Devotionals
The purpose of a morning devotion is to:
 
Connect with our spiritually.
To express our gratitude to God.
Submit the day to the Lord.
Renew our spirit and prepare ourselves for the day ahead. 
 
 
August 5th
Isaiah 45:22 
Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else.
Inspiration
God planned our redemption from the very beginning. He explains that He is the one and only God and salvation is the only way to receive eternal life, God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present.
We depend on His love and strength to overcome our sinful nature.
He is our shelter, refuge, and perfect dwelling place. Therefore we should accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior and continue to grow closer to God daily.
Prayer
Dear Lord, We are humbled by Your glory. Please forgive our sins, and guide us closer to You daily.
In Jesus Name, Amen 
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
June 10th
2 Chronicles 7:14
 If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
A Call to Humility and Prayer 
In the book of 2 Chronicles, we are presented with a powerful verse that captures the heart of God's desires for His people. It is a call to action, a call to humility and prayer. As we look into this passage let us reflect on the significance and how we can apply it to our lives.
God addresses His people directly, reminding them that His name calls them. We bear the responsibility of representing Him in this world. But it is not enough to simply bear His name we must also humble ourselves before Him. Humility recognizes our need for God, acknowledging that we cannot do this journey of faith on our own.
Prayer is the key that unlocks the door to intimacy with God. It is a lifetime that connects us to the One who has the power to transform lives. When we pray we are entering into a divine conversation with the Creator of the universe.
Let us heed this call to humility and prayer. May we recognize the importance of humbling ourselves before God, prioritizing prayer, seeking His face, and turning away from sin. As we do so, we can trust that God will hear us, forgive us, and bring healing to our lives and our world. 
May 27th
Ezekiel 33:13 
When I shall say to the righteous, that he should surely live if he trusts his own righteousness and commit iniquity all his righteousness shall not be remembered but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
Trust in God's Righteousness 
In our pursuit of righteousness and holy living, we must remember that our efforts can never save us. We cannot earn our way into heaven through our good deeds or self-righteousness. As Ezekiel 33:13 reminds us if the righteous trust in their righteousness and commit inquiry all their righteous acts will not be remembered and they will face the consequences of their sin.
Instead, we are called to trust in God's righteousness. We are made righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ who lived a perfect and blameless life. Our salvation and forgiveness come from His grace and mercy, not our merit.
 When we fully rely on God's righteousness we can rest assured that H3e will remember our faithfulness and reward us accordingly. Our righteousness may falter but God's righteousness is unchanging and unfailing. Let us trust Him alone, knowing His righteousness is sufficient to cover our sins.
May we humbly come before God, confessing our reliance on His righteousness and surrendering our self-righteousness. May we continually seek His guidance and strength to live lives that honor and please Him. And may we find comfort and assurance in the truth that God's righteousness will never fail us. 
 
May 23rd
 Esther 4:13-14
13  And Mordecai commanded them to answer Esther, Do not think within yourself that you shall escape in the king's house more than all the Jew
14  For if you are completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise to the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house shall be destroyed. And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for a time like this?
 Embracing Our Purpose in God's Plan
In the book of Esther, we find a remarkable story of courage, faith, and divine providence. Esther, a young Jewish woman, found herself in a position of influence as queen during a time of great peril for her people. However, her uncle Mordecai reminded her that her position was not coincidental or for personal gain. He said to her Do not think within yourself that you shall escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. (v.13)
Sometimes, we may question why certain events or circumstances occur in our lives. We may wonder if we are capable of making a difference or if we have a larger purpose. Esther's story teaches us that God has a specific plan for each of us and He places us where we are for such a time as this.
Like Esther, we are called to embrace our purpose in God's plan. We may not always understand why we are in certain situations, but we can trust that God is working all things together for good. When we surrender our lives to His will, we become vessels for His glory and instruments for His kingdom.
Today, let us reflect on the words spoken to Esther and apply them to our own lives. Let us ask God to reveal our purpose and how He wants to use us for His kingdom. May we have the courage to step out on faith knowing that God's plans are far greater than our own. And may we find comfort and assurance in the truth that God's deliverance will come, even if it arises from another place.
We are here for such a time as this. 

May 20th
Solomon 4:11
Thou art all fair, my love, there is no spot in thee.
Perfectly Loved 
When we look in the mirror it's easy to focus on our flaws and imperfections. The world constantly bombards us with messages that we're not good enough, not beautiful enough. But God sees us differently in Solomon 4:7 He declares, Thou art all fair my love there is no spot in thee.
These words are a reminder of God's unconditional love for us. He sees the beauty that we often fail to see in ourselves. He looks beyond our mistakes, our insecurities, and our shortcomings. God sees us as His beloved, flawless creation.
In a world that constantly tries to tear us down, it's important to remember that our worth comes from God alone. We don't have to strive for perfection or seek validation from others. Instead, we can find our identity in the love of our Heavenly Father.
So let go of negative self-talk and self-doubt. Embrace the truth that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Allow God's love to wash over you and fill you with peace and confidence. You are perfectly loved just as you are.
 
