Gifts From God - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

In times of hardship, take a moment to marvel at the evidence of God's love and care all around you.

James 1:12-18

In today’s passage, James writes, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (v. 17).

Have you ever taken a moment to marvel at the abundance of blessings in your life? The air you breathe, the sun that warms your face, and the love of family and friends are all tremendous gifts. Everything we enjoy has been freely bestowed on us by a loving Creator who doesn’t ever change—who never gives us cause for doubt or uncertainty.

Our lives, on the other hand, are constantly shifting, and we will find pleasant times interspersed with periods of hardship and sadness. Thankfully, we can always rely upon our God, whose good gifts are meant to remind us of His unchanging nature. Even when we face pain and a

Realizing Your Reward - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

"Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:11-12).

The sacrifices you make for Christ’s sake in this life will be abundantly compensated for in Heaven.

God's promise for those who are persecuted for His sake is that their reward in heaven will be great (Matt. 5:11). Jesus said, "Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, shall receive many times as much, and shall inherit eternal life" (Matt. 19:29).

Focusing on that promise instead of your present circumstances is how you can experience happiness amid suffering. That was Paul's great confidence even as he faced certain death. In 2 Timothy 4:8 he declares, "In the future there is laid up for me

A PRAYER TO REMEMBER GOD IS ENOUGH

God, thank You for giving me everything I need to live a godly life. Because of Your Spirit within me, I can have victory over every addiction, fear, or sin that tries to hold me back. Thank You for being enough for me. I am so grateful that I get to know You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

CONCERNS

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
Colossians 3:1 KJV

Picture holding out your hands in front of you. What do you need to hand over to God right now? As you talk to God about your concerns, ask Him to show you what to focus on instead.

A PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE AND COURAGE

God, in You I have all I need. But when trials come, sometimes I forget that You are in control. I need You to make me strong and courageous. Please give me the courage I need to trust in You. Remind me that You are with me, and that You will continue to instruct and guide me. Show me that You are near. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

HONOR GOD

God, holy is Your name! You are worthy of all honor, glory, majesty, and praise. With a word, You created the universe, and it is only by You that our world is upheld. You formed all things, and You created a way for us to know You. Nothing is unknown to You, and all things are possible for You. You alone are holy! You alone are worthy of my worship! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

God's Word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It discerns the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. It was breathed out by God and it corrects, teaches, and encourages us. God's Word lights up our paths.

God's Word is filled with reminders of our true identity. It can remind you that...

- You are enough because you are a child of God. (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1)

You can rejoice in suffering because Christ suffered for you. (1 Peter 4:12-19, James 1:2-4)

- You are greatly loved, and you can love others like you have been loved. (John 15:9-14)

- Nothing can separate you from God's love. (Romans 8:37-39)

Continued in Comments

Verse of the Day-You Version-Saturday, April 27th, 2024
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“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 KJV

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CONCERNS

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10 KJV

Think about the people God has placed in your life. How can you come alongside them right now? Take a few moments to talk to God about your concerns...and the concerns of others.

A PRAYER FOR WISDOM

God, thank You for sharing Your wisdom with those who seek it. As I grow closer to You, help me to think more like You. Today, I invite You into my decision-making. Help me to make wise decision. Show me how to handle challenging situations well. Allow Your love to inspire my actions and words. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A PRAYER FOR GOD TO KNOW MY HEART

God, You know my heart better than anyone else. Please test my heart so that it would look more and more like Your heart. Know my thoughts and realign them with Your thoughts and will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God, I confess that I have not always been the person You've created me to be. I sometimes fail to love You with my whole heart, mind, and soul. I do not always love my neighbors as You love them. Please forgive me, God. Transform my heart and renew my mind so that I can draw closer to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

THANK GOD

“Rejoice evermore.”
“Pray without ceasing.”
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV

Spend a few minutes thanking God for His continued faithfulness in your life.

The Beauty of God’s Word - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

Sometimes all we need in the chaotic moments of life is a little time to hear from our Father.

