Mark 15:24

Mark 15:24 They crucified him. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Suffering Servant, I BELIEVE You emptied Yourself of divine power, lived as a human, and humbly, obediently, and voluntarily suffered the shameful death of a criminal. When the soldiers swung the hammer, driving the spikes into Your flawless hands and feet, the blood began to trickle and then gush covering all of my faults and failures. All of my pains and disfigurements, all of my pretenses and deceits, all my passions and desires were completely killed - not controlled, concealed or counteracted, but crucified with You - dead and buried. On the Cross, my individuality was completely broken and my Spirit was made at-one with Yours. My death certificate was signed and sealed by Your blood. At the same time, my birth certificate was signed and sealed by Your Spirit, giving me a revolutionary new life. I no longer have the rights and privileges of the past. I've been liberated to live a radically different lifestyle on a higher plane. Fully surrendered to Your supremacy, my sole motivation is to humbly, obediently, and voluntarily suffer to do Your will Your way because of Jesus, the Son of God who died for me. Amen.

Ask God to search your heart and show you anything you haven't surrendered to Him. Then nail it to the Cross, no matter how painful. Crucified with Him, His blood will cover all of your faults and failures allowing you to live a victorious new life.

Matthew 26:38, 40-41, 43-45

Matthew 26:38, 40-41, 43-45  Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."   Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."   When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near." Precious Jesus, I BELIEVE You've invited me to join You in agonizing prayer, and I have failed you miserably. Surrounded by the sorrow of sin, overwhelmed by the misery of suffering, and swallowed up in the sheer terror of impending death, You've asked me to keep vigil, but like Peter, I'm drowsy and prone to dozing off. Forgive me, O Lord! You know the brutal battle that lies ahead for all Christians. Clearly, You warn me to pay attention and pray. Deep agonizing grief from the consequences of poor choices may besiege me. The intense suffering from sickness may be unbearable. The cruel killing of souls and maiming of minds may torment me to the point of overwhelming despair. With all my heart, I want to obey, but the nighttime of the soul seems eternally long and I'm worn out and restless. I beg You to teach me to pray powerful prayers that will crush the adversary. The hour is near when You'll come back, and I don't want You to find me sleeping again. I want You to be pleasantly surprised when You find me in the garden wrestling over the burdens of Your heart for the glory of Your name. Amen. O. Chambers writes in My Utmost for His Highest, October 16: "The key to the missionary's difficult task is in the hand of God, and that key is prayer, not work ... the key is in following the Master's orders - the key is prayer. Jesus has invited us to watch and pray with Him. His intense agonizing prayer in the garden gave Him the strength to face the journey to the cross. If we don't pay attention and wrestle with Him in prayer, we'll snap when the stress and strain do come - and it will come. Ask Jesus to teach you to pray powerful prayers that will crush the enemy.

Matthew 26: 31, 33, 35

Matthew 26: 31, 33, 35 Then Jesus told them,"This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:    " 'I will strike the shepherd,       and the sheep of the flock will be scattered." Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." Then, Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same. Hours later the self-confident Peter disowns Jesus. (Matthew 26:69-75)  Dear Jesus, I'm dreadfully like Peter! I too have spent many intimate moments with You. Over the years, I've sat, sipped and supped with You, enjoying the rich blessing of Your friendship. In the classroom of my heart, You taught me Your precepts, promises and purposes so that I could do Your work in this world. Yet, when challenged by angry, arrogant hate mongers, I'm prone to stand around and watch while politically-correct people insult, mock, and abuse You. Worried about my reputation, I tend to stay at a distance hoping no one will notice my relationship with You. Tantalized by pride, like Your flock of beloved disciples, I deny or desert You to save my name. Please give me the courage to stand up for You during threatening situations. Break down the stronghold of pride on my mind. Take my wandering thoughts captive and bring them back to You. With my mind under Your control, my heart will be protected. Instead of impulsively reacting to peer pressure, I'll conscientiously stand up to defend You, bringing glory and honor and praise to You, my lifelong teacher and friend. Amen. Might we be guilty, like Peter, of trying to follow Christ, but with cowardice? Are you ashamed to be seen carrying a Bible? Ashamed to be seen praying in public? Ashamed to be seen with other Christians? Have you denied Your Lord for fear of ridicule or rejection? If so, admit it with deep heartfelt sorrow, repent, learn from Peter, and follow Jesus no matter the cost. Christ can use those who recognize their failures. From this humiliating experience Peter learned important lessons that would later help him when he assumed leadership of the church.

