O What A Savior

VERSE:
As he spake these words, many believed on him.
– John 8:30
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=John+8:30&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
While we often talk about Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can also find it easy to ignore his voice. Let’s make a commitment to read through each of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John) before the end of the year. And as we read, let’s do it as a search for the heart of Jesus and ask God to help us know him better.

PRAYER:
Be with me, dear Father, as I seek to know Jesus better and obey his words more faithfully as I read your holy Scriptures, which find their center in him. In his name, Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, I pray. Amen.

VERSE:
And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
– Mark 8:29
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Mark+8:29&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
The sweetest confession we will ever make is this: I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and I want him to be Lord of my life. Let’s say it again, out loud, to the glory of God the father. Then, let’s commit that before the year ends, we’re going to help someone else come to say it for the first time!

PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord God Almighty, for having a plan that brought me your Messiah, Jesus. I do believe, dear God, that he is your Son and I want him to be my Lord, today, and for the rest of my days.
In the name of Jesus, your Son and my Savior, I pray. Amen.

VERSE:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
– Romans 8:28
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+8:28&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
The real issue in our lives is not God’s faithfulness, but ours.
The history of God’s faithfulness to Israel and to his promises is found in the Scriptures. We can depend and rely on him to do what he promises, despite the apparent circumstances of our lives. The real issue is whether or not we choose to truly love him and live for his purposes when life becomes unbearable and faith becomes hard. This verse is no platitude, but the life-ring of hope for those with gritty faith who choose to persevere when there is no easy reason for doing so. Faith is rooted in a Savior who triumphed over death, Satan, and sin on the third day while we find ourselves caught up on the second day waiting for the dawn of our full salvation.

PRAYER:
Give me courage, faith, and character, O Lord, and may I never outlive my faith and hope in you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

VERSE:
But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
– Matthew 8:27
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+8:27&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
What kind of man? Ah, much more than a man, he is our Lord, King, Messiah, Shepherd, and Savior.

PRAYER:
Tender Shepherd and Abba Father, thank you for emptying heaven of your choicest glory and sending Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.
As I face the storms in my life, please give me the courage to stand bravely in faith, trusting that my Savior will still the winds and the waves and bring me safely home to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20080827&ver=kjv

VERSE:
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
– Romans 8:26-27
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+8:26-27&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
Sometimes our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling and fall to the floor. Other times, we are overcome with emotion and the words of our prayers can’t capture what’s in our hearts. Thank God for the assurance that the power of our prayers is not dependent upon our words, but upon his grace given us by the Holy Spirit’s intercession!

PRAYER:
Holy God and Loving Father, thank you for giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit, through whom I have the ultimate assurance that you hear my words, my thoughts, and my heart when I pray. In Jesus’
name. Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20080826&ver=kjv