”Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.“

Micah 7:18 NIV

There is no one whom compares to God. God will break the power of sin so it will not rule over us. He shows us mercy, although we repeatedly fall short from his grace. Even in his displeasure, he does not hold onto his vexation endlessly. For this, we are forgiven and for this, we are grateful.

Let us pray: 

Father God,

 We pray and repent from all of our iniquities. We ask you to remove any thing in our spirit that is not edifying or in accordance to your Holy Word. We come to you humbled and thankful, asking for your forgiveness and mercy. Graciously we bow at your awesomeness. Teach us to become more like you – forgiving spirits and full of grace towards others. 

Thank you for your love and kindness.

In the name of Jesus. Amen 

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He Must Become Greater; I Must Become Less ~ John 3:30

Thought: Five Ways to Make Christ Greater:

1.    Have An Understanding of Who He Is

2.    Forgive As We Have Been Forgiven

3.    Love As We Are Loved

4.    Become Students of The Word

5.    Live A Life of Prayer                        Marlowe, 2016

Prayer: Dear Lord, Please Forgive Us for The Times We Tend to Make Ourselves Greater Than Who We Really Are. May We Remember the Increase That Is Needed in Our Life, Is Your Son, Jesus Christ Who Will Lift Us Up, As We Lift Him Up. In His Name, We Pray, Amen

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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.

                                                           1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Thought:

Often when we encounter challenges we run from the Lord.  But it’s during these times that we need to pray without ceasing.  Prayer is a conversation with God that involves speaking and listening.  Be sure to listen more than you speak. Don’t allow your obstacles to prevent you from praying and giving thanks.  We must pray more and expect more.

Let us pray,

Just as I am Lord, I come to you. You know my hurts, pains, problems, and needs; I lay them down before you. You promise to prosper and not to harm. I thank you in advance for what you are about to do in my life. I am expecting a breakthrough. I am expecting more in 2024. Thank you for this and all things, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Scripture: The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.                                                                                                              Mark 10:45

Thoughts:

As we start this season of Lent, let’s start with “Thank You.”  According to the dictionary, “thank you” is a polite expression used when acknowledging a gift, service, or compliment, or accepting or refusing an offer. During this time as we rededicate, affirm, repent, fast and pray, let us remember to say, “Thank you.” It’s because of God’s gift to mankind, Jesus, that our sins have been forgiven. Thank you, Lord!

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for

you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

THANK YOU

T - Testify of the goodness of God

H - He alone is worthy of all the praise

A - Able, to do all things but fail

N - Never, leave or forsake us

K - kindness,

Y - Yet, He loves us still

O - Oh give thanks to the Lord for he is good

U - Ultimate sacrifice Jesus

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is worthy to be praised. Psalm 113:3 KJV

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for your loving kindness that’s better than life.

Lord, help us to be disciples of your word as we draw closer to you during this season of sacrifice. May we be renewed, transformed and our hearts filled with gratitude, that it is because of Jesus that our sins have been forgiven. Thank you, Lord. Help us Abba, to be obedient to your will, and your way. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus who is our Savior, and Redeemer, Amen.

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Hebrews 4:9-11 for anyone who enters GOD’S rest also rests from their works, just as GOD did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, in all that he does, he prospers.

Have you ever become sluggish, tire very quickly, short tempered, preoccupied with everyone and everything that you forget your priorities such as: early rising moments spent with GOD, pausing throughout the day to breathe, give thanx, smile, read and meditate on scripture to speak and share it with another? These are indicators that we need peaceful rest in HIM to be restored, revived, thankful, energized, focused and so much more. In our busyness we cannot properly hear the voice of GOD in our spiritual growth and direction. Each season is about letting go, continuing to build up and inclusion of newness. Doing this brings refreshing strength, clarity in HIS wisdom and direction, peace, increase joy, humility and our souls being restored.

Prayer

GOD, you are our eternal hope in trials as well as celebration. Because you love us so much that you sent/gave/blessed us with your son Jesus to save us. Thank you for each day given to rest, bless and honor you. We release all our concerns, worries and strongholds to you allowing growth on our spiritual journey. We know that prayer changes everything which allows us to do less so that we become more in your service. We will flourish because of your water nourishing us in each season to rise, revive and thrive. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen.

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“God had finished the work He had been doing. So on the seventh day, He rested from all His work.” (Genesis 2:1)

“Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31b)

           As Christians, we wake up in the morning thanking God for a new day and presenting our prayers and petitions to the Lord. At night we pray for a peaceful rest and for the privilege of a new morning. What happens between these two points of time? - Business or busyness.  

