Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone and you're enjoying this beautiful Hump Day. I'm doing well, looking forward to another beautiful weekend, although we're expecting more snow tonight and tomorrow. I think we've learned to adjust to the snow, but are eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring. This morning I awoke to the sound of birds singing, which was a welcomed sound, after a quiet winter. I ask for your continued prayers for my Grandmother, she's gradually to gaining her strength back. Also, don't forget the people of Haiti, there are still a lot of orphans there, so pray that these precious children find good homes. Today the Gonzaga Eagles won against Bishop McNamara at home, it was a good game. Two more games until the end of the season, so hopefully we can get through them this week despite the snow. The Black History month quote of the day is: "Freedom is never given; it is won." (~A. Philip Randolph) Have a wonderful day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about asking God for any and everything. The blood of Jesus not only washes our sins, and offers salvation, but it also establishes a close relationship between man and God. Anyone who asks for Salvation through Jesus Christ becomes one with our Father in Heaven. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and considers us closer than a brother. Even before we had the blood of Jesus, God expressed His undying love for us. Think about how He gave the people of Israel manna and quail, when they asked for mercy, after having suffered through a terrible famine (Exo.16). Let's not forget one of my all time favorite verses: Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. (Isa. 30:18) I share this verse every chance I get because it was one of those "Ahh Ha" verses for me. When I first read this, it warmed my heart to realize that God's main concern is the wellbeing of His children, and He is in fact waiting to hear from us at any moment. Jesus warned us not to worry about anything, and to trust in the Lord to take care of our every need in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:25-34). Knowing all of this, we still sometimes fail to trust Him with everything. We can’t hide anything from God, and He knows what we need before we need it, but He waits on us to ask. Asking shows that we love Him enough to put all of our faith and trust in Him. We’re in a “relationship” with God, and as we all know relationships takes work, and requires lots of communication. Yes He is Holy, and the all powerful Creator of the universe, but He also cares for us individually. He wants us to share our joys and pains with Him. We must learn His ways, and strengthen our relationship with our Holy Spirit, so we can know exactly what we should pray for, and when. He’ll answer every prayer, and it may not always be exactly what we asked for, but He’ll give us exactly what we need. Jesus said: For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matt. 7:8-11) Prayer is simply a conversation between us and God. We can speak to Him as if we’re speaking to our best friend. Consult with your Holy Spirit, because He’s here to help us along the way. Ask God for wisdom to accurately follow His will, and always be open and honest with Him. Most importantly, ask in Jesus’ Name, because all things come through Him. Have Faith in what you’re asking for as well. If you don’t believe He’ll bless you with what you’ve asked for then He either won’t, or you knew it wasn’t the right thing at the right time. First ask Him for is Salvation, and after you’ve don’t that start to build that close bond with Him, and include communication. If you never ask, then you definitely won’t receive. My Favorite verse today is: Ye shall ask in my name; and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:26-27,24)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455252&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!