It's All About the Change: One Day at a Time

PRISCILLA DAVIS

Copyright © 2014 Priscilla Davis.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. All rights reserved.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 (866) 928-1240

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-3418-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-3420-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-3419-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014906903

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/22/2014

CONTENTS

DEDICATED TO:

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CHANGE

INTRO I AM A SINNER

THE ROMANS ROAD TO SALVATION

HE TOUCHED ME

PSALM 37:23-24 (NIV)

INVITE HIM IN

FOLLOW ME

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN"

THE FOLLOWERS WERE CONFUSED

TO DO HIS WILL

SPIRITUAL FOOD

ENCOURAGE OTHERS

THE WILL OF GOD

BE DOERS

THE CROSSOVER

THE CHOICE

THE TRUTH

A MOTHER’S LOVE

LIVING A LIFE OF TRUTH

FIND THE TRUTH

YOU WILL HEAR GOD

I SAW THE LORD

WAKEUP CALL

READ THE SCRIPTURES

COMMIT TO THE CALL

NEW LIFE – GOD’S PRESENCE IS PROMISED

MOURN EVERYTHING HOPEFULLY

GOD’S WORD – YOUR HEART

REVIVED BY HIS WORD

DELIGHT IN GOD’S WORD

THE CAUSE FOR HOPE

HOW SWEET, GOD’S WORD

GOD’S WORD LIGHTS MY WAY

GOD’S WORD IS PURE

I WILL NOT FORGET GOD’S WORD

GREAT PEACE HAVE I

YOUR WORD HAS GIVEN ME LIFE

REVIVE ME, O LORD!

DIRECT MY STEPS

GOD’S WORD SETTLES IT

BETTER IS ONE DAY

THE ONE AND ONLY

THE OPEN DOOR POLICY

WHO ARE YOU IN CHRIST?

SUCH FAITH!

PUT ON LOVE

RECEIVE THE POWER

I CAN

AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

LOVE PERFECTED

WHOM SHALL I FEAR?

PRESSING ON

THE KEY TO SUCCESS

THE LORD IS GOOD TO ME

HAVE YOU LOST HEART?

I AM HIS, HE IS MINE

THE PLACE OF PRAYER

PRAY! HOPE! WAIT!

LOVE IS…

A SERVANT’S HEART

GREATNESS IN SERVING

DO NOT WORRY – HAVE FAITH!

PERSEVERANCE IN TRIALS

PRAYER MAKES A DIFFERENCE

LOVE – THE RESULT OF PEACE WITH GOD

I WILL REST IN PEACE

FINDING GRACE IN GOD’S SIGHT

ENTER INTO HIS PRESENCE

OUR CHILDREN

HE IS MY ROCK!

MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD

A GENEROUS HEART, AN OPEN HAND

I AM RESOLVED TO BRIGHTEN THE WORLD

FULLNESS OF JOY

OUR GREATEST TREASURE

DARE TO TAKE A STAND

HIDE HIS WORD IN YOUR HEART

CHOSE THE WAY OF TRUTH

REVIVE ME!

WITH MY WHOLE HEART

GOD’S MERCIFUL KINDNESS

UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WORD BRINGS JOY

HOW MUCH IT COST….

LIVE FOR ETERNITY

GIVE THANKS

INEXPRESSIBLE JOY

AMAZING LOVE!

IN JESUS THERE IS POWER

UNITY OF FAITH

SEEING IS BELEIVING

LOVE OTHERS, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU

IT’S RESSURECTION DAY!

THE DAY OF PENTECOST

THE HOLY SPIRIT – PROMISED

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

SAVED IN HOPE

WALK IN THE SPIRIT

RENEWED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

ONE SPIRIT

JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST

TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE SPIRIT PRAYS FOR US

THE SPIRIT FILLS US WITH JOY

THE HOLY SPIRIT SEALS OUR SALVATION

SUBMIT TO GOD

SPIRITUAL GIFTS: UNITY IN DIVERSITY

THE WORD ENDURES FOREVER

LOVE OTHERS

LIVE OUT LOUD

RECONCILED TO GOD

BE HOLY

FAITH VS. TROUBLE

PEACE, NOT JUST A FEELING

TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

PEACE AND HOPE

GOD’S MERCY – THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE

LAY YOUR BURDENS DOWN

ABUNDANT LIFE

LOVE IN ACTION

DO YOU KNOW HIM?

