Jesus Calling August 31st

Proverbs 3:5-12 (MSG)
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; 

   don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; 

   he's the one who will keep you on track.

Don't assume that you know it all. 

   Run to God! Run from evil!

Your body will glow with health, 

   your very bones will vibrate with life!

Honor God with everything you own; 

   give him the first and the best.

Your barns will burst, 

   your wine vats will brim over.

But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; 

   don't sulk under his loving correction.

It's the child he loves that God corrects; 

   a father's delight is behind all this.

Walk By Faith - Jeremy Camp

We are weak, but He is Strong! He can give us strength. He holds you in the palm of His hand. Since we are weak, we must live by trusting in the Lord. We must totally depend on Him to make it through the day. By human nature, we want to do things on our own. But God wants us to depend on Him for everything. He will strengthen you along the way. He loves you unconditionally, and He will never stop loving you! He will get you through what ever you are going through if you just trust Him with your whole heart! Give Him your all!

Isaiah 40:27-31 (MSG)

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, 

   or, whine, Israel, saying,

"God has lost track of me. 

   He doesn't care what happens to me"?

Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?

God doesn't come and go. God lasts. 

   He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. 

   And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired, 

   gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out, 

   young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. 

   They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don't get tired, 

   they walk and don't lag behind.

Everlasting God (Strength Will Rise) - Chris Tomlin

How He Loves - David Crowder Band

Jesus Calling August 30th

Psalm 139:7-12 (MSG)

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? 

      to be out of your sight? 

   If I climb to the sky, you're there! 

      If I go underground, you're there! 

   If I flew on morning's wings 

      to the far western horizon, 

   You'd find me in a minute— 

      you're already there waiting! 

   Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! 

      At night I'm immersed in the light!" 

   It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; 

      night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.

You Never Let Go - Matt Redman

God is everywhere. You are never alone. You cannot flee nor hide from Him because He will find you. He knows you. He never leaves you. There is no reason to run from Him, because He takes pride and delight in you. 

Hagar tried to run from God, but it didn't work. God knew exactly where she was.

Genesis 16:7-14 (MSG)

An angel of God found her beside a spring in the desert; it was the spring on the road to Shur. He said, "Hagar, maid of Sarai, what are you doing here?"

   She said, "I'm running away from Sarai my mistress."

The angel of God said, "Go back to your mistress. Put up with her abuse." He continued, "I'm going to give you a big family, children past counting.

   From this pregnancy, you'll get a son: Name him Ishmael;
      for God heard you, God answered you.
   He'll be a bucking bronco of a man,
      a real fighter, fighting and being fought,
   Always stirring up trouble,
      always at odds with his family."

She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, "You're the God who sees me!

   "Yes! He saw me; and then I saw him!"

That's how that desert spring got named "God-Alive-Sees-Me Spring." That spring is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.

Zephaniah 3:16-17 (MSG)

Jerusalem will be told: 

   "Don't be afraid.

Dear Zion, 

   don't despair.

Your God is present among you, 

   a strong Warrior there to save you.

Happy to have you back, he'll calm you with his love 

   and delight you with his songs.

Jesus Calling August 29th

Closer - Shawn McDonald

Stop. Everything you need to do can wait. God comes first. Stop worrying about getting your to do list done. Sitting alone in quiet with God will bring you strength to get your things done and to make it through the day. It shows you trust Him. By spending that quiet time with Him, you are praising Him and declaring His Presence known. "Wait before you work." Trusting so boldly weakens all other powers against you. Stay close to Him and evil will not get you. He will show you the way. The world is so busy and complicated that you are bound to get lost alone. Use your energy for the good things, don't waste it on the bad. You can get consumed by everything around you so easily, but God can renew your energy and light your path. "As you look to Me for guidance, I enable you to do less but accomplish more." (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling 252)

Luke 12:22-28 (MSG)

He continued this subject with his disciples. "Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

"Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

Proverbs 16:3 (MSG)

Put God in charge of your work, 

   then what you've planned will take place.

