11/25/12 - James 1 - 5

S - James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.  14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . when you are tempted, you are being invited by the devil to join him in his ugly lies and sinful acts.  Do not give in to this.  Do not sink to the level of Satan and go the way of the sinners.  Take heart, I can save you from this.  I can help you defeat him and his lies.  All you need to do is call on my name when you feel the pull of the world on you.  Come visit me for a little while and you will feel so much better about yourself.

A - When I am tempted, it is Satan calling out to me and telling me lies about how great something in the world is and how much better I will feel if I partake of that particular sin.  If I go to my Lord and Savior when I hear those callings, I can avoid falling into sin and death.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for yielding to the temptations of the evil one.  For give my sins and put me back on the road to eternal life and take me from the road that leads to death.  Help me remember to call on your name when I feel myself being tempted.

11/24/12 - Acts 13 - 14

S - Acts 13:48 - And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.  49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.  50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up the persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.  51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium,  52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

14:24 - Then they passes through Pisidia and come to Pamphylia.  25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia,  26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.  27 And when the arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.  28 And they remained no little time with the disciples

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . Paul and Barnabas preached everywhere they went.  If they were ridiculed, they just shook the dust off their feet and moved on.   You also are to preach wherever you go.  Just open your mouth and I will put words in it for you.

A - i must tell people, wherever I go, about the good news of Jesus Christ.  I must spread the word of God to all people.

P - Heavenly Father, give me the strength and the courage to speak your name wherever I go.  Help me to tell people about your saving grace.

11/23/12 - Acts 11 - 12

S - Acts 12:20 - Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the kings's country for food.  21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, and took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.  22 And the people were shouting, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!"  23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . my word will increase and multiply, in spite of the people around you.  When glory comes your way, and it will, give the glory where it belongs.  Do not accept the accolades of man as for yourself.  Remember, everything you do, everything you are, and everything that you will become is because of who I am and what I want to do for you.  I will make you what you will become and if you do not give glory to me then I may strike you down as I did Herod.  

A - I must remember that everything that I am is because of the grace of God.  When accolades come my way, I must remember to pass them on to God, to whom they belong.  I can do nothing without his help.  

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for what you have made me.  Thank you for the blessing that you provide on a daily basis.  Help me to remember that all that I am and all that I have is because of you.

11/22/12 - Acts 9 - 10

S - Acts 10:44 - While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.  45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.  46 For they were hearing them speak in tongues and extolling God.  Then Peter declared,  47 "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"  48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  Then they asked him to remain for some days.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . if I can change the heart of the Gentiles in that day, and the heart of Peter, for that matter, I can change anyones heart.  Continue on in what you do.  Continue to live a life worthy of me.  Continue to give me credit where it is due me.  Continue to gather for prayer, and publicize that so the people know what you are doing and who you are meeting in that room.  People will hear about you and will know what you are doing for me.  Don't worry, the word will get out.

A - I must never stop believing that God can change the heat of anyone that he wishes.  I must just do my part and tell the whole world that I believe in the risen savior.  I must continue to live my life as if he has actually made a difference in it.  

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for not living my life to glorify you.  Help me to live in such a way that people recognize you in me.

11/21/12 - Acts 7 - 8

S - Acts 7:54 now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of he Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  56 And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."  57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.  58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.  And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  59 And as they wee stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."  And when he has said this, he fell asleep.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . Stephen loved me more than he loved life itself. Do you?  Are you willing to lay your life down for me?  Are you willing to take ridicule for my sake?  Are you willing to do what ever it takes, and risk being called names just to bring one more person into my family?  What are you willing to do?

A - I must be willing to do whatever it takes to spread the word of God throughout the land.  I must speak boldly and not back down.  I must be willing to lose friends, be called names, and be ridiculed for the name of Jesus.

P - Heavenly Father, for give me for the times when I have not been bold in carrying your name out.  Give me the boldness and courage of Stephen to be willing even to lay down my life for your name.

11/20/12 - Acts 4 - 6

S - Acts 5:38 "So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;  39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.  You might even be found opposing God!"  So they took his advice,  40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged then not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.  42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . these men were true disciples of mine.  They were beaten for speaking of me in the public square.  Are you willing to take physical abuse for my name.  Or are you afraid that someone will ridicule you if you speak of me.  How do you feel about telling people that you are one of my children and you will be praying to me when ever you can.

A - I must not be ashamed to speak of my relationship with Jesus Christ in public.  These men were not only beaten for spreading the name of Jesus, but they rejoiced in the fact that they were counted worthy of suffering for the name of Jesus.  I must have the same spirit about me when I am out in the streets and people hear me speaking of Jesus.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I am ashamed to speak your name, or of bowing my head in prayer.  Give me the courage of the disciple in the Bible so that I might celebrate when I am found worthy of suffering for the name of Jesus.

11/19/12 - Acts 1 - 3

S - Acts 2:14 - But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.  15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"  38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."  40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."  41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . Peter denied me three times when I was at my lowest point ever.  Peter, who had walked with me for three years, said he did not even know me.  I forgave him and encouraged him.  Then he comes back and preaches a sermon that causes three thousand people to give their lives to me.  Peter was not anything special, but he allowed me to rule in his life.  He accepted my forgiveness and went on with his life.  He allowed me to work in him and spoke the words that I gave him.  Can you do the same thing?  Of course, if you will but trust me!

A - I want to make a difference with me life, like Peter did.  I want to trust God to control me and speak through me and change lives because of me.  I want God to be glorified through me.  I must continue to meet with him on a regular basis and listen to his words, obey his commandments and speak the words that he gives me.

P - Heavenly Father, work in my life the way you worked in Peter's life.  Change me like you changed Peter.  Allow your Holy Spirit to come into my life and work miracles in my life like you did in Peter's life.  Let your name be glorified in all that I do.  Help me to speak with words that you give me so people will know that I am your child and that I speak for you.  I want to be your disciple, totally devoted to serving you with my entire life.