A Bedtime Prayer To Bless You When You Sleep | Fall Asleep In God’s Presence

Now, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite passages of scripture. I've read this portion in the Bible over and over again at different stages in my life. And let me tell you, it has strengthened me. I pray that it will strengthen you today as well. Luke 12:es 22-32. Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens.

They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them, and you are far more valuable to him than any birds." Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? Look at the liies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing. Yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire

tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world. But your father already knows your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives your father great happiness to give you the kingdom. One of the biggest enemies you will ever face will come in the form of worry and

anxiety. And in life, I'm sure we can all agree that there will be some things that are in your control that you'll worry about. There will be things that are out of your control that you will worry about. And while it's so easy to fall into a state of worry, in one of his teachings, Jesus gave us the message that we should not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. And I believe that the Lord was telling us to be present in the moment, to be at peace today, to be joyful today. If

you spend all your time and energy worrying, then you will always magnify the lack in your life or the pain in your life. Worry is all to do with if. if I can't pay this, if I don't get treated, if they find something. But instead, you should choose to adopt a new attitude where you do not worry about tomorrow. An attitude where you're thanking the Lord for today. You're thanking God for his goodness even while you're waiting on your miracle. You're thanking God for what he has provided even though there are things that you lack.

When you do this, then you magnify Jesus Christ instead of magnifying your problem. But here's what the Bible says in Matthew 6:es 25- 27. Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns. And yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of

you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? The Bible also says in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." I believe that the Lord wants us to stop worrying, to stop pondering and wondering about what might happen tomorrow. Stop spending your effort and your energy thinking about what could happen tomorrow or even what should happen. You are blessed in this very moment and on this day. One pastor said, "Don't borrow trouble." And that

means don't worry about all the whatifs that we could face someday. What if there is a health crisis, a financial setback, or or even some unimaginable type of problem? Don't borrow trouble for the future, but instead walk by faith and not by sight. So, I encourage you today to stay present with the Lord. Stay present in your mind and in your soul. Do that by acknowledging Psalm 118:4. This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. So you see friends, our Lord has told us not to be

anxious about our life. This means that we should not allow the things of this life to affect us to the point that we become fearful and filled with worry because we are in the care of an almighty God. Now friends, with this understanding that God cares for us and that he will provide for us, let us pray to cast down fear and worry and to trust in our almighty God. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your goodness. Right now, as we come before your presence, I come against every worry that plagues the hearts and minds

of every believer listening right now. I declare in the name of Jesus that we are not anxious about anything because you, Lord, are in control. I declare that we are at peace in our hearts and it is well with us. It is well because we are in your care. When we are unsure, we trust you to a clear path where there seems to be no way. Where we do not see, we trust you, Lord, to guide us. When we are in distress, we look to you for help, Lord Jesus. And when we are in danger,

we look to you for shelter. It is well in our minds because we've been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. We magnify you, Lord Jesus. Jesus, we magnify you above. We magnify you above the troubles of tomorrow. We magnify you and put you above every health crisis, every financial setback, and every problem. Father God, we will not worry about tomorrow because your word says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of

Christ may rest upon me." You are with us, Lord, and we are grateful as your children. We're grateful that you're with us, and your grace is always available and sufficient for our needs. We choose to focus on the healer instead of the sickness. We choose to focus on the provider rather than the lack. We choose to focus on the way maker instead of the obstacles ahead. We choose to focus on you, King Jesus, because we find favor in you. We find protection in you and we find mercy in you, Lord. Father, we sincerely ask that

you would open your ears to hear our cry. Give us a mind filled with peace. And during those times in which my heart is heavy, Lord, I pray that you would make my burdens light. Whenever the attacks of the enemy are many, I pray that you would defend me. Lord, fight for me and for my family. God, I thank you for fighting my battles. Though the adversary prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, I confess that I will be kept safe by the blood of Jesus Christ. God will intervene in my

circumstances. God will take away the worry and give me peace in my heart. May you intervene in all my affairs and show your might. David cried in Psalm 35:1 and said, "Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me. Fight against those who fight against me." And so today, I too will call upon the name of the Lord so that he may plead my cause. I will call on the name of the Lord when I need divine intervention. I will ask you, my father in heaven, to step in just as you did for

Daniel, just like you did for Elijah and even the way you did for Elisha. We invite you, Lord Jesus, to move in a mighty way. Move in a mighty way in our lives. Lord, clear every trap that the devil has hidden in my path. I pray that you would guard my mind against discouraging and depressing thoughts. I rebuke all thoughts of worry and anxiety about what tomorrow holds about what the future may hold. Instead, I choose to have peace because I will have faith in you, Lord. And when the enemy throws darts of confusion and

depression, doubt and even despair, when he tries to weaken my faith or steal my joy, I pray Lord Jesus that you will protect my mind with the helmet of salvation. Even in this present moment, if I do struggle to live with the uncertainty of this world and all that is going on, I pray that you would help me to keep my mind focused on you. I bless your holy name and I thank you for hearing this prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. How do you spend your time? Most of us

lead relatively normal lives. We go to work. We care for our families. We pursue our ambitions and personal interests. But apart from all the time we put into these things, how much attention do we actually give to God? How much effort do we put to building a close relationship with Jesus Christ? The real question I want to ask you is, are you living for Jesus or are you content living life and simply putting Jesus Christ alongside everything and everyone else? In our world today, not only is there evil and trouble lurking at every corner, but

there are all sorts of things vying for our attention. And it becomes so easy to be distracted from the things that really matter. However, my firm belief is that in this busy busy world, in the midst of all the chaos and confusion, the voice of God is still calling out to us. However, it's up to us to listen. Hebrews 3:15 says, "As it is said today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." Proverbs 28:14 says, "Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart

will fall into calamity." What does it mean to have a hardened heart? It means spiritual blindness. It means insensitivity towards God's beauty and glory. It means chasing after our own desires instead of the things of God. But thankfully in his mercy, God has offered to change our hearts. God can change our hearts. Ezekiel 36 verse 26 says, "And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you, and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Since the beginning of time,

God has been drawing us toward himself. Even when we stubbornly ignore him, he doesn't walk away. He never gives up on us. In the book of Matthew, Jesus compares his second coming to a great wedding feast, a joyful celebration of the perfect union between Jesus Christ and his bride, the church. And so we are invited to the greatest dinner banquet of all time. Have you responded to that invitation or are you putting it off until the last minute? Maybe you've become deafened to the sound of him knocking. Maybe your attention has been captured by other

things like work and finances and romantic love. Those things seem important until you realize that they are only temporary. And when your life is over or Jesus returns, they will no longer be of any value. We all think we have more time to get right with God. But the truth is that life is short. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Everything we do today matters on an eternal level. If Jesus came back today, would you be ready? Would you be able to say that your heart was firmly set on Christ? Now is the time to place your

faith in Jesus from the foundation of the earth. He has been waiting for you. But his invitation won't stand forever. Because here's what the Bible says in Psalm 103 verse 15-16. As for man, his days are like grass. He flourishes like a flower of the field. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. Time is short. Life is short. So live with an urgency. You see, it's a natural tendency for us as humans to get complacent. We're creatures of comfort. We all have a tendency of putting

things off that we know we should be doing in order to progress in our faith and our purpose. For example, you know you need to spend time in prayer. But how many times do you put it off? You know you ought to give to that woman or help that man or spend time reading God's word. But how often do we have a lack of urgency when it comes to the things of God? If you read Proverbs 3 28, the Bible basically tells us not to wait until tomorrow when we have it in our power to

act today. And then James 4:1 17 tells us that we are actually sinning when we know the good we should do and we don't do it. This should serve as a reality check for all of us today. If you hear his voice, don't harden your heart. Instead, allow him to come in and change your life [Music] forever. Now, let us pray. Lord Jesus, I pray that you would forgive me for all the time I've wasted in chasing after these earthly things that will never satisfy me. Father, we as humans can spend so much of our

lives trying to buy happiness. We could spend so much time chasing all these things concerning our careers, our families, and finances. But Father, I pray that you would redirect our focus, redirect our hearts to focus on you. You Lord have offered me, you've offered us the greatest gift in the entire universe, which is the opportunity to spend an eternity with you in heaven. Your word says in Revelation 3 20, behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him and

he with me. Lord, forgive me if all this time you've been gently knocking at my door, waiting for me to respond, and yet I have pushed you. Forgive me. Forgive me if time and time again I have chosen my own desires instead of you. But Lord, I thank you for never giving up on me. I thank you for always loving me. I thank you for the Holy Spirit who continually convicts me and draws me toward you. Father, your word in James 4:14 says, "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life?

