Daily Devotion 1 2 2015

[Suzuki Johnny]

Why You Must Study the Word for Yourself
“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15

When you study the Word, this pleases God. Study the Scriptures for yourself. Learn to rightly divide it. The Holy Spirit will help you. This way, you won’t teach error to someone else or be deceived when someone else is teaching it to you. Reader…pay attention. We are indeed living in the last days, and the Bible warns us that there will be many false teachers among us teaching error, empty philosophies, man-made traditions, false doctrines, and leading many astray.

Colossians 2:8 alerts us saying, “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” And Jesus told the religious Pharisees, “And why do you, by your own traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?” (Matthew 15:3) There are too many who are teaching and preaching their own agendas, false doctrines, and causing many to reject Christ because they themselves cannot live out what they preach or say.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day
Lord God, on this new day grant that we may come to you in the Spirit. Through your Spirit gather us and many others on earth around you. May our hearts become truly free because you deliver us from all bondage to our own natures and to the world around us. As free people may we be led safely through distress, fear, and want, through need and death. We thank you that you have called us your children, a people who may serve you even in suffering and temptation. Grant that the grace of Jesus Christ may be in us so that we can be victorious over everything that life puts in our way and can withstand the distress that surrounds so many people. You are our only refuge, to you alone can we appeal for evil to end. Be with us as we go forth today. In Christ we pray, Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day
Lord God, we come before you in prayer on this new day. We ask for your direction on our journey. Be with us and direct, sanctify, and govern both our heart and body, in the ways of your laws, and in the works of your commandments. Through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul. As we travel through the rest of this day, may the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope. In Christ we pray, Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day
Lord God, let your Spirit come to us as our helper and comforter, who helps us find the way to go. You lead us forth on this new day. Let the whole earth worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in honor and peace. In Christ we pray, Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day

Lord God, we open our eyes to the return of light for this new day. We don't know what lay before us today, but we commit it all to You. Please give us strength and courage to get through the joys, challenges and happenings of the day. We thank You for the blessings of our life and for all that we have. As we go forth we commit this day to You. Be with us in all we are called to do. No matter what happens, we know You have us in the palm of Your hand. In Christ we pray. Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day
Lord God, from whom great promises are given for all humankind and especially for your people, we gather in your presence. We rejoice before you, for your promise is sure and your works will be revealed to the glory of your name. Grant us steadfast faith in the grace of Jesus Christ. Grant us faith to hold firm as we go forth on this new day. In spite of all evil we trust that you are ruling and will set everything right. Father in heaven, may your name be honored. May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as in heaven. May your spirit be present with us on our journey of life. In Christ we pray, Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day
Lord God, we are blessed with this new morning with its light and the rest and shelter of the night. We turn to to you for all goodness and direction in life.
Be with us, strengthen us, and protect us from all the deception on earth. For we want to look always to you as we continue our journey. May the strength of God pilot us, the power of God uphold us, the wisdom of God guide us. May the eye of God look before us, the ear of God hear us, the word of God speak for us.
In Christ we pray, Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For Wisdom and Mercy
Lord God, we come to you this morning in prayer to ask that you grant us wisdom, that we may always think, speak, and do that which is good in Your sight; save us from evil thoughts, words and deeds. Have mercy upon us
Father and bless us; may Christ take care of us; the Holy Ghost enlighten us all the days of our life. The Lord be our defender and keeper of body and soul, both now and for ever, to the ages of ages. In Christ we pray,
Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Daily Prayer
Lord God, we come in prayer this morning with all our hearts we come before your countenance. Our hearts shall always be in your presence, asking, longing, and believing that you will guide our affairs aright. Protect us, for you are our God and Father. Protect all who are in danger or who must go into danger. Make known your great love and your living presence to the hearts of the dying. Draw our hearts together so that we may have community in you, our faith and hope set on you alone. Protect us during the night and help us to be at peace about all our concerns because they are in your hands. Every concern of every person is in your hands. We ourselves are in your hands, Lord God, our Father, and there we want to remain. Your hands can heal and restore everything. Praised be your name! Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day
Lord God, we wait in hope for you, our help and our shield. In you our hearts rejoice, for we trust in your holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us as we go forth this day. We thank you that we can have joy in all you have done for each of us. To you be praise and thanks. Our hearts leap up with joy in you and in your deeds. Grant that we may be faithful to the end, victorious in all things through your Spirit, who helps and blesses us on our way. Grant your help to all who call to you and who long to rejoice in you. In Christ we pray, Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

A Psalm for Peaceful Sleep (Psalm 4:8)

Today’s Bible Verse: In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. - Psalm 4:8

If you ever struggle with insomnia...you’re in great company. In fact, do a quick internet search and you’ll find this trend toward sleeplessness is sometimes referred to as a public health crisis. Tens of millions of Americans may lay their heads down, but aren’t getting the rest that restores.
Having trouble sleeping is no surprise when fearing illness, working double shifts, multitasking, or facing any number of crises life can send your way. But stressors and worries don’t have to have their way.

