Jesus’ love of people

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

God made you fearfully and wonderfully. There’s something of an awe in God’s creation. Each person is so special and unique. Our care for humanity is from the foundation of the father heart of God. When we understand how much he cares about us, we can in turn care for each other. The value we place of people is because of the value God has placed on our lives. Jesus showed us, when children were disregarded, that they are all important to God. (Matthew 19:40

God is present

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. Psalm 92:2

Being aware of the presence of God in the mundane is key to remembering the power of praise. God is present when your eyes open in the morning, at every meal time, in your work day and relaxing times. We can easily add praise to our routine. In the morning, remembering the unfailing love of the Lord and his faithfulness in the evening. It could be just be putting on that CD, or playing a song on a music playlist. Whatever kickstarts your praise. Maybe you have a guitar, you could pick up and play something new to Jesus.

Thanks Father God, help me remember you in praise in the highs and lows, day in and day out.

Wonder and awe

Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord. Psalm 23:6

Praise Jesus for his goodness and mercy. When you know the Lord, so great is his love, that you can’t contain all the love that He has. Dwelling in the very presence of the Lord is a lifetime of wonder and awe. Reminds me of the angels that never cease to say, ”holy, holy, holy is the Lord,” (Revelation 4:8). As we know the love of God, our response is praise!

Lord Jesus, you’re so good to me. Help me remember to thank and praise you for all you are and all you do.

Living testimonies

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

God has a blessing for your life and your family’s lives. We are living testimonies of the Lord’s keeping power. You are in the middle of a miracle as a believer. Those small moments that you have as you share Jesus’ love is the legacy that you will have in your future. Prayers you pray, verses you put to song, values you aspire to are all good memory building material. What can you build in you and your family that will have lasting impact?

Thanks Father God, your blessings and peace are there for all of us. Help me shine for you every day Jesus.

Step forward

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

How to go forward when you have had a setback? When you walk close to Jesus, He has the encouragement we need to go forward in our lives. In Christ, we have a spirit of power, love and self discipline. God has given us the ability to overcome as we stand in all the Lord is. It might be the best time to dust yourself off and begin to step forward in your calling, as the Lord leads you.

Praise you Jesus, you give me the grace to live free and willing to serve you.

Be the bridge

I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

There are some wonderfully designed bridges around the world, that take you from one place to another. We are called to build bridges to people’s lives for Jesus. Don’t underestimate the impact of your discipleship and the discipling of people you work alongside. When people are searching, we can be like beacons of light for Jesus. God is still saving people today.

Thanks Jesus for the good news of the gospel. Help me build bridges to people that could get to know you in a real way.

Really cares

Casting all your care apon Him, for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

People don’t care about what you know until they know how much you care. We know how much God cares for us, because Jesus died for us. He gave his life so that we could be reconciled to God. You can go to the Lord anytime with your worries and cares, knowing He really cares about you. The Holy Spirit is there and able to comfort and counsel us.

Thanks Lord that you really care and are there for me every day.

Peace of God

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

To have the peace of God is a blessing of walking with Jesus. He keeps us. As you go about your day, there are so many reminders of the goodness of the Lord, that we can praise and thank Him about. Have you a testimony of the keeping power of God? People wonder why you are still smiling, and have a pleasant attitude. You know that’s because of the God you serve. He guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Thanks Lord Jesus, your peace is wonderful indeed. Help me know you are close to me each day.

Jesus’ ways

Shew me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4

Being needy of Jesus is good. We have not arrived as yet. There is always more to learn and grow to become more like God. David asks to know Jesus’ ways and paths. We can ask God the same. Do you realise your need of the Lord today? How much more do we need the Lord in this world of complexities. There is much to learn of Him, his ways and paths.

Lord Jesus, I desire you, teach me of you, help me learn more of you, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Unburdened and free

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Some places are just irreplaceable. Your ultimate holiday destination, that iconic scenic spot. There is no where else in the world that you can go and find rest other than Jesus. Are you exhausted from your efforts, burdened by the day, Jesus has what you need. We can learn from him, because of his gentleness and humility. God is our comfort and best friend. What can you bring to him today? The Lord can make you unburdened and free.

Father God, help me keep close and remember your teachings and learn from you.

Real love

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Jesus has given us a great example of real love. When you have a comprehension of the love of God, that changes the way you perceive yourself and others. You are able to love better, forgive easier and be more patient. How you treat people is an integral aspect of being a believer. The second commandment Jesus gave us was to love our neighbour as ourselves. That is based on the love of God that he has shed on our lives.