REMEMBER NO MORE

THE RIGHT TIME TO PRAY

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

MY REDEEMER LIVES

IS ANGER STEALING YOUR JOY?

YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD

HEAVENLY SANCTUARY

TAKE IT TO HEART

THE STORY OF LOVE

KEEP THE SABBATH HOLY

TEMPTED BY SATAN

TRANSFORMED BY GOD

I AM FORGIVEN

EXAMINE YOURSELF

ALIVE, ALIVE!!!

PEACE LIKE A RIVER

PRAISE HIM

WATCH YOUR WORDS

A REFUGE FOR MY SOUL

MY SOUL FOLLOWS AFTER YOU

LIBERTY IS NEVER FREE

PEACE, PEACE!

HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER

EARS TO HEAR

REACH FOR GOD

HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?

GIVE IT ALL TO GOD

BUT WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

ENDURANCE – LIFE BY FAITH

NO FEAR

A LEGACY OF JOY

DISTRACTIONS

PRAISE HIM WITH SONG

FIND MERCY

DO YOU LOVE ME?

HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD

RESTING FAITH

PATIENCE

WE SHALL OVERCOME

FACE TO FACE WITH GOD

GLORY TO GLORY

GLORY!!!

GOD’S WORD – MY LIFELINE

THEIR SIN I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

A TIME OF PRAYER

THE JOY OF FOLLOWING GOD’S PLAN

ALIVE BY GRACE!

VICTORY IN JESUS

PREPARE FOR WORSHIP

PRECIOUS FAITH

COME TO THE WELL

FORGIVEN!

PERFECT PEACE

WISDOM IN CHRIST

SUFFERING FOR GOD’S GLORY

I AM REDEEMED

JOY IN THE LORD

CHOOSE JOY AND PEACE

DO YOU LOVE ME?

REVIVAL

COURAGEOUS – CLAIMING GOD’S PROMISES

STORED UP TREASURES

LOVE FULFILLS THE PROMISE

HERE I AM!

WHO, BUT GOD?

YOU ARE MY GOD!

A TIME FOR HEALING

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CHANGE

HE IS WORTHY!

IT’S A GLORY, HALLELUJAH MORNING

WHERE IS YOUR HEART?

DRAW NEAR TO GOD

MY GOD REIGNS!

LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW (DEDICATED TO MY DADDY, A MAN OF FEW WORDS)

A REASON FOR HOPE!

BE MADE WHOLE

JUST SAY NO!

LOVE AND FORGIVENESS

LORD HEAR MY PRAYER

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

COMMIT TO WAIT ON GOD

BLESSED

THE RIVER OF LIFE

GOD’S WORD

GOD’S WORD ENDURES FOREVER

OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD

ON THE MOUNTAINTOP WITH GOD

GO THE SECOND MILE

PERSEVERANCE = PATIENCE

PERSEVERANCE IN HOPE

WAIT FOR THE PROMISE

VICTORY IN JESUS

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S

DON’T WORRY GOD’S GOT THIS!

CALLED TO BE COURAGEOUS

SALT OF THE EARTH

ARISE, SHINE!

OVERCOME BY FAITH

REACH OUT TO SOMEONE TODAY

WHERE IS THE JOY?

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU

GOD IS MY STRENGTH

IN GOD’S TIME

PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS MERCY

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PROVISION

PRAISE GOD TO THE NEXT GENERATION

HUMBLED BEFORE GOD

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS WORD

PRAISE THE LORD FOR ALL CREATION

PRAISE HIM!

