Joshua 6:21-23 (NIV)
21 They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living
thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys. 22 Joshua
said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the prostitute's house
and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to
her." 23 So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out
Rahab, her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They
brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of
Israel.

Joshua and his men had surrounded the city of Jericho. When the trumpets
sounded the walls fell and the men rushed in killing every living thing in
sight, except the family of Rahab. Rahab had been a prostitute of the city, but
she felt the calling of the Lord to help the men who spied out the city so she
and her family were spared.

Rahab, was probably considered one of the least of the city and probably also
considered one of the least by her family. Yet, she survived because she
believed in what God could do, and she redeemed her family because of her
faith. We never know what God will do with us when we turn to Him, despite the
sins we have had in our past. In Matthew 1 where it gives a genealogy of Jesus
it lists Rahab in the lineage of Christ. Never give up and believe God can't
use you. God is always looking to use those who put their trust in Him. Pray
God use me and let me trust You more. Let my faith be evident in life my that
others may see and know You.

AskMe, thankyou for the wonderful devotions. I look forward to reading them each day. The Lord Bless You!!

Lady

1 Kings 19:3-4 (NIV)
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah,
he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day's journey into the
desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might
die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my
ancestors."

Elijah was on the run from Jezebel. Jezebel had sworn she would kill Elijah, so
he feared for his life and ran into the desert almost the distance a marathon
runner would run, around 20+ miles. Tired, exhausted, thirsty, he sat down
under a tree and prayed that he might die. Elijah had turned to pity. He let
his problems and his fatigue tear down his attitude. Instead of asking the
Lord for strength he asked that he might die with all the others who Jezebel
had put to death.

For some reason most of us presume the outcome of our problem before we even
give God a chance to deal with it. Some people will try to run from their
problems thinking if they can get far enough away their problems will vanish.
But notice the problem was still there for Elijah. He was 20 miles away and the
problem was still there. Later he even walks for 40 days and 40 nights and the
problem was still there. You can't run away from problems, because eventually
you have to deal with them. God is there to help us with our problems. In
Jeremiah 29, 12-13, it says, "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and
pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me,
when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Instead of running away we
need to be running to God. We need to be seeking Him out and going to Him in
prayer to let Him handle the outcome of our situations. Pray and turn your
problems over to God. Let Christ work in your life to heal and fix the places
that need mending. Pray and seek out our Lord and Savior instead of running
away from things you can't fight. May God bless your day. Amen

Joshua 5:13-15 (NIV)
13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in
front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked,
"Are you for us or for our enemies?"
14 "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now
come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him,
"What message does my Lord have for his servant?" 15 The commander of the
LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are
standing is holy." And Joshua did so.

Joshua and his men were walking up to the walls of Jericho when they
encountered a man with his sword prepared. Joshua challenged him to identify
himself as being for them or against them, but the man said he was the
commander of the army of the Lord. The preincarnate Christ was there to lead
the battle for God and take Joshua to victory.

Every day Christians go into battle. Just do a search on the internet for
words, "Christian battles" and see the battles that are taking place. There are
struggles with persecutions; restrictions on where scriptures can be read;
battles in schools over what children can be taught; Christian principles over
doctrine; sexual temptations; Gays calling out for church marriages; Keeping
Christmas a holiday. And that is just a small list in comparison to the
battles taking place in the lives of individuals. The one comforting fact to
know is that God is there with us in our battles. And we can rest assured for
those really big important battles that God has an army of angels there
defending us. Joshua 1:9 says, " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God
will be with you wherever you go." Pray for peace remembering God is there in
the battles of life. Pray knowing God was already at work in your life
preparing a defense to the war. Give thanks to Lord for his mercy and
salvation, great is His holy name.

Mark 11:15-18 (NIV)
15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to
drive out the merchants and their customers. He knocked over the tables of the
money changers and the stalls of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped
everyone from bringing in merchandise. 17 He taught them, "The Scriptures
declare, `My Temple will be called a place of prayer for all nations,' but you
have turned it into a den of thieves." 18 When the leading priests and teachers
of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill
him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so enthusiastic about
Jesus' teaching.