Psalms 19:7-8

The world we live in is loud—even deafening at times. But the peace of God’s Word turns down the noise, offering tranquil truth and beauty in place of clamor. Psalms 19:7-8 is a reminder that Scripture provides us with wisdom and clarity by:

Restoring the Soul. God’s Word has everything our wounded and weary souls need. When life’s struggles wear us down, it brings restoration by providing comfort, hope, and renewal.

Making Wise the Simple. The insight and guidance contained in Scripture surpass worldly knowledge. God’s wisdom is not exclusive to the educated or elite but is offered to anyone willing to receive it.

Rejoicing the Heart. The precepts of the Lord are right, reminding us of our identity and purpose in Christ. This brings lasting joy in a world filled with temporary pleasures.

Enli

VERSE OF THE DAY
Luke 19:10 (New King James Version)

for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

💯

CONCERNS

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
Isaiah 26:3 KJV

When worries start to overwhelm you, imagine lifting up your eyes and seeing Jesus standing over you. Nothing is too hard for Him to handle.

A PRAYER FOR YEARNING

God, this world is not my home. Help me to be present in my interactions with others, while still yearning for heaven. Show me how to balance the temporal and eternal. I trust that Your kingdom is coming soon. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

HONOR GOD

“Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.”
Psalms 102:25 KJV

What does this verse show you about who God is? Spend a few moments speaking out any thoughts of praise or worship that come to mind.

A PRAYER FOR A GENEROUS HEART

God, thank You for caring for the needs of Your people. You give me everything I need-everything I have is Yours. So please use me and what I have to fulfill the needs of others. Even when it feels hard to be generous, please help me to be willing to give everything You've given me for the good of others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

In this story, Jesus did drive out the spirit through prayer, while His disciples could not (Mark 9:26-28). However, we must also realize that Jesus' response does not promise us that faith guarantees our every desire will be realized. Faith isn't a license for wish fulfillment. Instead, it challenges us to recognize God's supreme power and ability to fulfill His will, His way (Mark 1:40-42). True faith always comes under the authority of God's sovereignty.

Faith, in its truest form, trusts that God's purposes are greater than our understanding.

Morning Verse-Wednesday, April 24th, 2024

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

Philippians 4:12 KJV

Morning Inspiration-Wednesday, April 24th, 2024

In this life, we may experience seasons of abundance and scarcity. We may have needs one day and excess the next. So our contentment should not depend on our ever-changing circumstances. Lasting contentment comes from our unshakeable God, who is faithful in all seasons of life. Our strength, peace, and joy come from Jesus, who is greater than our trials and worth more than our riches.

Morning Prayer-Wednesday, April 24th, 2024

Father, forgive me for the times that I have pursued contentment in worldly comforts, or envied others in my times of need. In You, I find all the strength I need, and You have proven Your faithfulness many times over. You have sustained me through scarcity and humbled me in excess, and reminded me that in You alone I am fully satisfied. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Give With Joy - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley
To God, the giver’s heart matters more than the gift.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

The act of giving holds a special place in God’s heart. Verse 7 of today’s passage reminds us that God cares about the way we share what we have. He delights in cheerful givers who act with a joyful heart and willing spirit.

When we give grudgingly or out of duty, we miss the delight of aligning our heart with God’s generous nature. Sharing with others should be seen as a privilege, not a burden. It’s an opportunity to participate in God’s work and to be His hands and feet by meeting the needs of those around us.

The condition of our heart—not the size of our gift—is what determines how the Lord views what we offer. Giving cheerfully reflects gratitude for His blessings and trust in His provision. It acknowledges that everything we have belongs to God and we are merely stewards. So, allow the joy of giving to fill your heart as you partner with Go

TRAINING THE FUTURE GENERATIONS

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6 KJV

VERSE OF THE DAY
1 Peter 1:18-19 (New King James Version)

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Devotion Prayer-Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 By: Chipo Biti

In order for us to change this, we need to make sure that we train up the future generations in the ways of the Lord so that they can continue to spread the message of the gospel when we have left the world. Amen.

Verse of the Day-You Version-Wednesday, April 24th, 2024
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“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Mark 9:23 KJV

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Verse of the Day-You Version-Saturday, April 20th, 2024
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“Pray without ceasing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

https://www.kingjamesbible...