PRAISE YOUR VOICE TO THE LORD

SING A NEW SONG

HOPE IS

COME INTO HIS PRESENCE

THANKSGIVING TO GOD

WALK WITH THE LORD

PURE LOVE

THE TEMPLE OF GOD

THE LIGHT SHINED ON THEM

THE WITHERING SOUL

WHO IS THIS JESUS?

IN JESUS THERE IS PEACE

THE WORD DWELLS AMONG US

HE ABIDES WITH US STILL

BRING THEM IN

DREAMS – PROPHESIES – VISIONS

REFRESHED BY YOUR JOY

CHRIST, OUR PEACE

FALL ON YOUR KNEES

THIS IS A TEST

REJOICE – CHRIST IS OUR PEACE

KING OF KINGS

LORD OF LORDS.

PRAISE GOD!

CALL ON THE LORD

WATCH FOR HIM!

LONGING TO SEE THEM

WORK TIL JESUS COMES

TALENTS

COMMITMENT TO KEEP GOD’S WORD NEAR

BE READY!

WHO IS GOD? PSALM 145

PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM!

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS

IN GOD’S TIME

GIVE THANKS

DO YOU NEED A FAITH LIFT?

GOD IS THERE FOR YOU

HE CALMS THE STORM

IT’S A NEW DAY

FAITH TO OVERCOME

CELEBRATE LIFE!

A VESSEL OF HONOR

AGAPE LOVE

REMEMBER ME

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

GOD HAS THE PLAN

ASSURANCE INSURANCE

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

A REBEL’S HEART

SET APART FOR THE LORD

A LIVING SACRIFICE TO GOD

GOD’S WILL BE DONE

LOVE IN ACTION

A FRIEND OF GOD

GOD IS LOVE

A CALL TO JOY

I HOPE IN HIM

CHOOSE LIFE

GOD’S THRONE OF GRACE

FOLLOW ME!

FOLLOWING JESUS IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT II PETER 3:10-18

CALLED BY GOD

WAIT ON THE LORD

THE LORD IS GOOD, DO YOU KNOW HIM?

ANCHOR FOR MY SOUL

CALLED OUT – SEND ME!

EXALT THE NAME OF THE LORD

GOD WILL DO MARVELOUS WORKS

A PECULIAR PEOPLE

I NEVER KNEW YOU

BELIEVE IN ME!

GIVE THANKS

THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR HOPE

PRAISE THE LORD TOGETHER

A CALL TO WORSHIP

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS

THANK YOU, LORD!

ALIVE – GOD’S MASTERPIECE

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY…

HIGHLY EXALTED

HIS TRUTH ENDURES FOREVER

BECAUSE HE LIVES

NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT WITH GOD

HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT

IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR SOUL

NEW EVERY MORNING

ENJOY YOUR WORK

HAPPINESS FOR THOSE WHOSE HELP IS THE Lord

NEW LIFE

PRAISE THE LORD

WORTHY IS YOUR NAME

PRAISE THE LORD! HALLELUJAH!

SOMETIMES I JUST WANT TO PRAISE YOU

STAND UP FOR JESUS

SUCH FAITH!

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL

I NEVER KNEW YOU - II

WORRY – WORSE – WORSHIP

THE GIFT OF LOVE

THE HEART OF WORSHIP

REMEMBER MARY

UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN

COME LET US ADORE HIM

COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

THE POWER OF GOD

THE PROMISE OF REST

TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

TRUE JOY

TRUST IN THE LORD

VICTORY IN THE LORD

VOICE OF TRUTH

WHATEVER! JUST DO IT!

YOUR LIGHT SHALL DAWN IN THE DARKNESS

VICTORY IN JESUS

THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM

GLORIOUS PEACE

A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN

A GENTLE, WILLING SPIRIT

I CALLED OUT

THIS FINAL SECTION IS A BRIEF STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JAMES

TEST OF YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS GOD’S WORD

THE FAMILY OF GOD – JAMES 2:1–13

YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE WORK OF GOD

YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE WORLD (JAMES 4:1-10)

YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE WORLD - JAMES 4:11-17 AND 5:1-12

THE TEST OF PRAYER – HOW TO BECOME A PRAYER WARRIOR JAMES 5:13-20

Dedicated to:

Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, the One who changed me forever.