For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." This is a sobering reminder of how short the life we live on this earth really is. And so Lord, I humble myself to accept your gift of grace and to start living for you. I desire to live your will. I desire to be an effective Christian who has a burning passion to witness about the amazing love of Jesus Christ. Father, give me a heart that is sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. A heart that is sensitive to the voice of

Jesus Christ. So that whenever you speak, I will be sensitive to your voice. Give me a willingness to listen. Help me to tune out every other voice in this loud and noisy world. Give me a spirit that is able to discern good from evil. And as this world drifts further from you every day, I pray that I would draw closer and closer to you. Give me the ability to recognize when Satan is trying to lead me away from you. Father, help me not to backslide in my faith or begin to compromise with sin. Help me

to be your faithful servant up until the day you return. Lord, make my heart receptive to you. Help me to recognize your hand in every earthly manner. Help me to see beyond the things that are right in front of me and teach me to number my days. Matthew 24:44 says, "Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Lord, I know that my life is but a mist. Here today and gone tomorrow, but my hope is still in you. You are coming quickly like a

thief in the night. And on that day, I pray that I'll be ready. Help me not to take anything for granted. Don't let my heart become hard towards you. Empower me to live each day for you as if it were my last. Father, I thank you for the time you have given me. Help me to be wise in how I spend this time here on earth. I desire to draw close to you because when I read Psalms 27:1 to5, I am filled with confidence, hope, and peace. Because your word says, "The Lord is my light

and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord, and

to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble. He will conceal me under the cover of his tent. He will lift me high upon a rock. I bless your name, Lord, and I thank you for being the strength of my life. I pray that just like David, I may have only one desire, which is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Because if I abide in you, I am kept safe and well. I am hidden in your pavilion and set

high upon a rock. Holy Spirit, I pray that you would birth an appetite for the word of God in my life. Birth a hunger in me which will draw me closer to him. Birth in me an appetite for prayer and worship. I come to you, Lord Jesus, in recognition of your great might and power, in recognition of your love and mercy. I am seeking a relationship with you. A relationship that yields good fruit within me. A relationship that I know will bring peace and protection in my life. For a moment, I'd like for us to

meditate on Psalm 31. In this psalm, we witness a range of emotions and experiences from deep distress to unwavering trust. Just like in our own lives, we move from season to season. We go from a time of peace and joy to a time of challenge and difficulty. We go from a season where your faith is strong and sturdy to a season where your faith may be shaken and you just have to hold on. I believe Psalm 31 shows us the reality of life. The psalmist journey from sorrow to praise. It reflects the complexities of human

emotion and it shows the transformative power of relying on God. It teaches us the importance of entrusting our lives to God's care even when we're facing adversity. And it reminds us of God's faithful protection and his unfailing love for us. And so Psalm 31:es 1- 24 verse one says, "Oh Lord, I have come to you for protection. Don't let me be disgraced. Save me for you do what is right." In this verse, the psalmist begins by expressing his trust in God's protection and his righteousness. He pleads for God to shield him from shame and rescue

him from any situation that threatens his well-being. Verse two, turn your ear to listen to me. Rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. The psalmist asks God to attentively hear his plea for help. He seeks God's swift intervention, comparing him to a solid rock and a fortress where he can find safety and security. Verse three, you are my rock and my fortress for the honor of your name. Lead me out of this danger. The psalmist reaffirms his reliance on God's strength and protection. He emphasizes that God's reputation

and honor are at stake and he asked to be rescued from imminent danger for the sake of God's name. Verse four, pull me from the trap my enemies set for me for I find protection in you alone. The psalmist acknowledges the schemes of his enemies and he asked God to rescue him from their traps. He emphasizes his exclusive reliance on God for protection and safety. Verse 5, I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God. Here, the psalmist places his life and well-being into God's care, echoing Jesus's words

on the cross. He entrusts himself to God's faithfulness and pleads for deliverance. Verse six, I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord. The psalmist expresses his disdain for those who worship idols or false gods. He contrasts this with his personal trust in the true Lord, indicating his commitment to God's guidance and care. Verse seven, I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. The psalmist shifts to a tone of gratitude and joy. He rejoices in God's

unwavering love and compassion, acknowledging that God is aware of his troubles and deeply cares for his emotional well-being. Verse 8, you have not handed me over to my enemies, but have set me in a safe place. The psalmist praises God for not allowing him to fall into the hands of his enemies. He acknowledges God's intervention, placing him in a secure and protected position. Verse 9, have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. The psalmist humbly acknowledges his distress and sorrow. He asks for

God's mercy, describing both the physical and emotional toll his troubles have taken on him. Verse 10, I am dying from grief. My years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength. I am wasting away from within. The psalmist continues to describe his suffering. He attributes his physical and emotional decline to grief and he acknowledges the toll that sin has taken on his well-being. Verse 11, I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors. Even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the

other way. The psalmist laments the social isolation he experiences. His enemies, neighbors, and even friends treat him with contempt and fear, avoiding him in public. Verse 12, I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot. The psalmist here compares himself to an ignored and discarded object, highlighting the extent of his isolation and the lack of regard he receives. Verse 13, I have heard the many rumors about me and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life. The psalmist acknowledges the rumors and threats

that surround him. He describes the fear he faces due to the conspiracies and plots of his enemies who seek to harm him. Verse 14, "But I am trusting you, oh Lord, saying, you are my God." Amidst his difficulties, the psalmist declares his unwavering trust in God. He affirms his relationship with God, acknowledging him as his Lord and source of security. Verse 15, "My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly." The psalmist entrusts his future to God's control, acknowledging God's sovereignty. He pleads for deliverance from those who relentlessly pursue

him. Verse 16, let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. The psalmist seeks God's favor and intervention. He asks for God's love to manifest in his rescue, highlighting God's steadfast faithfulness. Verse 17, don't let me be disgraced, oh Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced. Let them lie silent in the grave. The psalmist prays for protection from disgrace, emphasizing his call for God's help. He asks that the wicked face their own disgrace and silence in the face of God's judgment. Verse 18, silence their

lying lips, those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly. The psalmist pleads for God to silence the lies and accusations of the wicked. He desires that those who falsely accuse the godly be held accountable. Verse 19, how great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. Here the psalmist shifts to a tone of confidence in God's goodness. He acknowledges the abundance of blessings that God bestows upon those who fear and trust him. highlighting the

impact of these blessings on a broader audience. Verse 20, you hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. The Psalmist describes God's protective care. He emphasizes that God hides and shelters his faithful ones from the schemes and accusations of their enemies. Verse 21. Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. The psalmist shifts to a tone of praise and gratitude. He acknowledges God's unfailing

love and how God protected him when his city was threatened. Verse 22. In panic, I cried out. I am cut off from the Lord. But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. The psalmist reflects on a time of panic and doubt. Despite his feelings of being cut off, he recognizes that God heard his cry for mercy and responded to his call for help. Verse 23. Love the Lord all you godly ones, for the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant. The Psalmist urges the

godly to love the Lord. He emphasizes that God protects those who are loyal to him while dealing justly with the arrogant. Verse 24. So be strong and courageous all you who put your hope in the Lord. The psalmist concludes with a message of encouragement. He urges those who place their hope in the Lord to be strong and courageous knowing that God is their source of strength and protection. Dear heavenly father, words fail to express just how grateful we are for your goodness, for your love, and your mercy. Master, your word tells us that you've chosen

us. You have called us to come out from the world and be separate. You have called us to live lives that honor you, lives that serve you and please you. So father our prayer today is that you would help us. Give us the grace and the strength so that we would not be conformed to this world so that we would not be attached to the superficial values and the customs of this world but help us Lord to be transformed. Help us to be changed and renewed in our minds. God we thank you for making us

your own. We hold on to your word in 1 Peter 2:9 where it says, "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God. For he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Thank you, God, for being a father to the fatherless. Thank you for being our loadbearer, God. If it had not been for you, where would we be? We praise you, God, because even in your majesty and your

righteousness, you still care for us. You still forgive us time after time, even though we fall time and time again. God, we thank you for such mercy. And Lord, we pray that the Holy Spirit would put the understanding in our hearts that we can never be victorious in this life if we are not in Christ. Matthew 6:4 says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." You cannot serve God in mammon, money, possessions, fame, status,

or whatever is valued more than the Lord. Lord, right now we declare that you alone are our one and only master. You are our leader. Indeed, no one can serve two masters at once. Light and darkness do not mix. And so, Father, we choose to stand and follow the light of Christ. We commit to you, Lord Jesus. And our honest request is that the Holy Spirit would work within our hearts, that he would work within our minds so that we will have the kind of commitment that says, "Not my will, Lord, but your will is

all important." Truly, Father, it's not about my wants. It's not about my feelings, but it's all about you, Lord Jesus. Holy Spirit, give us the kind of heart that's so committed to the Lord that it's willing to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires. Help us to carry our cross, Lord Jesus. Your word in Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. In you, Father, I will be satisfied. In you, King Jesus, I will be nourished by your goodness. I glorify your name, Lord Jesus. Be

blessed. Be glorified. Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. It's in the name of Jesus that we pray and we give you thanks. Amen. And amen. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Notice something here, saints. It's through Jesus Christ that we are chosen by God. having predestined us to adoption as sons by

Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace by which he made us accepted in the beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. In him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also having believed you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's

very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God. For he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon, money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:es 3-5, "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people

hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering. Yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was on him. And by his wounds, we are healed. Now, I want to read you a few passages of scripture that should serve as a warning to all of us about pursuing ungodly sinful appetites. Romans 1:4 says, "Therefore God gave them up in the

lust of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves." A different translation says, "God also gave them up to uncleanness and the lusts of their hearts." Now, if you read Romans 1 26, the Bible says, "For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions, for their women exchange natural relations for those that are contrary to nature." And then if you move on to Romans 1:es 28-35, the Bible says, "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not

to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them, but give approval to those who practice them. So on three occasions, the Bible says these four words, God gave them up. God gave them up in the lust of their hearts. God gave them up to dishonorable

passions. God gave them up to a debased mind. Be warned that if you are persistent in entertaining that appetite for sin, if you choose to reject God and you don't repent, there are consequences. If you're consistent in feeding the appetite for ungodly things, you're telling the Lord that you do not want him. You don't desire to be with him. So I encourage you saints, let us starve any and every desire that we have for sin. Let us have an appetite for Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. Now let's pray together. Father, I come before you

today giving you thanks and giving you glory and praise. God, you alone are worthy. And as I come before you today, Father, I come with an open heart and an open mind. God, I ask that you look deep within me. May you look at what my appetites are. May you analyze what I yearn for. And should you find anything unclean or immoral, remove it, Lord. Remove that which does not please you. Lord Jesus, should you find that I have an appetite for any kind of uncleanliness, remove it, Lord. And God, I ask that you would