Jesus Calling August 28th

Heaven Fall Down - Phil Wickham

Enjoy the Light and Presence God surrounds you with, gather your strength there. You gain positivity and you grow in your faith. We are to interact and sit with God face to face, it brings strength to your soul. Being with God in such a way shows us what Heaven is going to be like. And in Heaven, there will be nothing between you and God. We will truly see His Face and look into His eyes! He blesses us through this connection with Him, it gives us hope for the future, for Heaven, and for His Joy. 

Psalm 4:6-8 (MSG)

Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. 

   "More, more." 

   I have God's more-than-enough, 

   More joy in one ordinary day 

Than they get in all their shopping sprees. 

   At day's end I'm ready for sound sleep, 

   For you, God, have put my life back together.

Jesus Calling August 27th

Cry Out to Jesus - Third Day

God can make anything better. Spend time with Him so He can brighten your day. He makes the same old boring routine stuff shine! He gives you new opportunities. When you do the same thing everyday it can seem like nothing is getting better and your mind is scooting away from what really matters. Then you become unfocused, and that makes it easier for your mind to slip away into the darkness of the world. It pulls you away from God, and you have to bring yourself back. Call out to Jesus! The worst of days can bring the best of results if you just follow His lead. He is always with you!

Psalm 119:105-112 (MSG)
By your words I can see where I'm going; 

      they throw a beam of light on my dark path. 

   I've committed myself and I'll never turn back 

      from living by your righteous order. 

   Everything's falling apart on me, God; 

      put me together again with your Word. 

   Festoon me with your finest sayings, God; 

      teach me your holy rules. 

   My life is as close as my own hands, 

      but I don't forget what you have revealed. 

   The wicked do their best to throw me off track, 

      but I don't swerve an inch from your course. 

   I inherited your book on living; it's mine forever— 

      what a gift! And how happy it makes me! 

   I concentrate on doing exactly what you say— 

      I always have and always will.

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Chris Tomlin

Jesus Calling August 26th

We have to trust. Even in the worst of times. We can't blame stuff on God, He is protecting us, holding us, keeping us safe. We can experience His Peace when we sit and take in His Presence in silence. That will calm us. His Presence is within us, we just have to find it during the hard times. We are firmly planted in God, so we cannot have that taken away from us. We you feel overwhelmed or struggling, get away from what is causing that, take some time off, go sit alone in the quiet. God's got it! He has you in His arms! It's going to be alright! Just trust Him! Say "I trust you Jesus!" Refocus yourself! Search from Him in everything! He is there! Always! He will open up to you when you find Him! He will show you what is right! He will show you the way! Do not be afraid!

John 16:31-33 (MSG)

Jesus answered them, "Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

Psalm 105:1-6 (MSG)

  Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! 

      Tell everyone you meet what he has done! 

   Sing him songs, belt out hymns, 

      translate his wonders into music! 

   Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, 

      you who seek God. Live a happy life! 

   Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; 

      be alert for signs of his presence. 

   Remember the world of wonders he has made, 

      his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered— 

         O seed of Abraham, his servant, 

         O child of Jacob, his chosen.

Jesus Calling August 25th

I Am - Mark Shultz
Always - Kristian Stanfill
Indescribable - Chris Tomlin

God is eternal. He is everlasting. He never changes. He has ALWAYS been here. He will ALWAYS be here. When we are in His Presence we experience Him. That is like nothing you'll ever do in your entire life. Feeling His Love fill you up is just unbelievably indescribable. He is working on us inside and out. He is teaching us to know He is always with us. We have to try and work with Him to build ourselves up.

He lives within us, right at the very center. Some of us ignore that, others really and truly know He is there. When your mind wanders off, just literally speak His name and you will refocus yourself.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (MSG)

You realize, don't you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God's temple, you can be sure of that. God's temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple.

Psalm 25:15 (MSG)

If I keep my eyes on God, 

   I won't trip over my own feet.

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."

Jesus Calling August 24th

Psalm 139:1-6 (MSG)

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. 

   I'm an open book to you; 

      even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. 

   You know when I leave and when I get back; 

      I'm never out of your sight. 

