Everything You Need

The gospel provides us with a view of the future that empowers our lives today.

“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

Almighty Creator of the universe, watching over us all, we praise your holy name.  Guide us toward your approaching kingdom as loyal followers of your every desire.  Thank you for all that you provide in our lives.  Bless us Father with your goodness and mercy, as we stumble our way through this life, and provide us with the ability to bless others in the same manner.  Keep our minds ever vigilant to the disruptive powers of the evil one.  Guide us on a path that avoids destruction.  You alone are our protector and deliverer.  We ask these things in the Holy name of Jesus.  Amen.

Everything You Need

Depending on where you’re at in your life, it may seem like you need more money, more friends, a better relationship, a new car, or a job with more prestige.  You don’t.  All of that is empty and meaningless if you don’t have Jesus.  Throughout your entire life, there will never be anyone or anything that does more for you than Jesus.  Once you’ve trusted Jesus, you will have everything you need.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8(NASB)

Jesus sacrificed his life so that you might live.  When you place your faith in Jesus, you have stepped out of this life into a spiritual existence that goes on forever.  Jesus did this for you, not because of who you are, but because of who he is.  Your salvation is a free gift from God granted as a result of your faith in Jesus Christ.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)

The simple message of the gospel is the most important news you will ever receive.  By following God’s plan for your salvation, you completely change the rest of your life here on earth and set yourself on a path that goes beyond eternity.

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.”  Ephesians 1:13(NASB)

The gospel is an awesome demonstration of God’s ultimate power.  Every desire we have in this life pales in comparison to the life to come.  There is no bad day when you know tomorrow is going to be a glorious celebration.  The gospel provides us with a view of the future that empowers our lives today.

Let this song lift your spirit.

The Gospel – Ryan Stevenson

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Redeemed by the blood of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit, Christians travel through this life guided and protected by God.  Your connection to God will carry you through every struggle that comes your way.  Your salvation is the one thing you can depend on to last forever.

“You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”  1 Peter 1:18-19 (NASB)

There is power in knowing Jesus.  Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Christians have special access to God.  It’s impossible to distance yourself from God when he’s living inside of your heart.  As believers, we travel with God every moment of every day.  There is no period of time in which we do not have access to God.

“Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 2:38 (NASB)

No matter what this world throws at us, we are ultimately able to overcome it all.  While it may seem difficult at times, in the end we will always win.  In the end, our difficult times will be revealed to be a victory.  Even the most challenging circumstance will prove to be a valuable lesson and an important strength-building experience.

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”  1 John 4:4 (NASB)

The Holy Spirit living inside of every believer has no equal in this world.  Nothing in this world matches the wisdom, strength, and power of the Holy Spirit that provides us a direct link to the power of God.

Let this song convict you of this truth.

Greater – MercyMe

The Righteousness of God

Our God is perfect.  There can only be one perfect being.  In order to live for eternity with God, we must achieve a level of righteousness that is impossible to attain in our own power.  Praise God for sending His Son to provide us with a way to reach a level of righteousness that is acceptable to God.

“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”  Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)

God has placed us on this earth, inside these mortal bodies, as preparation for our life to come.  We are spirits inside human bodies and it is our mission to experience all the challenges life in this world entails.  When we live entirely for ourselves, satisfying the desires of our flesh, we are living separated from God.  When we live for God, we love him and love our neighbor, setting ourselves aside in service to God.  Living for God connects us to our spirit and makes us whole.

“If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.”  Romans 8:10 (NASB)

Your journey through this world is unique.  We each have a specific role to play.  Some who have not yet connected to God may seem successful, but the truth is they are traveling on a road to nowhere.  There is no real progress without God.

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB

Jesus provides us with the righteousness we need to connect with God.  Without Jesus, we are totally unworthy to be in the presence of God.  By the grace of God, through our faith in Jesus, our sins have been washed away and we are able to stand before God and travel with him into eternity.

Let this song be your song.

My Righteousness – Go Deep

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.

The Book of Romans