Matthew 21: 12-14

Matthew 21: 12-14 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers.'" The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.

Jesus, You are my Refiner, Reformer, and Redeemer.  I BELIEVE You turned my whole world upside down for my good and Your glory, the day I swung open the door of my heart, allowed You in, and crowned You King of my life. Stepping into enemy territory, You killed my bad temper, conquered my mean mouth, and cast out my pride. You drove out the buyers and sellers that corrupt my soul: covetousness, criticism, and complacency. You emptied out many nasty and naughty things: nagging and narcissism, negativism and niggardliness, haughtiness and hypocrisy. You toppled the tables of temptation and brought down the benches of bitterness. You cleared away the idols, impurities and irreverence I had carried into Your holy house for my personal pleasure. Lovingly, You opened my blind eyes to see the corruption and deception caused by my religiosity and pomposity. With eyes wide open, I saw how much You loved me when I realized how You died for me. Humbly, I exchanged the limping of my unbelief for firm faith. Now I am drawn to love You, trust You, and serve You. Refined, reformed, and redeemed, turn my heart into a holy house of prayer fit for the Most High King. Amen.

Prepare your heart for Easter by allowing Jesus to topple the tables of temptation and benches of bitterness in the temple of your heart. Ask Him to reveal the buyers and sellers that are corrupting your soul. Allow Him to remove the idols, impurities and irreverence that rob Him of His rightful place of highest honor in your life. Ask Him to purify your heart and make it a holy house of prayer.

Mark 11:9-11

Mark 11:9-11 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,  "Hosanna!"  "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"  "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"  "Hosanna in the highest heaven!"  Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts.

You, O Lord, are my Savior, my Conqueror, and my glorious King. I BELIEVE You rode triumphantly into the temple of my heart and captured me with affection. You didn't come galloping in on a high-powered war horse, but trotting on a poor little pony. You didn't come wielding a sword to subdue me, or with an army of men to coerce me. You came with gentleness, and seized me peacefully. Because of Your tender love and mercies I will not die a pitiful prisoner of war, but will live eternally in Your everlasting kingdom. Recognizing You as the Prince of Peace, I bow to You, and welcome You into my heart and home with holy joy. That One so great as You has come to dwell in one so weak as me is incomprehensible. Because You are my strength, my song, and my salvation, today and every day, I jubilantly join the parade of past prophets and present saints proclaiming, "Hosanna! You are the God who saved me! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! Glory to Your name!" Amen.

Reflect on the day Jesus rode into your heart. How did His arrival impact you? Celebrate the day He captivated You by proclaiming loud hosannas, "My God saves!"

Hebrews 10:22

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Most High God! You are the exalted One who lives forever. Perfect, pure and pristine, Your home is a high and lofty place. Even the most ornate palaces on earth pale in comparison. No one, including the most prominent and powerful people, has enough credentials to enter through Your gates, come into Your courts, or approach Your throne. Your Word makes it clear that the only way to come close to You is with a sincere heart. You already know the truth. You see our earthly mansions for what they are: temporary dwellings full of worthless idols. We can't hide the blood on our hands from the spirits we've wounded as we've prayerlessly pursued positions for personal gain. No amount of sweetness can conceal the stench of our addictions, attractions, and afflictions. Yet, You invite us to come into Your Most Holy Place through the curtain that is the body of Christ. When we humbly admit that we are filthy from the places we've been and the things we've done, we can absolutely expect You to sprinkle our hearts and cleanse our guilty consciences with the crimson blood from Your broken body. The pure water from Your wounded side will surely gush over us, making us whiter than snow. What a relief it is to come near to You with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Fully forgiven and free, we'll have the strength to walk away from our obsession with prosperity and power. Led by Your Spirit, we'll desire nothing more than to enter into the Most Holy Place of the Invincible, Immortal, Incorruptible Almighty King. Hallelujah! Amen.

