Receive God’s love!
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Into the Season
by Lois Evans
If you spend any amount of time with me, you will often hear me referencing life’s seasons. What do I mean by seasons? We often think of the word in terms of spring, summer, winter, and fall. But I like to think of our life seasons as seed-planting, growth, and harvest.
During the season of seed-planting, the Lord calls us to Himself. We commit ourselves to His service, and we enjoy communion with Him. This often takes place while we are still single, before we meet the man God has chosen for us. While we are single, we can devote ourselves to building our personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, cherishing Him as our first Love.
The King’s court is made up of single and married women. God chooses women in each state and leads them into the next season of growth, which encompasses lessons in obedience, service, and preparation. During these times we are tutored in self-discipline, sacrifice, and serenity. That is God’s way of preparing us for our particular future in Him.
At last we enter the season of harvest. We are finally ready to step into the primary responsibilities for which we have been prepared. During this season, we learn to be content without becoming complacent; we learn to say yes to God’s direction, even when it means stepping out of our comfort zone. And we learn the blessings of fulfillment as we see God’s plan for our lives being brought to pass.
What is God’s purpose for your life? Have you discovered it yet? Do you know if you are in the season of seed-planting, growth or harvest? Seek the Lord and inquire of Him to show you were you are and how He intends to use this season of your life for your good and His glory.
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
How do you view God? Is he someone looking for a way to condemn you? Is he an out-of-touch old man who doesn’t really know what it’s like in our modern world? Is he too holy to soil himself with the concerns of mere mortals and has left it up to us to work everything out for ourselves? No. NO. NO! God chose to enter our world and experience it from the side of mortality. God chose to enter our world, not to condemn us, or it, but to redeem it. Jesus is the great reminder that God longs to save us, not judge us. Thank God for God! Thank God for Jesus who was God with us.
MY PRAYER…
Holy and Heavenly God, thank you that you live with those who are contrite and repentant and who long for your presence. You know we are only mortal, but you love us. You know that we are flawed, but you redeemed us. You know that we are not perfect, but you sent Jesus as the perfect sacrifice to save us. Thank you. Through my Savior I offer my sincerest gratitude and praise. Amen.
(Weekly verses. Crosswalk.com)
Days 26-30
Day 26
NAME OF GOD:
Elohim
Verse:
In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God (Elohim) was moving over the surface of the waters. Genesis 1:1,2
Meaning:
The plural name of El, referring to the one, true Creator God, Divine, Deity.
Prayer: Adoration
Elohim, you are the strong, creator God. In you I find all of the components of all that has ever been created. It is your great imagination which gave the elephant his long trunk and the leopard her spots. It is by your strong arm that the oceans’ depth was first measured and the mountains rose. You chose what color the sky would be and how the earth would feed upon itself, even bringing life through death as a seed dies before towering into a tree. I praise you for the greatness of your creative prowess and ingenuity. I adore you for the fullness of your power. And I honor you for how you have made all things, even the minutia, work together to populate your great creation that we call earth.
Day 27
NAME OF GOD:
Jehovah
Verse:
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord (Jehovah) God made earth and heaven. Genesis 2:4
Meaning:
Lord, master and relational God
Prayer: Thanksgiving
Jehovah thank you that you desire to be close to me. Thank you that you are not just a God who is high and lifted up but you are also a God who communes with the lowly and with those who are not of a high stature. Thank you for the goodness and depth of your heart which pours out love time and again in my life, for the grace of your patience which continues to show love even in the face of my many dismissals of you. I often walk in the midst of the beauty of your creation without giving you the praise and credit that is due you so please accept my heart of gratitude right now for all that you have made, and for your desire to know me fully and have me know you as well.
Day 28
NAME OF GOD:
Jehovah El Elohim
Verse:
The Mighty One, God, the Lord (Jehovah), the Mighty One (El), God (Elohim), the Lord! He knows, and may Israel itself know. If it was in rebellion, or if in an unfaithful act against the Lord do not save us this day! Joshua 22:22
Meaning:
The LORD God of Gods, the LORD, mighty, powerful, strong One over all.