My husband Rennie who is supportive of everything I try and accomplish, and even those things where I have tried and failed. I love you more than you will ever know.

My Daddy and Mother who made sure that I was raised in a Christian home and went to church every time the doors were open. From the time that I was one week old when I attended Vacation Bible School. My only regret is that you did not get to see this completed.

My children- Susan, Billy, and Rennie II, my grandchildren- Matthew, Dylan, Ashlee, Eddie L., Marissa, Eddie D., Alisha, Rennie III, and Alex, and my great-grandchildren- Addie, Dante, and Landin, I love you all very much. As I wrote each word you were each one on my mind. My heart’s desire is that you will read these pages one day at a time and will live your lives for God’s glory.

My brother Rory and his wife, Suzanne whose life changing tragedy on December 31, 1988 changed their lives forever, but it also changed my relationship with God forever. I love you both very much.

To my brother, Jay and all of my family not mentioned above, I love you and hope you receive a blessing when you read these words.

To my church family over the past fifteen years, you encouraged me to reach higher and go further than I ever could have imagined. Especially, Pastor Elvin Sikes and his wife Deana who are my dearest friends for the past fifteen years, and Debbie Talley who has been so supportive of my writing, Pastor Benny Horn who encouraged me in reaching higher, and the children and ladies of Petty’s Chapel who endured my teaching and Bible Studies which are a huge part of this book. I love you all.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CHANGE

(Success is not about the destination, it’s about the journey)

II Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, and the new has come.

• Repentance is the only Hope

• You will fall in love with Jesus

• You will feel an obligation to live differently

• You will live the Love

• You will be lifted up - He must reconstruct us and our ideas

• You will proclaim the Grace and Forgiveness

• His love will flow through you to others

• You will become a vessel for His Living Water

INTRO I AM A SINNER

Often times it takes us getting to our lowest point before we are ready to reach out and claim the love of Christ for ourselves. As long as we walk in the world, as part of the world, and maintain standards acceptable to the world - we are happy. Happiness by the world’s standards includes the material things that keep us in step with our neighbors - a nice house, new car, beautiful clothing, and money to buy anything that we might want. Or a credit card to satisfy our immediate wants and cravings. Our society tells us that we can have anything we want and expect that it is our due. But the Word of God says that our needs will be met. There is a huge difference in these two statements. The first puts pressure on us to conform to the standards of the world and the second offers the promise of peace in having our needs met.

God intended from the beginning to provide our every need, this is obvious from the creation story found in Genesis through the promises revealed in Revelations. A beautiful picture of God’s Plan is revealed for each of us, if we take the time to seek His divine guidance through His Word. We can choose to accept His Plan or we can choose to devise our own plan - He gave us that right. Let’s take a look at how different our lives could be if only we would receive.

The story of Noah is a good place to find a measuring stick for recognizing the purpose of God’s Plan being followed and the consequences of rejecting God’s Plan. The world was in a very depraved condition when God came to Noah and laid out His Plan to save Noah’s family. Noah was a man righteous in the sight of God; he loved God and was obedient to God’s Plan for his life. In a world where anything goes, Noah took the time to seek God’s plan. God told Noah that He was going to destroy the earth and everything in it, but He provided a promise of salvation to Noah if He would do as He said. God told Noah to build an ARK because he was going to bring a great rain upon the earth and destroy everything because of how wicked the world had become. Now mind you, it had never rained at this time and Noah had no clue what rain or an Ark might be. But God gave Noah very specific instructions as to how to build the Ark and who he could bring with him when the time came. Now can’t you just see Noah’s neighbors - ridiculing him, calling him crazy, and making him feel like he was the one about to perish? Our world today is very similar to Noah’s world - telling Christians that the way to pleasure is more important and easier than the path to obedience. Where did Noah get his strength to endure his persecution? How do we grasp that same strength to be obedient today? Review Genesis 6:1 - 9:17 to see how God spoke to Noah and encouraged him and sustained him. The same God is there to speak to us today, to save us from our sins, to place us on the path of righteousness. He will give us strength to endure when all around us the world is closing in. Sin will consume your very essence without the power of God being allowed to dwell in your soul. The way to this precious power is very simple; the discipline to follow the path is your choice.