replace it with a godly passion. Ephesians 4:es 1-3. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace. God Almighty, I pray that you would give us pure and godly appetites. Lord, plant within us an insatiable desire to live a life that exhibits a godly character. Lord, we want to live a life that has integrity, a life

that expresses gratitude for the salvation that you've given us. Lord, help us to forsake self-righteousness. Help us to be free from addictions and any cravings for sin. Lord, you've not called us to impurity, but you have called us to live in holiness. I read in your word where it says in John 7:es 37-39 on the last day of the feast the great day Jesus stood up and cried out if anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink whoever believes in me as the scripture has said out of his heart will flow rivers of living

water. Now this he said about the spirit whom those who believed in him were to receive. For as yet the spirit had not been given because Jesus was not yet glorified. Lord we thirst for your living water. We come to you Lord Jesus because only you can satisfy the needs that are in our hearts. I pray that you give me an appetite to pray without ceasing. I pray that you'd give me a strong and passionate desire to worship you in spirit and in truth. Lord Jesus, give me a heart that seeks to praise you despite

my circumstances. May I have eyes that see your goodness in every situation, Lord. And father, I ask that you would help me to be a believer who is filled with the word. May I only find nourishment and fulfillment in you, King Jesus. 1 Peter 2:es 1-3. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk that by it you may grow up into salvation. If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Father, I have truly tasted your goodness. And I

pray for myself along with each and every person under the sound of my voice that we may find our ultimate fulfillment in your presence and in your presence alone. May we become uncomfortable when we are in situations or surroundings that are not pleasing to you. When we begin to entertain things that do not glorify you, God. Holy Spirit, I ask that you would make us uneasy. And I ask that we would become sensitive to your leading Holy Spirit, sensitive to your nudges, able to sense you in a way that we know when there's something that's

happening that's not pleasing to you, that's not glorifying to you, something that the enemy is trying to use to open a door in us. Father, make us ever so sensitive to that. May we find spiritual and emotional nourishment in your presence, Father, and all that we do, King Jesus. Let our appetite be to know you more, to walk with you more, to abide in you more. Let us be hungry for the one who's the bread of life. Let us thirst for the one who has living waters. Lord, I want to thank you for hearing this

prayer. May your name be blessed and honored forever more. It's in Jesus name that we pray and we give you thanks. Amen. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your love and grace. We thank you for the unmmerited favor that is upon our lives. We put our trust in you, a God who never fails us. Father, at this time, we ask that you remove every crutch from our lives. May we know you, King Jesus, to be enough. Remove everything that we lean on and trust in so that all that remains is you, Lord. Help us to

come to the knowledge and understanding that your grace is indeed sufficient. Your power is indeed made perfect in our weakness. Through all the situations we face, may we come to know and to see that your love, King Jesus, is enough. Your grace is enough. Your word is enough. Your joy is enough and outside of you, master, we need no one else and nothing else. Psalm 103:8 says, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy." So many things you have given us, Lord, that we do not deserve. So many times you've

forgiven us and shown us mercy only for us to fall again. But today, Master, we seek your forgiveness and repent. We thank you because instead of fear, you have given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Instead of sickness, you have given us the assurance that by your stripes we are healed. With all the times that we have sinned and fallen short, you still call for us to repent and follow you. And in addition to that, your arms are still open. Your word in Matthew 11 28-29 says, "Come to me all you

who labor and are heavy laden. I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. We did nothing to deserve this love. Yet you still offer it. And so we thank you. We are we're grateful and we appreciate your goodness, Lord Jesus. We do not deserve the protection you offer, but you still give your angels charge over us to keep us safe in our going out and in our coming in. And for that, we say thank

you, Lord. We certainly don't deserve the peace you've offered us. But yet, you still told us not to let our hearts be troubled because you are a God who supplies all of our needs. Our prayer, Lord, is that we may live in a way that honors you, that pleases you. Thank you for your amazing grace. A grace that saves, a a grace that forgives and shows us mercy. In your amazing grace, we are safe. We are secure and lack nothing because your grace is sufficient. Your word in second Peter 1:2 says, "Grace and peace be

yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." I bless your name, Father, for the grace and peace which you have multiplied in my life and over my family. I am grateful for your love and grace which has transformed my life. I only pray that my life will be an example, a living testimony of your grace and mercy and favor. You have made me an overcomer in this world. You have given me authority through the name of Jesus Christ. Authority which enables me to defeat the devil. You Lord have made me

more than a conqueror. You have made me the head and not the tail. You have placed me above and not beneath. All of these wonderful things are undeserved. But because you are a God who is rich in love, mercy, and grace, you have given me that which I do not deserve. And I am grateful. You, King Jesus, have given me the gift of eternal life because you love me enough to sacrifice your own life and hang on a cross so that I may be saved. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for pulling me out

of a desparing pit and placing me on steady ground. I thank you for making me in your image and in your likeness. I ask that you stay with me and stay by my side always. Great is your faithfulness, Master. Thank you for your amazing grace over my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Now, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite passages of scripture. I've read this portion in the Bible over and over again at different stages in my life and let me tell you it has strengthened me. I pray that it

will strengthen you today as well. Luke 12 verses 22-32. Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them, and you are far more valuable to him than any birds." Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little

thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing. Yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world. But

your father already knows your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives your father great happiness to give you the kingdom. One of the biggest enemies you will ever face will come in the form of worry and anxiety. And in life, I'm sure we can all agree that there will be some things that are in your control that you'll worry about. There will be things that are out of your control that you will worry about. And while it's

so easy to fall into a state of worry, in one of his teachings, Jesus gave us the message that we should not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. And I believe that the Lord was telling us to be present in the moment, to be at peace today, to be joyful today. If you spend all your time and energy worrying, then you will always magnify the lack in your life or the pain in your life. Worry is all to do with if. if I can't pay this, if I don't get treated, if they

find something. But instead, you should choose to adopt a new attitude where you do not worry about tomorrow. An attitude where you're thanking the Lord for today. You're thanking God for his goodness even while you're waiting on your miracle. You're thanking God for what he has provided even though there are things that you lack. When you do this, then you magnify Jesus Christ instead of magnifying your problem. But here's what the Bible says in Matthew 6:es 25- 27. Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you

will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? The Bible also says in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

I believe that the Lord wants us to stop worrying, to stop pondering and wondering about what might happen tomorrow. Stop spending your effort and your energy thinking about what could happen tomorrow or even what should happen. You are blessed in this very moment and on this day. One pastor said, "Don't borrow trouble." And that means don't worry about all the whatifs that we could face someday. What if there is a health crisis, a financial setback, or or even some unimaginable type of problem? Don't borrow trouble for the future, but instead walk by faith and not

by sight. So, I encourage you today to stay present with the Lord. Stay present in your mind and in your soul. Do that by acknowledging Psalm 118:4. This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. So you see friends, our Lord has told us not to be anxious about our life. This means that we should not allow the things of this life to affect us to the point that we become fearful and filled with worry because we are in the care of an almighty God. Now friends, with

this understanding that God cares for us and that he will provide for us, let us pray to cast down fear and worry and to trust in our almighty God. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your goodness. Right now, as we come before your presence, I come against every worry that plagues the hearts and minds of every believer listening right now. I declare in the name of Jesus that we are not anxious about anything because you, Lord, are in control. I declare that we are at peace in our hearts and it is well with us. It

is well because we are in your care. When we are unsure, we trust you to a clear path where there seems to be no way. Where we do not see, we trust you, Lord, to guide us. When we are in distress, we look to you for help, Lord Jesus. And when we are in danger, we look to you for shelter. It is well in our minds because we've been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. We magnify you, Lord Jesus. Jesus, we magnify you above. We magnify you above the troubles of tomorrow. We magnify you

and put you above every health crisis, every financial setback, and every problem. Father God, we will not worry about tomorrow because your word says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." You are with us, Lord, and we are grateful as your children. We're grateful that you're with us, and your grace is always available and sufficient for our needs. We choose to focus on the healer instead of

the sickness. We choose to focus on the provider rather than the lack. We choose to focus on the way maker instead of the obstacles ahead. We choose to focus on you, King Jesus, because we find favor in you. We find protection in you and we find mercy in you, Lord. Father, we sincerely ask that you would open your ears to hear our cry. Give us a mind filled with peace. And during those times in which my heart is heavy, Lord, I pray that you would make my burdens light. Whenever the attacks of the enemy are

many, I pray that you would defend me. Lord, fight for me and for my family. God, I thank you for fighting my battles. Though the adversary prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, I confess that I will be kept safe by the blood of Jesus Christ. God will intervene in my circumstances. God will take away the worry and give me peace in my heart. May you intervene in all my affairs and show your might. David cried in Psalm 35:1 and said, "Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me.

