Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Spend time today reading and meditating on this week’s featured scriptures.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV —  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

Matthew 28:18-20 MSG — Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭MSG‬‬ — Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.

Psalm 31:23-24 MSG — Love God, all you saints; God takes care of all who stay close to him, But he pays back in full those arrogant enough to go it alone. Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.

Revelation 14:12 MSG — Meanwhile, the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God’s commands, staying faithful to Jesus.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV —  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

The word saint is derived from the Latin word sanctus meaning “sacred” or “holy”. To be named a saint in the Roman Catholic church one must go through a canonization process, but a saint is generally known as a person recognized for having an exceptional degree of holiness, closeness to God, or deep moral virtue. 

I believe all of us have persons in our lives who have been saints. When I think of saints I have known in my life, he/she is often an active member of a church, forging the way for the work of the church and fellow believers. The saints in my life have been a Christian example for me and have shown me how to trust God through all things. Spend time today thinking of and praying for the saints in your life.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the saints in my life who have been a Christian example and shown me the way. Continue to guide and direct them as they share Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Photo by Ray White

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Today is recognized as All Saints Day. On this day we honor all those of Christian faith who have gone on before us. Listen to The Commission by CAIN. Allow the words of the song remind you of the call we have on our lives and the example the saints have set for us.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Do you want to sleep like Daniel, even in a lion’s den? God is in the rescuing business. We read in verse 27 that He rescues, saves, performs signs and wonders. 

Remember that you are just as valuable as Daniel. God wants to save you from the mouths of lions. Let’s finish the week by surrendering to God through worship with That’s Who I Praise by Brandon Lake. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for valuing me just as much as You did Daniel. I praise You and Your signs and wonders. I surrender to Your perfect will. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

You can read the story in Daniel 6:18-28 @biblegateway

@youversion @brandonlake

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV — While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.‬‬

Imagine breaking your most expensive jar or vase, containing something very valuable. While sitting at the feet of Jesus, Mary broke an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and poured its fragrant contents over Jesus’ feet. She was accused of being wasteful, however Jesus praised what Mary had done. Do you want to give like Mary? Do you want to break your vase?

Little did Mary and the others understand that in reality Mary was prepping Jesus’ body for His burial. For Mary she was following the call to worship Jesus. For God, He had a bigger plan. Doesn’t He always have a bigger plan? That is why we must be faithful with the nudges God gives us. Will you choose to worship God today with sacrificial love like Mary? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for nudging me from Your heavenly seat. Thank You for guiding me, knowing the bigger plan ahead. Today I desire to worship You with all that I have. I want to give like Mary. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

You can read the story in Mark 14:1-9 @biblegateway

@youversion @brandonlake

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

Once Pharoah realized what he had done by releasing the Israelites, he went after them with his chariots. You can imagine the Israelites’ fear as they approached the water. We read in Exodus 14:14 NIV – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” Although we are not physically walking through water, we have opposition all around us. It is hard to be still and let God fight on our behalf. All we have to do is say His name and worship Him. 

In Exodus 14:19-20 we learn that the pillar of cloud moved and stood behind them. “Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.” We can envision God surrounding us with His spirit. Once Moses confidently stretched out his hand over the sea, the waters parted. Do you want to walk like Moses, through the waves? Do you want to see the promised land? What is Your Pharoah? What do you need to release in your life and allow God to make a way? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for parting the waters and leading me to dry ground. I praise You oh Lord, the highest of Names. Go with me today as I desire to walk like Moses. Help me to fully surrender. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

You can read the story in Exodus 14:1-30 @biblegateway

@youversion @brandonlake

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to be thrown into the blazing furnace for not worshiping him and a large gold image he had erected.. When they still would not worship him, he ordered the furnace to be heated up seven times hotter than usual. They were firmly tied but went into the furnace confidently, knowing that God would rescue them. Then King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace and said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Do you want to face the fire? This life is not promised to be easy. We can face the fire and praise God through it, knowing God’s got our backs, just like He did for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Jesus was the fourth man seen in the blazing furnace. Will you lean into God today and allow Him to be Your fourth man in the fire?

Let’s pray. Dear God, I am going to praise You Lord, the one who can do impossible things. You are the only one worthy of my praise. Help me resist putting other idols before You. I want You to be the fourth man in my fire. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. 

You can read the story in Daniel 3:16-28 @biblegateway @youversion @brandonlake