Tag Archives: Christianity

What We Hope For

17 Thursday Aug 2017

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Good morning! We are starting Hebrews chapter 11-Faith. “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.” Hebrews 11:1-3NLT

Faith in humankind may disappoint us. Believing someone at their word may disappoint us. However, the truth of God’s word and his promises do not. While things may not occur in our time, the God we serve is God all by himself and he knows how to take care of us. We can trust the One who formed the entire world to transform us into faithful followers of Christ.

I spoke to my aunt on Sunday and she was sharing a story with me. She had asked someone the question: What are you believing God for today?

Today I challenge you with the same question: What are you believing God for today? ________

Father God, thank you for being faithful. Thank you for your promises and for proving over and over again that you can be trusted. Lord, as we put our faith in you, develop our thoughts, help us to recognize your voice and direct our feet to follow your path for our lives. As we go through Hebrews chapter 11, equip us with the knowledge and the will to walk by faith each day of our lives. Help us to see you at work in this chapter and in our lives. Continue to strengthen our faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Keep seeking! Keep trusting! Keep praying!

We would love to stand with you in prayer. Feel free to send your prayer request to: maryewhite20@gmail.com

Live By Faith

16 Wednesday Aug 2017

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Happy Wednesday! “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.” Hebrews 10:36-39 NLT.

According to Google search patient is defined as “able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious” and endurance is defined as “the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.”

With certainty, we know that we will experience problems, suffering and unpleasant situations in our lives. However, the author is reminding us to continue to do God’s will.

When storms come, we should be rooted in the word so that we may dig deep into our faith and hold on. So that when we feel the storm’s raging winds, and see destruction around us, we will remain or learn to remain immovable in our faith.

Father God, thank you for your strength in times of pain, struggles, disappointments and many other things we must endure. Lord, we ask that you guide us as we continue to do your will. May our faith become stronger and our obedience to your word always be imprinted on our hearts and tongues. Lord, cover us today as only you can. Be with us and our families as we go to work, school, appointments, etc. Protect all the children from harm as they go back to school. In Jesus name, Amen.

Keep seeking God’s truth! Keep trusting the process! Keep praying!

Better Things Waiting

15 Tuesday Aug 2017

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Good morning! “Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!” Hebrews 10:32-35 NLT

Do you remember the day you accepted Christ into your life? Do you remember how full your heart was on that day?

Continue to put your trust in the Lord, especially when things don’t make sense or are painful. Allow the Lord to comfort you and bring you peace. Stand firm, remembering the day you accepted Christ into your life and the reason you decided to follow Christ.

Dear Lord, we love you and thank you for giving us an opportunity to accept you into our hearts and minds. We are grateful that you are willing to guide our path and direct our steps. Lord, we ask that you reignite our passion for you and light a fire in our steps to walk with you in obedience to your word. May we be bold and courageous in every area of our lives. Keep us near you Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Keep seeking! Keep trusting! Keep praying!

Refusing to Obey

14 Monday Aug 2017

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Happy Monday! “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31 NLT.

Let us not become comfortable with the world and the influences that harden our hearts toward God. Let us hold firm to what we profess to believe and be the salt and light in the earth. God will always have the final word.

Keep seeking! Keep trusting! Keep praying!

 

Hold Tight

11 Friday Aug 2017

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Happy Friday! “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT.

Have you ever been on a rollercoaster ride? Have you struggled with getting on the ride and eventually someone convinces you to go along for the ride? If so, you are probably familiar with the instructions – lift your hands up so that we may secure the lap rest. Then, if you are like me, you double-check to make sure the lap rest is secure.

It’s amazing how we trust man-made equipment (rollercoaster rides) to shield us from injury or protect our lives. We go through the turns, twist and sometimes loops (upside down) giving complete control to a standard machine operator who may not have gone to engineering school. Yet, we have a hard time trusting the maker of the universe, the one who formed us in our mother’s womb and knows are beginning and end.

My advice today is to hold tight, God is in control, don’t waver, he can be trusted beyond a 30 second ride, he can be trusted with your entire life. Through all the ups and downs, tight curves, steep drops and eager anticipation of what’s next – he can be trusted!

What will you give God complete control over? Will it be your entire life? Who will you encourage to do the same?

Dear Lord, thank you for another glorious Friday that we have no control over. Lord, we trust you as we get up, as we travel, as we go to school or work. We trust your promises and ask that you help us to relinquish control to you. Be with us this weekend as we live to serve you. Help us to stand firm in our faith and encourage others to do the same. Allow others to see Christ in us. In Jesus name, Amen!

Keep seeking! Keep trusting! Keep praying!

Enjoy your weekend.

 

 

Sealed and Secure

10 Thursday Aug 2017

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Good morning! “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22 NLT. 

This is reassurance for those who believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, arose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Because of Christ our sins are forgiven and we are free to enter into heaven, we only need to ask him into our hearts.