The enemy would love to rob you of peace and security, and use stress as a weapon to destroy your sleep. But because you know that a power greater than any calamity can calm a raging storm—you can give God the storms inside you as well.

[Suzuki Johnny]

When Influential Trouble Comes in Waves

“Troublemakers have arisen among you and have led the people of their town astray.” - Deuteronomy 13:13 NIV
Much like hard times come in seasons, trouble comes in waves. The tricky part about determining a bad influence is weeding out our assumptions. We may tend to honor older people as wiser, louder people deserving of our ear, younger people as having nothing to add to our experience, and so on and so on. We all kind of jockey around for position in this life, don’t we? And when it gets turned on its head, it makes us feel uncomfortable and confused. It often blindsides us, and sometimes traps us.

Before we allow our lives to be swayed, it’s wise to determine the direction of the waves. Captains navigate following seas, a shallow-water chop and oncoming rollers differently. So should we, expect to handle, recognize, or navigate trouble.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Did Jesus Have a Favorite Bible?


If you were put on the spot and hundreds of eyes and ears were on you and you were asked to give THE reason why you know the Bible is true—what would you say? That question is best answered by remembering what Jesus said in the same situation.

At that huge gathering, called the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus confidently told all the thousands who heard Him speak—that Heaven and Earth would pass away before any word of His Bible failed. Wow, He sure knew He had a Bible He could trust. Jesus didn't fear that there were any historical, moral, theological, and scientific inaccuracies in His Bible. He had a copy of the Book anyone can trust!


But as we read Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus summed it up as simply this, HE believed God's Word and so should we.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day
Lord God, you are good and your steadfast love endures for ever, and your faithfulness to all.
On this new day we thank you for all the light you give us and for all your loving help in outward things as well. We come into your presence and ask you to give us your light and your constant guidance for the path we must follow. Grant that what is of heaven may be revealed on earth, that we may rejoice in the good and beautiful things you give to all people. Our Father, reveal what is of heaven, and free people from their sin and darkness so that at last they recognize your glory. Strengthen our hope for this goal. Rule and work in the hearts of many people, that through them your glory may be proclaimed to all. In Christ we pray, Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day
Lord God, in you we want to find our strength to hold out even in these times. Be with us and with the believing circle given to us through Jesus Christ. Make us alert and give us fresh courage again and again, however difficult life may be. We want to continue to live and find strength in the grace of Jesus Christ, holding on in joy without grumbling and complaining. Lord God, may your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done in us according to your plan. Lead us forth this day in all we are called to. In Christ we pray, Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Whatever You Do

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17
Do life’s everyday responsibilities like loading and unloading the dishwasher, cause you to mumble under your breath? Or do you find yourself grumbling about the mundane tasks you’re assigned at work? Maybe it’s the wear-and-tear of working weekly in the church’s nursery or serving on the worship team?
It’s easy to grow weary in serving others and even easier to become critical in thoughts and words, rather than to turn to God’s Word in how to respond in various situations. Still God encourages you to do everything without grumbling or arguing (Philippians 2:14).

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day
Lord God, we thank you that we have you and the light of your Spirit, which always gives us new determination for the tasks you ask of us. We thank you that on this new day we may live not just in the passing moment but also in eternity, looking with joyful hope to the future meant for us and for all humankind. Keep us in your Spirit, and open to us truth after truth. May we be part of the people who carry a light within them, a light which will show them the way through all the struggles and temptations of life; then each one of us will know day by day that you can help us and everyone on earth to a better life through your Holy Spirit. Be with us and walk with us. In Christ we pray, Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This
Lord God, we thank you for this day and for all the loving kindness you pour out on us. May we continue to receive your help and your protection. Bless us in whatever we are allowed to do in your service, that it may always be done in love to all people. Watch over us by day and by night and be with us always. May your will be done throughout the world, so that at last all confusion may come to an end, Satan’s work may be destroyed, and your children may shout for joy that your will is being done on earth as in heaven. Hear our prayers as we go forth. In Christ we pray, Amen.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Seeking the Living Among the Dead – He Is Risen!

Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” - Luke 24:5-7

"Why do you seek the living among the dead?"

Within the wonder, glory and excitement that surrounds the resurrection of Christ, this question is the heart of the Gospel. It is what drives our faith and gives us hope in a dark world.

Resurrection Sunday celebrates the most important moment in all of history - the moment death was defeated, and hope became alive.
The day that those seeking death found life eternal.

[Suzuki Johnny]

Prayer For This Day
Lord God, Father of us all, bless us all as we go forth this day. May your Spirit carry out what we are powerless to do, so that we experience strength and joy, something from eternity, and can face life with all its evil, pain, and suffering. For you have drawn us to yourself, and in spirit, soul, and body we belong to another world, higher than this earthly and passing one. We want to remain true to this higher world, that your praise may come from one heart and from one voice, that your name may shine in us and show us the way to all that is true and eternal. Watch over us leading us forth with your guidance and direction. In Christ we pray, Amen.