Prayer: Supplication
Jehovah El Elohim, teach me to love like you. Teach me to walk in the strength and might of which you are made. As your child, your Spirit lives within me and I can access your strength through your Spirit’s presence. I’m not always strong, especially in the face of health issues or financial issues or even with regard to relational issues – but you are. So I ask you to intervene in my thoughts, heart and mind when these situations arise so that I can then fully manifest your might and power in my life.
Day 29
NAME OF GOD:
Jehovah Elohim Ab
Verse:
So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, “How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord (Jehovah), the God (Elohim) of your fathers (Ab), has given you? Joshua 18:3
Meaning:
The LORD God of your forefathers
Prayer: Confession
Jehovah Elohim Ab, the Lord God of my forefathers, I confess to you that I don’t always make a connection between what you have done in the past and what you are doing currently in my own life. I neglect to study where I should be studying to learn your character through how you interacted with those who came before me. I am a child of Abraham and an heir to the covenants you have established with my spiritual forefathers. Yet I confess that I do not even know what all of that entails and all of the birthright that is due me. What I do not know, I cannot ask for. Forgive me for not taking full advantage of what you have established already through your relationship with my spiritual forefathers.
Day 30
NAME OF GOD:
Jehovah El Elyon
Verse:
Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord (Jehovah) God (El) Most High (Elyon), possessor of heaven and earth. Genesis 14:22
Meaning:
The LORD, the Most High God.
Prayer: Adoration
Jehovah El Elyon, your name means the LORD, most high God. I praise you for your position. I honor you as you are seated above all else. I lift up your name and bless who you are. You are the possessor of heaven and earth. You are the friend of humanity. You are the highest being in existence. For all of this and more, I lift you up as king. May your kingdom rule be made manifest on earth as you demonstrate your power and might above all.
Days 21-25
Day 21
NAME OF GOD:
Elohim Ozer Li
Verse:
Surely God (Elohim) is my help (Ozer Li); the Lord is the one who sustains me. Psalm 54:4
Meaning:
God My Helper.
Prayer: Supplication
Elohim Ozer Li I ask for your help. Many things are weighing me down but you know the one that is heavy on me the most and I ask you to intervene. Please guard me from responding to this situation inappropriately. Guard me from turning to my own ways and human wisdom. Remind me by showing me your hand that you are near and you are my sustaining help and do help me this very day Elohim Ozer Li for I am dependent upon you in every way.
Day 22
NAME OF GOD:
El Rai
Verse:
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God (El) who sees (Rai) me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’ Genesis 16:13
Meaning:
God Seest Me
Prayer: Adoration
El Rai this is one of your names which reveals your heart more than any other. As you saw Abraham on the mountaintop and witnessed his trust in you, you provided a ram as Jehovah Jireh. Likewise, as El Rai you see where I am, you respond. It is in your seeing that I am truly known. To be known by you – to not be forgotten – is one of my greatest needs and it is this name which comforts me greatly. I praise you because you are not a distant God who sits far off and does not commune with those you have made, but you see me. You care, you see, and you are there.
Day 23
NAME OF GOD:
El Sali
Verse:
The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock (El Sali); and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation. 2 Samuel 22:47
Meaning:
God, my Rock.
Prayer: Thanksgiving
El Sali you deserve my gratitude. You stay steady when all else around me crumbles and falls. Thank you for the power of your strength – thank you that you are my rock, you are the God of my salvation. Thank you for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for my sins. Thank you that you not only save me for eternity but you offer me salvation while on earth. Accept my humble words and heart of prayer as I bow before you to thank you for all that you have done for me.
Day 24
NAME OF GOD:
El Shaddai
Verse:
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty (El Shaddai); walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.’ Genesis 17:1,2
Meaning:
Almighty God.
