Vickie Winans - Joy to The World (2024)

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Today's Verse - Luke 8:21

[Jesus] replied [when he was alerted his physical family was near], "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

—Luke 8:21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I love the simple truth that Jesus taught his first disciples. Do you want to be recognized as a part of Jesus' family? Obey his Father's word and live his Father's will! When you do, Jesus gladly claims you as part of his family and holds you up as an example for others to follow!

My Prayer...

Bless me today, please, dear Heavenly Father. I want to live with clarity and see the opportunities you have placed in my life to follow you obediently and honor your will. However, dear Father, I don't want this clarity to be a fleeting thing. Just as I want to be a part of your family permanently and eternally, I want to obey and honor you with my life consistently. Help me be more aware of the opportunities you place in my daily path to do just that! In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - 2 Corinthians 8:20-21

We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift [of money you have given for the Christians in Jerusalem]. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

—2 Corinthians 8:20-21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We want to be generous in helping others in need, especially those who are part of our Christian family. Generosity reflects how deeply God's loving gifts have touched our hearts. At the same time, those who are entrusted with stewardship to lead in this benevolent giving of funds to bless others must carefully heed the example and call of the Apostle Paul. God's leaders must be circ*mspect in the way they handle funds contributed by God's people for efforts to bless others in Jesus' name. They must take great "pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men."

My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for your people who are often very generous to help those in need. Thank you for being generous toward us with your blessings. Thank you for entrusting those blessings to us so we can use them for good. At the same time, dear Father, stir us to deal with the charlatans and money grubbers who masquerade as your servants and steal from you, your people, and the needy who need your blessings. May we, both leaders in charge of such gifts and those who generously give them, be honorable and holy in the sight of all as we use these resources to do your work and generously share your grace. In the name of our LORD and Christ, we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Isaiah 8:19

When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

—Isaiah 8:19

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We live in an age when people want to mix the contents of many mystical faiths and spirituality into the boiling pot of a self-made pseudo-Christian religion because they added a little Jesus to their mix. Most do not know that the primary claim of Scripture is simple and straightforward: Only God, the Almighty Yahweh, is truly God, and we must worship only the one true and living God (2 Kings 19:19; Nehemiah 9:6; Matthew 4:10). Only he can be trusted. There are other spiritual powers, but these powers lead to despair, death, and destruction. Jesus, as God who came in human flesh (John 1:14-18; Hebrews 1:1-3), triumphed over all these evil powers for us on the cross (Colossians 2:13-15). So we seek God, YAHWEH, the great "I AM" of Israel, the Almighty because we find life in him. All others are false. We should inquire only of our God!

My Prayer...

Almighty God, you are holy and majestic. You alone are worthy of our worship. Please rekindle our passion to seek you passionately and truthfully. Reawaken us to your glory so the world may know your grace. We long for the people in our time to honor you appropriately as God. We pray that those around us see Your character and grace reflected in who we are, what we do, and how we live for you. May they be drawn to You because of what they see in us. We long for the nations come to know Your peace and honor You alone as LORD. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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