Ps. 145:18 "The Lord
is close to all who call on Him."
Prov. 30:5 "Every
word of God proves true. He defends all who come to him for protection." NLT
THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE.
REJOICE.
August 1
1 Chronicles 29:10-11
Then David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly: "O
LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever!
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the
majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this
is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.
POWER
You and I get all that we have from the Lord. When we recognize who He is
and what we are life becomes worthwhile. He is Lord and we belong to Him.
August 2
Jeremiah 15:19-20
The LORD replied, "If you return to me, I will restore you so you can
continue to serve me. If you speak words that are worthy, you will be my
spokesman. You are to influence them; do not let them influence you! They
will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure
as a fortified wall. They will not conquer you, for I will protect and
deliver you. I, the LORD, have spoken!
SECURITY
The world cannot destroy us. Failure, disappointment, defeat,
discouragement do not have a hold on us because we belong to Jesus. Rejoice
and be thankful. Our Father is in control.
August 3
Hebrews 13:6
That is why we
can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?"
LIFE
We have real life in Jesus. This life is effective to carry us into and
through eternity. Remember who you are and whose you are. Jesus will not
forsake you nor will He leave you in a lurch. Move forward. Jesus loves
you.
August 4
Psalm 111:1
Praise the LORD!
I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with his godly people.
THANKSGIVING
There is tremendous strength and encouragement in thanksgiving. It blesses
our hearts. It lifts our minds. It opens us up to the inner working of the
Holy Spirit. Give thanks in all things and praise the Lord.
August
5 Psalm 111:3-4
Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never
fails. Who can forget the wonders he performs? How gracious and merciful is
our LORD!
MERCIFUL
It is difficult to be merciful. Our egos are usually in full control.
Mercy is important for us to establish as a basic part of our character.
When we are merciful we are more like Jesus. Mercy is a powerful tool in
our spiritual growth. When slighted or wronged we are called to be
merciful, especially when we are right.
August
6 2 Samuel 22:2-4
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in
whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and
my stronghold, my high tower, my savior, the one who saves me from
violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me
from my enemies.
WHOLENESS
What we don’t have or can’t do tracks us down and pulls us towards the wrong
path. We walk by faith and full assurance. The Lord is able, will be able
and is presently active and able to deal with what we are facing. Jesus is
indeed our rock. Jesus will walk with us through the valley of the shadow
of death and shadow of destruction. He is alive and lives in us.
August
7 Psalm 119:1-3
Happy are people of integrity who follow the law of the LORD. Happy are
those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts. They
do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.
HAPPINESS
Happiness is a result of what we are. Obedience flows from our heart and is
the result of the Holy Spirit living in us and controlling us. Happiness is
never easy nor is it the thing we seek. We want to be more like Jesus.
When we act like Jesus happiness is always present.
August
8 Revelation 22:6-7
Then the angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true: 'The
Lord God, who tells his prophets what the future holds, has sent his angel
to tell you what will happen soon.'" "Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are
those who obey the prophecy written in this scroll."
RETURN
We serve a living Lord Jesus who is coming back. The early church was
looking for Him everyday. It affected the way they did business, and
lived. Jesus is coming back. His return will be soon.
August
9 Psalm 146:1-4
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, I tell myself. I will praise the LORD
as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God even with my dying breath.
Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you
there. When their breathing stops, they return to the earth, and in a
moment all their plans come to an end.
PRAISE
Life comes from the Lord so I will praise Him. He loves me and paid the
price on the cross for me so I will praise Him. I have a friend in Jesus so
I will praise Him. He provides for my every need so I will praise Him.
August
10 John 1:1-4
In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was
God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is.
Nothing exists that he didn't make. Life itself was in him, and this life
gives light to everyone.
WORD
The Word of God, Jesus, guides us each moment. We discover about the
character of our Lord in his Scriptures-The Word. There is light in a
relationship with Jesus. He will give us the wisdom, mercy and grace to
keep moving forward in faith as we serve Him.
August
11 Isaiah 61:10
I
am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the
clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a
bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.
