But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. (1 Cor 1:30)

I pray you had tremendous worship in your local church this past Lord’s Day. Carry your worship with you into the week to face your daily struggles and stresses. Remember He has overcome the world and you can have victory over sin through Christ Jesus who strengthens you. He gives us strength to conquer sin and live victoriously. But there are days when we are combated with sin and become victims rather than victors. There are times when it is difficult to overcome certain sins and destructive behaviors. In those moment we feel less like a child of God and more like failures and disappointments. But God’s love for you does change even though you may struggle with sin. Your position in Jesus Christ does not change. Our scripture passage teaches us “of Him are ye in Christ Jesus.” This scripture literally states that “Christ made us right with God” (NLT). Your position has changed that you are “made alive together with Him” (Col 2:13) though your flesh remains alive with its lustful passions and desires. To overcome our struggles with sin and change our behaviors for sinful pleasure, we must comprehend the new position we have in Christ. At the cross Christ not only died to forgive your sin, but to change your nature. You are no longer a sinner but a saint. God sees you as His child and “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:7). “In Christ Jesus,” God is able to “supply all your need according to His riches in glory” (Phil 4:19). The saint who continually struggles in sin is one who fails to seek God for their needs. My friend, accept the new life and new nature you now have in Christ and begin to see “old things are passed away, behold all things become new” (2 Cor 5:17). “Set your mind on things above” (Col 3:2) where Christ is, endeavor to “press toward…upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14) and commit yourself to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim 6:12). Christ died for the sin of the world that we should no longer live for the lustful passions in sin, conformed to the desire for pleasure that is bound in sin. The struggles we have with sin are real, but “in Christ Jesus” we are more than conquerors. Father, thank You for the forgiveness of my sin and the gift of salvation to live victoriously over sin through Christ Jesus. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.  

My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up. (Ps 5:3)

There is no greater way to begin each day than with prayer unto the Lord. David was a man after God’s own heart. David was not perfect, but he had great responsibility. He took his responsibility seriously and directed his attention to pursue God with a heart that longed to know Him personally and passionately. He began each day with prayer that would “look up” to the Lord. Our scripture passage today reminds us to begin each day with our first thoughts and the first words spoken for the day, to direct them to the Lord. David said to God “my voice shalt Thou hear in the morning.” He began each day with prayer to God because his heart was devoted to God. He spoke out of his mouth that which was in his heart. Praying and calling out to God were natural for David because of the meditation of his heart. He remembered God “in the night” (Ps 63:6) when he lay upon his bed. He meditated upon all God’s work (Ps 77:12; 119:27). He meditated on the complete counsel of God’s word (Ps 119:15, 148) and “the glorious splendor of Your majesty” (Ps 145:5). David set his heart on the things of God, to know the will of God, to follow the way of God such that God testified “I have found David…a man after Mine own heart” (Acts 13:22). My friend, what are your thoughts as you begin this day? Meditate on the things of God and “look up” to “our Father who art in heaven” and gives freely all that we need and ask for each day. Begin this day in prayer. In all your ways acknowledge Him. Adore Him, for He is worthy to be praised. My friend, what an awesome privilege we have as a child of God that we can turn aside with Him and pray “in the morning” and begin the day with His communion, His care and confidence that “my help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Ps 121:2). Father, thank You that I can come to You, depend on You, cast my cares upon You and find rest in You. I begin this day with all my prayer and praise unto You. In the Blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.  

Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD. (Jer 29:12-14)

The are times when we become frustrated in life because there seems to be no answer to our call. Retail stores have a “call button” located on their aisles that patrons may call for assistance when needed. The button is pressed, but no one comes in the moment as we desired. In the fast-paced society we live in, energized by technology, filled with convenience and immediacy, we have grown accustomed to no waiting. Our scripture passage today reminds us to call on God and He will hear our call to Him. “Call upon Me…I will hearken unto you.” God awaits to hear from His children. He is ready and able to answer. His resources are endless. His power and might are greater than all and exceed all that we could ever think or image. So why does talking to God seem so difficult? Why can’t God just answer my prayer? The answer is simple. God does not share His glory with any other. His answer to your prayer will not only supply your need but strengthen your relationship with Him. He wants to reveal Himself to you that you may know Him and proclaim Him “O Lord…my God” (Ps 18:1-2). God wants your time and conversation with Him to be special and unique from all other conversations. He wants you to seek Him sincerely and come to Him according to His word. First, “go and pray.” Pull away from your affairs and set aside time completely to for God. “Enter into thy closet” (Mt 6:6) where God awaits to hear from you. Secondly, He says “seek Me…search for Me with all your heart.” Single your thoughts upon only God. Silence all the other voices that call for your attention. The single mindset is not easily accomplished at first but keep trying and trusting God. He will honor your devotion and sincere desire to “seek…and find” Him.  When He answers, you will know it is He who speaks, and His answer satisfies and is sufficient for all you ask or think. My friend, God does not hide from His children. He bids us to “come boldly to the throne grace, that we may obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). When you come in the manner for which He has designed, you will receive God’s answer with an assurance founded upon His eternal love through His Son, Christ Jesus. Father, thank You that You know my secret place and await to hear my call and cry in times of need. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.