Fight against those who fight against me." And so today, I too will call upon the name of the Lord so that he may plead my cause. I will call on the name of the Lord when I need divine intervention. I will ask you, my father in heaven, to step in just as you did for Daniel, just like you did for Elijah and even the way you did for Elisha. We invite you, Lord Jesus, to move in a mighty way. Move in a mighty way in our lives. Lord, clear every trap that the devil has hidden

in my path. I pray that you would guard my mind against discouraging and depressing thoughts. I rebuke all thoughts of worry and anxiety about what tomorrow holds about what the future may hold. Instead, I choose to have peace because I will have faith in you, Lord. And when the enemy throws darts of confusion and depression, doubt and even despair, when he tries to weaken my faith or steal my joy, I pray Lord Jesus that you will protect my mind with the helmet of salvation. Even in this present moment, if I do struggle to live with

the uncertainty of this world and all that is going on, I pray that you would help me to keep my mind focused on you. I bless your holy name and I thank you for hearing this prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. How do you spend your time? Most of us lead relatively normal lives. We go to work. We care for our families. We pursue our ambitions and personal interests. But apart from all the time we put into these things, how much attention do we actually give to God? How much effort

do we put to building a close relationship with Jesus Christ? The real question I want to ask you is, are you living for Jesus or are you content living life and simply putting Jesus Christ alongside everything and everyone else? In our world today, not only is there evil and trouble lurking at every corner, but there are all sorts of things vying for our attention. And it becomes so easy to be distracted from the things that really matter. However, my firm belief is that in this busy busy world, in the midst of all the chaos and

confusion, the voice of God is still calling out to us. However, it's up to us to listen. Hebrews 3:15 says, "As it is said today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." Proverbs 28:14 says, "Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity." What does it mean to have a hardened heart? It means spiritual blindness. It means insensitivity towards God's beauty and glory. It means chasing after our own desires instead of the things of God. But thankfully in his mercy

God has offered to change our hearts. God can change our hearts. Ezekiel 36 verse 26 says, "And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Since the beginning of time, God has been drawing us toward himself. Even when we stubbornly ignore him, he doesn't walk away. He never gives up on us. In the book of Matthew, Jesus compares his second coming to a great wedding feast, a joyful celebration of the

perfect union between Jesus Christ and his bride, the church. And so, we are invited to the greatest dinner banquet of all time. Have you responded to that invitation? Or are you putting it off until the last minute? Maybe you've become deafened to the sound of him knocking. Maybe your attention has been captured by other things like work and finances and romantic love. Those things seem important until you realize that they are only temporary. And when your life is over or Jesus returns, they will no longer be of any value. We all think we have more

time to get right with God. But the truth is that life is short. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Everything we do today matters on an eternal level. If Jesus came back today, would you be ready? Would you be able to say that your heart was firmly set on Christ? Now is the time to place your faith in Jesus from the foundation of the earth. He has been waiting for you. But his invitation won't stand forever. Because here's what the Bible says in Psalm 103:15-16. As for man, his days are like grass. He flourishes like a flower

of the field. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. Time is short. Life is short. So live with an urgency. You see, it's a natural tendency for us as humans to get complacent. We're creatures of comfort. We all have a tendency of putting things off that we know we should be doing in order to progress in our faith and our purpose. For example, you know you need to spend time in prayer. But how many times do you put it off? You know you ought to give

to that woman or help that man or spend time reading God's word. But how often do we have a lack of urgency when it comes to the things of God? If you read Proverbs 3 28, the Bible basically tells us not to wait until tomorrow when we have it in our power to act today. And then James 4:1 17 tells us that we are actually sinning when we know the good we should do and we don't do it. This should serve as a reality check for all of us today. If you hear his voice, don't

harden your heart. Instead, allow him to come in and change your life forever. Now, let us pray. Lord Jesus, I pray that you would forgive me for all the time I've wasted and chasing after these earthly things that will never satisfy me. Father, we as humans can spend so much of our lives trying to buy happiness. We could spend so much time chasing all these things concerning our careers, our families, and finances. But Father, I pray that you would redirect our focus, redirect our hearts to focus on you. You Lord have offered me, you've offered

us the greatest gift in the entire universe, which is the opportunity to spend an eternity with you in heaven. Your word says in Revelation 3 20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him and he with me. Lord, forgive me if all this time you've been gently knocking at my door, waiting for me to respond, and yet I have pushed you. Forgive me. Forgive me if time and time again I have chosen my own desires instead of you.

But Lord, I thank you for never giving up on me. I thank you for always loving me. I thank you for the Holy Spirit who continually convicts me and draws me toward you. Father, your word in James 4:14 says, "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." This is a sobering reminder of how short the life we live on this earth really is. And so Lord, I humble myself to accept your gift of grace and to start

living for you. I desire to live your will. I desire to be an effective Christian who has a burning passion to witness about the amazing love of Jesus Christ. Father, give me a heart that is sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. A heart that is sensitive to the voice of Jesus Christ. So that whenever you speak, I will be sensitive to your voice. Give me a willingness to listen. Help me to tune out every other voice in this loud and noisy world. Give me a spirit that is able to discern good from evil.

And as this world drifts further from you every day, I pray that I would draw closer and closer to you. Give me the ability to recognize when Satan is trying to lead me away from you. Father, help me not to backslide in my faith or begin to compromise with sin. Help me to be your faithful servant up until the day you return. Lord, make my heart receptive to you. Help me to recognize your hand in every earthly manner. Help me to see beyond the things that are right in front of me and teach me to

number my days. Matthew 24:44 says, "Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Lord, I know that my life is but a mist. Here today and gone tomorrow, but my hope is still in you. You are coming quickly like a thief in the night. And on that day, I pray that I'll be ready. Help me not to take anything for granted. Don't let my heart become hard towards you. Empower me to live each day for you as if it were my last. Father, I

thank you for the time you have given me. Help me to be wise in how I spend this time here on earth. I desire to draw close to you because when I read Psalms 27:1 to5, I am filled with confidence, hope, and peace. Because your word says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against

me, my heart shall not fear. Though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble. He will conceal me under the cover of his tent. He will lift me high upon a rock. I bless your name, Lord, and I thank you for

being the strength of my life. I pray that just like David, I may have only one desire, which is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Because if I abide in you, I am kept safe and well. I am hidden in your pavilion and set high upon a rock. Holy Spirit, I pray that you would birth an appetite for the word of God in my life. Birth a hunger in me which will draw me closer to him. Birth in me an appetite for prayer and worship. I come to

you, Lord Jesus, in recognition of your great might and power, in recognition of your love and mercy. I am seeking a relationship with you. A relationship that yields good fruit within me. A relationship that I know will bring peace and protection in my life. For a moment, I'd like for us to meditate on Psalm 31. In this psalm, we witness a range of emotions and experiences from deep distress to unwavering trust. Just like in our own lives, we move from season to season. We go from a time of peace and joy to a time of

challenge and difficulty. We go from a season where your faith is strong and sturdy to a season where your faith may be shaken and you just have to hold on. I believe Psalm 31 shows us the reality of life. The psalmist journey from sorrow to praise. It reflects the complexities of human emotion and it shows the transformative power of relying on God. It teaches us the importance of entrusting our lives to God's care even when we're facing adversity. And it reminds us of God's faithful protection and his unfailing love for us. And so Psalm 31:es

1- 24 verse one says, "Oh Lord, I have come to you for protection. Don't let me be disgraced. Save me for you do what is right." In this verse, the psalmist begins by expressing his trust in God's protection and his righteousness. He pleads for God to shield him from shame and rescue him from any situation that threatens his well-being. Verse two, "Turn your ear to listen to me. Rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe." The psalmist asks God to attentively hear his plea for help. He seeks God's

swift intervention, comparing him to a solid rock and a fortress where he can find safety and security. Verse three, you are my rock and my fortress for the honor of your name. Lead me out of this danger. The psalmist reaffirms his reliance on God's strength and protection. He emphasizes that God's reputation and honor are at stake and he asked to be rescued from imminent danger for the sake of God's name. Verse four, pull me from the trap my enemies set for me for I find protection in you alone. The psalmist acknowledges the schemes of his

enemies and he asked God to rescue him from their traps. He emphasizes his exclusive reliance on God for protection and safety. Verse 5, I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God. Here, the psalmist places his life and well-being into God's care, echoing Jesus's words on the cross. He entrusts himself to God's faithfulness and pleads for deliverance. Verse six, I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord. The psalmist expresses his disdain for those who worship idols or false gods. He contrasts this with his personal

trust in the true Lord, indicating his commitment to God's guidance and care. Verse 7, I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. The psalmist shifts to a tone of gratitude and joy. He rejoices in God's unwavering love and compassion, acknowledging that God is aware of his troubles and deeply cares for his emotional well-being. Verse 8, you have not handed me over to my enemies, but have set me in a safe place. The psalmist praises God for not allowing him

to fall into the hands of his enemies. He acknowledges God's intervention, placing him in a secure and protected position. Verse 9, have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. The psalmist humbly acknowledges his distress and sorrow. He asks for God's mercy, describing both the physical and emotional toll his troubles have taken on him. Verse 10, I am dying from grief. My years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength. I am wasting away from within. The psalmist continues to describe his suffering.

He attributes his physical and emotional decline to grief and he acknowledges the toll that sin has taken on his well-being. Verse 11, I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors. Even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way. The psalmist laments the social isolation he experiences. His enemies, neighbors, and even friends treat him with contempt and fear, avoiding him in public. Verse 12, I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot. The psalmist here

compares himself to an ignored and discarded object, highlighting the extent of his isolation and the lack of regard he receives. Verse 13. I have heard the many rumors about me and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me plotting to take my life. The psalmist acknowledges the rumors and threats that surround him. He describes the fear he faces due to the conspiracies and plots of his enemies who seek to harm him. Verse 14, "But I am trusting you, oh Lord, saying, you are my God." Amidst his difficulties, the psalmist declares his unwavering trust

in God. He affirms his relationship with God, acknowledging him as his Lord and source of security. Verse 15, "My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly." The psalmist entrusts his future to God's control, acknowledging God's sovereignty. He pleads for deliverance from those who relentlessly pursue him. Verse 16, let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. The psalmist seeks God's favor and intervention. He asks for God's love to manifest in his rescue, highlighting God's steadfast faithfulness. Verse 17, don't let me be disgraced, oh Lord,

for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced. Let them lie silent in the grave. The psalmist prays for protection from disgrace, emphasizing his call for God's help. He asks that the wicked face their own disgrace and silence in the face of God's judgment. Verse 18, silence their lying lips, those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly. The psalmist pleads for God to silence the lies and accusations of the wicked. He desires that those who falsely accuse the godly be held accountable. Verse 19, how great is the goodness you have

stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. Here the psalmist shifts to a tone of confidence in God's goodness. He acknowledges the abundance of blessings that God bestows upon those who fear and trust him. highlighting the impact of these blessings on a broader audience. Verse 20, you hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. The psalmist describes God's protective care. He emphasizes that God

hides and shelters his faithful ones from the schemes and accusations of their enemies. Verse 21. Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. The psalmist shifts to a tone of praise and gratitude. He acknowledges God's unfailing love and how God protected him when his city was threatened. Verse 22. In panic, I cried out. I am cut off from the Lord. But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. The psalmist reflects on a time of panic

and doubt. Despite his feelings of being cut off, he recognizes that God heard his cry for mercy and responded to his call for help. Verse 23. Love the Lord all you godly ones, for the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant. The Psalmist urges the godly to love the Lord. He emphasizes that God protects those who are loyal to him while dealing justly with the arrogant. Verse 24. So be strong and courageous all you who put your hope in the Lord. The psalmist concludes with a message of encouragement.

