Jesus Christ,

He Will Never Leave Us

By Joyce Meyer - Posted June 24, 2017

[I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
—Hebrews 13:5

I was born again when I was nine years old. The night I was saved, I had to sneak out of the house to go to church with some relatives who were visiting us because my dad wouldn't have permitted us to go if we had asked. I knew that I went to be saved that night, and I don't even know how I knew that I needed salvation. 

The pastor did not have an altar call that evening. I was really scared, but at the end of service I walked to the front of the church, taking two of my cousins with me. I looked at the pastor and said, "Can you save me?" He was sorry that he hadn't offered an altar call, but I had a glorious cleansing of my soul that night. 

I knew I was born again, but the next day I cheated in a game of hide-and-go-seek with my cousins by peeking to see where they were going, and I thought I lost my salvation! I was in my twenties before I realized that Jesus had promised not to abandon me. Hebrews 13:5 confirms this promise: For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

Created to Thrive

By Joel Osteen – Posted June 24, 2017

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
(John 10:10, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD:

So many people today are living in “survival” mode. They have a mentality that says, “If I can just make it through…” or “If I can just get by…” Of course, there are some seasons that are more difficult than others. Sometimes it’s challenging to get a vision for the future. But if you are constantly living with a survival mentality, you are missing out on God’s best. Scripture doesn’t say, “Jesus came so you could survive.” No, it says that He came to give you a full, abundant life! 

If you are living in survival mode right now, I believe that today can be your turning point. If you’ll take a step of faith and begin to declare, “My days of survival are over; my days of thriving have begun,” then I believe God will meet your faith. I believe He will open an unexpected door. He’ll pour out His favor and blessing on you. He’ll make a way where there seems to be no way! Even if you’re in a tough time right now, remember tough times don’t last, but the Word of the Lord stands forever. Begin to declare what God says about your circumstances because you are created for more than to just get by—you are created to thrive!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, thank You for giving me abundant life through Jesus Christ. I believe that You have a good plan for my future. I declare that my days of thriving have begun as I continue to put my faith and trust in You alone in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Streets, Paths, and Roads—Isaiah Walkway

By DR. David Jeremiah – Posted June 24, 2017

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 43:2

After several years of drought, this year’s heavy rains in parts of California have wreaked havoc on the highway systems, with some roads flooded and washed out, and others marred by thousands of potholes. A study found there are 12,094 potholes in San Diego. One resident told his politician, “What are we going to do about our roads? We can’t drive on them anymore.” Rough roads aren’t just a California problem. Every community spends millions of dollars every year in highway maintenance, yet the problems are outstripping the solutions.

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7

Highways are a parable of life. Sometimes we’re on the scenic route; other times we’re going through hail, wind, fire, and storm. We never know when we’ll hit a rough patch.

That’s why the journey is better when the Lord Jesus is in the driver’s seat of life. He has promised to go with us every step of the way, and we’ll never face floods or fires without His grace providing the strength we need and the guidance necessary to go forward. Cast all your cares upon the Lord today. He knows the way through the wilderness, and He leads us one step at a time.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
From the hymn “How Firm a Foundation”

JESUS GOES BEFORE YOU

By Joseph Prince – Posted June 23, 2017

John 10:4

And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him…

Have you ever seen a farmer trying to drive a bunch of geese from one location to another? He goes behind the geese, doesn’t he? Compare this to a shepherd who leads his sheep. He goes before them and the sheep simply follow him.

Jesus is our shepherd and we are His sheep. He does not drive us, but He leads us. Legalistic people drive others. Jesus leads. He goes in front of us. He is not like the sergeant who says, “Men, cross this river. I’ll cover you from behind,” because he suspects that the river is infested with crocodiles. Jesus is not that kind of leader. He goes in front of us.

In the Old Testament, Jesus led the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. Do you know how Jesus appeared back then? He appeared in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Where was that pillar? It was in front of them. In fact, the pillar of cloud shaded them from the hot desert sun so that they were kept cool during the day. At night, when the desert got very cold, Jesus, the pillar of fire, gave them light as well as warmth. Whether He was the pillar of cloud or fire, He went in front of them.

As long as they followed Him, the Israelites did not have to worry about anything. Jesus took care of all their needs. He gave them water when they were thirsty, and bread and meat when they were hungry. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. They were kept in good health throughout the 40 years of their wandering in the wilderness.

My friend, Jesus your shepherd wants you to just follow Him. As long as you allow Him to lead you, all your needs will be taken care of. He is your provision, healer, counselor, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification… He is everything you need Him to be!

Thought For The Day

All your needs will be taken care of when you follow Jesus your shepherd.