Jesus had been to the temple the previous day and had carefully observed
everything taking place in the temple. When He arrived the next day Jesus began
to remove the merchants and customers from the temple. The temple had become a
place of routines and customs instead of a place of genuine prayer and
repentance. Jesus expressed a righteous anger over the things taking place in
the temple. The people listened closely to Jesus, but the religious leaders
planned to kill Jesus for his actions, perhaps because He had cost them their
income.

I'm sure you have seen the TV shows where the parents go away for the weekend
leaving the teenager at home and the next thing that happens is a party is
being planned at their house. Before the teen knows it the party is out of
control, kids are all over the house, music is blaring, drinks and food are
being spilled, cars are parked everywhere, and the police are on their way.
Jesus probably felt like the parent returning home just to wonder what was
going on. I'm sure God looks at our churches today and wonders what we are
doing. Churches are meant to reach out to others and yet on Christmas day when
there are so many that could use a reaching hand churches are going to close
because Christmas will fall on Sunday. Our Lord's birthday falls on His day of
worship and there are those who will lock their doors to the world because of
inconvenience . Pray that there might be those who will open their doors to the
needy, the helpless, the homeless and poor on Christmas day. Pray that God's
word may be preached on the day of His birth to everyone who wants to hear. May
the word of His salvation be available to all.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

Paul is writing to the Corinthians about the grace of love. He had told them you can have the gift of knowledge or the faith to move mountains, but without someone to show people the love of Christ, it's meaningless. So he goes on to describe what love is not and what love is.

There is a phrase people use that misrepresents love, "He says he loves me, but he is not in love with me." First off what is love: patience, kindness, protectiveness, trusting, hopeful, truthful, preserving, never failing. Those are some strong words, which show a lot of faith in a person. Second, look at what love is not. It's not envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, easily angered or evil. In order to love a person there are some very strong commitments that take place. Love is just not about feelings, it's about a relationship, commitment and your determination to honor Christ. But for a person to say they love someone, but THEY ARE NOT IN LOVE WITH THEM means it's just about how they feel at the moment. I love my wife, but if we are having a disagreement at the moment I'm not feeling very loving at that second. If I just went on those feelings then I would never feel like I loved her. So love cannot be just about how you feel at the moment. Look at Paul's words and see that love is about commitments as well. Pray for God's understanding of Love that He would make your love in relationships stronger. May He allow your love to be Christ like and more than just a feeling.

Deuternomy 30:19-20 (NIV)
19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The Israelites were about to cross into Jordan. Moses had read to the people the laws, along with the blessings and the curses the Lord was to give for obedience or their rebelliousness. But the message was for them to choose a life for God. They were to love the LORD, always listening, ,always holding on to Him, always keeping His word. And the fruit was a blessed life, not only for them, but also for their children.

Have you chosen life? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior then you have chosen life. Life in Christ means receiving a full, abundant, eternal life. 1 John 5:12 says, "He who has the Son has life". But there is also a blessing here on earth as we listen to the Lord and follow His words. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Satan is the thief who seeks to steal away our abundant life. When we become rebellious, when we turn from God, when we seek after our own desires we allow the thief to start stealing our abundant life here on earth. And while our eternal life is secure, we can damage our witness to others, and even loose a blessed life for our children. Pray that you continue to seek after God's abundant life here on earth. Look for His goodness and follow His will for your life. Always praise His holy name and give thanks for the salvation through His son Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)
6 So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary
for you to endure many trials for a while. 7 These trials are only to test your
faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and
purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if
your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you
much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the
whole world.

Peter is writing to Christians who have been scattered throughout the nations.
Peter is preparing them for the hardships they will possibly face as they live
out their Christian faith. He tells them there will be trials of faith that
will take place, but these are to purify their faith, to make it stronger. And
if their faith remains strong it will be something to celebrate when Christ
returns.

