Dear Heavenly Father, You have known me and all that I have done, and all that I am. You know the good, the bad, yet You still have given me Your Grace, sharing Your unconditional love with me. Thank you for the treasures that you have granted me in my life. The decline that I have allowed to transpire in my life needed and needs the Restoration that You give to me on a daily basis. The renovation that You completed in my life has been an awesome makeover beyond words. Thank you Lord; In Jesus Name Amen
Finally, we have been told that knowing the date or the time is not for us to know. When we are focusing on this it becomes a distraction that cannot for your sake and mine be considered. We have been told that He is returning and that we should be prepared, knowing Him, following Him and being like Him. In Matthew 25:1-13 The Parable of the Ten Virgins we are given an example of what it looks like to be unprepared and how good it is to be prepared. “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. We have been told not to worry but that it will come like a thief in the night. We are told that we need to be prepared.
Dear Heavenly Father, I have been looking forward to Your return my whole life and cannot wait until I get to meet you face to face. When everything around me seems to be falling apart all I can think of is how awesome it is going be when I sit in Your splendor. Lord help me to accept these issues on this earth that are making it so hard to deal with. In Jesus Name Amen
Third, there is disappointment that repeatedly gets placed in the minds of people when they keep on getting told a new date that never happens. The definition of disappointment is: sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations. When people feel this discouragement over and over again it causes doubt that some cannot deal with, inevitably causing them to emotionally fall away from God. When this happens we are told we are opening a gateway: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8-8 We have been told that no one knows the time or the day except the father we are allowing this inner turmoil to eat the church from the inside out, it is like a deadly bacteria. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones .Proverbs 3:7-8 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10
Dear Heavenly Father, this nervousness and feeling of doubt is sometimes hard to deal with Lord. Please comfort me and put a hedge of protection around me. Just give the comfort that only You can give. In Jesus Name Amen
Second, the anxiety that it causes, that kind of seems like a weird statement when we are talking about the end of the world don’t you think? There will be a certain amount of anxiety when you focus on what is going to happen on the date that Jesus Christ returns. The questions can be split into separate issues. Do you have anxiety because it is going be the end of everything as you know it. Or do you have anxiety because of a healthy respect for the Lord.If your worry comes from the idea that everything will end and there will be nothing left we have been told: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the
world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.1 John 2:15-17 Considering a healthy fear, this is when you want to make sure you have done everything you could possibly do so that God will be completely happy with you. The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13 If you are prepared by doing what we have been told (loving, sharing, having humility, knowing His word, being kind). If you have lived a life that is inline with what we are told to do in the bible:“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to accept and understand that everything is done in Your time. I know for me it seems like it takes forever but I know You have control over what is coming. Please forgive me if I have acted like a spoiled child. Help me to focus on Your will and plan while I deal with my thoughts and devices. In Jesus Name Amen
To begin with, the discontent that people feel when they think that something is being either hidden or kept away from them is a perfect distraction; Your
adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour. 1 Peter 5:8 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.For you yourselves are fully aware that
the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.1 Thessalonians 5:1 When allowing this distraction into your mind it will take your focus away from what we have been told to do by God: honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 I know what you are think well I know the bible I can do that! Stop and really meditate on that thought, ask yourself if someone came up to me and asked anything about Jesus Christ you can say with all confidence that you know everything about Him. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
Dear Heavenly Father, I stand before you trying to understand Your word. Help show me the direction that You have planned for me to travel. Lord show me what I should do giving me the discretion to understand what are my thoughts and the humility to take Your thoughts and make them mine. In Jesus Name Amen
What is there in a date? Why when we are told that it is none of our business that we turn it into our main focus? There are so many that have an overwhelming fascination with the day of Jesus Christ’s return that it is all they focus on. There is a question we each need to ask ourselves; Am I perfect? If we look inside we can all truthfully say no! When we answer that question honestly then we know that we have other issues to focus on then a date that has been made clear that no one knows or will know. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 There is no reason to feel discontent and anxiety which can lead to disappointment and finally a complete loss of faith.
Dear Heavenly Father;
Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies—make your way straight before me. Psalm 5:8Give me the knowledge I need so I do not do wrong.
In Jesus Name Amen
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 12 “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.13-14 “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree. “I’ll turn things around for you. Jeremiah 29:11-14 MSG
When the Lord pours out a remarkable spirit of prayer, it is a good sign that he is coming toward us in mercy. Promises are given to quicken and encourage prayer. He never said, Seek me in vain. Matthew Henry’s concise commentary
Dear Heavenly Father, be our guide showing us every step that we need to take. Give us the wisdom and hope that we need to see the future you have planned for us. Give us the heart to become seekers and the understanding to interpret the knowledge that You place in front of each one of us. Lead us through this process helping us become a stronger family than we have ever been. In Psalm 117:2 we are told For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Thank you Lord In Jesus Name amen
To gain righteousness all we need is faith Romans 1 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” In the bible it explains that through faith and not good works or the law that we are saved because Christ took our sins on the cross. Galatians 3 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live byfaith.” 12 The law is not based onfaith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Always remember believe, have faith, that is what he wants and you can never love too much!