   You know everything I'm going to say 

      before I start the first sentence. 

   I look behind me and you're there, 

      then up ahead and you're there, too— 

      your reassuring presence, coming and going. 

   This is too much, too wonderful— 

      I can't take it all in!

Reach - Peter Furler

God is everywhere. He is everything. He is a part of us. He is always watching us. He knows everything we are going to do, say, even think, before we do so. His Presence is always near. We cannot run, nor hide anything from Him. It's not even possible. Many of us know He resides within us and we can feel His Presence, others flee from Him saying He does not exist. They are afraid.

Do not be afraid, He is the God, the creator of the universe. He has made us clean and right. There is nothing to run from. It is a blessing He lives so near and that we can have a relationship with Him. Share Him with the world. Shine His light into the darkness!

Ephesians 2:11-13 (MSG)

But don't take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God's ways had no idea of any of this, didn't know the first thing about the way God works, hadn't the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God's covenants and promises in Israel, hadn't a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (MSG)

How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

Jesus Calling August 23rd

Ephesians 3:20-21 (MSG)

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 

   Glory to God in the church! 

   Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! 

   Glory down all the generations! 

   Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

God is so wonderful, He takes care of us. He takes care of the ones we love most. We just have to trust Him with that. We cannot not hold on to our best friends and our family in a way that we set them as idols and "worship" them over God. We have to just trust God with them, and remember that God comes first. We can hold on to God's hand really tight, that will promise us much more than clinging to our loved ones. This however isn't saying that we should just abandon them for God, but instead just assure that you are putting God first in your life. He will protect you all, if you just trust.

Exodus 33:14 (MSG)

God said, "My presence will go with you. I'll see the journey to the end."

Jesus Calling August 22nd

Furious - Jeremy Riddle

Trust. It's so important. Trusting means you're not afraid. So trust and you won't have to be afraid of what is ahead. Trust God. Trust Him with all your heart, mind, and body. Give yourself completely to Him. Trusting Him will keep you strong when Satan tries to tempt you. Trusting God will keep you on your feet. Say aloud, "I trust you Jesus!" So that you can remind yourself how much you do. Also, Praise Him, His Presence will surround you. He will help you remain standing in the roughest of times, and He will help you up when you fall down. 

James 4:7-10 (MSG)

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

Isaiah 2:12 (MSG)

"Yes, indeed—God is my salvation. 

   I trust, I won't be afraid.

God—yes God!—is my strength and song, 

   best of all, my salvation!"

Psalm 46:1-2 (NLT)

God is our refuge and strength, 

always ready to help in times of trouble.

 So we will not fear when earthquakes 

come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Jesus Calling August 21st

God wants to talk to us, we are His children. He put us where we are today (or maybe we got ourselves into it by bad decisions), but He can get us anywhere, He can fix anything. We have to be prepared for the journey, there will be obstacles. We must share our experiences with God, with others. It doesn't matter what people think of you. He is working inside your heart always, and soon it will show for all to see. Just trust Him, that is all it takes! Fully trusting in Him, with all your heart!

Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG)

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Fall Apart - Josh Wilson

Jesus Calling August 20th

God can truly heal anything in your life. He can do anything, remember He created the universe. Just being in His Presence can be a healing power. Though He heals us naturally, we also must ask for some healing. Be specific, just talk to Him like you would your best friend. We must live with Him, you can't just live with Him in the morning when you wake up and at night when you go to bed, you have to live with Him all day every day. Keep focusing on His Presence. That way you will grow in your relationship with Him. Healing from God happens on His time, not ours. So just because you ask and don't get what you want in a week doesn't mean it isn't going to happen. He will take care of it as He see's fit, He does what is best for you even if you don't like it at the time, just be thankful for whatever you get. We have to trust Him the whole time, we can't just ask and if we don't get our way in however long just stop trusting and be angry. That gets you no where! His grace is a plenty for us! It is more than enough!

Your Grace is Enough - Chris Tomlin

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (MSG)

Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, 

   My grace is enough; it's all you need. 

