Bible VersesInspirational

In Control

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The mind of a person plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)

Stop to consider the truth of these statements:

  • You cannot make another person love you.
  • You cannot always have your way in every situation.
  • You cannot own everything you want to.
  • You cannot do everything perfectly every time.
  • You cannot persuade everybody to think the way you do.

If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit we don’t like the fact that we can’t control these things. But here is the good news: God is in complete control. He alone is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He alone rules all creation. And He loves you so much that He always brings good out of everything you face.

So when someone doesn’t love you or think like you do, when you don’t get your way, when you don’t own something or do a task perfectly, you can take heart. It’s okay because your God is still in charge. And He is working everything for your good.

Jesus, I will praise You in my setbacks losses, and lack of control. 
My life is in Your hands, and I trust You with it. Amen.

Excerpted from God’s Purpose for Your Life (365 Devotions) Charles F. Stanley

Let's Worship

At the Cross by Hillsong

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I would like to acknowledge WimNL for sharing this song in Youtube.

At the Cross by Hillsong

Oh Lord You’ve searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There’s no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

Bible VersesInspirational

Loved

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Loved
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We have come to know and have believed the love
which God has for us. God is love, and the one who
abides in love abides in God. and God abides in him.

1 John 4:16 (NASB)

Do you believe in the love God has for you? Do you trust His love-that it isn’t like human love. which is unreliable and may wound you, but is unconditional, and He always works for your good?

The reason Jesus left His heavenly home, took the form of a bond servant, lived an impoverished and sacrificial earthly life, and then died one of the most excruciating deaths in history was to have a relationship with you. That’s how much He cares about you, desires to reveal Himself to you, and longs to live with you forever.

You may doubt that today because you know your faults, failings, and every reason why others shouldn’t care for you. The pain of rejection can go so deep that accepting God’s unconditional love may be a challenge, But that doesn’t change the fact that Jesus loves you deeply, eternally, and without fail. You absolutely cannot stop Him from loving you, So stop telling yourself He doesn’t. Embrace His love, and love Him in return.

Jesus, sometimes I just don't feel like I deserve You. 
But You have made me acceptable. 
Help me know the fullness of Your love. Amen.

Excerpted from God’s Purpose for Your Life (365 Devotions) Charles F. Stanley

Bible VersesInspirational

Surrendered to HIM

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Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

The lord doesn’t just want things from you-He wants you. His desire is not merely for you to make sacrifices, but for you to be fully surrendered for His use.

This means it’s not just your external acts that need to be put on the altar today. It is not just your tithe, a particular habit, or some treasured object. Your heart-in fact, everything about you–is the sacrifice your heavenly Father requires.

Remember, the Lord says, “I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). The word for loyalty is the Hebrew word chesed, and it can be translated as love, goodness, kindness, and faithfulness. It is love that expresses itself through a godly life and has its root in a relationship with the Father. This is a word closely associated with the character of God, and that’s the point—He wants you to reflect His character (Romans 8:29)

God wants His spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to flow through you (Galatians 5:22-23). To Him, that is always far more important than outward sacrifices.

Jesus, I am Yours. Teach me to surrender myself to You fully. Amen.

Excerpted from God’s Purpose for Your Life (365 Devotions) Charles F. Stanley