Blog Posts - Messiah Missionary Baptist Church

God's Pursuing Love

5/1/2018

TODAY’S VERSE
“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.”
Psalms 23:6 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Psalms 23 is perhaps the most popular passage in the Bible. Parts like, “Though I walk through the shadow of death I will fear no evil” are often heard at funerals. At the end of Psalms 23 there is a glorious verse. Usually it reads, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” It sounds so poetic but do we really understand the meaning? Today’s passage says it in a slightly different way, a way that really brings out the true meaning. It reads, “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.” See the difference? It is not some passive “following”. It is not a result of any good we have done. Instead, it says that God “pursues” us with His unfailing love and goodness. Not just temporarily, but all the days of our lives! He pursues you. If you ignore Him, He pursues, if you take Him for granted, He pursues, even if you turn your back on Him, His unfailing love and goodness pursues you. Today, live in the joy that God is pursuing you with His love.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Oh Father, thank You for Your pursuing me with Your unfailing love and goodness. Today, help me live in the joy of that reality.
AMEN

His Love

4/2/2018

TODAY’S VERSE
Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
Romans 8:35 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul asks one of the most heart wrenching questions we can come to grips with. How many times has there been tragedy in our life and we are tempted to say, “Where is God?” Paul addresses this feeling. He asks if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death does it mean God no longer loves us? What I love is his answer. He writes, “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” However, he doesn’t stop there, he adds, “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing can separate God’s love from us and yet sad to say, we can live our life day after day and choose to never be conscious of it. Paul, who knew persecution, prison, torture, beatings, poverty and homelessness was able to write of the unfailing love of God that never left him. And yet most of us live in comfort, freedom and good health and we hardly find the time to acknowledge this wonderful gift of God. Today, let us embrace His love. Let’s celebrate His faithfulness to us and the fact that nothing, not even ourselves, can separate us from God’s love.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your unfailing love. Thank You that nothing, not even my apathy, can separate me from Your love. Today, I pause and thank You for calling me back, for reminding me again, that it is Your love that makes all the difference in the world. Praise You, dear Father, for Your love to me.
AMEN

He Knows My Name

3/25/2018

TODAY’S VERSE
I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Isaiah 49:15-16 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I am deeply moved every time I sing the worship song, “He Knows My Name”. It makes me think of today’s verse. The Israelites doubted the love of God and Isaiah reminded them that even if a mother forgets her own child, He will never forget them. In fact, Isaiah writes that our Lord has written our name on the palms of His hands. God knows my name? I am overwhelmed by the thought. How personal, how loving, how intimate. And yet I can’t help but wonder, “What else does God know about me?” He knows my situation. He knows my struggles. He knows my limitations. My fear and anxiety is no surprise to Him. He knows my anger and frustrations. He knows my weaknesses. He knows and loves me, but do I know Him? Do I? Do I know His name? Do I know Him as the God Most High, the God who sees, the all-sufficient one, the provider and the Lord who heals? Do I know Him as my banner and my peace? Do I know Him as my creator, shepherd and my righteousness? Today, take joy in knowing that the God above all other names knows yours.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for knowing and loving me. Thank You for knowing my name and caring so deeply for me. Help me know and love You more.
AMEN

Doubt And Fear

3/11/2018

TODAY’S VERSE
Then the chief of staff stood and shouted in Hebrew to the people on the wall, “Listen to this message from the great king of Assyria! This is what the king says: Don’t let Hezekiah deceive you. He will never be able to rescue you. Don’t let him fool you into trusting in the LORD by saying, ‘The LORD will surely rescue us. This city will never fall into the hands of the Assyrian king!’’ Isaiah 36:13-15 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Have you been confronted by doubt and fear? It happens. And it’s not always quiet. Just like the chief of staff in today’s passage, doubt and fear shouts out his message of pending doom. Isn’t that usually how it goes? Our faith whispers, “trust God” and our doubt and fear shouts “Don’t be fooled!” “Don’t be deceived.” These doubts and fears challenges our faith in God’s integrity, power or desire. However, Hezekiah knew what to do. The Bible says, after Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it, he went up to the LORD’s Temple and spread it out before the LORD and prayed. Part of what he prayed was this, “It is true, LORD, that the kings of Assyria have destroyed all these nations. And they have thrown the gods of these nations into the fire and burned them. But, of course, the Assyrians could destroy them! They were not gods at all—only idols of wood and stone shaped by human hands. Now, O LORD our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O LORD, are God.” Today, be like Hezekiah and don’t give up. Don’t give in. Instead, quiet your heart, spread out your worries before God and trust in Him.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I thank You that You are the one true God. Your word is true, Your power is almighty and Your love toward me is boundless. Today, I give you my doubts and fears. Today I recommit myself to You. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