He urges those who place their hope in the Lord to be strong and courageous knowing that God is their source of strength and protection. Dear heavenly father, words fail to express just how grateful we are for your goodness, for your love, and your mercy. Master, your word tells us that you've chosen us. You have called us to come out from the world and be separate. You have called us to live lives that honor you, lives that serve you and please you. So, Father, our prayer today is that you would help us. Give us the grace

and the strength so that we would not be conformed to this world. So that we would not be attached to the superficial values and the customs of this world, but help us Lord to be transformed. Help us to be changed and renewed in our minds. God, we thank you for making us your own. We hold on to your word in 1 Peter 2:9 where it says, "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the

goodness of God. For he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Thank you, God, for being a father to the fatherless. Thank you for being our loadbearer. God, if it had not been for you, where would we be? We praise you, God, because even in your majesty and your righteousness, you still care for us. You still forgive us time after time, even though we fall time and time again. God, we thank you for such mercy. And Lord, we pray that the Holy Spirit would put the understanding in our hearts that we can

never be victorious in this life if we are not in Christ. Matthew 6:4 says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." You cannot serve God and mammon, money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord. Lord, right now we declare that you alone are our one and only master. You are our leader. Indeed, no one can serve two masters at once. Light and darkness do not mix. And so, Father, we choose

to stand and follow the light of Christ. We commit to you, Lord Jesus. And our honest request is that the Holy Spirit would work within our hearts, that he would work within our minds so that we will have the kind of commitment that says, "Not my will, Lord, but your will is all important." Truly, Father, it's not about my wants. It's not about my feelings, but it's all about you, Lord Jesus. Holy Spirit, give us the kind of heart that's so committed to the Lord that it's willing to crucify the flesh with its passions and

desires. Help us to carry our cross, Lord Jesus. Your word in Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. In you, Father, I will be satisfied. In you, King Jesus, I will be nourished by your goodness. I glorify your name, Lord Jesus. Be blessed. Be glorified. Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. It's in the name of Jesus that we pray and we give you thanks. Amen. And amen. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual

blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Notice something here, saints. It's through Jesus Christ that we are chosen by God. having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace by which he made us accepted in the beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches

of his grace. In him you also trusted. After you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. But you are not like that. For you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God. for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. No one can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will

be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon, money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:es 3-5, "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering. Yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for

our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was on him. And by his wounds, we are healed. Now, I want to read you a few passages of scripture that should serve as a warning to all of us about pursuing ungodly sinful appetites. Romans 1:4 says, "Therefore God gave them up in the lust of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves." A different translation says, "God also gave them up to uncleanness and the lusts of their hearts." Now, if you read Romans 1 26, the Bible says, "For this reason, God gave

them up to dishonorable passions, for their women exchange natural relations for those that are contrary to nature." And then if you move on to Romans 1:es 28-35, the Bible says, "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, hotty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know

God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them, but give approval to those who practice them. So on three occasions, the Bible says these four words, God gave them up. God gave them up in the lust of their hearts. God gave them up to dishonorable passions. God gave them up to a debased mind. Be warned that if you are persistent in entertaining that appetite for sin, if you choose to reject God and you don't repent, there are consequences. If you're consistent in feeding the appetite for ungodly things,

you're telling the Lord that you do not want him. You don't desire to be with him. So I encourage you saints, let us starve any and every desire that we have for sin. Let us have an appetite for Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. Now let's pray together. Father, I come before you today giving you thanks and giving you glory and praise. God, you alone are worthy. And as I come before you today, Father, I come with an open heart and an open mind. God, I ask that you look deep within me. May you look

at what my appetites are. May you analyze what I yearn for. And should you find anything unclean or immoral, remove it, Lord, remove that which does not please you. Lord Jesus, should you find that I have an appetite for any kind of uncleanliness, remove it, Lord. And God, I ask that you would replace it with a godly passion. Ephesians 4:es 1-3. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in

love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace. God Almighty, I pray that you would give us pure and godly appetites. Lord, plant within us an insatiable desire to live a life that exhibits a godly character. Lord, we want to live a life that has integrity, a life that expresses gratitude for the salvation that you've given us. Lord, help us to forsake self-righteousness. Help us to be free from addictions and any cravings for sin. Lord, you've not called us to impurity, but you have called us to live in holiness. I

read in your word where it says in John 7:es 37-39 on the last day of the feast the great day Jesus stood up and cried out if anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink whoever believes in me as the scripture has said out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. Now this he said about the spirit whom those who believed in him were to receive. For as yet the spirit had not been given because Jesus was not yet glorified. Lord we thirst for your living water. We come to you Lord Jesus

because only you can satisfy the needs that are in our hearts. I pray that you give me an appetite to pray without ceasing. I pray that you'd give me a strong and passionate desire to worship you in spirit and in truth. Lord Jesus, give me a heart that seeks to praise you despite my circumstances. May I have eyes that see your goodness in every situation, Lord. And father, I ask that you would help me to be a believer who is filled with the word. May I only find nourishment and fulfillment in you, King Jesus. 1

Peter 2:es 1-3. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk that by it you may grow up into salvation. If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Father, I have truly tasted your goodness and I pray for myself along with each and every person under the sound of my voice that we may find our ultimate fulfillment in your presence and in your presence alone. May we become uncomfortable when we are in situations or surroundings that are not pleasing

to you. When we begin to entertain things that do not glorify you, God. Holy Spirit, I ask that you would make us uneasy. And I ask that we would become sensitive to your leading. Holy Spirit, sensitive to your nudges, able to sense you in a way that we know when there's something that's happening that's not pleasing to you, that's not glorifying to you, something that the enemy is trying to use to open a door in us. Father, make us ever so sensitive to that. May we find spiritual and emotional nourishment in your presence, Father, and

all that we do, King Jesus. Let our appetite be to know you more, to walk with you more, to abide in you more. Let us be hungry for the one who's the bread of life. Let us thirst for the one who has living waters. Lord, I want to thank you for hearing this prayer. May your name be blessed and honored forever more. It's in Jesus name that we pray and we give you thanks. Amen. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your love and grace. We thank you for the unmmerited favor that is upon our lives.

We put our trust in you, a God who never fails us. Father, at this time, we ask that you remove every crutch from our lives. May we know you, King Jesus, to be enough. Remove everything that we lean on and trust in so that all that remains is you, Lord. Help us to come to the knowledge and understanding that your grace is indeed sufficient. Your power is indeed made perfect in our weakness. Through all the situations we face, may we come to know and to see that your love, King Jesus, is enough. Your grace is

enough. Your word is enough. Your joy is enough and outside of you, master, we need no one else and nothing else. Psalm 103:8 says, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy." So many things you have given us, Lord, that we do not deserve. So many times you've forgiven us and shown us mercy only for us to fall again. But today, Master, we seek your forgiveness and repent. We thank you because instead of fear, you have given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Instead of sickness, you

have given us the assurance that by your stripes we are healed. With all the times that we have sinned and fallen short, you still call for us to repent and follow you. And in addition to that, your arms are still open. Your word in Matthew 11 28-29 says, "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden. I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. We did nothing to deserve this love. Yet you

still offer it. And so we thank you. We are we're grateful and we appreciate your goodness, Lord Jesus. We do not deserve the protection you offer, but you still give your angels charge over us to keep us safe in our going out and in our coming in. And for that, we say thank you, Lord. We certainly don't deserve the peace you've offered us. But yet, you still told us not to let our hearts be troubled because you are a God who supplies all of our needs. Our prayer, Lord, is that we may live in a

way that honors you, that pleases you. Thank you for your amazing grace. A grace that saves, a a grace that forgives and shows us mercy. In your amazing grace, we are safe. We are secure and lack nothing because your grace is sufficient. Your word in second Peter 1:2 says, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." I bless your name, Father, for the grace and peace which you have multiplied in my life and over my family. I am grateful for your love and grace which has transformed

my life. I only pray that my life will be an example, a living testimony of your grace and mercy and favor. You have made me an overcomer in this world. You have given me authority through the name of Jesus Christ. Authority which enables me to defeat the devil. You Lord have made me more than a conqueror. You have made me the head and not the tail. You have placed me above and not beneath. All of these wonderful things are undeserved. But because you are a God who is rich in love, mercy, and grace, you have

given me that which I do not deserve. And I am grateful. You, King Jesus, have given me the gift of eternal life because you love me enough to sacrifice your own life and hang on a cross so that I may be saved. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for pulling me out of a desparing pit and placing me on steady ground. I thank you for making me in your image and in your likeness. I ask that you stay with me and stay by my side always. Great is your faithfulness, Master. Thank you for your