May 10th
Job 23:10-12
[10] But He knoweth the way that I take when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
[11] My foot hath held His steps His way have I kept and not declined. 
[12] Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. 
Refined as Gold
There are times in our lives when we face trials and challenges that seem unbearable. We may question why God is allowing these difficulties to happen, and we may feel like giving up. In these moments it is important to remember the words of Job who said But he knoweth the way that I take when He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:10).
Job understood that God was with him even during his suffering. He knew God was using his trials to refine him just as gold is refined in the fire. Job held on to the hope that through his trials he would come out stronger and more faithful.
In our own lives, we may not always understand why we are going through difficult times. But we can trust that God knows the way we are taking. He sees our struggles and He is working in us to refine our character and strengthen our faith.
Today, if you are facing trials remember that God is with you. He knows the path you are on and He promises to bring you through it. Trust Him to refine you as gold and hold onto the hope that you will come out stronger on the other side. 
 
May 9th
Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. 
The Fear of the Lord: The Path to True Wisdom 
In our journey of faith we often seek wisdom and understanding. We long to have clarity in our decisions and to navigate life's challenges with discernment. The book of Job offers valuable insights into the nature of wisdom and where it can be found.
Job 28 describes humanity's search for true wisdom. It compares the efforts people make to uncover precious treasures hidden deep within the earth. While humans have discovered astonishing things and made great advancements in knowledge, wisdom remains elusive.
It cannot be bought or found in the depths of the earth. True wisdom, we learn is found only in one place the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the Lord does not mean to be scared of Him, but rather to have a reverential awe and respect for His power, majesty, and authority. It is recognizing that God is all knowing, all wise and worthy of our devotion and obedience. When we fear the Lord we acknowledge our dependence on Him and submit our lives to His guidance.
Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord because it sets us on the path of righteousness and understanding. When we have a deep reverence for God, we gain a perspective that enables us to discern between good and evil. We understand departing from evil is not only essential for our spiritual well being but also lead to true understanding.
Today let us seek the fear of the Lord in all we do. May it be the foundation upon which we build our lives, relationships, and decisions. Let us invite His wisdom to guide us, bring clarity, discernment and understanding in every aspect of our lives.
 
May 8th
Judges 16:28
And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee and strengthen me, I pray thee only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
Remembering God's Strength
Have you ever felt so weak and powerless that you cried out to God, asking Him to remember you? In the book of Judges we see the story of Samson a man who had been blessed with incredible strength from God.
However he had also made many mistakes and allowed his weaknesses to overcome him. In the end he found himself captured by the Philistines, blinded and humiliated. But even in his darkest moment Samson knew where to go.
Samson cried out to the Lord and pleaded for Him to remember him. He acknowledged his need for God's strength asking for one more display of divine power to avenge his eyes, and God in His mercy answered Samson's prayer.
Sometimes we may find ourselves in situations similar to Samson. We may feel weak, overwhelmed, and in need of God's strength to overcome challenges and enemies. In these moments we can learn from Samson's example and call upon the Lord to remember us. We can humbly acknowledge our need for His power and seek His guidance and intervention,
God is always ready to hear our cries and come to our aid. He is our refuge and our strength and He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. We can trust that when we call upon Him in faith. He will strengthen us and equip us to face whatever lies before us.
May 7th
Psalm 63:1-8
[1]  A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
[2]  So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
[3]  Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
[4]  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
[5]  My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
[6]  when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
[7]  for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
[8]  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
 
Any time of the day is a great time to be with the Lord, but the morning is special because it can affect the remainder of the day. Psalm 63 reveals that David began his day with the Lord, as he described seeking God early. He woke up hungry for His Creator, filled his yearning soul with the fullness of the Lord, and broke out in thanksgiving and praise to Him. And when night eventually came and David was lying in bed, he was still thinking about His heavenly Father.
Just imagine having a day like David’s, filled with joy and gratitude to God. Of course, all time with the Lord is precious. But when we set apart the beginning of our day to hear God speak through His Word, to talk with Him in prayer, to contemplate who He is and how He works we have the opportunity to continue that mindset throughout the day and into the night.
Do you find it a struggle to spend time with the Lord? Lifelong habits begin with baby steps, not grand resolutions. Set aside five minutes tomorrow morning, and see how the Lord nourishes your soul and increases your hunger for Him.