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August 1

Rescued to Rescue

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Mark 1:17

Every follower of Jesus Christ is rescued from sin and becomes a rescuer of those in the same sin. Like a fisherman whose experience brings forth a catch by the use of an exact lure, so will your own personal experience draw those who need the Savior that you follow. Whatever He has brought you from is where you are best equipped to fish for men.

We are all called to share whatever testimony we have experienced in deciding to follow Jesus as Lord but we can also fish for those who are as we once were. Whatever story we may have is likely the very story that others need to hear.

Let’s pray today that we may cast our nets in the direction from where we have found the Savior.

August 2

Dying Without Fear

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Mark 8:35

When the selfless Spirit of God dwells in us we do not fear loss of our earthly life because eternity awaits. We may grieve the thought of leaving loved ones, but God will remain with them. We may think to resist threats to our life on behalf of the Kingdom of God, but by His strength we will gladly lay down our life rather than dishonoring the God we serve.

Life is precious and none of us should want death, but we ought not to fear it either. The enemy of Christ delights in death but we know that it is not the end. Our Lord gained victory over death and because of Him we have that same victory.

Let’s pray today that we may be in such close worship of Christ that we do not fear dying.

August 3

Impossibilities

“If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

Belief in the promises of God’s word, not in your own worth, is what makes the impossible possible. Jesus Christ bids us to have faith in Him and in so doing our belief is a trust, sometimes unseen but always backed by the very power of the Creator God. We believe because we have faith in the words of our God and it is God’s Word that gives us reason to have faith.

Without belief in the Lord Jesus Christ we are left to live by fear, rather than faith in Him to do what His word has promised. Belief is fully resting in the Lord, much like the same way we fully rest in a chair to support our full body weight.

Let’s pray today that we may not doubt but have faith in God’s word as we face impossibilities.

August 4

Child-Like Faith

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15

Jesus asks of us a child-like faith, just as a toddler trusts in a parent’s love for a secure future. Children know they have limitations and recognize an adult’s physical and mental superiority. Likewise we are but children of the Creator God and unable to obtain eternal life without Jesus. With a child-like faith we acknowledge our inability to help ourselves and we willingly seek His help.

The life of a child is generally more simplistic than that of an adult with responsibilities and stressors continually beckoning for attention. When we give those cares over to the Lord we can experience a child-like faith that saves.

Let’s pray today that we would trust in Jesus with a simple faith relying completely on Him.

August 5

Eternal Treasure

“Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21

Whatever treasure we cling to today has no comparison to the treasure we will possess in heaven. Things that we cherish now are only temporary, subject to deterioration, and kindling for when the earth is made new by fire at the end of the age. However, your treasure in heaven is what matters most, like everlasting life, and that includes peace, joy, and God Himself.

When we follow the Lord in becoming more like Him our attitude toward possessions will change. With our eyes on Jesus we can learn to hold things of this earth loosely, to not let material things own us, and we will set up treasure in Heaven.

Let’s pray today that we would stay focused on our future treasures in Heaven.

August 6

Pray in Belief

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

Prayer is not about us and what we need, it’s about God and His abundant grace for us. When we pray, let our focus be on God Himself, His righteousness, and His character. Prayer is not a mirror that looks back at us but a telescope that looks far into the very throne room of God. That’s why we can pray with belief. We believe in God, not ourselves, we believe in His promises, not our own wishes.

Our belief in God’s ability to answer should drive us to invest ourselves in prayer throughout our day. Like communing with a friend, we can communion with the Lord by expressing thanksgiving, praise, and our need for His help.

Let’s pray today to commit our focus and practice of daily prayer believing in God.

August 7

Our Gospel Light

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

The Lord commands His followers to take the gospel wherever we go because the gospel is who we are. We are called to be light in every corner of society. There is no such thing as a secular activity if the light of the gospel shines upon it. Our own testimony of the gospel is who we always are because we are always on mission. The entire creation is to witness the light of the gospel through us.

The transforming power of the gospel of Christ cannot be hidden when the Spirit of God is our companion. A follower of the Lord Jesus is a witnessing light in darkness and in daily activities through their demeanor and interaction with others.

Let’s pray today to always remember that the message of Christ is our very life.

August 8

Jesus Will Reign

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David” Luke 1:32

No other name can rightly reign our whole world, but that of Jesus and that day is coming soon. The name of our Lord divides with conviction of sin in light of His majestic character and causes men to either humble themselves or hunchback in fierce anger. Men have tried and will yet try to rule the world, but Jesus is coming soon and He will reign.

The Kingdom of God is with us today through the Holy Spirit in the heart of the righteous, but the day is also approaching when King Jesus will reign on all the earth. On that day, sin will be no more and the earth will be made new.