amazing grace over my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Now, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite passages of scripture. I've read this portion in the Bible over and over again at different stages in my life. And let me tell you, it has strengthened me. I pray that it will strengthen you today as well. Luke 12:es 22-32. Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear, for life is more than

food, and your body more than clothing." Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns. For God feeds them, and you are far more valuable to him than any birds. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? Look at the liies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing. Yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully

for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world. But your father already knows your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives your father great happiness to give you the kingdom. One of the biggest enemies you

will ever face will come in the form of worry and anxiety. And in life, I'm sure we can all agree that there will be some things that are in your control that you'll worry about. There will be things that are out of your control that you will worry about. And while it's so easy to fall into a state of worry, in one of his teachings, Jesus gave us the message that we should not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. And I believe that the Lord was telling us to be present in the

moment, to be at peace today, to be joyful today. If you spend all your time and energy worrying, then you will always magnify the lack in your life or the pain in your life. Worry is all to do with if. if I can't pay this, if I don't get treated, if they find something. But instead, you should choose to adopt a new attitude where you do not worry about tomorrow. An attitude where you're thanking the Lord for today. You're thanking God for his goodness even while you're waiting on your miracle. You're thanking God for what

he has provided even though there are things that you lack. When you do this, then you magnify Jesus Christ instead of magnifying your problem. But here's what the Bible says in Matthew 6:es 25- 27. Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? The Bible also says in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." I believe that the Lord wants us to stop worrying, to stop pondering and wondering about what might happen tomorrow. Stop spending your effort and your energy thinking about what could happen tomorrow or even what should happen. You are blessed in this very moment and

on this day. One pastor said, "Don't borrow trouble." And that means don't worry about all the whatifs that we could face someday. What if there is a health crisis, a financial setback, or or even some unimaginable type of problem? Don't borrow trouble for the future, but instead walk by faith and not by sight. So, I encourage you today to stay present with the Lord. Stay present in your mind and in your soul. Do that by acknowledging Psalm 118:4. This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. So

you see friends, our Lord has told us not to be anxious about our life. This means that we should not allow the things of this life to affect us to the point that we become fearful and filled with worry because we are in the care of an almighty God. Now friends, with this understanding that God cares for us and that he will provide for us, let us pray to cast down fear and worry and to trust in our almighty God. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your goodness. Right now, as we come before your presence,

I come against every worry that plagues the hearts and minds of every believer listening right now. I declare in the name of Jesus that we are not anxious about anything because you, Lord, are in control. I declare that we are at peace in our hearts and it is well with us. It is well because we are in your care. When we are unsure, we trust you to a clear path where there seems to be no way. Where we do not see, we trust you, Lord, to guide us. When we are in distress, we look to

you for help, Lord Jesus. And when we are in danger, we look to you for shelter. It is well in our minds because we've been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. We magnify you, Lord Jesus. Jesus, we magnify you above. We magnify you above the troubles of tomorrow. We magnify you and put you above every health crisis, every financial setback, and every problem. Father God, we will not worry about tomorrow because your word says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly

I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." You are with us, Lord, and we are grateful as your children. We're grateful that you're with us, and your grace is always available and sufficient for our needs. We choose to focus on the healer instead of the sickness. We choose to focus on the provider rather than the lack. We choose to focus on the way maker instead of the obstacles ahead. We choose to focus on you, King Jesus, because we find favor in you. We find protection in you and

we find mercy in you, Lord. Father, we sincerely ask that you would open your ears to hear our cry. Give us a mind filled with peace. And during those times in which my heart is heavy, Lord, I pray that you would make my burdens light. Whenever the attacks of the enemy are many, I pray that you would defend me. Lord, fight for me and for my family. God, I thank you for fighting my battles. Though the adversary prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, I confess that I will be kept safe

by the blood of Jesus Christ. God will intervene in my circumstances. God will take away the worry and give me peace in my heart. May you intervene in all my affairs and show your might. David cried in Psalm 35:1 and said, "Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me. Fight against those who fight against me." And so today, I too will call upon the name of the Lord so that he may plead my cause. I will call on the name of the Lord when I need divine intervention. I will ask you, my

father in heaven, to step in just as you did for Daniel, just like you did for Elijah and even the way you did for Elisha. We invite you, Lord Jesus, to move in a mighty way. Move in a mighty way in our lives. Lord, clear every trap that the devil has hidden in my path. I pray that you would guard my mind against discouraging and depressing thoughts. I rebuke all thoughts of worry and anxiety about what tomorrow holds about what the future may hold. Instead, I choose to have peace because I will have faith in

you, Lord. And when the enemy throws darts of confusion and depression, doubt and even despair, when he tries to weaken my faith or steal my joy, I pray Lord Jesus that you will protect my mind with the helmet of salvation. Even in this present moment, if I do struggle to live with the uncertainty of this world and all that is going on, I pray that you would help me to keep my mind focused on you. I bless your holy name and I thank you for hearing this prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I

pray. Amen. How do you spend your time? Most of us lead relatively normal lives. We go to work. We care for our families. We pursue our ambitions and personal interests. But apart from all the time we put into these things, how much attention do we actually give to God? How much effort do we put to building a close relationship with Jesus Christ? The real question I want to ask you is, are you living for Jesus or are you content living life and simply putting Jesus Christ alongside everything and everyone else? In our world today, not

only is there evil and trouble lurking at every corner, but there are all sorts of things vying for our attention. And it becomes so easy to be distracted from the things that really matter. However, my firm belief is that in this busy busy world, in the midst of all the chaos and confusion, the voice of God is still calling out to us. However, it's up to us to listen. Hebrews 3:15 says, "As it is said today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." Proverbs 28:14 says, "Blessed is the

one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity." What does it mean to have a hardened heart? It means spiritual blindness. It means insensitivity towards God's beauty and glory. It means chasing after our own desires instead of the things of God. But thankfully in his mercy God has offered to change our hearts. God can change our hearts. Ezekiel 36 verse 26 says, "And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and

give you a heart of flesh." Since the beginning of time, God has been drawing us toward himself. Even when we stubbornly ignore him, he doesn't walk away. He never gives up on us. In the book of Matthew, Jesus compares his second coming to a great wedding feast, a joyful celebration of the perfect union between Jesus Christ and his bride, the church. And so we are invited to the greatest dinner banquet of all time. Have you responded to that invitation or are you putting it off until the last minute? Maybe you've become deafened to the sound

of him knocking. Maybe your attention has been captured by other things like work and finances and romantic love. Those things seem important until you realize that they are only temporary. And when your life is over or Jesus returns, they will no longer be of any value. We all think we have more time to get right with God. But the truth is that life is short. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Everything we do today matters on an eternal level. If Jesus came back today, would you be ready? Would you be able to say that your heart was

firmly set on Christ? Now is the time to place your faith in Jesus from the foundation of the earth. He has been waiting for you. But his invitation won't stand forever. Because here's what the Bible says in Psalm 103:15-16. As for man, his days are like grass. He flourishes like a flower of the field. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. Time is short. Life is short. So live with an urgency. You see, it's a natural tendency for us as humans to get complacent. We're creatures

of comfort. We all have a tendency of putting things off that we know we should be doing in order to progress in our faith and our purpose. For example, you know you need to spend time in prayer, but how many times do you put it off? You know you ought to give to that woman or help that man or spend time reading God's word. But how often do we have a lack of urgency when it comes to the things of God? If you read Proverbs 3 28, the Bible basically tells us not to wait until

tomorrow when we have it in our power to act today. And then James 4:1 17 tells us that we are actually sinning when we know the good we should do and we don't do it. This should serve as a reality check for all of us today. If you hear his voice, don't harden your heart. Instead, allow him to come in and change your life forever. Now, let us pray. Lord Jesus, I pray that you would forgive me for all the time I've wasted and chasing after these earthly things that will never satisfy me. Father, we

as humans can spend so much of our lives trying to buy happiness. We could spend so much time chasing all these things concerning our careers, our families, and finances. But Father, I pray that you would redirect our focus, redirect our hearts to focus on you. You Lord have offered me, you've offered us the greatest gift in the entire universe, which is the opportunity to spend an eternity with you in heaven. Your word says in Revelation 3 20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will

come into him and eat with him and he with me. Lord, forgive me if all this time you've been gently knocking at my door, waiting for me to respond, and yet I have pushed you. Forgive me. Forgive me if time and time again I have chosen my own desires instead of you. But Lord, I thank you for never giving up on me. I thank you for always loving me. I thank you for the Holy Spirit who continually convicts me and draws me toward you. Father, your word in James 4:14 says, "Yet you do not know

what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." This is a sobering reminder of how short the life we live on this earth really is. And so Lord, I humble myself to accept your gift of grace and to start living for you. I desire to live your will. I desire to be an effective Christian who has a burning passion to witness about the amazing love of Jesus Christ. Father, give me a heart that is sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. A

heart that is sensitive to the voice of Jesus Christ so that whenever you speak, I will be sensitive to your voice. Give me a willingness to listen. Help me to tune out every other voice in this loud and noisy world. Give me a spirit that is able to discern good from evil. And as this world drifts further from you every day, I pray that I would draw closer and closer to you. Give me the ability to recognize when Satan is trying to lead me away from you. Father, help me not to backslide in my faith

or begin to compromise with sin. Help me to be your faithful servant up until the day you return. Lord, make my heart receptive to you. Help me to recognize your hand in every earthly manner. Help me to see beyond the things that are right in front of me and teach me to number my days. Matthew 24:44 says, "Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Lord, I know that my life is but a mist. Here today and gone tomorrow, but my hope is still

in you. You are coming quickly like a thief in the night. And on that day, I pray that I'll be ready. Help me not to take anything for granted. Don't let my heart become hard towards you. Empower me to live each day for you as if it were my last. Father, I thank you for the time you have given me. Help me to be wise in how I spend this time here on earth. I desire to draw close to you because when I read Psalms 27:1 to5, I am filled with confidence, hope, and peace. Because

your word says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to

gaze upon the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble. He will conceal me under the cover of his tent. He will lift me high upon a rock. I bless your name, Lord, and I thank you for being the strength of my life. I pray that just like David, I may have only one desire, which is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Because if I abide in you, I am kept safe and well.

