Today's Godly Reminder - Matthew 5:16

We are the light of the world. We are a city on a hill. Let the light shine on us. Jesus is our light and source of light. We should let Him shine everywhere we go.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence. And, they may recognize, honor and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Once they will see the light in us, people will follow through it and can see Jesus in it. Let's make Jesus famous wherever we will go. He deserves all the praises and adoration.

The Daily Grace - Hope to Continue On

The solar-powered airplane Solar Impulse can fly day and night without fuel. Inventors Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg hope to fly it around the world. While the plane flies all day by solar power, it gathers enough energy to be able to fly all night. When the sun rises, Piccard says, "It brings the hope again that you can continue".

The idea of sunrise bringing us hope makes me think of Lamentations 3 from the Bible: "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord's mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning" (vv. 21-23). Even when God's people were in the depths of despair while the city of Jerusalem was being invaded by the Babylonians, the prophet Jeremiah said they had reason to hope - they still had the Lord's mercies and compassion.

Sometimes our struggles seem worse at night, but when sunrise comes it brings hope again that we can continue. "Weeping may endure for a night", the psalmist says, "but joy comes in the morning" (Ps. 30:5). Thank You, Lord, for the hope You send with each sunrise. Your mercies and compassion are new every morning! Each new day gives us new reasons to praise the Lord.

Today We Pray

Dear God, I love You and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life. I love You, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die to love You, than live without loving You. I love You, Lord and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally. 

Let me read and know Your Word without distorting it with my feeble thoughts. Lead me away from the false truths of the world, from whatever values are currently popular in my society, from the harangues of other people who follow their own theologies and philosophies; lead me to Your plain and eternal truth. Let me come to You as a child, emptied of the wisdom of the world, so that I may be filled with the truth of the eternal Word.

I dedicate this day to You, mighty God. I pray that Your Spirit will lift me up this day and that Your face may shine upon me all the day long, that I might do Your will and lead a new life in Christ, reborn in the Spirit. This I pray, in Your name.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Psalm 30:5

God gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter. His anger is just for a moment only. But, His favor lasts for a lifetime.

We may cry for one night, but there is always joy after that weeping. God promises us joy. Just ask Him to restore the joy of your salvation. And, it will be given to you.

The Daily Grace - Rescue the Perishing

Lauren nervously yet excitedly hopped into a one-person kayak for a white-water rafting experience. After strapping herself in, she headed down the river with a group of kayakers and guides. Lauren became even more nervous when she laid eyes on the falls ahead. Suddenly, as the kayak tossed and turned in the white water, it flipped over. She had been instructed on how to get out quickly if this were to happen. But she became disoriented as she hung upside-down in the water and couldn't find the release bar to get out. She knew she couldn't hold her breath much longer and thought she would soon be in the Lord's presence. Then help came just in time and she was saved. Lauren was very grateful for her rescue from physical death.

An even greater rescue has been provided for us - rescue from spiritual death has come in the Person of Jesus Christ. While we were drowning in sin, God sent His Son Jesus to bring life through His own death and resurrection (Rom. 5:8; Eph. 2:5). He did so because He is "rich in mercy" and because of "His great love" (Eph. 2:4). Out of gratefulness, we can help others by telling them of the Rescuer they so desperately need. Those who've been rescued should be ready and willing to help in the rescue of others.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, into Your hands, I commend my spirit. Bless me and all those who pray in the faith of You this day. Save us and grant unto us everlasting life.

Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of thy brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom. All our desire is known unto thee, therefore perfect what thou hast begun, and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.

We seek thy face, turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect. In Christ's Name, I pray.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Romans 5:8

This is real love. This is agape love. God sent His Son to die for our sins. Sinful as we are, we can say that He doesn't deserve this. But, He already paid the price for our sins. Let us be thankful for our Heavenly Father today for this precious gift.

God’s love goes beyond the willingness to die for a good person. He is supremely willing to demonstrate His love, so much so that He gave His Son for sinners so that all can see it. This is the proof of His love for us. There is nothing in sinners to call forth this love, but there is something in the unconditional love of God that does.