Luke 8 43 A woman was there who had a sickness that made her bleed. Her sickness had lasted for 12 years. No one could heal her. 44 She came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his clothes. Right away her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone said they didn’t do it. Then Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pushing against you.”46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me. I know that power has gone out from me.”47 The woman realized that people would notice her. Shaking with fear, she came and fell at his feet. In front of everyone, she told why she had touched him. She also told how she had been healed in an instant. 48 Then he said to her, “Dear woman, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” More…..
There are many stories in the bible where Jesus healed and took care of people because they had unconditional faith in him Matthew 9 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed (disabled) man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”6 he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. In Luke by Jesus just seeing faithfulness He forgave Luke 5 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Yet another story just by a touch a women who had a disorder that had made her bleed for 12 years was healed just by a touch because of her faithmore…..
Dear Heavenly Father, I trust You in every way. When You want me to take that first step I know that You will be there to guide me being the light in the darkness. You will be the balance I need when the path seems to narrow to move forward. Lord I know that with every undertaking that I will have the confidence that is need to do what You want. Thank You Lord In Jesus Name Amen.
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7
Dear Heavenly Father, guide every step I take because I know if You are in the lead I will never be guided down the wrong path. Help me to see the way You want me to go so that I do not make the wrong decision, with so many trails to travel I sometimes get blinded by all of the flash and glitz. Just show me the route that You desire me to take. In Jesus Name Amen
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Dear Heavenly Father I do not deserve the grace you have shown me, I have done things in my life that were not in a way that is favorable to you. Yet Lord I thank You because You have still shown me mercy and favor. The gift that was given is beyond comprehension. The only boasting I can do is to boast about the unfettered mercy that has overwhelmingly been poured over me. Thank you Lord! In Jesus Name Amen
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Dear Heavenly Father; I know that there are going to be things that I do not understand and issues that I think are not I know better. Lord give me the perseverance and understanding to see past my feelings and see what is in Your heart. Have patience with me while I learn to share the heart You have, the compassion, ultimate understanding and forgiveness so I can become more like You. In Jesus Name Amen
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. John 6: 60-67
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the air in my lungs and the life that You have given me. Help me to recognize those around me, how I am no better than anyone else and they are no better than me. We are all the same yearning to know the grace that You have given us. With my head bowed and my hands reaching to the heavens I have no words to express my gratitude I love You. In Jesus Name Amen
Acts17: 25-26 God giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth
Dear Heavenly Father, every day I struggle with the turmoil and fear of what is to come. I struggle daily while polishing my ego, fighting myself, thinking I always need more and never being satisfied with what You have given me. I am thankful for the gifts You have provided but I always want more. Please guide me Lord in the direction that You have established for me in Proverbs 16:9 we are told that In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Lord guide my steps down the path that You have laid down for me. In Jesus Name Amen
Dear Heavenly Father, always help so that I see others the way You see them. Help me to see that our outward appearance may be different but that our hearts all yearn to have a relationship with You and desire to know You. In Jesus Name Amen
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for suffering on the cross and sacrificing yourself for me. Like any other good Father you give everything for Your children so that they may know You. Thank you so much for all that You have done and all that You do! In Jesus Name Amen
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
Dear Heavenly Father, as I walk through these trials that have come in front of the path that I travel. Through your word I thank you for reminding me that though I do not enjoy these road blocks, please help me use them as examples to help others for a key to glorify your name. In Jesus Name Amen
Dear Heavenly Father; as we come together as a family in Christ and fellowship. I need your help to remind me of my frailties, helping me curb my ego so I can show the unreserved understanding You give me on a daily basis. In Jesus Name Amen
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Discontent everywhere
We look around us day in and day out, children being murdered, molested, being used as toys for people with illicit intent. There are people so far out of their minds trying to self-medicate themselves so they do not feel the pain they have endured. People around the world are being persecuted for the way they are and the way that they believe. We have political entities that are telling us that the way we believe and think are wrong, or that we said something that was inappropriate. If we smile at someone it could be taken the wrong way, a sexual advance, maybe you’re just racist, not implying that you are just sharing the love that was given us. The surroundings that we have to put up with on a daily basis seem to be overwhelming. One thing I always remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. In this bible verse we can break it down into a few different parts the love of money, being content, and that He is there for you.