I am hidden in your pavilion and set high upon a rock. Holy Spirit, I pray that you would birth an appetite for the word of God in my life. Birth a hunger in me which will draw me closer to him. Birth in me an appetite for prayer and worship. I come to you, Lord Jesus, in recognition of your great might and power, in recognition of your love and mercy. I am seeking a relationship with you. A relationship that yields good fruit within me. A relationship that I know will bring peace and protection in my life.

For a moment, I'd like for us to meditate on Psalm 31. In this psalm, we witness a range of emotions and experiences from deep distress to unwavering trust. Just like in our own lives, we move from season to season. We go from a time of peace and joy to a time of challenge and difficulty. We go from a season where your faith is strong and sturdy to a season where your faith may be shaken and you just have to hold on. I believe Psalm 31 shows us the reality of life. The psalmist journey from sorrow

to praise. It reflects the complexities of human emotion and it shows the transformative power of relying on God. It teaches us the importance of entrusting our lives to God's care even when we're facing adversity. And it reminds us of God's faithful protection and his unfailing love for us. And so Psalm 31:es 1- 24 verse 1 says, "Oh Lord, I have come to you for protection. Don't let me be disgraced. Save me for you do what is right." In this verse, the psalmist begins by expressing his trust in God's protection and his righteousness. He pleads for

God to shield him from shame and rescue him from any situation that threatens his well-being. Verse two, turn your ear to listen to me. Rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. The psalmist asks God to attentively hear his plea for help. He seeks God's swift intervention, comparing him to a solid rock and a fortress where he can find safety and security. Verse three, you are my rock and my fortress for the honor of your name. Lead me out of this danger. The psalmist reaffirms his reliance on God's

strength and protection. He emphasizes that God's reputation and honor are at stake and he asked to be rescued from imminent danger for the sake of God's name. Verse four, pull me from the trap my enemies set for me for I find protection in you alone. The psalmist acknowledges the schemes of his enemies and he asked God to rescue him from their traps. He emphasizes his exclusive reliance on God for protection and safety. Verse 5, I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God. Here, the psalmist places his life

and well-being into God's care, echoing Jesus's words on the cross. He entrusts himself to God's faithfulness and pleads for deliverance. Verse six, I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord. The psalmist expresses his disdain for those who worship idols or false gods. He contrasts this with his personal trust in the true Lord, indicating his commitment to God's guidance and care. Verse seven, I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul." The psalmist shifts to a tone

of gratitude and joy. He rejoices in God's unwavering love and compassion, acknowledging that God is aware of his troubles and deeply cares for his emotional well-being. Verse 8, you have not handed me over to my enemies, but have set me in a safe place. The psalmist praises God for not allowing him to fall into the hands of his enemies. He acknowledges God's intervention, placing him in a secure and protected position. Verse 9, "Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. The psalmist humbly

acknowledges his distress and sorrow. He asks for God's mercy, describing both the physical and emotional toll his troubles have taken on him. Verse 10, I am dying from grief. My years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength. I am wasting away from within. The psalmist continues to describe his suffering. He attributes his physical and emotional decline to grief and he acknowledges the toll that sin has taken on his well-being. Verse 11, I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors. Even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they

see me on the street, they run the other way. The psalmist laments the social isolation he experiences. His enemies, neighbors, and even friends treat him with contempt and fear, avoiding him in public. Verse 12, I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot. The psalmist here compares himself to an ignored and discarded object, highlighting the extent of his isolation and the lack of regard he receives. Verse 13. I have heard the many rumors about me and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my

life. The psalmist acknowledges the rumors and threats that surround him. He describes the fear he faces due to the conspiracies and plots of his enemies who seek to harm him. Verse 14, but I am trusting you, oh Lord, saying, you are my God. Amidst his difficulties, the psalmist declares his unwavering trust in God. He affirms his relationship with God, acknowledging him as his Lord and source of security. Verse 15, "My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly." The psalmist entrusts his future to God's control, acknowledging God's sovereignty. He

pleads for deliverance from those who relentlessly pursue him. Verse 16, let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. The psalmist seeks God's favor and intervention. He asks for God's love to manifest in his rescue, highlighting God's steadfast faithfulness. Verse 17, don't let me be disgraced, oh Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced. Let them lie silent in the grave. The psalmist prays for protection from disgrace, emphasizing his call for God's help. He asks that the wicked face their own disgrace and silence in the

face of God's judgment. Verse 18, silence their lying lips, those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly. The psalmist pleads for God to silence the lies and accusations of the wicked. He desires that those who falsely accuse the godly be held accountable. Verse 19, how great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. Here the psalmist shifts to a tone of confidence in God's goodness. He acknowledges the abundance of blessings that God bestows upon

those who fear and trust him. highlighting the impact of these blessings on a broader audience. Verse 20, you hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. The psalmist describes God's protective care. He emphasizes that God hides and shelters his faithful ones from the schemes and accusations of their enemies. Verse 21. Praise the Lord for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. The psalmist shifts to a tone

of praise and gratitude. He acknowledges God's unfailing love and how God protected him when his city was threatened. Verse 22. In panic, I cried out. I am cut off from the Lord. But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. The psalmist reflects on a time of panic and doubt. Despite his feelings of being cut off, he recognizes that God heard his cry for mercy and responded to his call for help. Verse 23. Love the Lord, all you godly ones, for the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he

harshly punishes the arrogant. The psalmist urges the godly to love the Lord. He emphasizes that God protects those who are loyal to him while dealing justly with the arrogant. Verse 24, so be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord. The psalmist concludes with a message of encouragement. He urges those who place their hope in the Lord to be strong and courageous, knowing that God is their source of strength and protection. Dear heavenly father, words fail to express just how grateful we are for your goodness, for your love, and your mercy.

Master, your word tells us that you've chosen us. You have called us to come out from the world and be separate. You have called us to live lives that honor you, lives that serve you and please you. So, Father, our prayer today is that you would help us. Give us the grace and the strength so that we would not be conformed to this world. so that we would not be attached to the superficial values and the customs of this world. But help us, Lord, to be transformed. Help us to be changed and renewed in our

minds. God, we thank you for making us your own. We hold on to your word in 1 Peter 2:9 where it says, "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God. For he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Thank you, God, for being a father to the fatherless. Thank you for being our loadbearer. God, if it had not been for you, where would we be? We praise you,

God, because even in your majesty and your righteousness, you still care for us. You still forgive us time after time, even though we fall time and time again. God, we thank you for such mercy. And Lord, we pray that the Holy Spirit would put the understanding in our hearts that we can never be victorious in this life if we are not in Christ. Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." You cannot

serve God and mammon, money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord. Lord, right now we declare that you alone are our one and only master. You are our leader. Indeed, no one can serve two masters at once. Light and darkness do not mix. And so, Father, we choose to stand and follow the light of Christ. We commit to you, Lord Jesus. And our honest request is that the Holy Spirit would work within our hearts. That he would work within our minds so that we will have the kind of commitment that says,

"Not my will, Lord, but your will is all important." Truly, Father, it's not about my wants. It's not about my feelings, but it's all about you, Lord Jesus. Holy Spirit, give us the kind of heart that's so committed to the Lord that it's willing to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires. Help us to carry our cross, Lord Jesus. Your word in Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. In you, Father, I will be satisfied. In you, King Jesus, I will be nourished by your

goodness. I glorify your name, Lord Jesus. Be blessed. Be glorified. Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. It's in the name of Jesus that we pray and we give you thanks. Amen. And amen. [Music] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in [Music] Christ. Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Notice something here, saints. It's through Jesus Christ that we are chosen

by God. having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace by which he made us accepted in the beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. In him you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also having believed you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. But you are not like that. For you are a

chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God. For he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon, money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:es 3-5, "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of

suffering and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering. Yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was on him. And by his wounds, we are healed. Now, I want to read you a few passages of scripture that should serve as a warning to all of us about pursuing ungodly sinful appetites.