Let’s pray today that we would not falter in our faith but fix our hope beyond men to Jesus.

August 9

Evangelism

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

The gospel is not about entertaining the saint, but rather it is about evangelizing the sinner. It is not about drawing crowds or growing budgets but about individual people finding the richness of Christ through their new life. It is our witness before others of growing in His grace, it is reaching out to those seeking hope, and it is winning souls to Calvary by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

Evangelism is sharing the good news of the gospel of Christ, and helping another find life in a fallen world and hope in the coming righteous Kingdom. No sinner is too far gone to turn from wickedness and embrace the forgiveness of the Savior.

Let’s pray today that we may share with others what the Lord is doing in our lives.

August 10

Facing Enemies

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Luke 6:35

People may disadvantage us for following Christ, but that doesn’t mean we cease being a Christian. Relationships are not mere business transactions requiring us to come out with profit, but relationships are opportunities to show the grace of Christ to the least deserving. We may protect our interests, but we can afford to let go of the wrongs because we rely on God’s judgment against the wrongdoer, not our own.

An enemy may gloat in having the upper hand over us, but no circumstance of this world will change our eternal position in Christ Jesus. The affairs of men are subject to the dwindling sands of time but our life is hidden in Christ for eternity.

Let’s pray today to trust in God to ultimately handle the enemies that we face.

August 11

Ask for His Spirit

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13

The Holy Spirit brings all the blessings of Heaven to earth, so why don’t we pray more for His Spirit? We ought to plead for the Holy Spirit to baptize us, to transform us, to dwell within us that we may see as Jesus sees. The good news is that our Heavenly Father wants to give us His Holy Spirit so we may know His transforming power and walk in His continual leading.

We don’t always have because we simply don’t always ask. When we ask for the Holy Spirit’s presence we receive the mind of Christ to lead and guide us in accordance with righteousness and with a strong faith in our daily life.

Let’s pray today to be Spirit-led in all that we may say or do and better reflect Jesus.

August 12

Encouraging Creator

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Luke 12:27

The same Creator who cares for the flowers of the fields is just as sure to care for us. Flowers don’t worry about getting enough water or nutrients to grow and neither should we. The flowers of the field remind us that the Creator cares for our needs. When life is burdensome because of fear for our future, worry about loved ones, or discouraging circumstances, let us refocus and look to our Creator.

When we view and consider the beauty and majesty of creation we are reminded that the Creator is also our Provider. The Lord who created all things also sustains all things, and that is encouraging to us as we face each unknown day.

Let’s pray today that we turn our eyes upon Jesus and be encouraged by His care.

August 13

One Soul

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7

Heaven is more celebratory over one new believer than over ninety-nine sitting in the pews. We tend to think differently because we equate success with larger crowds, bigger buildings, and chasing programs that promise to reach more than we have now. However, Jesus would have come to earth, enduring the cruel cross of Calvary, even if it meant for the salvation of one soul.

We can certainly say that in Heaven’s economy it is quality over quantity. If every follower of the Lord Jesus would give themselves to prayer and witness for the salvation of one soul near to them, we would all give impact to the great commission.

Let’s pray today to give attention to one that is lost, more than those who are with us.

August 14

Be Humble

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

A prideful man flaunts his sin because he considers himself to be of greater worth than he actually is. Like the wheat in the field whose empty heads stand tallest, while the full wheat bows low. The same can be said for the humble before their Creator, who bow low, recognizing that without the Lord there is no value to the harvest and no benefit to others.

It’s easy to be humble when our eyes are on the Lord Jesus Christ and we are fully aware that we are undeserving of His saving grace. It’s also hard to boast or exalt ourselves when we know that our lives are nothing without the mercy of God.

Let’s pray today that we would be humble before our Lord and always give Him glory.

August 15

Signs of His Return

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” Luke 21:25-26

With a Bible in one hand and the headlines of the day in the other, the signs of Jesus’ return are shouting for attention. We know the time is at hand for Christ to come take His church home, because we are seeing an increase in natural disasters in weather and floods, with a sense of fear and perplexity for the future of our nation.

Yet, our focus should not be on the signs but on the event the signs point toward — the return of our Savior. When we drive down the interstate looking for our exit, we do not stop on the off ramp staring at the sign. Rather we focus beyond that sign toward the reason we needed that exit.

Let’s pray today that we may strengthen our focus on the Blessed Hope and not fall to fear.

August 16

The Promised Spirit

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49

Without the promised Holy Spirit, sent at Pentecost by the Father, we are powerless to be the church. We are to be clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit, not our own spiritual fashions, but by His Spirit. When we are clothed by the Holy Spirit our own nakedness, the lack of His fruit, is covered.