As you begin this study, make sure you have your Bible near you so that you can read the Scriptures which are not included in the text. You may use any version that you are most comfortable with.

THE FIRST STEP

The first step you must take on this path is to recognize that you are a sinner and are in need of the Savior’s grace and mercy. You must come to the cross and humble yourself before the One who died, so you might live. You must be broken to the point of knowing that Jesus Christ is your only hope of true life. Asking forgiveness is one of the most difficult things we can be expected to do because it means that we must admit our sins before God and the world. This is a necessary step which cleanses us of all the sin we have carried upon ourselves from birth. An empty, broken vessel is where our Lord can enter and fill us with the powerful light of His Spirit. When we are first saved the power and purpose we feel knows no boundaries. The next step you might think is easy - now that you have the power - not so I tell you. The world is still at your door, knocking trying to reclaim what it has lost. We will be looking at these trials and tests of your new-found faith and try to discover the way to stay on the narrow path that will bring pleasure and praise to our Lord.

You may say that I was never disciplined as a child - how do you expect me to know how to accept discipline now? You must learn to discipline your natural body and its tendencies toward sin. Otherwise, you risk destroying your relationship with God and falling away from spiritual living water which is ours for the taking. When we separate ourselves from the world, God will fill us with the living water that flows freely from His throne to all who will accept.

Let us take a moment to review the steps of salvation which are presented in the book of Romans. (Next page)

Lord God, I pray that if the one reading this message today and does not know You. I pray that they will find You as they continue through this study. Make their heart tender and receptive to Your Word. Let them hear Your call to change as they read each page. Help them to grow in Your strength as they discover a new or a renewed relationship with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

THE ROMANS ROAD TO SALVATION

ALL ARE SINNERS - God’s Word is very plain in telling us that everyone has need of His Salvation because of the sin that is present from the day we are born.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.Romans 3:23(NIV)

As it is written, There is no one righteous, not even one.Romans 3:10(NIV)

THE REASON ALL ARE SINNERS - From the moment that Satan tempted Eve and she succumbed to that temptation and then proceeded to tempt Adam in the same way and he also fell victim to sin - God’s people had become a sinful people who were unable to please God of their own power.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all have sinned.Romans 5:12(NIV)

THE RESULT OF SIN - The inherent sin which is within each of us is our eternal death sentence until such time as we realize that our only hope is in the sacrifice provided by Jesus Christ our Lord that day on the cross at Calvary. Nothing short of accepting His gift will provide us with an eternal life with God our Father.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 6:23(NIV)

GOD’S CONCERN FOR SINNERS - God never withdraws His love from us - even when we are too despicable for Him to look upon. He provides us a way to receive the fellowship of a real relationship with Him. This relationship is something we all seek, even when we are not sure what we are looking for or how to attain it. Most of us look in all the wrong places to fill this void in our souls that God has designed to only be filled with His own Holy Spirit. This is the only way to gain access to the true God, the Creator of the world.

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:8(NIV)

GOD’S WAY OF SALVATION MADE PLAIN

That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the scripture says, Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all - and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.Romans 10:9-10, 13(NIV)

The way is plain and the path is narrow. If you have made it to the realization of your sin, and have humbled yourself before God in repentance, you are now ready to begin the walk down the narrow path that leads to spiritual fulfillment, as well as pleasing your newfound heavenly Father, by obediently following His plan for your life.