If someone walked up to you and said, "Be joyful! Distress, suffering and pain
is about to come your way.", wouldn't you think they had lost their mind? How
can a person even think about joy when they are about to face horrible
problems? James tells us to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you
face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith
develops perseverance." So the joy to be found is that God is maturing us,
completing us and shaping us to be more like the person he wants us to be. The
trials we go through may not be pleasant or desired, but God has a purpose for
putting us through those trials. Maybe you have experienced or are experiencing
a test of faith. Pray that God would strengthen your faith in Him and help you
endure whatever trial you face. Look for the joy of things to come, knowing
that he is building and molding who you are.

Proverbs 23:29-35 (NLT)
29Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always
complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30It is the
one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. 31Don't let
the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you. 32For in the end it bites
like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper. 33You will see
hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. 34You will stagger like a sailor
tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. 35And you will say, "They hit me,
but I didn't feel it. I didn't even know it when they beat me up. When will I
wake up so I can have another drink?"

The wisdom of Solomon spoken through the words of proverbs in regards to
drinking alcohol. He speaks of the effects it has on the body when a person
over indulges. And he talks about the long term affects of the addiction. It's
not a pleasant drink as first thought, but one that is like a deadly snake
lingering to kill the person who takes it.

What Solomon doesn't talk about is the effect alcohol has on many families.
There are families this Christmas who are celebrating without loved ones
because someone drove under the influence and killed someone dear to them. Or
there are families without husbands or wives present because their addictions
have caused them to go down the wrong road due to their alcohol use. If you
know someone who has an alcohol addiction or maybe you are struggling yourself
do what it takes to get help. Pray that God would intervene and provide help.
Pray for deliverance that another person can be turned from an addiction that
ruins families and tears down a person. May Jesus Christ repair, rebuilt and
strengthen those in need. Amen

1 Timothy 1:8-11 (NLT)
8We know these laws are good when they are used as God intended. 9But they were not made for people who do what is right. They are for people who are disobedient and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who murder their father or mother or other people. 10These laws are for people who are sexually immoral, for homosexuals and slave traders, for liars and oath breakers, and for those who do anything else that contradicts the right teaching 11that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.

Paul is writing to Timothy about those in Ephesus who are teaching incorrectly. Their teaching have been causing speculations and arguments instead of creating a Christian life filled with love and sincere faith. So Paul lists out who these laws are intended for so the teachings might be made known to them.

There are always those who try to pervert God's teachings, Hollywood being one of biggest offenders. The movie "Family Stone" is one such example. The movie is about a family that gathers for Christmas. One of the sons brings home a potential fiancee, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, who is mistreated by the entire family. Another son who is gay has brought home his gay lover. At the dinner table the mother says, "I wish all my sons had been gay". Sarah Jessica Parker replied, "you don't mean that, do you?", and she got a stern yes from the mother, which ensued a debate and harsh words from the mother and father. Frustrated and unsupported by her boyfriend, Sarah Jessica Parker leaves the table. The mother then looks over at the gay son and says, "you are more perfect than any "*obscenity*" at this table and I love you". SOMEHOW the words "more perfect" just don't fit. Hollywood is saying being gay is more perfect than being heterosexual. Once again they are perverting God's teachings. We need to see clearly the lies being given to us and understand how God's word is being twisted to influence our lives. Pray that you see where the media, Hollywood and other sources are trying to influence your mind against God. Ask God to give you clear guidance on what is right and wrong. Ask that he might guide you in His teachings that your wisdom might grow.

Proverbs 18:24 (NASV)
24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks
closer than a brother.

The wisdom of Solomon providing a contrast of a multitude of friends who do
nothing for the individual but bring them to ruin, versus the single friend who
sticks close by. Solomon more than likely reflected on the stories he heard his
father tell of his friendship with Jonathan.