Sometimes we think we are ready to do a thing for God’s glory, but before we move in that directions we need to stay put in prayer. We need to wait on God’s Spirit to empower us so we speak His words and do His will.

Let’s pray today that we may walk in the Spirit of God in all we do.

August 17

Forever Adoption

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” John 1:12

The God of the Bible desires a relationship with us by adopting us as His forever children. Our God doesn’t keep us at a distance or suppress us as subjects, but welcomes us into His family as His children. Our God adopts us, because He loves us, and assumes parental care of us with full responsibility for our future.

Please don’t doubt your faith-inherited right to the family of God. Whatever your name was — scoundrel, thief, failure, victim, etc. — now in Christ your new family name has been changed to forgiven, victorious, faithful, etc. because you are now the child of God.

Let’s pray today in faith that our God has adopted us as His own child, forever.

August 18

Behold Jesus

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Behold Jesus, fix your thoughts on Him, turn your eyes to your Savior on Calvary’s cross and be changed. Stop gazing upon your own shortcomings and start beholding His character and grace. You may struggle with sin or its effects of sorrows, regrets, and heartache, but don’t rehearse the ills when you can find change in beholding Jesus.

The battle of the mind is very real but the choice is yours to focus on yourself or on Jesus Christ. If you focus on yourself you’ll get more of the same, but by focusing on the Lord you will be transformed into His likeness — you’ll trade your fears for His peace.

Let’s pray today that our hearts and minds will turn from self and toward the Savior.

August 19

Angelic Intervention

“He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”” John 1:51

Angels are God’s helpers from heaven because they have an active part in His Kingdom on earth. They tirelessly labor on behalf of those who seek to glorify God in their lives and circumstances. Though we are mostly unaware, there may be a day in heaven when the Lord plays the film of our life and we will be in awe for His angelic intervention.

Knowing that God’s holy helpers are by our side as we seek to walk with the Lord, ought to motivate us to pray more earnestly. When divine intervention is needed in our affairs on earth, we can confidently know that our God has the ways and means to help.

Let’s pray today that we may always welcome God’s intervention into His work on earth.

August 20

Look and Live

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:14-15

Those who intently gaze upon the Lord Jesus Christ held high on Calvary’s cross find reprieve from their sin. The Old Testament points toward the ministry of the Messiah to come, and when an outbreak of venomous snakes occurred among the Israelites, those who looked upon Moses’ serpent on the pole found healing from the venom. Behold the Lamb of God that takes away sin and live.

Whatever venom is crippling you from walking with the Lord, take time out to behold Him through prayer, meditation, and by being in His word. In the Lord Jesus Christ you will find healing, wholeness, and hope.

Let’s pray today that we focus upon Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary and receive His healing.

August 21

God’s Love

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

God is love and His love was displayed to the world through His Son Jesus Christ. God’s love is unconditional. You can not earn salvation but you can receive salvation by believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who came to show God’s love to a denying world. God died for you, paid for your sins, gave you forgiveness, and loves you enough to do that.

The bad news is that you can not do anything good enough to earn your right to eternal life, but the good news is that you can not do anything bad enough to keep you from eternal life, if you will simply repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s pray today that we too truly believe through faith and accept the love of God for us.

August 22

Grace or Wrath

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” John 3:36

To believe in Christ as your Savior is to obey Him as your Lord, and that means staying in His grace. The wrath of God is due those who do not believe in Christ. You either receive what’s not due to you, that is God’s grace in Jesus Christ or you receive what is already due to you, that is God’s wrath in the judgment at the end of times.

The choice for us is very simple, we either have the Son or we don’t have the Son. It means we live our lives by His grace or we suffer the consequences of rejecting faith in what Jesus has already done for us on Calvary’s cross.

Let’s pray today that we would continually live by grace in faith as we follow Jesus.

August 23

Refreshing Grace

“but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

The refreshing grace of Christ, once willfully drunk in faith, is an eternal thirst quencher. The redemptive work of Jesus Christ is for now and forever. It even gets better because as a saved sinner by grace you now get to share that grace with other sinners wanting to be saved and it is in that sharing that you continue to grow in His refreshing grace.

The fresh forgiveness that we receive by regularly seeking Christ’s grace for our shortcomings, becomes the joy that we wish to share with other thirsty souls. No matter how often we thirst, it’s not too often to seek His refreshing grace.

Let’s pray today that we would confess our sins and readily accept the grace of Calvary.