Take the time right now to pray and truly seek God’s guidance and strength as you begin this study of how He reveals His Plan for you through His Holy Word. My words can never be a substitute for the words found in His Holy Scriptures. Reflection on the scriptures for each lesson will be where He reveals His purpose to you. Each of us has a different purpose and each will get something meant especially for them when we meditate upon His Word. This will be the most important thing you do each day, make sure to set aside the quiet time for this reflection to receive what God would have you to receive from each lesson.

HE TOUCHED ME

Once the hand of God has touched you - you will no longer be the same. John knew that when the Spirit of God landed on Jesus and stayed (John 1:32-34) that Jesus was the Son of God who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. The same is true for each of us who accepts the gift of God, when the Spirit comes upon us and stays - this is the moment we truly become a child of God. It is at that moment the power of God fills your soul. It is that moment your life becomes His to direct and lead until the day He calls you home to live with Him forever. Just think of it - a child of God, heir with Jesus Christ the one who gave His life for you.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (I John 3:1) (NIV)

Our time here on earth is designed to prepare us to live eternally with Him in heaven. Without a touch from Him we can never attain the right to live an eternal life of worshipping and praising the Holy Almighty God. The hand of God is always near for a fresh touch whenever we need it, but the key to receiving the touch is the simple fact that you must be seeking a close, personal relationship with the Holy Father. As a child of God you have the right to seek Him anytime and anywhere; and you will always find Him right where you are.

We will take a look at David to determine how God is always near at hand and always ready to pick us up when we stumble. Like your earthly father, God wants to soothe your hurts, give you the guidance you need, and most of all He wants to love you. Did you hear that? HE LOVES YOU. The Almighty God of Heaven and Earth, the Creator of the Universe LOVES YOU! You will discover just as David did that the Lord will bless your obedience and He will discipline your disobedience. Like your earthly father He wants you to grow up to be all that He has planned for you.

Review Psalm 139 for today’s text.

Psalm 139:7-10 (NIV)

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

David gives us a very detailed measuring stick (Psalm 37-40) of how God expects us to behave.

PSALM 37:23-24 (NIV)

²³ The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;

²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

God expects us to trust Him and His ways because only He knows the plan for your life. Then He expects us to commit our life to Him and He will make us righteous and we will become a bright and shining light to the world. He expects us to listen to His still quiet voice and wait patiently for His direction. We must turn from the things that are acceptable to the world. Refrain from anger, become the meek, obedient servant that is God’s desire. When God is pleased with your walk, He will walk close to you and His mighty hand will be there to lift you up when you stumble and never let you fall from His Grace. He is your stronghold in the face of trouble and He will deliver you when He becomes your refuge.

David was a shepherd boy turned King. He was small in stature, but mighty when He was touched by the hand of God. He could take down the mightiest Philistine warrior with a simple slingshot and rock. The prophet Samuel anointed David to become the King. (I Samuel 10:6-7)

David (Psalms 39:1-2) and James (James 3:1-12), both say that our mouth often causes us to sin. We speak before we think; we use our mouths to praise God and then turn around and hurt our brother with our words. God knows our words before we even say them. He knows our every thought and action. He looks at our heart to determine our true devotion to Him. He sees what no other person can see. Your heart is an open book to the eyes of God. What does your book say? Is it pleasing to a Holy God? Is there an area of your life that needs a touch at this moment? Stop right now and ask God to touch you anew, seek the mighty hand of God to reach down and pick you up. He is near at hand, just reach out.

Father, I need you right now to open my heart and show me the area where I need more of You and less of me. I want to be obedient to Your Will. I want to walk in a way that is pleasing only to You. I offer You my life as the Living Sacrifice You require. I need Your touch on my life - new and afresh each day. Without Your guidance, I am headed nowhere. I am nothing unless You are near and give me the strength to do Your Will. Lord, I offer You my love and praise and thanks for seeking me to touch and for giving Your life to make me a child of God. You are my righteousness, it is You who holds my hand and leads the way. Amen.