The Love of God

3/1/2018

TODAY’S VERSE
You love them as much as you love me.
John 17:23 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Jesus is praying to His Father. And as He prays, He says something simply astounding about you and I. He said. “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.” He continues by saying, “May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” As I read the phrase, “You love them as much as you love me” I can’t help but be overwhelmed. Jesus actually said this! I admit I have a hard time grasping this unbelievable, almighty, everlasting, incredible love that God has for me. But I want to! And I pray that today God will grant you the grace to really fathom what it means. Might knowing that He loves you this much fill your day with peace and joy.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, thank You for Your infinite, inconceivable love for me. Help me today to live in its awareness and rejoice in its meaning.
AMEN

Trust in Him

2/5/2018

TODAY’S VERSE
O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.
Psalms 84:12 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Who do you trust? Whether or not you have joy depends on it. How many times have we put our trust in those things that did not deliver? Our friends, programs, fortune, our own strength, a great plan – how many times have our hopes been smashed because our trust was in the wrong place? Today, God is calling. The Almighty, the Lord of all of Heaven’s Armies, says, “Trust in me. Give me your hope. Have faith in my strength and my unfailing love for you.” And so, we move in closer. Barely one hope left – yet that is enough. A mustard seed of faith is all it takes and God delivers. His love is sure, His promises are true, our joy is secure. Today, put your trust in Him and return to joy.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, You proved Your love for me on the Cross. Today, I come and put my trust in You. Increase my faith, breathe hope into the depths of my soul and return me to joy. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

Word And Power

1/18/2018

TODAY’S VERSE
Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.Mark 12:24 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
How clearer can it get? In one sentence Jesus identified the problem most of us have with our Christian experience. Are we doubting God? Cynical about life? Lack of faith? Frustration with circumstances? Sin having reign in our life? It could be that we are guilty of the same problems the Sadducees, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, had. Jesus said that they did not know the scriptures or the power of God. Knowing the Bible is crucial to our Christian life. Paul wrote to Timothy that “all scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” We also need the power of God in our life. It is His power that gets us through this life. Paul wrote, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.” Today, let us set our mind to know both God’s word and His power. Otherwise, as Jesus implied, we will be making a serious mistake.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, forgive me for I have doubted Your power and have not spent enough time in Your word. Help me increase my faith and put my trust in both Your word and power.
AMEN

Worthy of His Call

1/1/2018

TODAY’S VERSE
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.
II Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT)
TODAY’S THOUGHT
This is one of those passages that really help you focus in on what’s important. What is my purpose? Why was I born? What possible significance can my life be? All these are answered in this short passage. Here we see a prayer we can pray for our life. “Oh Almighty, loving God, please enable me to live a life worthy of Your call.” And He has already equipped us to do this. In another passage Paul tells us that the fruit, or the result of living in the power of the Holy Spirit, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Can you imagine the life we would live today, if we would ask God to produce that fruit in our life? That would be worthy of His calling on our life! Then God would give us power to do all that our faith prompts us to do. Why? Because our faith would produce desires in line with the fruit of the Spirit. Paul then assures us that the result of living this way is that the name of Jesus will be honored. So how do we know this can happen? How can we possibly think that this passage is meant for us? Because, Paul concludes this passage with this assurance, “This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.” His grace gives you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do!
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me today to be filled with Your Holy Spirit, to bear the fruit of Your Spirit in my life. Help me live this day worthy of Your call. Thank You for Your grace and may Your power accomplish all the good things that You prompt in my heart through faith.
AMEN

Gracious God!!!

12/1/2017

TODAY’S VERSE
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So, let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
What an image. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.” I’ve seen people come boldly before. Boldly to receive an award. Boldly to receive their pay. Boldly to stand in front of a cheering crowd. But boldly to receive mercy? How ironic. I would think we would be called upon to be sheepish, reluctant, a posture of deep humility. Boldly before an Almighty God? Did I say, “Almighty”? Yes, but notice that the author of Hebrews said, “Gracious God.” And therein lies the beautiful mystery. Our God is Almighty enough to create a plan so He could be gracious and not contradict His own nature. It is Jesus, who died for our sins, that is now our High Priest, offering Himself as a sin offering for us. And we, we who are undeserving, sacrilegious, ungrateful and guilty of sin, can now come boldly to His throne and receive His mercy and grace when we need it the most. Today, as humbling as it is, let us come boldly to His throne and receive His wonderful, loving mercy and grace. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Oh, most gracious God and loving Savior. I come today boldly to receive Your mercy and grace. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

Trust God!!!

11/13/2017

TODAY’S VERSE
Trust in the LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There are those times. You know, when everything around us seems to be falling apart. When nothing we do seems to be working. When even our prayers seem to be bouncing off the ceiling. It is days like this that we need to trust in God. Trust Him with all our heart. Trust in God even if everything points toward the opposite. We dare not depend on our own understanding. Instead, we need to trust His love for us and seek His will in all we do. Then God promises that He will show us which direction we should go. Today, give your situation to God. Trust Him with all Your heart and let Him direct Your path.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I come to You with my situation. You know my needs. Help me trust in You and not depend on my own understanding. Direct my path today, I pray.
AMEN