To draw near means to come close. Come close to the Cross honestly, openly, and truthfully. God already knows everything. There's no hiding anything from Him. At the foot of the Cross we can trust that He will do what He says He will do - make us presentable to enter His gates, come into His courts, and approach the throne of the Most High King. Only with a clean heart and a clear conscience can we stand in the presence of the Almighty. How will you respond to God's Word?

Psalm 139:1-6

Psalm 139:1-6  O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Omniscient, Omnipresent, Almighty God, I BELIEVE You know me and are with me all the time, no matter where I go. You promise to never leave or abandon me. You are my constant companion. You don't live with me, You live in me. That's intimacy!    You know when I wake up in the morning miserable. You know when I go to bed at night mad. You know when I leave the house with attitude and return home with gratitude. You are familiar with all my ways.   I can play hide and seek with my friends, but not with You. There's no place I can hide from You. My friends will believe my made up stories with make believe characters, but not You. You are the Author of my story and the illustrator of the characters. You know the whole story because it's Yours.   I can pack my bags and run away from home to escape hurt, humiliation and hatred, but I can't run away from You. You know where I am every second. I can never get away from Your strong grip of grace. You promise to bless, protect and keep me.   These thoughts are too overwhelming for me to understand. Please just give me faith to know You more and believe! In response I will worship You, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Almighty God.  Amen.

Are you trying to play hide & seek with God? Do you make up stories and pretend to be someone you're not? Do you want to run away? God knows what's on your heart and mind. Ask Him to point you to the Truth and to give you courage to follow Him.

Hebrews 12:28

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

Holy and Awesome God- Your beauty and majesty are astonishing! You are seated on a radiant throne high above the earth. Your glory twinkles brilliantly like the bright Morning Star. I am in awe of You!    The city of the Living God is my heavenly home and highest hope. Arriving at this promised destination, I anticipate the jubilant celebration as thousands and thousands of adoring angels surround You in wonderful worship. Overwhelming joy will fill my heart as my name is read from the Lamb's Book of Life. With holy fear, I'll approach the throne of grace hand-in-hand with Jesus who will present me to You as pure and innocent. Compassionately, You'll welcome me with arms wide open because of my relationship with Your Son. The keys to heaven will be given to me!  It's a gift too great to grasp!    Thank You for the privilege and honor of knowing You deeply, intimately, and personally. Your unshakable kingdom is accessible to everyone who truly believes. When the world around me is shaken by increased violence, great earthquakes, widespread starvation, and deadly diseases, I will stand firm in Your mighty power. Believing the Truth, tragedy will not terrorize me. Instead, with my gaze on Glory Land, I'll have remarkable confidence to confess with my mouth the wonders of Your love, giving thanks to You the Living God whose kingdom is mine forever and ever because of Jesus. Hallelujah! Amen.

If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, the unshakable kingdom of the Living God is yours. The Bible clearly warns that as we get closer to His Kingdom and Christ's return, there will be an increase in tragedy and trouble in the world. However, because we are receiving a glorious everlasting kingdom that can never be shaken, we should be thankful, and not fearful. We should look forward with hope. Keeping a positive attitude in the face of danger, difficulties, and disaster will be an awesome act of worship acceptable to the King. As I recently read Luke 21:5-18 I found myself wondering how many in the church are ready for the calamities and catastrophic events that are about to happen? They are coming, and I believe they are coming soon. Are we ready to defend our faith and give thanks to God in the midst of adversity as a reverent act of worship? He is not the director of the horror show, Satan is.  Will I stand firm when my faith is tested by frightening events? Will you?