Emotional loneliness can occur in the midst of a crowd. It's when we feel there
is no one we can share our feelings with or take our deepest concerns to. Some
people will go to the extreme of developing many superficial friendships trying
to mask their feelings. They think by having many friends and keeping life at a
superficial level they will never have to deal with the tough issues in life.
But by never dealing with the problems in life the problems eventually become a
disease that eats away at the heart and brings a person to ruin. Jesus said to
His disciples in John 15:15, " Henceforth I call you not servants; for the
servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all
things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." Jesus wants
to be our closest friend, sharing with us the wisdom of God. He sticks close to
us, guiding us, leading us, protecting us, comforting us, and loving us. Pray
and thank Jesus for His friendship and genuine love. Know that no other person
cares for you as a friend as Jesus does.

John 8:4-9 (NIV)
4"Teacher," they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the very act of
adultery. 5The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?" 6They were
trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus
stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7They kept demanding an
answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, stone her. But let those who
have never sinned throw the first stones!" 8Then he stooped down again and
wrote in the dust. 9When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by
one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the
crowd with the woman.

Pharisees and teachers of the law came forward as accusers bringing a woman who
had been caught in adultery. These who knew the law presented their accusations
to Jesus hoping He would say something they could use against Him. But Jesus
stooped to the ground and started writing in the dust. While no one knows what
Jesus wrote, it's possible Jesus wrote out the 10 commandments to remind the
"teachers of the law" all 10 commandments instead of just the 1 they were
focusing on. One by one the accusers left, the oldest first perhaps because
life's experience gave them more wisdom to see their own faults and accept
their sin.

The book of Revelation tells us the Devil stands before God accusing God's
faithful day and night. But Jesus said of Satan in John 8, "When he lies, it is
consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies." Jesus
our savior knows the truth. Satan can accuse all day long, but the truth is
Jesus paid the price for our sins and Jesus will stand up for us all day and
night defending us. Jesus is our greatest friend and we should never, never
forget. If you have ever felt the weight of the accuser against you, remember
his character. Then remember the character of your Lord and Savior, His
greatness, His love, His kindness, His truthfulness, His mercy, His grace, His
understanding, His compassion, His peace. Pray and acknowledge the Lord for who
He is.

Proverbs 18:19 (Amplified Bible)
19 A brother offended is harder to be won over than a strong city, and [their]
contentions separate them like the bars of a castle.

The wisdom of Solomon speaks to quarrels among brothers and close friends.
Once a brother or close friend is offended it can be difficult to reconcile the
problem. The arguments that ensue can separate each other like the bars of a
castle keep the people apart.

Charles Dickens stories included family harmony and fireplace scenes with
gatherings of family and friends. But in Dickens real life his extended family
constantly put a drain on his finances, which left him uncomfortable and
anxious. Dickens demanded loyalty from his friends, but when he separated from
his wife Catherine those not sympathetic to him felt his wrath. Dickens lost
friends and it would often be years before he would reconcile with them. In one
case it took a grave side gathering of a common friend for Dickens to reconcile
with one friend. The Bible tells us if we expect God to forgive us, we need to
learn to forgive our brother. We should not harbor resentment but offer God's
loving grace. Are there broken relationships in your life between family or
friends? Pray that God would give you the strength to extend mercy and grace to
those who might have offended you. Ask that you might be able to reach out to
them in order to heal your relationship. And if you have offended someone go to
that person and ask their forgiveness. Ask God for his loving grace to be with
you.

1 Corinthians 10:11-12 (The Message)
11 These are all warning markers--DANGER!-in our history books, written down so
that we don't repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel--
they at the beginning, we at the end--and we are just as capable of messing it
up as they were. 12 Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt.
You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-
confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.

The apostles were trying to convince the Corinthians not to have communion with
idolaters. Examples of the past were set before them as reminders of what had
happened before for ignoring the Lord. They were told history serves as
reminders not to repeat mistakes. No one is exempt and it's easy for every to
fall to sin. It's not self confidence that keeps one from sin, but confidence
in God.