Lord Jesus, thanks for your great love. Help me to be courteous and kind, remembering that you loved me first.

Asking

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2

Is writing a shopping list something you like to do? I often just take the plunge and go shopping without a list. It can be fun, except I get home sometimes realising, the items I have not purchased, that I needed. When we list our prayers we make sure that all our needs and loved ones are covered in our prayers. There is a great lot of good that can be done, being close to Jesus in prayer. What simple prayer can you offer today unto the Lord? Much more than just a list, praying is a way of connecting with the divine. The Holy Spirit makes a way for miracles and happenings of the impossible.

Thanks Jesus, I love to talk with you and hear you talking with me. Help me have a good plan in remembering to pray.

Jesus’ help

So we keep praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

When you keep praying, know that God answers prayer. People you hold up to Jesus, have the blessing of heaven on their lives. We might not see immediate results, don’t be discouraged, God is working on your behalf. One encounter with Jesus and people are never the same. The presence of God is life changing. Our needing Jesus is precious.

Lord Jesus, thanks for your presence. Help me lean on you in prayer.

Dream on!

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

Have you ever had a day that you intentionally dream of what life could be, with no limiting factors. Some people make a dream board, where they put pictures of what they dream of. That might be hobbies, a dream job, what you want to achieve. In reality, these are just a dream. Except that we have an omnipotent God. Praise Jesus! God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. What will happen when you bring your impossible to God’s possible? There’s a twinkle in the eye of believers because they know Jesus, the God of the impossible.

Thanks Father God, I bring my impossibilities to you, knowing you can move mountains.

Mercy of God

1 Peter 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

We are born again. The mercy of God is such that we have a new life in Christ. God raised Jesus from the dead and we are saved. Praise the Lord! Whatever you go through, you know that your real citizenship is in heaven. Our lives are hidden in Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps in our daily lives, our counsellor, counsellor, He walks beside us, enabling us to live out our radical callings that God has for us.

Thanks Jesus, your mercy and grace is epic. Praise you God for sending Jesus to die for our souls.

Surprised at the will of God

Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Instruments need tuning up to play the note perfectly. At the start of a musical session, it just takes a few minutes to tune up ready for the fun. In the same way, we can renew our minds, to learn of the will of God. In the world, there can be pressure to conform to a certain pattern. We can choose to instead of conforming, be transformed in renewal, by the Spirit of God. You can find yourself in the eye of the will of the Lord as you are surprised at God’s pleasing and perfect will.

Thanks Lord Jesus, your renewal is what I need. I want to walk in your will Lord.

Confident hope

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Where do you get your hope from? Life can be up and down. Sometimes we are winning, sometimes we have challenges. While our lives are imperfect, don’t be discouraged, God has encouragement from his word. Our source of hope is God. He is our warrior and comforter. As we get closer to the Holy Spirit, He fills us so much that we will overflow being in confident hope. You can live boldly with faith, knowing Jesus is there.

Father God, thanks for your presence. Help me have confident hope in you Jesus.

Waiting for his word

You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for your word. Psalm 119:114

There is a place where you can be hid in the presence of the Lord. The person of Jesus is with us. Is there anything better than being home at the end of a long day? That’s what the presence of God is like. We can’t wait to be close to Him. Such is the place of protection, being hid in Jesus, waiting for his word. When you delight in the Lord, how precious. All of our lives, purposed for his praise.

Lord Jesus, thankyou for the opportunity to draw near to you in your presence. Help me wait upon your word.

Hope in the Lord

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Where you put your hope is important. God wants us to really flourish as believers. Like eagles that have such a large wingspan, we can really soar in the Lord. We can gain and keep momentum as we wait on the Lord. Eagles have the ability to rise up reaching to heights higher than the storm. What storm do you need to rise up higher from? In Jesus, we will not get weary, that is the promise of God. He will keep us.

Father God, thanks for the promise of the Holy Spirit and that we can soar as eagles in you.

Gain more ground

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:2

What would you do if you could see in the unseen spiritual world? Just like we can’t tell what people are thinking, we know they’re thinking. We can’t see what is happening in the spiritual world, yet there are heavenly realms that have battles and powers that we are fighting against, in Jesus’ name. Ever feel like you take one step forward, then two steps back. Could that be that we need to take our stand against the powers of darkness, in a very practical way. When we are not just on the defence, being on the attack, we will gain more ground.

Thanks Lord Jesus, we are living on the cusp of what you are planning. Help me be ready and able to stand for you Jesus, taking steps forward each day, amen.