2 Peter 1:3

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Good and Glorious God, Thank You for forming me in Your image, and personally calling and equipping me to live a godly life. As I spend time getting to know You, teach me Your rich and wonderful truths. By Your divine power, I will follow Your precepts to escape the decadent evil desires of the world living humbly and honestly before You and mankind. It is not enough to believe IN You. I must KNOW You and BELIEVE You. I need to urgently begin applying Your principles to my heart and mind so that I'll be morally upright. The more familiar I am with You the easier it will be to stay alert and self-controlled in strenuous situations.  I'll be pleasantly surprised by the persistent patience You give me to persevere through painful problems. Your radical love will inspire me to be genuinely warm and welcoming to both desirable and despicable people. Exhibiting these fine qualities in my life, I'll be more productive and useful in Your royal service. With Your help, I will work hard to learn everything I can about You. Please continue to tenderly teach me until I unmistakably understand. I want my lifestyle to prove to the watching world that I am the child You called and equipped in glory, goodness and grace. With great anticipation and heavenly hope, I look forward to the rich reception I'll receive when I walk through the pearly gates of Your everlasting Kingdom to live happily ever after with You because of Jesus. Amen.

Do you have a burning desire to know God? How much time will you spend with Him today? You can't imitate His glory and goodness, if you don't know Him intimately. Lots of people go to church, read their Bibles, and do good works. Yet, many of them do not KNOW God.

Psalm 139:14

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;        your works are wonderful,        I know that full well.

My Creator King, Absolutely everything in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible has been deliberately created by You for Your delight. Thank You for distinctively designing and developing me in the safe and solitary confines of my mother's womb. The pattern for my life is held in Your holy hands. You know me intimately and intricately; inside out and backwards. The characteristics that I see as flaws were intentionally built into me. You are inerrant and love me just the way I am. I am precious in Your sight. Created for Your personal pleasure, You think about me constantly.  Such knowledge is too complex and beyond my comprehension. I adore You for mysteriously and miraculously making me.  O Searcher of Souls look deep within my heart and mind. See for Yourself how I've interfered and incapacitated the grand scheme You had for my life. Correct me and conform me according to Your divine dream. When people look at me may they only see Your immense love, infinite mercy, and immeasurable goodness. Marvelous Maker, help me to know You more. With Your help, I'll learn to appreciate and celebrate the unique individual You've made me to be for Your splendor and satisfaction both now and forever more. Amen.

God made you just the way you are for His splendor and satisfaction! Celebrate your uniqueness, including the flaws, and He will be glorified.

Philippians 3:8

Philippians 3:8 I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.

Sweet Jesus, You are the deepest desire of my heart. The power and possessions I once persistently pursued are worthless. The accolades and accomplishments I aggressively accumulated are insignificant. The pleasures and treasures of the world can't come close to knowing You, my precious Savior. Please show me all the clutter in my life that needs discarded to make room for more of You. Give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that I may know You more each day. Enlighten the eyes of my heart to the blessed hope to which you've called me. Show me the riches of my glorious heavenly inheritance. My greatest aspiration is to be more like You in every way. Knowing You personally and passionately is the only thing that matters. Everything else fades away like a fresh cut flower. Put in my heart Your all-consuming, incomparably great power. Using that mighty power, I'll overcome evil and temptation to live vibrantly, victoriously, and virtuously in this fallen world. There is no greater thing than knowing You, Jesus. You mean the world to me. The most valuable treasure of all time is found in You - sweet salvation. O, how I cherish what You have done for me! With a spring in my step, a song in my heart and a smile on my face I will earnestly praise You for Your surpassing greatness in Jesus name.  Amen.