The mistakes and concerns the apostles were addressing over 2000 years ago are
still being made today. We are just as capable of messing up as they were. They
were back at the beginning of history and now we are towards the end. And just
like those in the past we are not exempt from falling on our face for being
overly self confident. The problem is when we become reliant on self our need
for God diminishes. As the words of The Message says, we need to CULTIVATE GOD-
CONFIDENCE. We need to let God work in our lives to the point we have full
confidence in everything He will do. Where are you with your confidence in God.
Pray that God will show you how confident you are in Him. Pray that God will
cultivate your confidence in Him. Look for opportunities for God to show you
what He can do in your life.

Genesis 38:24-26 (NIV)
24 About three months later Judah was told, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar is
guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant." Judah said,
"Bring her out and have her burned to death!" 25 As she was being brought out,
she sent a message to her father-in-law. "I am pregnant by the man who owns
these," she said. And she added, "See if you recognize whose seal and cord and
staff these are." 26 Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous
than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." And he did not sleep with
her again.

Judah's first born son Er died and left his widow Tamar. Custom allowed the
brothers to father a child in order that there might be an heir. Onan, Judah's
second son was put to death by the Lord because he purposely kept from
impregnating Tamar. Judah then sent his daughter-in-law back to her father
because he worried his youngest son Shelah might die having to fulfill his duty
when he was old enough. Then Judah thinking he had met a prostitute along the
road gave Tamar his seal, cord and staff for credit for her services. Tamar
became purposely pregnant with Judah's child because she saw that Judah had not
fulfilled his promise of sending Shelah to her when he was grown. And in the
end Judah recognized Tamar's purpose was more right than his own.

Proper leadership in families is important. Judah was responsible for choosing
Tamar as Er's wife. Judah assigned Onan the duty of fathering a child. Judah
promised Tamar a child by Shelah, but did not keep his promise. Judah chose to
sleep with his daughter-in-law thinking she was a prostitute. Judah was quick
to condemn Tamar without the facts. Judah's leadership was failing because in
all that he did you never see him spending time with the Lord. Men are you
spending time with the Lord learning how you should lead your home? If not you
are on the same dangerous path as Judah. Pray that God will make you the leader
of your home. Ask for guidance in decisions that affect your family. Let Christ
walk with you keeping you on the paths away from sin so your family prospers
and grows under the Lords guidance.

Genesis 11:5-9 (NIV)
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." 8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel —because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

God being a just and fair god went down to the city of Babel and saw what the people were doing. They were building a city, 1) to make a name for themselves, 2) not to be scattered across the earth, 3) with a tower to reach the heavens. God had already told Noah he and his sons were to multiply and fill the earth so these descendants of Noah were violating God's desire. Next they were committing idolatry by wanting to make a name for themselves and building a tower to reach the heavens. Instead of destroying everyone God created different languages for everyone to speak and scattered the people all over the face of the earth. If the people were unwilling to move as God said, God was willing to move them.

God made King Solomon the wisest man to have ever lived. God imparted to Solomon knowledge and understanding directly from God Himself. As the 1st book of Proverbs starts out it says, "The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; ". God taught Solomon the importance of doing what is right, just and fair and Solomon passed that on for the rest of us to apply in our lives. At the tower of Babel God let the punishment fit the crime and was right, just and fair in His discipline of the people. We need to make sure we treat others in the same way and that we are always right, fair and just. Pray and thank God that as a sinner God was fair and just to offer His son Jesus as a sacrifice to you that if you believed in Him you would not perish, but have ever lasting life. Pray that God would let you have mercy on others that you might be fair and just, never condemning someone unjustly. Always asking God for His will to be done, His grace and mercy to be extended and His love to abound.

Galatians 5:16-18 (NLT)
16 So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then
you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The old sinful nature
loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And
the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature
desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices
are never free from this conflict. 18 But when you are directed by the Holy
Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.

