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Be thankful – Day 11 – Drawing Closer to God

Three days after Victoria, our 3 year old daughter, was diagnosed with a brain tumour, by the grace of God I was able to write a list of 22 things to be thankful for. This act of purposefully looking for things to be thankful for showed me so clearly that God had gone before us and He was with us now. It enabled me to get to a place of trusting that God would be with us every step of the journey. The same is true for you and me today and tomorrow – God is with us.

I hope you have your pen and paper ready to write what God says to you today, and start on your thankful list. (Day 11 – YouTube)

Day 11 – Be thankful

God wants to remind us, ‘Don’t fret these days away, rather thank me for Who I am and what I have done and what I will do.’

Scriptures

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV

Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 The Passion Translation

The Passion Translation footnote: Verses 16-18 identify three areas of our lives we must focus on: (1) unbounded joy, (2) praying continually, and (3) giving thanks to God no matter what happens in our lives. These three virtues combine to form the wonderful expression of Christ’s life within us

Worship Songs for today

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Matt Redman
All creatures of our God and King (St. Francis of Assisi)

Remember ..

Today is a great day to start making a list of things you are thankful for.

Be thankful - Day 11 - Drawing Closer to God

If you’d like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us.

For some more thoughts on the importance of being thankful, please visit these posts …
Thankfulness lifts our eyes to Jesus
What am I grateful for?

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

Eyes on Jesus – Day 10 – Drawing Closer to God

Now is the time to be very discerning about what we watch and read from the mainstream media and on social media. No-one knows the full story except for Jesus Christ. We all have a bias. My bias is definitely keeping my eyes on Jesus and what He has to say and I am not ashamed of that. Remember to have your pen and paper ready to write down what He says to you during this devotion today. (Day 10 – YouTube)

Day 10 – Eyes on Jesus

Today let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, not what is happening around us.

Scripture

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honour, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 The Message

Worship Songs for today

This I believe [The Creed] (Hillsong Worship)
May the Mind of Christ my Saviour (Katie Barclay Wilkinson)

Remember …

Jesus Christ is Our Saviour – today and for eternity.

Eyes on Jesus - Day 10

If you’d like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us.

For some more thoughts on keeping our eyes on Jesus, please visit these posts …
The gift of love – Jesus

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

Our refuge – Day 9 – Drawing Closer to God

There are so many places and ways we can hide when the going gets tough. But there is only one truly safe place to hide, in the shadow of God’s wings, our refuge. Love, grace, peace and mercy are all there for us. Let’s go there today. (Day 9 – YouTube)

Day 9 – Our refuge

God is ready and willing to be our refuge all day, every day.

Scriptures

O God, how extravagant is your cherishing love! All mankind can find a hiding place under the shadow of your wings.
Note; there is a footnote for ‘hiding place’ – They will be satisfied [or watered] in the abundance of your house.
Psalm 36:7 TPT

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. I will cry to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. Psalm 57:1-2 NKJV

Worship Songs for today

Shadow of Your Wings (Hillsong Worship)
I need you Now (Matt Redman)
Great is Thy Faithfulness (William M Runyan)

Remember …

Let’s not be afraid to say, “God, I need you.” He loves to hear that from His children.

Our refuge - Day 9

If you’d like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us.

For some more thoughts on God as our refuge, please visit these posts …
The canopy and God’s protection over us
A safe place – Jesus

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

No Fear – Day 8 – Drawing Closer to God

Earlier this week I heard the phrase ‘Fear is what stops us from loving’ from the Belmont Christian College Chaplain. How true is that statement! In these times, lets not be fearful and stop loving others, instead trust God and actively look for ways to love. No fear in Jesus Name.

Remember to have your pen and paper/journal ready to record what God says to you today during this devotion. (Day 8 – YouTube)

Day 8 – No Fear in Jesus Name

Today let’s lay our fears at the foot of The Cross – and leave them there.

Scriptures

I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 NKJV

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ – eternal and glorious plans they are! – will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does. 1 Peter 5:8-11 The Message

Worship Songs for today

Surrounded (Fight My Battles) (Michael W. Smith)

Whom Shall I fear [God of Angel Armies] (Chris Tomlin)

All Hail the Power of Jesus Name (Edward Perronet)

Remember …

God is listening, He has a plan and He will always have the last word.

No Fear in Jesus Name - Day 8 - Drawing Closer to God

If you’d like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us.

For some more thoughts on overcoming fear and having the courage to keep standing, please visit these posts …

Are you feeling fearful?
Courage to keep standing
In the Battle
Be strong and of good courage
Courage to do the little things

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

God’s Mercy – Day 7 – Drawing Closer to God

Easter is coming soon and our celebrations will look a bit different from last year – but the message remains the same – we have a Heavenly Father who is loving and merciful. (Day 7 – YouTube)

God’s Mercy

How merciful our God is!