JOY
Our joy does not depend on circumstance. It is not limited by our position
in society. Our joy is the result of recognizing who God is and who we
are. We are loved and protected. There is great joy for a child of the
Lord.
August
12 John 2:15-16
Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple.
He drove out the sheep and oxen, scattered the money changers' coins over
the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who
sold doves, he told them, "Get these things out of here. Don't turn my
Father's house into a marketplace!"
FOCUS
The Christian life is a life of single-minded focus. The world will quickly
overwhelm me if I am undisciplined. Only when I am under the control of the
Holy Spirit will I walk and live like Jesus.
August
13 Galatians 6:1-2
Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin,
you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the
right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of
Christ.
RESPONSIBILITY
You and I are responsible for those around us. We must commit ourselves to
pray for others. We are to be helpful to others. Our life and testimony
must be Christ like. The world will not change if we don’t change it.
August
14 John 4:9-10
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with
Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman.
Why are you asking me for a drink?" Jesus replied, "If you only knew the
gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you
living water."
LIFE
Life comes from a relationship with Jesus. Our lineage, position,
importance, capability or disability has no bearing on our standing with the
Father. We become a member of the family of God by accepting Jesus Christ
as our Lord and Savior. Life is a gift from the Father.
August
15 Isaiah 44:1-2
But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. The LORD
who made you and helps you says: O Jacob, my servant, do not be afraid. O
Israel, my chosen one, do not fear.
CHOSEN
Who so ever will may come to Christ for life. When I come to Jesus and ask
Him to save me I become chosen of God. Salvation is a once and forever
event. When I come into the family of God I will never be cast out.
August
16 Matthew 11:20-24
Then Jesus began
to denounce the cities where he had done most of his miracles, because they
hadn't turned from their sins and turned to God. "What horrors await you,
Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in
wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have sat in deep repentance long
ago, clothed in sackcloth and throwing ashes on their heads to show their
remorse. I assure you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on the judgment
day than you! And you people of Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles
I did for you had been done in Sodom, it would still be here today. I
assure you, Sodom will be better off on the judgment day than you."
CAREFUL
Jesus loves people. Religious fervor will not give us a relationship with
Christ. Salvation is a gift from the Father. Our life is based on the
payment Jesus made for our sin by dying on the cross. His shed blood gives
you and me access to the Family of God. Jesus is Lord and seeks each one of
us to bestow upon us the gift of life.
August
17 Isaiah 44:9-10
How foolish are those who manufacture idols to be their gods. These
highly valued objects are really worthless. They themselves are witnesses
that this is so, for their idols neither see nor know. No wonder those who
worship them are put to shame. Who but a fool would make his own god – an
idol that cannot help him one bit!
IDOLS
What has your attention? That is your idol. If anything takes a bigger
place in our lives than Jesus then that is our idol. An idol cannot do
anything for us. Idols quickly become heavy burdens that will grind us down
and leave us in desperate situations.
August 18
Matthew 5:1-12
One day as the crowds were gathering, Jesus went up the mountainside with
his disciples and sat down to teach them. This is what he taught them: "God
blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is
given to them.
CONFIDENCE
A confident life does not look at its strengths and assets. A confident
life puts life issues into the hands of Jesus. Whatever our gift, whatever
our blessing we must constantly come back to Jesus. Jesus is life and the
giver of life. His presence is required to lead a normal Christian life.
August 19
Nehemiah 4:14-15
Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and
the people and said to them, "Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the
Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your friends, your families,
and your homes!" When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and
that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall.
ACTIVE
Our Lord is active. He is involved in our lives. He is ahead of us and
knows our needs before we do. When we bend the knee and seek His wisdom,
mercy, grace and leadership He gives it to us. Jesus is alive and lives in
us.
August 20
Isaiah 30:7
Egypt's promises are worthless! I call her the Harmless Dragon.
WEALTH
Wealth is not a safe harbor in times of trouble. The world changes quickly
and without warning. When we place our confidence in things of this world
we are basing our life on shifting sand. When we build our life with Jesus
at the center we are putting our confidence in the eternal Lord.