   My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

Jesus Calling August 19th

God knows us inside and out. He knows our needs. He knows when our thoughts meander away, into the real world. He reels you back in by offering rest and Peace in His Presence. Then you will see He fills you up like nothing else. You become so rich at heart and mind. Bringing you Joy no matter what is happening. Focusing on His Presence will keep you going and connected with Him. If you feel disconnected, just refocus and trust Him.

Psalm 21:1-7 (MSG)

Your strength, God, is the king's strength. Helped, he's hollering Hosannas. 

   You gave him exactly what he wanted; 

      you didn't hold back. 

   You filled his arms with gifts; 

      you gave him a right royal welcome. 

   He wanted a good life; you gave it to him, 

      and then made it a long life as a bonus. 

   You lifted him high and bright as a cumulus cloud, 

      then dressed him in rainbow colors. 

   You pile blessings on him; 

      you make him glad when you smile. 

   Is it any wonder the king loves God? 

      that he's sticking with the Best?

Jesus Calling August 18th

We are going to face tough times in our life, it's a given. And we should not try to avoid them. I mean don't go making bad decisions on purpose, but when things come up that are pushing against you, go to God. He wants to help you. Taking the easy road will make you think you don't need God, that is surely not the truth. You cannot get through anything without Him. He is a part of you. We can only depend on Him. Be aware that you will come to things in your life you cannot handle, God will take care of them. Just trust Him. When you are stuck, you are to call out His name. Saying it out loud will bring awareness to you that you need Him. He will fight the fight for you. He is there, always.

Jesus Calling August 17th

God is in everything. He is always with you, even in the worst of times when things seem to be so overwhelming. If you feel abandoned or stuck or alone, just whisper His Name. "I need you Jesus, and I trust you." That is how you will stand back up and regain your ground. Then after its all said and done, you can talk it out with Him. Tell Him all about it, it will build you up in your relationship with Him. 

We get what He gives us. We should be thankful for every little thing we have because it is a blessing from Him. Just trust Him with what He is doing in your life. He is at work. He loves you so much, He died for you, He will never leave your side.

Isaiah 43:1-4 (MSG)

But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, 

   the One who got you started, Israel:

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. 

   I've called your name. You're mine.

When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. 

   When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you're between a rock and a hard place, 

   it won't be a dead end—

Because I am God, your personal God, 

   The Holy of Israel, your Savior.

I paid a huge price for you: 

   all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!

That's how much you mean to me! 

   That's how much I love you!

I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, 

   trade the creation just for you.

Jesus Calling August 16th

Philippians 4:8-9 (MSG)

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Do Everything - Steven Curtis Chapman

God is beautiful. He can fill you up with His love and goodness. Take the quiet time to allow Him to do such things, and to give you new strength. Our hearts long for Him whether you realize it or not. It is so that you can enjoy His Presence. Change your ways of thinking, set them straight, God will strengthen you and you will shine a brighter light into the world.

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

    They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

    They will walk and not faint.

Jesus Calling August 15th

Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

Be still and know that I am God.

Blessings - Laura Story

You Are Everything - Matthew West

God is everything. We need to look for Him all through out our day. Don't let problems stop you, just keep plowing on. Walking in His Presence. Talk to Him about everything, He is your best friend! Do not let negativity slow you down, it will get in the way with your connection with God. Treat everything as a blessing, because God will always make the best out of everything for you. Just trust Him with all your heart.

Psalm 55:16-19 (MSG)

I call to God; 

      God will help me. 

   At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh 

      deep sighs—he hears, he rescues. 

   My life is well and whole, secure 

      in the middle of danger 

   Even while thousands 

      are lined up against me. 

   God hears it all, and from his judge's bench 

      puts them in their place. 

   But, set in their ways, they won't change; 

      they pay him no mind.

Psalm 62:7-8 (MSG)

My help and glory are in God 

      —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God— 

   So trust him absolutely, people; 

      lay your lives on the line for him. 

      God is a safe place to be.