Is Jesus your most valued treasure? Are you willing to joyfully give up everything to know Him more? If you were standing before the throne of God and He asked you, "Do you love me with all your heart, mind, soul and strength?" could you honestly answer, "Yes, Lord, You are my most treasured possession." Would your lifestyle prove it?

Isaiah 43:10

Isaiah 43:10  "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,        "and my servant whom I have chosen,        so that you may know and believe me        and understand that I am he.        Before me no god was formed,        nor will there be one after me."

Immortal, Invincible, Incorruptible Almighty King, Yours is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor. Everything in heaven and earth belongs to You. You are exalted as head over all. You answer to no one. When You rise from Your throne, Your enemies scatter. The keys to Heaven and Hell are in Your holy hands.  There never was nor ever will be anyone like You. You are perfect, pure and pristine. Yet, in love, You chose to reveal Yourself to a rebel like me. And, in love, You decided to rescue, revive, and restore me. No one can ever reverse the renovation You've done to my heart, mind and soul. I am Your witness. You are God and there is no other! Apart from You there is no Savior. Because of what I have seen with my own two eyes, I am inspired to tell others Who You are. Precious Lord, it is an honor to be close to You. The more intimately I know You, the more assuredly I believe and understand You. Your praise is always on my lips.  O Lord, how can I ever thank You for selecting me to be Your witness in the world? So that I will never shame Your holy name, help me to know You dearly, believe You wholeheartedly, and understand how to live a life of love that glorifies Your name. Amen.

You are God's witness in the world. A witness is one who has a story to tell. As His servant it is your duty to tell others about God's revolutionizing love. He has uniquely chosen you in love to know, believe, and understand Him. What are you doing to foster your relationship with Him? You can only tell what you know.

Psalm 40:6-8

Psalm 40:6-8 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,        but my ears you have pierced;        burnt offerings and sin offerings        you did not require. Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-        it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God;        your law is within my heart."

Holy Love, Thank You for piercing my ears with the bold truth. Finally, I'm beginning to understand how to live a life of love. Offering You my time without heartfelt devotion is inadequate. Presenting You my talent without wholehearted dedication is insufficient. Halfheartedly giving You my treasure out of obligation is inappropriate. You don't want religious ceremonies and showy performances. All that You desire is my wholehearted devotion. It will please You when, by faith, I humbly come to the foot of the cross admitting my faults and failures allowing the bond of Your blood to fix and fortify me. Realizing the high price you paid to correct my defects will give me a deeper desire to walk and work with You. I'll willingly give up family, friends and freedom in order to spend time getting to know You. The more I know You, the more readily I'll give up my possessions and plans in order to experience Your almighty power. Forfeiting my comfortable lifestyle and important position to endure pain and hardship will perfect my faith, make me shine purer and brighter, and draw others to You. Please dear Lord, write Your commands on my heart so that I'll remember to obey them. I desire nothing more than to walk and work with You so that my gifts will be adequate, sufficient, and appropriate for the King of my heart. Amen.

God doesn't want your rituals and routines. He wants your whole heart devoted to Him. What are you willing to give up in order to please Him? Will you give up hobbies, television or work in order to spend time with Him? Will you give up shopping and sports in order give more of your money to Him? Would you be willing to give up your home and career in order to go where He sends You? I need to get off Facebook and put my face in the Book. I need to unplug my Smart Phone and plug into God's call for my life. These are two huge distractions that keep my heart preoccupied.

Job 11:13-19

Job 11:13-19 If you devote your heart to him        and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand        and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame;        you will stand firm and without fear.  You will surely forget your trouble,        recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday,        and darkness will become like morning.  You will be secure, because there is hope;        you will look about you and take your rest in safety.  You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,        and many will court your favor.