August 24

Relationship Not Religion

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” John 4:23

Jesus ushered in the new covenant of worshiping God, not through a religion, but through a relationship. As we search the pages of Scripture we see Jesus was the fulfillment of the letter of the law because the old covenant pointed to Him. In Jesus, we worship God through our relationship with Him, not through religious laws, ordinances, or rituals.

It is possible for religious activities to help point a person to a relationship with the Lord, but all men can find that relationship with the Lord, directly. So spend time with Him in prayer, the study of His word, and fellowship with others doing the same.

Let’s pray today to be in the Bible and conscientious of its pointing toward Christ.

August 25

Good Enough

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

There is no being good enough for Heaven, eternal life is a gift because only Jesus is good enough. Eternal life is not a reward for the good enough. Our enough is enough to earn us judgment, but not enough to save us. It is in believing that Calvary’s cross is enough to save that we pass from damnation to redemption, from earth to heaven, and from death to life.

It doesn’t mean that we are unable to die this side of the rapture, just that dying is not our end. Our mortality shall put on immortality in the resurrection or when we are caught up to meet the Lord in the air when He returns.

Let’s pray today that we would praise the Lord in all we say and do because of His gift of salvation.

August 26

Redeemer of the Dead

“Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” John 5:25

Jesus is the resurrection, the life, the Redeemer of the dead – before and after the funeral. He gives life to the one seeking a resurrection for a spiritual death, when we’ve walked away from God and His abundant life. He’ll give life to the one who dies before the Lord returns, but at the resurrection all who sleep in the dust of the ground shall come forth when Jesus calls.

There are a thousand voices clamoring for our attention but only our Lord’s has authority over death. There is hope in knowing that the voice of the Lord will one day call forth from the grave every follower and believer who will hear Him.

Let’s pray today that in our grief we will find comfort in Jesus’ promise to live again.

August 27

Awaken to Eternity

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” John 5:28-29

Jesus referred to death as a sleep because the resurrection awakens us to our eternal destiny. For the believer who dies in Jesus, they will awake in the resurrection at His return of eternal life in Heaven. For those who have willfully rejected Jesus as the Savior, they will awaken in the resurrection of eternal judgment.

Death is not the end and grief is not forever, but we can take hope that our loved ones who worshiped the Lord Jesus will rise to an eternity in Heaven. We can look forward to embracing them again when we all awaken to eternity.

Let’s pray today we may face death with the hope that is in the resurrection, because Heaven awaits.

August 28

Fulfillment in Life

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

True fulfillment in our lives can only come when Jesus is the center of our daily activities and attitudes. Without Christ in our lives we will find ourselves always dissatisfied with life and in endless searching for meaning. Only in Jesus can we truly have peace about our future and contentment in waking up to an uncertain day.

Grounding our lives in a biblical worldview is how we arrive at the understanding that the Lord Jesus is working His plan of redemption perfectly. We may question God’s timing and methods but we know that His will is best.

Let’s pray today that we would be led by the Spirit of God and give all glory to the Lord Jesus.

August 29

Remain Saved

“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37

When you come to Jesus Christ and receive His gift of salvation through faith, the rules don’t change. Once saved, you remain saved in Him by faith. The Lord does not change. Salvation is not of you, but is of Him. Like being born into a family name and its DNA you likewise are born again as a child of God by faith and you remain in God’s family by remaining in faith.

Don’t let the devil tempt you into thinking you are not wanted in God’s family. Don’t allow others to plant doubts in your head when it comes to belonging to God, but stay connected to the body of Christ in your heart, mind, and soul.

Let’s pray today that we may live in a saving faith, like trusting children of God.

August 30

Behold Jesus

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40

It is God the Father’s will that we would behold Jesus the Son and we would be saved. Stop rehearsing your doubts and start focusing on faith in God’s Word. This world does not have the final say over you. Greater is He who saved you then he who seeks to harm you, even if that harm is fatal, because it will not and cannot be final.

Just as Lazarus was raised up, and just as Jesus was raised up, so shall you be raised up if you live your life beholding the Lord. It is in beholding Jesus that you will become changed into His likeness and that includes His resurrection.

Let’s pray today in thanksgiving that Jesus has saved us and conquered death.

August 31

Jesus Saves

“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.” John 6:47

We are a fallen people in a fallen world, but we have a risen Savior who has risen from this fallen world. He has made a way for us. We are saved by the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ because He has taken the place of us in being a sinless sacrifice. It is only by believing in Jesus, not ourselves, that we have eternal life.

We must exercise faith in the atonement of Christ’s sacrifice as perfect enough to save us. No circumstance or condition of our fallen humanity was overlooked in the plan of Calvary and no part of it requires our contribution for its success.

Let’s pray today in rejoicing that salvation is all because of Jesus and not us.

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