In Galatians Paul writes that a person has a new life in the Holy Spirit and
they should live according to that new life. Living according to the Holy
Spirit is in conflict to the sinful nature of the flesh. The two oppose each
other and create conflicts in the choices that are made in life. But one
reassurance is if we are directed by the Holy Spirit, then we are not subject
to the law.

The battle between good and evil has always been a favorite subject of authors.
Usually good triumphs over evil and we find the hero victorious. But Galatians
tells us our choices are never free from the conflict of our sinful nature
pulling against what the Holy Spirit would choose. But unlike stories where the
hero triumphs, sin can win out in the choices we make. That is why it is
important we live according to the Holy Spirit so that we make the right
choices. We need God's guidance so that our own sinful lusts and desires don't
influence our choices. It's so easy for us to follow what the world would have
us to do without God in our lives. Pray that the Holy Spirit would direct your
paths. Thank Jesus that because of His blood you are no longer subject to the
law that once held you in slavery. Know that no matter what choice you make
Jesus loves you and will always be there with you.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you
need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience
God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Paul writing to the Philippians he was close to encourages them not to worry,
but instead to pray about everything. He tells them God's peace comes from
asking for what you need and thanking Him for what you have received. God's
peace is more wonderful than one can understand and will guard one's heart and
mind as they live in Christ.

What can be gained by worry? If you worry more will anything change? Of course
the answer is no. No matter how much we worry about something the result is
going to remain the same. However when we pray we can be at peace because we
know God will be in control of the result no matter what that result might be.
As we give our life to Jesus His peace will rule in our life and the worries we
might normally have will lessen. Pray that God will take away your worries and
meet your needs. Pray for His peace to rule in your heart and mind. Allow Jesus
to live in you so that you become more like Him with each passing day.

Isaiah 53:10-12 (NLT)
10 But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet
when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of
children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's plan will
prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous
servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will
bear all their sins. 12 I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and
great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were
sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.

Long before the arrival of Jesus Isaiah wrote about the saving grace of the
Lord. He described Christ's death and those who would be saved through his
death. Christ who suffered for ALL and bore ALL sins was satisfied to see what
He accomplished. While he did not sin, he was counted among sinners and
interceded for those same sinners.

There is a saying that those who fail to plan, plan to fail. If you have ever
had to run a complicated project or put together something with many parts you
probably understand the need for a plan. God in His infinite wisdom understood
the need for a plan. So God put a plan in place for Christ to bare the sins of
many sinners and for them to be counted righteous. They become children, heirs
to God's kingdom and they prosper according to His plan. Aren't you thankful
for a God who plans for your future, who has had you in mind from long ago.
Pray that God continues to unfold His plan for your life. Thank Him for all
that He has done so far. Thank Him for His plan of salvation that He so freely
gave us all.

Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)
7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions
with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was
heard because of his reverent submission.

In Gethsemane Jesus lifted up His prayers not once, but three times with loud
cries and tears. Yet those who were close to Him did not even support Him, He
was alone in His moments with God. He feared His separation from the Father,
but yet submitted to the Father's will. And His prayers were heard, not that
the cup of spiritual death was taken from Him, but that His will was
strengthened, that his faith might be unwavering and that He could hold fast
until His final cry.

Christ is our intercessor in prayer. Who better understands prayer than our
Lord. The book of Romans says Jesus is at the right hand of God making
intercession for us. There is no one that will separate us from His love
because He understands and knows our weaknesses and infirmities. When we pray
and make our requests He pleads for what is best for us. We may not have our
exact desires met, but God will meet our needs and strengthen us for the
journey ahead. God wants to keep our faith unwavering, He wants us to be
strong and faithful, He wants us close to Him, but unlike Jesus we will never
have to go through being separated from God as long as we are one of His
children. Christ paid that price for us. Pray and thank Christ for his
unwavering faith even through his tears. Know that His spiritual death was in
obedience to the Father. Give thanks to the Lord and bless His name. Know that
your prayers are heard when you submit in obedience to the Lord.