O Loving and Kind Father, Have mercy on me! I know I've messed up, made wrong choices, and blatantly disobeyed You. You've seen it all and are fully aware of my unruly conduct. There's no hiding from Your omnipotent holy eyes, and no one to blame but myself. You know the truth. I cannot lie. Like a mischievous child caught in action, I'm humiliated and dreading discipline. I'd rather hide the evidence and pretend like nothing happened, but that will get me in bigger trouble. Instead, I need to reach out my hands and run into Your open arms, honestly admitting my mistakes with a broken heart. Then, You'll pity me and be generous in love. Tenderly, You'll scrub away my guilt so that I'll have a snow-white heart filled with clean thoughts and right desires. Because of Your love, I'll be motivated to behave like the endeared child of the King. With my eyes adoringly set on You, I'll face the world unashamed. Clean and confident, I'll stand up straight and tall, unafraid of ridicule or rejection. Only then will I forget my misery, leaving the past behind me. The brightness of Your Son will light up my life, chasing away the clouds of fear and doubt. In Your peaceful presence, I'll rest and relax because there is hope. Without a care in the world, I'll supernaturally live a life of love. My exuberant joy and inexplicable calmness will cause others to come to me for help in their time of need.  Please dear Father, search my heart and show me anything in my life that tarnishes Your name. Give me judgment day honesty to agree with You, and humility to obey. More than anything in the world, I want to be wholeheartedly devoted to You because of Jesus who died for me. Amen.

Study the above Scripture. What is God promising you if you devote your heart to Him, stretch out your hands and get rid of your sins? For additional reading open your Bible to Psalm 139 and make it your heartfelt prayer. Issue God a search warrant to examine your heart, and agree with Him on any and all evidence He finds against you, no matter how hard. Reach out your hands like a contemptible child crying for pity. (Psalm 51:17) Today could be judgment day and on that day you will give an account to Him for everything (Matthew 12:36). Ask Him to give you judgment day honesty to admit your mistakes, so that you can begin enjoying His promises in Job 11.

Job 7:17

Job 7:17 What is man, that You should exalt him,       That You should set Your heart on him.

My Sweet Heart, Your Word is too wonderful for me. I could and should live in complete condemnation but You did the unthinkable when You set Your tender heart on mine determined to show me the depth of Your compassion. Miraculously, You gave me a new life full of love and power, making me a witness to Your abundant grace. My ugliness is forever gone and I'm altogether lovely to You. Who am I to deserve such favor? It's sheer joy to freely rise up each morning and move on despite my problems. Because of Your great love, I can fearlessly face afflictions realizing that You, the High and Lofty One whose name is Holy, agonized every minute of Your ministry and died suffering. Why should I, the lowly tainted one whose name is sinner, deserve better than You? Difficulties prove that Your caring heart is set on mine. Full of Your tender loving kindness I'll live a life of love even when problems and pressures plague me. My lips will exalt You, while my soul experiences absolute peace and rest because You've graciously chosen to lay Your heart on mine in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah! Amen.

How are you handling your troubles? Do you think you deserve better than Jesus? Consider Him. He was holy, perfect, and pure. He willingly left His home in heaven to come to earth where He was immensely tormented and died an excruciating death for you. He did it all without complaining in order to exalt you to a privileged position in His royal family. He intentionally set His heart on you! His eyes adore you!  Praise Him and thank Him for your difficulties because they prove that He cares for you enormously.

Psalm 34:8

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Sweet Jesus, O how I love the sweetness of Your Words. They are sweeter to my taste than the finest chocolate in the world. Your delicious concoction of promises and commands is irresistible. They satisfy my most intense craving, evoking pleasure in the deepest part of my soul. Hidden in my Bible are surprising nuggets of truth. As I taste each one, I discover Your mouthwatering goodness that melts my heart. Your opulent promises are my source of hope. Sinking my teeth into Your sumptuous loving kindness comforts my troubled spirit. Indulging, in Your luxurious mercies, refreshes my distressed mind. Treating myself to Your bittersweet commands makes my salvation thick, rich and smooth. Your Words, O Lord, are an attractive treat! They are my heart's delight and joy! I have tasted and experienced Your goodness. With all my heart I want to savor the magnificent flavor every day of my life, and share the sweetness with others to glorify and bless Your sweet name. Amen.

