Beyond Tomorrow

Everything God puts in front of you was designed specifically for your personal development.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16 (NASB)

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Let this be a time of worship to God.  Pray each prayer and add your own personal message to God.  Read each scripture as though reading it for the first time – listen carefully for the voice of God.  Listen to each song paying close attention to the lyrics provided.  These songs were carefully chosen.  Even if the music is not your favorite style of music, know that the musicians performing are sincerely making music to the Lord.  Try to feel the passion in their words and their musical expression.  Give thought to the message presented and confirm the truth therein by opening your Bible and taking some time to do your own personal study.  May you be greatly blessed.

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Let’s Pray Together

Father God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, we worship and adore you.  Fill our hearts with that which is your will and control our steps as we celebrate your approaching kingdom.  We look to you for all our basic needs and thank you for all that you provide.  Please forgive us Father for all the mistakes we make along the way and soften our hearts so that we may forgive others.  Keep us safe from the enemy who wanders about looking to devour our souls.  Fill our minds with your wisdom and our hearts with your love.  We ask these things in the Holy name of Jesus.  Amen.

Beyond Tomorrow

When we fall to our knees and let God know we fully depend on him and seek only that which is his will in our lives, we establish an unconditional bond that will carry us through our entire life.  No matter how difficult your life becomes, God is with you.  Even though there may be tremendous struggle, you cannot fall – you are protected by God.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:6-7 (NASB)

Your relationship with God was planned well in advance.  You have an assignment from God that includes difficult and challenging life experiences.  It is your love for God, expressed in love for others that will carry you over every hurdle.

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”  John 15:16 (NASB)

Of course, our ultimate gift from God is our salvation, granted by the grace of God, and delivered through our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We are new creations with a profoundly personal connection to God and a completely different view of the world around us.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3(NASB)

When the ominous shadow of trouble crosses our path, we stand firm and look to our Father for the strength to endure.  Time after time we find him there waiting with outstretched arms.  Without fail, our heavenly Father is always there when we need him.

Let this song strengthen your soul.

Run To The Father – Matt Maher

I’ve carried a burden

For too long on my own

I wasn’t created

To bear it alone

I hear Your invitation

To let it all go

I see it now

I’m laying it down

And I know that I need You

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I’m done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I’ll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh, oh

You saw my condition

Had a plan from the start

Your Son for redemption

The price for my heart

And I don’t have a context

For that kind of love

I don’t understand

I can’t comprehend

All I know is I need You

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I’m done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I’ll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh, again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh

My heart has been in Your sights

Long before my first breath

Running into Your arms

Is running to life from death

And I feel this rush deep in my chest

Your mercy is calling out

Just as I am You pull me in

And I know I need You now

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I’m done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I’ll run to the Father

Again and again

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I’m done with the hiding

No reason to wait

And my heart found a surgeon

My soul found a friend

So I’ll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh, again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh, oh

Again and again

No More Worries

Worries are like snowballs that grow larger as they roll downhill toward tomorrow.  When we rest in the capable hands of God, we dispatch each worry immediately upon its arrival preventing it from expanding our problems.  Knowing that God is on our side makes tomorrow a non-event.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:34 (NASB)

Everything created by God, including you, has tremendous value to him.  He keeps meticulous track of all of his creation.  Each individual element of God’s creation has an indispensable component in the overall machine.  Nothing can be harmed or removed without damaging the mechanism to a point of inoperability.  God is keeping tracking of every minute detail and you can be certain that your circumstance is precisely what is needed at this moment in time.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”  Matthew 10:29-31(NASB)

We accomplish nothing by worrying.  Spending time in prayer is a far more productive use of our time.  When we humbly stand before God with deep appreciation for all he has done in our lives, he is more than ready to hear our petition and to render onto us all that is needed.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Philippians 4:6 (NASB)

There is nothing that can’t be made right by God.  There is no injustice that will not be corrected by God.  There is absolutely no need for concern when God is on your side.

Let this song lift your spirit.

Sparrows – Jason Gray

Keep a Smile on Your Face

In every moment of struggle you can know for certain that God is using that experience to build your spiritual character.  Like a world-class athletic coach, God knows precisely what you need to develop into the best version of yourself.  Everything God puts in front of you was designed specifically for your personal development.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”  James 1:2-3 (NASB)

No matter what comes our way, it pales in comparison to what is to come.  No matter what comes our way it is of no consequence in our relationship with God.  As followers of Jesus Christ, we have been granted eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.  Our love for God makes it possible for us to share that love with others regardless of any obstacles placed in our path.  While troubles may persists in this world, they are meaningless whispers in the world that is to come.

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NASB)

When we stand firm in our love for God, demonstrating our sincerity through loving service to others, the fruits of our labor will be abundant.  When we let go of ourselves and seek to follow Jesus, we are clearly on the path to victory.

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.”  1 Corinthians 9:24 (NASB)

When we run in the footsteps of Jesus, there is nothing that can defeat our effort.  There isn’t any obstacle standing in our way that can’t be overcome when we follow the teachings of Jesus.  As a follower of Jesus, it doesn’t matter what’s going on in your life at this moment – in the end – you win!

Let this song lift your spirit.

We Win – MercyMe

Thank you for spending this time worshiping God.

His door is now open to you.  You are in God’s presence.  Don’t leave without Him.  Keep Him with you throughout your day.

Go in peace.

All scripture references are linked to Bible Gateway so that you can read each verse in context.  Bible Gateway allows you to change the verse to your favorite translation and compare it side-by-side with multiple translations.  In addition, you can select to hear an audio version of any verse by clicking on the speaker icon.  Keep the Bible Gateway App on your phone so that you can visit the Word of God at any time during your day.

Walking with Jesus