Romans 14:8 (NIV)

If we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord

So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Jesus Calling August 14th

Everlasting God (Strength Will Rise) - Chris Tomlin

God is the everlasting creator of this universe. He will never change, and He will never leave. He is always with us. The world is constantly changing, I mean just think of technology today. Everyone is always getting updates from social media and everyone is always getting a phone or computer. They are always coming out with new stuff. God doesn't change, that is we need to found our life on our relationship with Him. Because He is a solid rock on which we can stand. He is constantly by our side.

Revelation 1:8 (NLT)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”

Jesus Calling August 13th

Chill out. Enjoy the life God gave you. (That doesn't mean make bad decisions.) God is with us all the time. He created us to enjoy His Presence. He frowns upon those who walk around not smiling and with a negative attitude. He is happy when we walk around smiling, enjoying life, trusting Him. If we just keep a focus on His Presence we will not stumble. Enjoying life is a beacon of Light for others to see, you show the world how awesome God is.

John 16:31-33 (MSG)

Jesus answered them, "Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

Jesus Calling August 11th

God is always calling out for us to Come to Him. When we spend quiet time with Him, we will hear that call from Him. To do this, you just open up your heart and let Him in. He will fill you up with His Presence and Love! Then you can experience the greatness of His Love. It is so much bigger than anyone could ever imagine or explain. But you can feel His Love, that is the only way we can know His Love is to feel it within us. 

John 6:35-38 (MSG)

Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don't really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.

Ephesians 3:14-19 (MSG)

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Guard your hearts above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Jesus Calling August 10th

It is so important to spend quiet time with God. Because through that time alone with Him, He changes your focus and transforms your thoughts and mind. That way your center will be Him. And when He is at the center of your life, nothing can bring you down, your fear disappears, and you realize how much you trust Him. When you trust more, you fear less. Spending time with Him also helps you see the things that are important and things that you need to let go of. 

We need to use our energy for bettering His Kingdom, instead of participating in harmful activities. Focus on things that are actually important. Focus on God. Walking close to Him and spend time with Him, He will show you the way. Leading you. He will guide you through His Word.

Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet

    and a light for my path.

Ephesians 5:11-16 (MSG)

Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

   Wake up from your sleep,
   Climb out of your coffins;
   Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

Jesus Calling August 9th

Ephesians 4:20-24 (MSG)

But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

This verse is so true. Once we are saved by God, we have to give Him every last bit of our life. Everything we do has to glorify Him. Of course you will make mistakes along the way, and He will forgive you for them. But you have to life a holy life, make holy choices. Live like God wants you to live.

We are righteous in His eyes. He clothes us in His righteousness. He gave His life for us to wear the robe of righteousness. It is a gift from Him. We do not deserve to be put in this place. But we are anyways. He gives it to us. But we need not take that for granted. We have to trust Him in return. That way we will be reminded that it is a special place that He has given us. Keep your focus on Him. Keep Him at the center of your life. Do not think that it is okay to dispose of the righteousness He has blessed you with, in order to do some unrighteous thing. Instead get rid of the unrighteous thing. Just enjoy your position of righteousness. It is a free gift from God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (MSG)

How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

Jesus Calling August 8th

God is speaking to us. We will only hear if we listen and are thankful. We should not take His communication with us for granted. He speaks to us through the things and people around us. We just have to be really attentive in order to know what is truly Him versus what you think is Him. He if is not really the center of your life, something you connect with that you hear or see could just be a good feeling from your emotional heart. We have to ask God if it is truly a sign from Him. If it is truly Him speaking to us. Telling us what He wants us to do. 

He is trying to teach us to be thankful. Being thankful should be the foundation of your life. If you learn to be thankful for every small thing in your life then you will change your heart. You will become a new person. Help others to learn to be thankful as well. That way you are acting as Christ to them. You are acting in God's image. 

Matthew 7:24-25 (MSG)

These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

Thoughts on Jesus Calling August 7th

We aren't meant to understand everything. God made us so that we wouldn't understand everything. It's just not how it works. "Understanding will never bring you Peace." We must trust God instead of trusting in our own ability to understand, because we have no ability to really understand. To humans, fully understanding or figuring something out equals success. When really, trusting God equals success. The world is just so full of problems. And you can get through some, but you only feel accomplished for a short amount of time because you are faced with a new problem shortly after tackling the previous one. You just keep going in a cycle. Problem -> searching for understanding -> struggle (-> maybe you make it through and solve it). But it really should be Problem-> take it to God, trust Him -> Peace, no worries, He takes care of it. 