Your Bible is a delectable box of chocolates waiting to be devoured. Open it, taste and see that the Lord is good!

1 Chronicles 22:19

1 Chronicles 22:19 Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.

Father in Heaven, Thank You for Your inexhaustible love and enduring faithfulness. Because You love me beyond the limits of my imagination, I'm compelled to live a life of love, personally and passionately devoted to You. Please help me develop a vibrant, intimate relationship with You through continual Bible study and persistent prayer. Inspire me to build a sacred place in my heart to hide Your valuable commands and priceless promises. In this sanctuary, store the treasures of Your heart so that I'll instinctively know what's most important to You. Full of Your riches, I'll worship You with adoring faith by pouring out my life completely for You. With one heart, we'll dance together harmoniously. Motivated by overpowering love, I'll follow Your lead, deliberately laying down my life for others. The closer I get to You, the easier it will be to identify the people and purposes that matter to You. Living in pure, uninterrupted devotion to You, my spontaneous actions and positive attitudes will be a pleasant love offering attracting others to Your divine goodness. Please search the temple of my heart and show me anything that I love more than You. By Your power and grace, I'll deliberately remove those obstacles from my life in order to be entirely dedicated to You. More than anything else in the world, I desire to worship You ceaselessly in the temple of my heart where Your precious treasure abounds because of my unwavering commitment to Jesus, Your Son. Amen.

A lofty life-long goal is to devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord. As you do, He will hide His treasure in your heart, and you'll naturally live a life of love, attracting others to His divine goodness. Because of His inexhaustible love and enduring faithfulness are you willing to pour out your life for Him? Identify those things in your life that prevent you from just being with Him. Then, determine to give Him the first fruit of Your time each time for Bible study and prayer. What matters to Jesus? Read Matthew 25:34-40.

Ephesians 1:5-6

Ephesians 1:5-6 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. NLT Abba, Father, I'm thankful and joyful that You chose to adopt me into Your royal family, reserving a room for me in Your mansion in the sky. You will be my Father and I will be Your dearly loved child forever because of my relationship with Your Son. O how I love to tell of the marvelous grace You've poured out on me.  Upon arriving in the hallowed halls of Your heaven, You'll wipe every tear from my eye. You'll crown me with compassion and clothe me with fine linen, white and clean purchased with the blood of Jesus. I'll be made new. My heart leaps for joy at the very thought of the rich inheritance for those whom You adopted in love. Until we get there, we'll be seized by shame, suffering and sorrow. In the midst of misery, help us to live a life of love by rejoicing and giving thanks to You for bringing us into Your family. Singing sweet songs in sadness, and powerfully pleading for patience during pain, we'll smile when we feel like crying. When others around us hear our heavenly hope they'll join in the celebration when they choose to believe the blessed and beautiful words from our lips. Thank You, Father for our identity and inheritance. They are our joy, delight and strength. No one can ever take this treasured heritage from us. Please put a smile on our faces today that reflects the love and joy in our hearts because of who we are in Jesus! Amen. Knowing that God adopted you in love, what should your response be in the midst of suffering?  How will you live a life of love in order to share in Christ's glory? Read how Paul & Silas live out their love in prison in Acts 16:16-40. What can you learn about their example?

Deuteronomy 7:6

Deuteronomy 7:6 You are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

My Knight in Shining Armor, Hearing Your Holy Word thrills my heart! It stirs my soul to think that, in love, You chose me out of all the people on the face of the earth to be royal, holy, and redeemed. Who am I to deserve this kind of love? Even though I was hiding in the dark behind a thick wall of shame, You found me, and gave Your life to rescue me. Bringing me into the wonderful light of Your love, You traded my ripped rags for a royal robe of righteousness. Miraculously Your Words changed my rough callused heart to a soft, holy one. I'm utterly ecstatic that an unbecoming person like me is no longer abandoned, but belongs to You, the High King of Heaven! Not only that, I'm Your treasured possession! Valuable! Priceless! Precious! O how thankful I am that You rescued me from the dark dungeon of my past, brought me into the wonderful light, and called me to be Yours. I can't keep quiet about my miracle makeover. As a member of Your royal family, I'm obligated to live a life of love by publicly telling others the difference You've made in my life. Now to You who chose me, out of all the people on the face of the earth to be Your treasured possession be the glory, honor and praise forever and ever.  Amen.