August 21
Zechariah 14:20
On that day even the harness bells of the horses will be inscribed with
these words: SET APART AS HOLY TO THE LORD. And the cooking pots in the
Temple of the LORD will be as sacred as the basins used beside the altar.
RETURN
Jesus is coming back. He is coming back for His children. The timing of
this is not an issue. We can have confidence in His wisdom and live our
life knowing that the Lord of all will not forget us.
August 22 Isaiah 9:4
For God will break
the chains that bind his people and the whip that scourges them, just as he
did when he destroyed the army of Midian with Gideon's little band.
DELIVERANCE
The Lord is our deliverer. He will make a way for us to get back on the
right path. When we find ourselves at the end of our abilities we can live
one moment at a time trusting the Lord. He is faithful. We are His
beloved.
August 23
1 Samuel 17:11
When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply
shaken.
CHALLENGE
The Philistines had challenged Israel. They were deeply afraid because of
the might of the opposing forces and size of Goliath. When you find
yourself overwhelmed and outnumbered go to Jesus and ask Him to fight your
fight. He will give you the wisdom, mercy, grace and understanding to
overcome that which is seeking to destroy you.
August 24
Joshua 10:7-8
So Joshua and the entire Israelite army left Gilgal and set out to rescue
Gibeon. "Do not be afraid of them," the LORD said to Joshua, "for I will
give you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand
up to you."
WORK
Victory in Jesus sometimes requires hard work and patience on our part. A
good work ethic at work and at home will often be used by the Lord. He will
equip us but we must walk the walk.
August 25
Isaiah 25:1-2
O LORD, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do
such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have
accomplished them. You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins. Cities with
strong walls are turned to rubble. Beautiful palaces in distant lands
disappear and will never be rebuilt.
PRAISE
The Lord Jesus is worthy of all our praise. He loves us and is seeking for
our best good. We are encouraged to praise the Lord in all areas of our
life. Praising Him strengthens us. Praising Him fills us with and
awareness of His greatness and glory. Thank you Lord for saving us and
making us part of your family.
August 26
Matthew 16:6
"Watch out!" Jesus warned them. "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and
Sadducees."
EASY
It is so easy for us to go astray. Not in evil but in the absence of love.
Life is hard, disappointing and unfair. But we must guard against becoming
hard as we live in the world. Obedience is key. Do the next right thing.
Maintain a glad and grateful heart.
August 27
Matthew 11:28-30
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy
burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you,
because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For
my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."
HURTING
We hurt because of many different things. Sometimes it is our fault and
sometimes it isn’t. Always we have access to Jesus. He will walk with us
as we struggle through hurt. He will comfort us and give us strength. We
can live our life with the absolute assurance that Jesus will never forsake
us or fail to help us deal with our life.
August 28
Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are
fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal
Rock.
TRUST
Trust affects my view of life and it changes the way I respond to others.
It is an activity of the mind and heart. Trust is developed in concert with
Jesus. We spend time with Him. We study His word. We take that word into
our heart and let the Holy Spirit work on our inner being. Once we are
living under His control we will begin to act like Jesus.
August 29
Luke 4:4
But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People need more than bread
for their life.'
SPIRITUALITY
Our life in the spirit is a personal journey between us and Jesus. The way
others know that I am spiritual is not because I tell them but by the way I
treat them. Our spiritual self needs guidance, healing, strength, peace and
direction and we get this by spending time with Jesus.
August 30
1 Kings 18:21
Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, "How long are you going to
waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is
God, then follow him!" But the people were completely silent.
CHOICES
We have just as much of Jesus as we want. Our life in Christ is developed
by time with Jesus. Our heart is changed by letting Him have control of us
and guiding through life’s complications moment by moment.
August 31
Isaiah 40:13
Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to be his
teacher or counselor?
LORD
I can have full confidence in Jesus. He is God’s Everything. I begin with
Jesus. I stay with Jesus and I will wind up with Jesus. Trust that this is
true, experience His presence, stay in His word and let Him change you.
MAY
DEVOTIONALS
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contact Clay:
clay@lifesongs.com
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Scripture quotations are
taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright© 1996. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
NASB Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New American
Standard Bible, copyright 1975. All rights
reserved by the Lockman Foundation.
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