The Love of Money
To begin with, money, we ask what did Jesus say? Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Jesus told us that loving money is like having another master that we devote our lives to. It does not say that are not supposed to work, it says quite the opposite. In Romans 13:7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. We are told that we are to pay our taxes, pay those we owe and respect and honor those that are due respect and honor. If we have to pay taxes and our debts that obviously means that having a job and making money is not evil. It is when we revere money over everything else is when it becomes the problem. For example; your spouse and children are expecting you home for an amazing night with the family however you stay to make some extra money so you cancel and work a few extra hours. You have now put money before your family, that is not saying that making a few extra dollars is evil, but if you do not have to work be content with what God has given you. It is when we put the search for that extra dollar over everything else in our life including family, ourselves and worst God. This is when we become entangled with a love for money over the love of everything else. In the bible it says to love your neighbor: Luke 10:27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” it does not say love your money. So when we love money so much we are breaking one of His commandments, Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” And do not forget what Jesus said above in Luke 10:27 love Him with everything inside and out. We must remember that even 2000 years ago there were those that tried to teach that following Jesus was not for financial gain in 1 Timothy 6: 4-5 They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. In our society today we have a few that still try to teach this financial doctrine/theology we are reminded in 1 Timothy 6: 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. We need to remember to be happy with what we have, just be content.
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Furthermore, being content with what we have is a virtue we should all work to attain. When we examine contentment we see there is hope: 2 Corinthians 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. So what is being content? The Merriam dictionary defines being content as: freedom from worry or restlessness : peaceful satisfaction. Paul formally known as Saul left his life of Jewish servitude and comfort: Acts 22:3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today”. The bible says Gamaliel was a teacher Acts 5:34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people. At that time in history not just anybody would receive teaching except for a select few. Paul left this life and told people to be happy with what you have: Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. When we want what others have and are not satisfied it is call coveting. Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” We are reminded by Paul that we should watch so that we do not get snared into the deception that money makes everything better and all your worries disappear. Truth is; even the rich worry and want more, the want of money can turn into a state of mind that devours your entire being. 2 Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Just be content with what you have and look to him for hope know that He is there for you: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
He is there for you.
Third, when we do not forsake Him He will not forsake us. The definition of forsake is: to renounce or turn away from entirely. God through Jesus Christ has given us the ultimate sacrifice, salvation through the blood of His Son. Matthew 1:21 “and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” We are shown that through this sacrifice that He has not and will not turn away from us. With this bible verse Hebrews 13:5 I will not leave you or forsake you; we are told throughout the entire bible and have been reassured that He is there and will take care of us. 2000 years ago the Israelite’s where sacrificing animals to cover the sins that they had committed even those people that were “good people;” there has only been one human on this earth who was perfect and free of sin, his name Jesus. Jesus was sent as a sacrifice to cover those sins that through the law could never be covered no matter how many sacrifices that were given. Hebrews 9: 11-14 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! From the beginning to the end of the bible we have been guaranteed that God is there to take care of us. From Genesis 28:15 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” And as we near the end of the bible in the final chapter we are reminded once again that He has and always will have or back Revelation 1:17-18 “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
In conclusion; we have a hope that it will get better because we know the gift that was given us through Jesus Christ. John 3:16-18 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned. We have been given this gift to comfort us letting us know that God has told us from the beginning that He is there for us, has not forgotten us and will be here for all eternity wanting His people to be with Him in heaven. Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
He will take care of you, He loves you, and you are one of His children.
Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Dear Heavenly Father; Psalm 139:13-17 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! In Jesus Name Amen
Romans 13 1-2 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for another year! As I walk through the year ahead I will try to always remember that if I have any questions or uncertainty that I can look to you Lord. I will, throughout this year, work to make You more of me and me less of this world. In Jesus Name Amen
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:12-16
Dear Heavenly Father, You have known me and all that I have done, and all that I am. You know the good, the bad, yet You still have given me Your Grace, sharing Your unconditional love with me. Thank you for the treasures that you have granted me in my life. The decline that I have allowed to transpire in my life needed and needs the Restoration that You give to me on a daily basis. The renovation that You completed in my life has been an awesome makeover beyond words. Thank you Lord; In Jesus Name Amen
Dear Heavenly Father, I trust You in every way. When You want me to take that first step I know that You will be there to guide me being the light in the darkness. You will be the balance I need when the path seems to narrow to move forward. Lord I know that with every undertaking that I will have the confidence that is need to do what You want. Thank You Lord In Jesus Name Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father I do not deserve the grace you have shown me, I have done things in my life that were not in a way that is favorable to you. Yet Lord I thank You because You have still shown me mercy and favor. The gift that was given is beyond comprehension. The only boasting I can do is to boast about the unfettered mercy that has overwhelmingly been poured over me. Thank you Lord! In Jesus Name Amen
Drink of Jesus 
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