God chose you in love to be His treasured possession, not because you deserve it, but because of His loving kindness. You are valuable, priceless, and precious to Him. In the light of His love, will you fully surrender your life to be the royal priest He's called you to be? A royal priest devoted his life to serving God and speaking out for Him.

Deuteronomy 7:13

Deuteronomy 7:13 He will love you and bless you. Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

O God My Father, What a blessing You are! Because of my friendship with Your dear Son, You've lovingly lavished me with all the riches of heaven. Pouring out Your glorious grace on me, You exchanged the ashes of my broken heart for a crown of beauty turning my sad days to glad days. My heart leaps for joy because of Your great love! Pitying me, You looked beyond my imperfections. It delighted You to trade my tattered clothes of despair for a garment of praise. Handing me the Book of Love, a Holy Bible, You gave me wisdom and knowledge to understand the mysteries of Your Word. In the blessing of Your love, humiliation turned to honor enabling me to proudly display Your majestic splendor. A changed person, full of glory and grace, I'll begin rebuilding ruined relationships. From the wreckage and rubble, I'll build lasting friendships that bridge others to Your heavenly kingdom. Because You've doubly blessed me with a beautiful new beginning, I'll live a life of love. Blessing others, I'll celebrate the everlasting legacy available to me because of my relationship with Your own dear Son. Amen.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Read Ephesians 1:3-14. Make a list of all the spiritual blessings God gives you because of your friendship with His Son. How will they help you live a life of love? Dig deeper by reading Isaiah 61.

Psalm 16:8-11

Psalm 16:8-11 I am always thinking of the Lord; And because he is so near, I never need to stumble or fall. Heart, body, and soul are filled with joy. For you will not leave me among the dead, You will not allow your beloved one to rot in the grave; You have let me experience the joys of life, And the exquisite pleasures of your own eternal presence. The Book Jesus, My Dear Friend, You are my Lord! You light up my life, making my heart happy. O how I need You every minute of every day! You are absolutely precious to me! Constantly thinking of You keeps me out of trouble and away from temptation. My problems and pressures turn to joy when I think about Your deep love for me. You love me so much that You died to save me from destruction and death while I was Your hard-hearted enemy. Not only that, but You came back to life and chose to live in my heart. Since You've moved in, my life hasn't been the same. The crud and cob webs are gone. You polished me with loving kindness and now I sparkle like a gem. I'm no longer lonely, hungry or thirsty. You're my Provider and Best Friend. Your powerful presence is my protection. The exquisite pleasures of Your eternal presence living in me is my peace and prosperity.  I smile just thinking about the future You promise me! All around me are beautiful mansions. When I wish I could live in one of them, You remind me that they pale in comparison to the palace You promise me in Paradise. I look forward with hope to the day when my sorrows and pain will cease and I'll live happily ever with You in the beauty of heavenly holiness. Please dear Lord, let me glow with glorious delight from the joy of Your presence living in me because of Jesus. Amen.  Who are you thinking about today? If you think about the Lord, He promises: You will never stumble and fall You will be filled with joy He won't leave you among the dead, rotting in a grave You're His beloved one You will experience the exquisite pleasure of His eternal presence Just thinking about my friendship with God excites me! Why He would befriend a sinner like me, is beyond my understanding. I'm choosing to believe Him and accept the cherished gift of His friendship because of Jesus! May the smile on my face reflect the joy in my heart, O Lord, because I am Your beloved friend! Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4