Prayer: Supplication
El Shaddai show me how to honor you with my faith like Abraham did throughout his life. I want to be a person of great faith who gets to experience you as El Shaddai in my life. At times Abraham did not exhibit the faith that he did in later days yet in so doing he delayed the oath of the covenant coming to him from you. Help me not to cause delays in my destiny but rather to walk upright in faith starting even from today. Strengthen the muscles of my heart and my soul to be willing to risk all to show you my dedication and commitment to you as my King and to your kingdom agenda on earth.
Day 25
NAME OF GOD:
El Simchath Gili
Verse:
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God (El), my joy (Simchath Gili) and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4
Meaning:
God My Exceeding Joy.
Prayer: Supplication
El Simchath Gili show me your wonders. Delight me with that which delights you. I know that if I witness the things that make your heart glad, mine will become glad as well. Give me the pleasure of knowing you intimately because in you I will find my joy and my delight. Help me also to bring joy to other people that I come into contact with. Give me a sweet spirit that radiates your love and pleasure to those around me. Help me to say kind and encouraging words and to always think on things that are pure. As I do that, I will reflect you all the more!
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Psalms 62:7
New International Version
Psalms 62:7
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Who we are, what becomes of us in life, is in God’s hands. We cannot purchase or achieve lasting honor for ourselves without his blessing. We cannot secure the future or our safety without his protection and blessing. The basis of all achievement and glory is dependent upon us placing our lives in his care.
MY PRAYER…
O Rock, Fortress of my life, I place myself in your care. Take charge of my future and use me for your glory. In you I take refuge, and on your strength I rely to make my days worthwhile. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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Christianity Is A Hard Task
Published: Wednesday | March 26, 2014
The Gleaner- Jamaica, WI
Q: I am a young man battling with my Christian faith. Growing up, I was the only one in my household who had a difficulty converting to Christianity as I did not want to conform to the morals and standards of the Christian journey because I found that life boring. However, I began attending church regularly in my late teens. I found myself getting closer to God, especially through my exciting Sunday school classes. The classes were engaging and fruitful. The teacher was the main reason the class was so real to me and uplifting. He portrayed Christ-like qualities, and knew how to express and share the joy he found in the Lord. He went the extra mile to guide me and helped with my decision to be baptised. I was now on the right path, ready to fulfil God’s purpose for me. I believe God placed him in my life. He was an excellent example to how to follow Christ.
I moved to a different parish because of my job, and while there, I found it difficult to find a church. I kept in touch with my old Sunday school teacher, especially when my Christian journey got rough. It is a rough journey. I am trying hard to keep the faith, but that changed one night. While on vacation, I went out with my non-Christian friends. I had a few drinks too many, and we ended up at a strip club. I felt guilty the entire time I was there and wanted to leave. But when I decided that this place was not for me, I noticed a familiar face in a corner of the strip club. To my amazement, it was my old Sunday school teacher. I immediately walked over to him where I pushed away one of the women. I didn’t have the strength to utter any words. He quickly grabbed my hand and took me outside, trying to formulate some kind of explanation, but failed. He was the one person I could count on to make sure I was doing what was right in the Lord. Now, I am lost and confused and I do not know who I can trust or believe in. How do I find my way back to Christ?
A: The arm of flesh will fail you, so you dare not trust your own. Your Sunday school teacher is not perfect, just like you. He struggles with temptations similar to your struggles. In fact, it is part of human nature to struggle with temptation for the rest of one’s life. Failure to meet the standards of God does not mean one is not a Christian. It means one has fallen short of the Glory of God. Sometimes, we even rebel against God’s will. God is always willing to forgive our failures and sins. God wants erring human beings to be sorry for their wrong actions and pledge to do better.
PUT CONFIDENCE IN GOD
Your confidence should not be in any preacher or Sunday school, but in God. You will need the support of others in the Christian journey. You need to engage in spiritual exercises of meditation, reading of the Bible, prayer and almsgiving. This will make you stronger to continue the Christian walk.
Don’t condemn your Sunday school teacher because you saw him at the strip club. It is better to try and understand him and encourage him to walk the straight and narrow path.
All the best on your spiritual journey.