Now which of those seems better? The second one sounds better to me. And it is better. It works. Trusting God gives us constant Peace. But we have to trust Him fully, not just half way. We have to trust Him with our entire being and heart, not just an arm or leg.

Proverbs 3:5-12 (MSG)

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
   Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
   your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
   give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
   your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
   don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects; 

   a father's delight is behind all this.

Philippians 4:6-7

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

2 Corinthians 5:17
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Jesus Calling August 6th

God can handle anything. When you seem to be stuck in the wrong, just pause and pray, say "I trust you Jesus!" It will instantaneously reconnect you with God. By doing that you remind yourself that He is holding you and that you are not in this alone. Talk to Him constantly, vent to Him, He is your one true best friend. Tell Him what's wrong. Give the problem to Him. Once you hand it over, you can move on. Continually thank Him, and remind yourself of the great amount of trust you hold in Him. Then rejoice! Because its okay! It will always be alright! You have Jesus! When you trust Him, He sets you straight on the right path, firmly footed on the ground ready to run for Him with His lead.

Jesus Calling August 5

We have to stay connected with God throughout each and every day. We have to hold on tight to Him, because He isn't letting us go. He will lead and guide us through out each and every day. We have to spend quiet time with Him so that He can plant thoughts in it. We cannot worry about what is ahead, that will only push us away from Him. We have to continuously direct our focus on Him throughout the day. We cannot be in a hurry to get places and to get through the day. "When you rush, you forget who you are and Whose you are." (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling 228) 

Romans 8:15-17 (MSG)

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!

Thoughts on Jesus Calling August 3rd

Words are powerful. They can have good power. They can have bad power. We want to use our words to bless others around us. We do not know what others around us could be going through. A simple word of kindness could make all the difference in the world to them when you may not even realize it. On the other hand, one small put down or negative comment could ruin someone's day. We need to not only be sensitive about how we are affecting others with our words, but also if they glorify God or not. Using negative language doesn't glorify God. Putting people down, using offensive terms or curse words is not glorifying God. He despises those words. It does not matter what the world says about those words, it only matters that we are glorifying God. You can ask the Holy Spirit to help you in responding to someone. Ask that you keep the language clean, or that you just respond in a courteous way. Get in the habit of using good words and you will not have to worry about it. Improving your choice of words will bring you great Joy, that you did not even imagine.

Proverbs 12:18 (MSG)

Rash language cuts and maims, 

   but there is healing in the words of the wise.

James 1:19-21 (MSG)

Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

Ephesians 4:29 (MSG)

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

Jesus Calling August 2

We have to take the time to spend in quiet communion with God. Doing that is so vital to staying in the right place in your faith the way the world is today. So busy. We just have to learn to slow down. Make time for quiet time with God. Wake up earlier in the morning, make it a habit. Those who spend quiet time and commune with God daily see His blessings more clearly. Don't spend your time thinking about how He does it or why or any of that. Just take it in by praising Him in all that you do.

Psalm 103:6-18 (MSG)
God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he's rich in love.
He doesn't endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
Men and women don't live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God's love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.

Jesus Calling August 1

Nothing can separate you from God's Love. He will never stop loving you for any reason. You cannot commit any sin so bad that He will abandon you. It just won't happen. You should never feel alone. You should never feel like no one loves you. God loves you more than any one else can possibly love you. He will never forsake you. He will always be right by your side. He does not make bad things happen to you. He does not put you in bad situations. He is with you through the whole thing. The bad thing happens because of a choice you made, or it is something that is the will of God, it isn't bad, it's part of His plan to make you stronger! Something good will always come out of what seems bad because God is at work in that if you just trust Him fully. Because He will never stop loving you.

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39 (MSG)
So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.