           Most of us have a calendar of specific tasks to accomplish, appointments to keep each day, whether in the business world or at home. This helps us to maintain order in our lives. But we can become so busy that life becomes strenuous . When the disciples returned from the task Jesus assigned them, to go out to the villages and preach repentance, cast out demons and heal the sick, many peoples followed them around. Jesus called the Twelve away. “Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31b). Rest helps us to recharge our bodies and give us time to think. We can use our rest time to meditate, pray, find answers in the Bible, memorize passages, to walk and admire nature, to connect with family.

           At the age of twelve, Jesus responded to His earthly parents, when he was told that they were anxiously searching for Him: “…Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2 KJV) . Let us be about the Lord’s business instead of much busyness. 

Let us pray,

Heavenly Father, help me to set aside busyness and to stop and rest in Your presence. Help me to devote more time to Your word. Help me to make it my business to live according to your ways, allowing the Fruit of the Spirt to grow in my heart. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

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''Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

Our hectic, busy lives often leave us feeling tired, anxious, and unfulfilled. We find ourselves trying to meet time deadlines, satisfy others or just trying to get through the day. At the end of the day, we look back and wonder where the time went and what did we really accomplish. We were doing things but were sometimes left feeling that we didn't do enough. We pondered the past, worried about the future, and let the present slip through our fingers.

One strategy that is available to us, is the practice of Mindfulness: a meditative tool that allows us to focus just on today. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said: " Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” In order for us to have more satisfying lives that provide us with the opportunity to grow spiritually, to live peacefully and to love genuinely, we need to REST, RELAX, REPLENISH AND RELEASE. In other words, we need to let go and let God have His way in our lives and He will bless us exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask or think. " God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”                                                         2 Timothy 1:7

Let us pray:

Dear God, help me to become more: more loving, more generous and more productive by focusing my energies and time in being present and talking to you in prayer. When I spend less time in wasteful activities, I can become a stronger, more useful member of your Kingdom. I ask this in the name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen

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Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen.                                                           Ephesians 3:20-21

Sometimes it seems like we have very little to work with. There is so much to do at home and at work and our resources are stretched thin. There is so much at work and then one of your best staff members resigns. There is so much at home with family responsibilities and maintaining our home. Then there are the unexpected repairs and work that has to be done. There never seems to be enough time or resources to accomplish what needs to be done. During these times when we seem to have so little, we just have to trust God for more. This is when we spend more time in God's word. This is when we spend more time in prayer. This is when we spend more time praising Him. God is able to do immeasurably more, or, infinitely more as the Bible says in the New Living Translation. We know that God will show up with more than we could even ask for or imagine. There is no limit to how God can answer our prayers because he is able to do more than we ask, dream or comprehend. Even though we are expecting more our prayers can't even conceive God's more. Our limited imaginations and prayers cannot limit the richness of God’s gifts. When we recognize how God has blessed us with so much more we can only be in awe of His goodness and glory.

Lord God, I know that you are a God of more. I know you are able to give me more than I can ever ask or imagine. I thank you in advance for what is to come. I trust that you will replace what has been taken away. Thank you for your goodness and grace towards me. I give you all the glory.  In Jesus name, Amen!

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41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”                           Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

Our Lenten theme, “Doing Less, Becoming More,” reminds me of Mary and Martha, the sisters who invited Jesus into their home. Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made—the cleaning, the cooking, the table-setting, I imagine. Mary, on the other hand, was sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to what he said.  Exasperated, Martha came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” But Jesus answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things,” but only one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen what is best.

In this Lenten season, let’s choose what is best. Let’s put away busyness, or other things that cause us to worry or be upset, or that distract us from being our best selves. Let’s lay aside our self-righteous efforts to please God by our own works, which only lead to frustration.  Like Mary, let’s take time to sit at Jesus’ feet, spending time with him, hearing his words, seeing his face, and basking in his love. We’ll receive more: more peace, more love, more joy, more grace. We’ll become more—more like Jesus!

My Prayer:

Dear Father, help me to spend time sitting at Jesus’ feet during this Lenten season, so I might receive more, and be more. In His name I pray. Amen

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For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.                                                    Romans 8:38-39 (AMPC)

You cannot trust unless you believe you are loved. To grow in God and be changed, you must trust Him. Often, He will lead you in ways you cannot understand. During those times, you must have a tight grip on His love for you. The apostle Paul was convinced that nothing would ever be able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. You need to have that same absolute assurance of God’s undying love for you.

Accept God’s love for you and make that love the basis for your love for others. Receive His affirmation, knowing that you are changing and becoming everything He desires you to be.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me trust in Your unending love for me, as I continue to grow in my faith. Show me how to use Your love as an example of how to show my love for other people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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