side of the resurrection is a vapor and a short span of time, and just as assuredly as we have arrived to this day, shall we arrive at resurrection morning when this mortal shall put on immortality.

Let’s pray today that all who grieve from loss will look to Jesus and know that death is not the end.

November 5, 2024

Glory to Christ

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

In all things we claim the name of Jesus because we stand by His character not ours and all we do is to His glory. There is no secular or religious for the follower of Christ, because our life is always His. There is no task at home or at work or in the marketplace that is beyond the ability to show glory to Him, even in loss or failure we testify to Calvary’s grace.

Don’t try to put on a perfect front before others but rather be authentic in your struggles and grappling for truth. Allow others to see that they can come to Christ as they are and find answers for themselves just as they see you doing.

Let’s pray today that we will consider whatever we do as an opportunity to give glory to Christ.

November 4, 2024

Belonging to Heaven

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3

In Christ we have moved on to eternity and our lives are no longer affiliated with the ways of this world. So much so, that our very thoughts should be fixed in the context of belonging to God in Heaven. We think in terms of Heaven, not earth. We may live here, but we know it is only temporal and soon and very soon we will go to see our Lord.

When this world disappoints you, when wickedness oppresses you, when circumstances make day to day life difficult for you, take heart that you belong to the coming Kingdom of Heaven where King Jesus makes all things new.

Let’s pray today that we may be conscious of the fact this world is not our home.

November 3, 2024

Steps of Faith

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him” Colossians 2:6

The Christian life is a walk of faith in Jesus Christ, because He is truly the only reason for each step we take. It’s called a walk because it is not a race we run in competition with others, but simply a walk that takes us through our own personal and unique circumstances of life. The goal is to ever and consistently draw closer to our Lord as we daily step in faith.

You may have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior on a particular date, but that was just the beginning. It is with the same faith that the moment in time of believing in Jesus becomes a continuous life of believing in Jesus.

Let’s pray today that we may not rush or get weary in our Christian walk, but that we would remain faithful step by step.

November 2, 2024

God our Provider

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:9

The only person without a need is the one who has passed onto glory, and until then we must depend on Jesus. Emotional, financial, or whatever that need is we must all learn to allow our Heavenly Father to help, not to place expectations on others to do what God is there to do on our behalf. It’s the needs of life, not the wants of our humanity that our God will satisfy.

God will not withhold blessings for His children because they fall out of the category of necessity. He is the Lord Savior and the Creator of Heaven and Earth. He is the Divine Gift-Giver, and as we stay close to Him through prayer and walk with Him through faith, He provides.

Let’s pray today for those who have needs in their life, that they will depend on their Lord to provide.

November 1, 2024

Secret of Success

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Whatever God puts on your heart, know that the secret of success is His Spirit blessing your efforts. Start doing something and stop wrestling with your doubts and trust in God to lead you in your steps. Put plans behind your hope and leave the results to God. The Holy Spirit will strengthen you, guide you, and affirm you, but only as you willingly move forward believing in His strength.

Show some faith in God and move forward with action claiming His promise for the hope that is on your heart. If it is of the Lord it can not be stopped and even if doors close, you will not be any worse by following where the Lord leads.

Let’s pray today for those wrestling to be used by God through word or deed for the cause of Christ.