INVITE HIM IN

When we invite Jesus into our heart, we become an open book. He is always there, wherever you are - at your highest peak and at your lowest fall. He knows your heart and He knows your thoughts. He knew you before you were born and He knows every secret that you think is hidden from men’s eyes. Once you are touched by the Master’s hand, you can no longer be the same. (Romans 12:1-2) You no longer can conform to the world, but will be tested to prove your faith. God wants to know that you are in your heart, what you profess with your mouth. You can not come before a Holy God and expect Him to accept your excuses for the things you do that are not pleasing to Him. He wants to conform you to Himself, to make you a righteous specimen, worthy of the eternal life with Him - that is our promise.

In both the old and new testaments, (Joel 12: 28-32 and Acts 2:16-21) the Word tells us that the Holy Spirit will be poured out on us and that we will see visions and have dreams and God will reveal to us the wonders of heaven. To be a part of God’s wonderful revelation you must submit yourself totally to Him. He must become your waking thought and your last thought before rest. He must be on your mind while you work and while you study His Word. He must become your life to the point where everything else is meaningless unless He is directing you. His touch is something you must seek anew each waking moment. His hand is stretched out to you all you need do is grab hold and expect the most exciting ride of your life.

Lord God, I pray for the one reaching out for You right now. Take their hand and guide them through to Your place of peace, joy, and love. Give them the strength to make the changes You guide them to make and give them the power to keep their commitment to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

HE IS WAITING FOR YOU

FOLLOW ME

"Follow me are the words each of us hear when the Father invites us to accept His free gift of salvation. He does not say gather up everything you have and everything you are - we are going on a trip. No, He says simply, Follow me." And simplicity is what is required to follow Him. You cannot bring the baggage from your old life and expect God to be able to begin the work of conforming you to His image. You must leave the things behind that are not to be a part of your new life in Christ. Only that which is holy and pure can be brought along to the new life. And the Bible is very clear to tell us that no one has any righteousness to bring with them into their relationship with the Holy, Almighty God. (Romans 3:10) God wants you to be an empty vessel waiting for Him to fill you with the Living Water. He wants you to Follow Him with no thought of what you are leaving behind. He wants to bring you to a new birth, a new life in Him.

"Follow Me!" - Two simple words, packed full of power. He is all you need now and all you will ever need. When you come to the point you can fully trust in Him, only then are you really ready to make the commitment to follow Him. For some it may takes years to get to the point that they trust Him enough to follow Him wherever He may lead. Some may never grasp what it means to truly follow Jesus. The reality is when we become His disciple, He expects us to walk each minute of each day in His Light. What is the thing that you have not been able to give up for your Lord? To measure what is required to follow Jesus we will take a look at what Jesus Himself told the rich young ruler that was required to be His follower. As you read this passage in Mark 10:17-31, ask the Lord to reveal to you what is holding you back from being the follower you desire to be.

Mark 10:17 (NIV)

¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. Good teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

Jesus gives us the measure in these verses (in Mark), as to what is required to follow Him and the promise of a greater reward in eternity. When we decide to truly follow Jesus is the day we begin to forget about ourselves and concentrate on Him. It is only when we can begin to focus our thoughts and actions on Him, that we know He has our lives in His hands. How long must He call before we answer? Here am I send me.

The life focused on following Jesus comes at a price. (Matthew 10:34-38) He says that we must take up our cross and follow Him. We must give up our life to save our soul. What are you willing to sacrifice in this world to prepare yourself for eternity? There is a price attached for you to follow Jesus. That price is a life of devotion and obedience to Him.

(Luke 9:23-28) Jesus was telling His disciples that time was short and the mission required their full attention and commitment. There is that word "commitment" - a concept which is quickly becoming obsolete in today’s world. But, Jesus tells us that is what is required to follow Him.

Is Jesus calling you right now to follow Him and His plan for your life? Are you rebelling or holding on to something that is separating you from God? Is your commitment to the world stronger than you commitment to Christ? Ask God right now to reveal to you the things that are keeping you from following Him completely.

Lord God, You see my heart and know that I desire