The book of Romans states, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NLT

Father God,  thank you for your provision. There is no one greater than you. There is no chant or piece of worship jewelry that can override the power of your words or your promises. You sealed us with a secure faith and an eternal promise. Thank you Lord, that we don’t need to fear unbelievers,  however you have challenged us to pray for the lost, least and last. Lord may our prayers be toward them so that they may turn away from their wickedness and/or disbelief to follow you completely. Continue to equip us for this journey to reach the lost. Instill in us courage, humble boldness, and compassion toward others. Lord, cover us today, give us peace in the midst of storms and guide us in all our ways. In the name that’s above all names, Jesus Christ, Amen!

Keep seeking God’s truth! Keep trusting God’s word! Keep praying!

If you need prayer or have a prayer request, we have a team ready to pray for you and/or with you.  Send your prayer request to Maryewhite20@gmail.com or submit it through the comment section of our prayer request page.

Forever Made Perfect

08 Tuesday Aug 2017

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Good morning! “Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:11-14 NLT.

Generally, a process  of making something takes time, it may require special handling, various ingredients,  tools and heat. Transformation may occur immediately, within the hour or even years. However, being made is a process. It may not happen overnight, but trust the process. He is making ways in the darkest valleys. He’s restoring faith and rejuvenating souls. He’s setting the captives free. The Lord is making us holy.

Dear Lord, thank for this reminder. Thank you for your love for us. Your word tells us to “be still and know that I am God”. While we may not want to sit still as you sculpt us into a beautiful masterpiece, we thank you for your sacrifice and for never giving up on us. Lord, continue your work in and through us. We surrender our lives to you. Use every disappointment, moment of joy or sorrow to equip us, transform us and make us holy. In Jesus name, Amen.

Keep seeking! Keep praying! Keep trusting!

Readers, I have one special prayer request. If you find time today, please keep my family in prayer as we prepare for my mother’s funeral service today. These chapters in Hebrews have given me precious reminders and secured footing knowing all her sins have been forgiven, her work here is done and she is finally home with the Lord.

Eagerly Waiting

02 Wednesday Aug 2017

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Good morning! “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28 NLT

Waiting can be a bit annoying, for instance, waiting in line, waiting for a video to load, waiting to get cellphone reception, waiting for an email that someone sent, waiting for a fax, waiting for water to heat up and waiting for me to send out these daily messages.

However, don’t be annoyed by the wait for Christ to return. Embrace the Lord’s direction and live life as though the Lord was coming today. As Hebrews 3:14-15 reminds us “You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. ”

Dear Lord, we thank you for the gift of time. The time to live our lives for you and to reach unbelievers so that they will not miss out on your promises. Lord continue to equip us for this journey to reach the least, last and lost. Help us to be faithful in what we believe until the day you come or call us home. Lord send your Holy Spirit to comfort the broken-hearted, to bring peace in the midst of storms and to minister to those who are seeking after you. May you dwell in our households, on our jobs, and give us favor in all that we do. Sharpen our gifts, give us wisdom, discernment and clarity about how to use those gifts, and make us bold while humble to use our gifts to glorify you. In Jesus name,  Amen.

Keep seeking! Keep trusting! Keep praying!

 

On Our Behalf

01 Tuesday Aug 2017

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Good morning! “That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals. For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.” Hebrews 9:23-26 NLT

Do you have a sibling or a friend who comes to your rescue when you are in trouble or need help? Do you have that one person you can depend on no matter what? Who is that person?

Well friend, Jesus Christ is greater than that one person, sibling or friend. He gave his life to stand before God on our behalf so that we can be forgiven of our sins and reconciled to God. Don’t forget to show Him your gratitude. Take time today and thank God for his Son who died on the cross for our sins so that we can enter into heaven.

Father God, we thank you today for the people you have put in our lives to encourage us and support us in life. Lord, we also want to thank you for your promises and words of truth that strengthen, comfort and renew our souls. Lord there is no one greater than you. There is no one more sovereign than you. No one more gracious and merciful as you. We thank you Lord for all that you have done and continue to do. Please continue to strengthen our families, friends and believers in the faith. Keep us steadfast, completely trusting in you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Keep seeking! Keep trusting! Keep praying!

Without Blood

31 Monday Jul 2017

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Happy Monday! Today’s message covers the process of the first covenant. “Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead. The will goes into effect only after the person’s death. While the person who made it is still alive, the will cannot be put into effect. That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.” And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:16-22 NLT

Lord, thank you for shedding your blood on the cross and dying for our sins. Your blood is the only sacrifice that ensures, if we confess with our mouths that you are Lord, and believe in heart that you died and rose from the grave, and accept Christ as our personal savior, our sins will be forgiven. Thank you for your willingness to die in our place. Lord, be with us today as some go to work, school, etc. Help us to recognize your presence in our lives, and give you the praise and glory you deserve. Encourage our hearts, strengthen our faith, and direct our steps. In Jesus name, Amen!

Keep seeking! Keep praying! Keep trusting!