Jesus Calling Nov 27th

Give Me Your Eyes - Brandon Heath

This time of year is a special time with Thanksgiving and Christmas; I know there are lost loved ones and it can be a rough time, but this is a time to be thankful for what you do have. Thank God for the time you had with them instead of being sad that they aren't here with you anymore. Thank Him that you even knew them and for how they affected your life. 

Be thankful about everything so that you can continue to communicate with Him, don't let things bring you down. The more you thank Him, the more you will see clearly what He sees. Being thankful brings so many blessings and miracles. He made you to be thankful always and keep your eyes on Him! Praise Him for all the blessings you receive from Him! It is a glorious day that the Lord has made!

Colossians 3:15 (NLT)

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Revelation 19:3-6 (NLT)

And again their voices rang out:

“Praise the Lord!

The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”

Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, “Amen! Praise the Lord!”

And from the throne came a voice that said,

“Praise our God,

all his servants,

all who fear him,

from the least to the greatest.”

Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:

“Praise the Lord!

For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

Jesus Calling Nov 25th

Don't Give Up - Calling Glory

Today's devotion was pretty powerful to me. It talks about being thankful always and learning to pray more continually. Some days I do well with that, others I just forget because I am unfocused and I let the world get to me. Being thankful for everything all the time will help you to pray more often. This is something I think we all have room to improve on. It's about that constant communication with God that gets you through things. You have to make that connection and keep it going to help keep yourself away from wildly sins. Everyone has their weaknesses and you have to identify those and tell yourself up front to just stop. Then hold onto God's hand and don't let go, Don't let the evil one unravel that connection and pull you down. The evil one is very tempting and knows how to get to you. So just remember to pray and thank God all the time for what you have so that you will always be connected with Him, making it much more difficult for the evil one to get to you with his temptations. God can't always do all of the work, we have to do our share in trusting, praying, constant communication, and holding on. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

James 4:8 (NLT)

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

Romans 15:13 (NLT)

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

Thanksgiving Day!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope and pray that you are able to spend it with your families and those closest to you. What are you thankful for?

I cannot even begin to explain how thankful I am for my family, especially in this point in my life. Going to college and that whole step of "growing up" has helped my relationship with my family, especially my mom. There has been this whole transformation in my relationship with her, not only because I understand now, but because of many prayers, and fights we've fought against each other in the past, and now together against struggles in our life. I remember how there was some tension in the past, but that is all gone now, and I praise the Lord for that each and everyday! I love her so much, and am very thankful for her and for all that she has done for me in the past and now, especially on this day of thanksgiving that the Lord has given us. 

The devotion in "Jesus Calling" today, is sort of a continuation of yesterday's talking about thankfulness. Having a thankful attitude in all situations can change your view on what is going on. It will help you to see what is good and righteous in your life and what you need to get rid of. It will let you taste what Heaven will be like. Being thankful is a way of communicating love with God and with others around you. Although actions most often speak louder than words, a simple thank you to someone such as a janitor or bus driver shows that you care. 

I challenge you to notice the often unnoticed people, thank them for what they do and say something along the lines of "I hope you have a wonderful day!"

Being thankful to God is a way of praising Him and showing Him your gratitude for what He has provided and will provide for you. Be thankful in all you do!

Colossians 4:2 (NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NLT)

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,

    and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails,

    and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields,

    and the cattle barns are empty,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

Psalm 46:1 (NLT)

God is our refuge and strength,

    always ready to help in times of trouble.

Jesus Calling Nov 21st

All Things Possible - Mark Shultz

Today's devotion is kind of an extension of yesterday's. It talks about how we should be thankful about everything. Most importantly thankful for His Peace and Presence. That is how He comforts people. And the way to receive those gifts even more in their fullness, is to thank God for them all the time.

We can never spend too much time begin thankful and praising God. That is one of our number one purposes here is to praise Him for all of His greatness. That keeps you in a good relationship with Him, and it keeps the blessing flowing.

Luke 24:36 (NLT)

And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.

Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Hebrews 13:15 (NLT)

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

Jesus Calling Nov 20th

Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster

Hey guys! I apologize for this break that I've had in blogging. I've just been so busy and out of routine that I have had absolutely no time. I have totally missed it way more than I ever thought I would! And I've been a little down and hard on myself for not blogging the past few days, but then I read the devotion this morning. I feel renewed and refreshed and know that its okay because blogging is the work He put me up to; and these past few days I have failed to perform well in that, but I know that He still loves me. And I know that I am not supposed to be worshipping the good work I do for Him as something of my own that has power, because that is idolatry. I need to keep my focus on His Presence and all the Love that He is giving me. We need not ever forget that! Thank Him for everything! Trust Him with everything!

That is how we are going to make it in this world! Know He Loves you unconditionally no matter what you've done! Trust Him with all your heart in everything you do! Thank Him for all the good and bad and anything in your life! Because it is a blessing to have life!

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Ephesians 3:16-19 (NLT)

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Psalm 62:8 (NLT)

O my people, trust in him at all times.

    Pour out your heart to him,

    for God is our refuge. 

I will get back to posting as soon as I can. It has been a really busy few days for me.

Jesus Calling Nov 14th

Your Love Never Fails - Jesus Culture

God understands you most of anyone. He loves you unconditionally. And He can satisfy all of your needs. Put aside the views you and others have of yourself and let God's views enter your mind. He sees you as radiantly shining with His righteousness and clean with His love and mercy on you. He sees you as the one He really made you to be, who you are trying to become and who you will be when you get to Heaven. His is changing you all the time in your heart. Be thankful for His Spirit deep within you, guiding and protecting you and shaping your heart and being.

Today focus on relying on the Spirit to get you where you need to go and through what you need to do. Take several times throughout your day to pause and talk to the Spirit thanking for what has happened and what is to come. Asking for guidance. You are not forced to do anything, but the Spirit is always guiding you. It is your choice to follow or not. Go through this day practicing it with the Spirit guiding you.

Psalm 34:5 (NLT)
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;

    no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Galatians 5:25 (NLT)

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.