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Days 17-21
Day 17
NAME OF GOD:
Elohim Machase Lanu
Verse:
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God (Elohim) is our refuge (Machase Lanu). Psalm 62:8
Meaning:
God Our Refuge.
Prayer: Supplication
Elohim Machase Lanu you know what I’m asking you first. My first request is that I won’t need a refuge but that you will stand guard in my life and guide me away from trials and tribulations. But I know in your word you say that in this life we will face trials and tribulations, so I know that there will be times where I am in great need. I ask Elohim Machase Lanu that you will do something in those times to get my attention – to remind me – to look to you so that I don’t falter out there on my own trying to comfort and protect myself, or in looking to someone else rather than you.
Day 18
NAME OF GOD:
Eli Maelekhi
Verse:
Your procession, God, has come into view, the procession of my God (Eli) and King (Maelekhi) into the sanctuary. Psalm 68:24
Meaning:
God My King.
Prayer: Thanksgiving
Eli Maelekhi I come before you with thanksgiving and I extol you with praise. You are the king, the great God – the great king above all. I enter your courts with thanksgiving and into your presence with a heart of gratitude as well. Thank you that you have chosen me as your heir to your kingdom, that I am a child of the king and by virtue of my relationship with you through your son Jesus Christ, I am entitled to all of the spiritual blessings that you have for me in your kingdom. Thank you for your abundant favor.
Day 19
NAME OF GOD:
Ben Elohim
Verse:
Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ the Son (Ben) of the living God (Elohim).’ Matthew 16:16
Meaning:
The Son of God.
Prayer: Adoration
Ben Elohim you are the Christ the son of the living God. I worship you for you have come to take away the sins of the world. After God spoke long ago to the prophets, He chose to speak to us through you, Ben Elohim, whom He has made heir of all things. It is also through you that He made the world. You are the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of Him in every way. I lift up your name as you have sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High having inherited a more excellent name than anyone ever has.
Day 20
NAME OF GOD:
Elohenu Olam
Verse:
For this God is our God (Elohenu) for ever and ever (Olam); he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14
Meaning:
Our Everlasting God.
Prayer: Confession
Elohenu Olam I confess that in my finite mind I have difficulties sometimes even grasping what my life may be like in five years, or ten. To comprehend a God who exists before time and will experience no end is beyond what I’m able to do. Forgive me for not fully appreciating your power, intellect and just who you are. The world is simply a pebble in your hand and yet I get so consumed by what I hear on the news or see at the workplace or experience in my relationships. A God who is Elohenu Olam is not easily overwhelmed because you have seen it all and will see it all. You know how it began and you know how each situation will end. You know that you will be there as the everlasting God. Forgive me for worrying rather than trusting in your wisdom and power.
Day 21
NAME OF GOD:
Elohim Ozer Li
Verse:
Surely God (Elohim) is my help (Ozer Li); the Lord is the one who sustains me. Psalm 54:4
Meaning:
God My Helper.
Prayer: Supplication
Elohim Ozer Li I ask for your help. Many things are weighing me down but you know the one that is heavy on me the most and I ask you to intervene. Please guard me from responding to this situation inappropriately. Guard me from turning to my own ways and human wisdom. Remind me by showing me your hand that you are near and you are my sustaining help and do help me this very day Elohim Ozer Li for I am dependent upon you in every way.
A Weekly Verse excerpt from Crosswalk.com
The name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth… Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12, New International Version
Acts 4:12, New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
“Jesus, there’s just something about that name!” The words to the song are right. Salvation from what is warped and broken in our world is found in no one else. He is our Savior because he was willing to come to this world, bear our limitations, shame, and sin, and then triumph over them.
MY PRAYER…
Through the precious name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, my Lord, I thank and praise you God, Most High. Your love has given the sacrifice for my sin and your power has given me the assurance of my resurrection from the dead. Your Son’s willingness to spend a lifetime with us has given me a Great
High Priest who intercedes with empathy for my struggles. His example lets me know of your great love. Thank You O God, for being so gracious and giving me such a wonderful Savior. Amen.
Thirst 