This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. —Jeremiah 7:3

We often take for granted what we have, where we live, the friends who bless our lives, and the family that gives us a place to belong and grow. All of these are all gifts to us from God. We don't deserve them. We don't earn them. But, we can surely destroy them. God wants us to live obediently, not just to please him, but also to protect ourselves and those we love. So let's reform our actions and live for him and not for ourselves.

My Prayer...

Almighty and Holy Father, please forgive me of my sins. Please bless me and empower me as I seek to turn my life around to live passionately for you and your glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be Righteous !!!!!!!!!!!

"Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful." (Psalm 119:137-138)

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —Matthew 7:2

Jesus is concerned that we not have a critical spirit toward others, especially about their motives as to why they did something. We can't assume to know another person's heart; only God can. When we are unfairly critical, overly harsh, or unduly judgmental, we need to remember that God will use that same standard on us. I don't know about you, but I need grace. So do those I love. I'm going to try very hard to be as gracious toward others as I'm trusting that God is going to be gracious with me.

My Prayer...

Forgive me, Abba Father, for the times that I've been far more critical of others than I should be. Arouse within me a passion to be gracious toward others so that they can see your graciousness shining through me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Let the Holy Spirit Guide Your Lives!!!!!!

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.

—Galatians 5:16 

Key Thought

What has the most influence in my life? Who guides my steps? What determines the values that I live? Whose voice and whose words are most important for me, especially when I am making my day-to-day decisions? The issue is quite simple: if the answer to those questions is not the Holy Spirit, then we are going to find ourselves repeatedly facing our own failures and sins. The Holy Spirit must guide our lives or we are left to fail by our own weaknesses.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, eternal Father, King of Glory, please lead me and guide me by the Holy Spirit. I willingly yield my heart to the Spirit's influence. In Jesus' name I ask for this grace. Amen.

"The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

"What do you do for a living?" It is one of the most commonly asked questions in many cultures. We define each other in large measure by the work we do. God, however, defines us by his grace. So the work God has for us, the way he wants us to "make our living," so to speak, is by fully trusting in Jesus. This is the orientation point for each of our lives!

My Prayer...

Lord God Almighty, Ruler of Heaven and earth, I believe, but help my unbelief. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Outside the example of Jesus, this command makes no sense at all. But, Jesus shows us the importance of leaving our destiny in the hands of our Creator and Father. Suddenly, this makes perfect sense. What is the best way to defeat an enemy? Certainly it's not to beat or kill that person. No, the way we defeat our enemies is by having Jesus' grace capture their hearts and having their character conform to that of our King!