Romans 1:4 says, "Therefore God gave them up in the lust of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves." A different translation says, "God also gave them up to uncleanness and the lusts of their hearts." Now, if you read Romans 1 26, the Bible says, "For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions, for their women exchange natural relations for those that are contrary to nature." And then if you move on to Romans 1:es 28-35, the Bible says, "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them

up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, hotty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. So on three occasions, the Bible says these four words, God gave them up. God gave them up in

the lust of their hearts. God gave them up to dishonorable passions. God gave them up to a debased mind. Be warned that if you are persistent in entertaining that appetite for sin, if you choose to reject God and you don't repent, there are consequences. If you're consistent in feeding the appetite for ungodly things, you're telling the Lord that you do not want him. You don't desire to be with him. So I encourage you saints, let us starve any and every desire that we have for sin. Let us have an appetite for Jesus Christ and Jesus

Christ alone. Now let's pray together. Father, I come before you today giving you thanks and giving you glory and praise. God, you alone are worthy. And as I come before you today, Father, I come with an open heart and an open mind. God, I ask that you look deep within me. May you look at what my appetites are. May you analyze what I yearn for and should you find anything unclean or immoral, remove it, Lord. Remove that which does not please you. Lord Jesus, should you find that I have an appetite for any kind of

uncleanliness, remove it, Lord. And God, I ask that you would replace it with a godly passion. Ephesians 4:es 1-3. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace. God Almighty, I pray that you would give us pure and godly appetites. Lord, plant within us an insatiable desire to live a life that exhibits a godly character. Lord,

we want to live a life that has integrity, a life that expresses gratitude for the salvation that you've given us. Lord, help us to forsake self-righteousness. Help us to be free from addictions and any cravings for sin. Lord, you've not called us to impurity, but you have called us to live in holiness. I read in your word where it says in John 7:es 37-39 on the last day of the feast the great day Jesus stood up and cried out if anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink whoever believes in me as the scripture

has said out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. Now this he said about the spirit whom those who believed in him were to receive. For as yet the spirit had not been given because Jesus was not yet glorified. Lord we thirst for your living water. We come to you Lord Jesus because only you can satisfy the needs that are in our hearts. I pray that you give me an appetite to pray without ceasing. I pray that you'd give me a strong and passionate desire to worship you in spirit and in truth. Lord

Jesus, give me a heart that seeks to praise you despite my circumstances. May I have eyes that see your goodness in every situation, Lord. And father, I ask that you would help me to be a believer who is filled with the word. May I only find nourishment and fulfillment in you, King Jesus. 1 Peter 2:es 1-3. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord

is good. Father, I have truly tasted your goodness and I pray for myself along with each and every person under the sound of my voice that we may find our ultimate fulfillment in your presence and in your presence alone. May we become uncomfortable when we are in situations or surroundings that are not pleasing to you. When we begin to entertain things that do not glorify you, God. Holy Spirit, I ask that you would make us uneasy. And I ask that we would become sensitive to your leading Holy Spirit, sensitive to your nudges, able to sense

you in a way that we know when there's something that's happening that's not pleasing to you, that's not glorifying to you, something that the enemy is trying to use to open a door in us. Father, make us ever so sensitive to that. May we find spiritual and emotional nourishment in your presence, Father. And all that we do, King Jesus, let our appetite be to know you more, to walk with you more, to abide in you more. Let us be hungry for the one who's the bread of life. Let us thirst for the one who has

living waters. Lord, I want to thank you for hearing this prayer. May your name be blessed and honored forever more. It's in Jesus' name that we pray and we give you thanks. Amen. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your love and grace. We thank you for the unmarited favor that is upon our lives. We put our trust in you, a God who never fails us. Father, at this time we ask that you remove every crutch from our lives. May we know you, King Jesus, to be enough. Remove everything that we lean on and trust in

so that all that remains is you, Lord. Help us to come to the knowledge and understanding that your grace is indeed sufficient. Your power is indeed made perfect in our weakness. Through all the situations we face, may we come to know and to see that your love, King Jesus, is enough. Your grace is enough. Your word is enough. Your joy is enough and outside of you, master, we need no one else and nothing else. Psalm 103:8 says, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy." So many things you have given

us, Lord, that we do not deserve. So many times you've forgiven us and shown us mercy only for us to fall again. But today, Master, we seek your forgiveness and repent. We thank you because instead of fear, you have given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Instead of sickness, you have given us the assurance that by your stripes we are healed. With all the times that we have sinned and fallen short, you still call for us to repent and follow you. And in addition to that, your arms are still open. Your

word in Matthew 11 28-29 says, "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden. I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. We did nothing to deserve this love, yet you still offer it. And so we thank you. We are we're grateful and we appreciate your goodness, Lord Jesus. We do not deserve the protection you offer, but you still give your angels charge over us to keep us safe in our going out

and in our coming in. And for that, we say thank you, Lord. We certainly don't deserve the peace you've offered us. But yet, you still told us not to let our hearts be troubled because you are a God who supplies all of our needs. Our prayer, Lord, is that we may live in a way that honors you, that pleases you. Thank you for your amazing grace. A grace that saves, a a grace that forgives and shows us mercy. In your amazing grace, we are safe. We are secure and lack nothing because your grace is sufficient.

Your word in second Peter 1:2 says, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." I bless your name, Father, for the grace and peace which you have multiplied in my life and over my family. I am grateful for your love and grace which has transformed my life. I only pray that my life will be an example, a living testimony of your grace and mercy and favor. You have made me an overcomer in this world. You have given me authority through the name of Jesus Christ. Authority which

enables me to defeat the devil. You Lord have made me more than a conqueror. You have made me the head and not the tail. You have placed me above and not beneath. All of these wonderful things are undeserved. But because you are a God who is rich in love, mercy, and grace, you have given me that which I do not deserve. And I am grateful. You, King Jesus, have given me the gift of eternal life because you love me enough to sacrifice your own life and hang on a cross so that I may be saved.

Thank you for saving me. Thank you for pulling me out of a desparing pit and placing me on steady ground. I thank you for making me in your image and in your likeness. I ask that you stay with me and stay by my side always. Great is your faithfulness, Master. Thank you for your amazing grace over my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Now, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite passages of scripture. I've read this portion in the Bible over and over again at different stages in my life. And let

me tell you, it has strengthened me. I pray that it will strengthen you today as well. Luke 12:es 22-32. Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them, and you are far more valuable to him than any birds." Can all your worries add a single moment

to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? Look at the liies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing. Yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things

dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world. But your father already knows your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives your father great happiness to give you the kingdom. One of the biggest enemies you will ever face will come in the form of worry and anxiety. And in life, I'm sure we can all agree that there will be some things that are in your control that you'll worry about. There will be things that are out of

your control that you will worry about. And while it's so easy to fall into a state of worry, in one of his teachings, Jesus gave us the message that we should not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. And I believe that the Lord was telling us to be present in the moment, to be at peace today, to be joyful today. If you spend all your time and energy worrying, then you will always magnify the lack in your life or the pain in your life. Worry is all to do with if. if I

can't pay this, if I don't get treated, if they find something. But instead, you should choose to adopt a new attitude where you do not worry about tomorrow. An attitude where you're thanking the Lord for today. You're thanking God for his goodness even while you're waiting on your miracle. You're thanking God for what he has provided even though there are things that you lack. When you do this, then you magnify Jesus Christ instead of magnifying your problem. But here's what the Bible says in Matthew 6:es 25- 27. Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious

about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns. And yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? The Bible also says in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious

for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." I believe that the Lord wants us to stop worrying, to stop pondering and wondering about what might happen tomorrow. Stop spending your effort and your energy thinking about what could happen tomorrow or even what should happen. You are blessed in this very moment and on this day. One pastor said, "Don't borrow trouble." And that means don't worry about all the whatifs that we could face someday. What if there is a health crisis, a financial setback, or or even some unimaginable type of problem? Don't borrow trouble

for the future, but instead walk by faith and not by sight. So, I encourage you today to stay present with the Lord. Stay present in your mind and in your soul. Do that by acknowledging Psalm 118:4. This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. So you see friends, our Lord has told us not to be anxious about our life. This means that we should not allow the things of this life to affect us to the point that we become fearful and filled with worry because we are

in the care of an almighty God. Now friends, with this understanding that God cares for us and that he will provide for us, let us pray to cast down fear and worry and to trust in our almighty God. Lord Jesus, we thank you for your goodness. Right now, as we come before your presence, I come against every worry that plagues the hearts and minds of every believer listening right now. I declare in the name of Jesus that we are not anxious about anything because you, Lord, are in control. I declare that we are at peace

in our hearts and it is well with us. It is well because we are in your care. When we are unsure, we trust you to a clear path where there seems to be no way. Where we do not see, we trust you, Lord, to guide us. When we are in distress, we look to you for help, Lord Jesus. And when we are in danger, we look to you for shelter. It is well in our minds because we've been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. We magnify you, Lord Jesus. Jesus, we magnify you above. We

magnify you above the troubles of tomorrow. We magnify you and put you above every health crisis, every financial setback, and every problem. Father God, we will not worry about tomorrow because your word says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." You are with us, Lord, and we are grateful as your children. We're grateful that you're with us, and your grace is always available and sufficient for our

needs. We choose to focus on the healer instead of the sickness. We choose to focus on the provider rather than the lack. We choose to focus on the way maker instead of the obstacles ahead. We choose to focus on you, King Jesus, because we find favor in you. We find protection in you and we find mercy in you, Lord. Father, we sincerely ask that you would open your ears to hear our cry. Give us a mind filled with peace. And during those times in which my heart is heavy, Lord, I pray that you would make

my burdens light. Whenever the attacks of the enemy are many, I pray that you would defend me. Lord, fight for me and for my family. God, I thank you for fighting my battles. Though the adversary prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, I confess that I will be kept safe by the blood of Jesus Christ. God will intervene in my circumstances. God will take away the worry and give me peace in my heart. May you intervene in all my affairs and show your might. David cried in Psalm 35:1 and said, "Plead

my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me. Fight against those who fight against me." And so today, I too will call upon the name of the Lord so that he may plead my cause. I will call on the name of the Lord when I need divine intervention. I will ask you, my father in heaven, to step in just as you did for Daniel, just like you did for Elijah and even the way you did for Elisha. We invite you, Lord Jesus, to move in a mighty way. Move in a mighty way in our

lives. Lord, clear every trap that the devil has hidden in my path. I pray that you would guard my mind against discouraging and depressing thoughts. I rebuke all thoughts of worry and anxiety about what tomorrow holds about what the future may hold. Instead, I choose to have peace because I will have faith in you, Lord. And when the enemy throws darts of confusion and depression, doubt and even despair, when he tries to weaken my faith or steal my joy, I pray, Lord Jesus, that you will protect my mind with the helmet of salvation. Even in

this present moment, if I do struggle to live with the uncertainty of this world and all that is going on, I pray that you would help me to keep my mind focused on you. I bless your holy name and I thank you for hearing this prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.