Scriptures

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our hearts shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:20-22 NKJV

Blessed be the LORD, For He has shown His marvellous favour and lovingkindness to me [when I was assailed] in a besieged city. Psalm 31:21 AMP

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 NKJV

Worship Songs for today

Oceans (Hillsong United)
Desert Song (Hillsong United)
It is well with my soul (Horatio Spafford)

Remember …

I know there are areas in our lives that we are waiting to see God’s promises come to pass, but let’s not give up waiting. Let’s continue to put our hope in Jesus Christ and declare, “It is well with my soul.”

God's mercy - Drawing Closer to God - Day 7

If you’d like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us.

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

God’s Peace – Day 6 – Drawing Closer to God

This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us embrace God’s peace and open our hearts to hear from Him today. (Day 6 – YouTube)

God’s peace

May God’s peace reign in you today.

Scriptures

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV

Now may the God of peace [the source of serenity and spiritual well-being], who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood that sealed and ratified the eternal covenant, equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you [making you complete and perfect as you ought to be], accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 AMP

Worship songs for today

Let the Peace of God Reign (Darlene Zschech)
Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (Dorothy A. Thrupp)
And a slightly different version of Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us – with a bit of country flavour.

Remember

God’s peace is freely available to you today, reach out and take it with both hands.

God's peace - Day 6

If you’d like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us.

For some more thoughts on the gift of peace from Jesus please visit this post … Where can I find some peace?

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

God’s Grace – Day 5 – Drawing Closer to God

As you choose to spend this time with God today, I pray that you will hear His voice and know more of God’s grace and love for you (Day 5 – YouTube).

God’s Grace

Let’s remember that God is not puzzled by any of these going-ons. He has a plan to bring good from this.

Scriptures

But He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough – always available – regardless of the situation); for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.”

Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength]. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 AMP

Worship Songs for today

Your Grace Finds Me (Matt Redman)
Amazing Grace (John Newton)

Remember …

Be expectant, alert, thankful and prayerful. And write down what God said to you today.

His Grace is sufficient - Day 5

Here is an interesting article published in Eternity News relating to weakness and vulnerabilities – When I am weak, then I am strong.

If you’d like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us.

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

I am a child of God – Day 4 – Drawing Closer to God

We have a Father in Heaven who loves us and wants to speak to us today. So have your pen and paper / journal ready today before you start, so you can record what He says to you (Day 4 – Youtube).

I am a child of God

Pray for peace, wisdom and a tangible touch of God’s love today.

Scriptures

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 NIV 

I trust you, Lord, to be my hiding place. Don’t let me down. Don’t let my enemies bring me to shame. Come and rescue me, for you are the only God who always does what is right.

Rescue me quickly when I cry out to you. At the sound of my prayer may your ear be turned to me. Be my strong shelter and hiding place on high. Pull me into victory and breakthrough.

For you are my high fortress, where I’m kept safe. You are to me a stronghold of salvation. When you deliver me out of this peril, it will bring glory to your name. As you guide me forth I’ll be kept safe from the hidden snares of the enemy. Psalm 31:1-4 TPT

Worship Songs for today

No longer slaves (Jonathon David & Melissa Helser)
Nearer, My God, to Thee (Sarah Flower Adams)

Remember …

You are God’s precious child and He wants to hear from you and talk to you.

God loves you

If you’d like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us.

For some more thoughts on the love of our Heavenly Father please visit this post … Our Heavenly Father’s love

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

The Holy Spirit – Day 3 – Drawing Closer to God

Thanks for joining in on Day 3 (YouTube version)- a time to remember that when Jesus left earth He did not leave us alone. He sent the Holy Spirit – Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby) – sounds like exactly who we need now! Thankfully He is with us.

The Holy Spirit

God has gone before us today and He is with us now.

Scripture

But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. John 14:26 AMP

So he answered and said to me; “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.” Zechariah 4:6 NKJV 

Worship Songs for today

Holy Spirit you are welcome here (Kim Walker-Smith)
Spirit of the Living God (Daniel Iverson

Remember …

Yield and let His Spirit minister to you

Footnote: As you have probably noticed, the second Worship Song in my list is more a more traditional song. I really encourage you to listen to song I’ve included to ‘Spirit of the Living God’ today – the specific version I’ve linked too. It made me cry after only one line had been sung. Thank you Holy Spirit that you are here.

The Holy Spirit

If you’d like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us.

If you are looking for more encouragement today, check out my podcasts.

Jesus – Day 2 – Drawing Closer to God

Welcome to Day 2 – a time set aside to lift our eyes to Jesus … remember to be expectant that God will speak to you and have your pen and paper handy to record what He says. ( Day 2 – YouTube)

Jesus

Jesus is your companion on this journey.

Scriptures

God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise – He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 AMP

The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His coventant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning. Psalm 25:14 AMPC

Worship Songs for today

Let it be Jesus (Christy Nockels)
King of Kings (Hillsong Worship)
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus (Louisa M.R. Stead)

Remember

Choose to stick with Jesus

Jesus loves you

If you’d like the PDF printable version of these devotions, please contact us

For some more thoughts on Jesus please visit this post … Jesus

If you are looking for more encouragement, check out my podcasts.

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