Pastor JD

Day 11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 These are the same verses we looked at yesterday, but there was something else I wanted to address.  The later portion of these verse speaks about calling upon God and seeking Him.  It is paired with the assurance that God hears and we can find Him.  The…

Day 10 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 The plans I create for my life always benefit me and are designed to glorify me.  My plans are built upon others to serving me and giving me what I want.  My plan are selfish and self-serving.  My plans lead me to worship me.  I must trust…

9 “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17 “The weapon may be formed but it won’t prosper” are the opening lines of a worship song.  The weapons of the enemy are shaped and molded to destroy and discourage me.  The most powerful weapons are not swords or clubs, but “tongues that rise against you”.  The wounds of words seem to go deeper and last longer than any physical pain.  We were told “stick and stones may…

9 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 Chapter 8 of Romans is a powerhouse of truth about salvation.  It begins with ‘there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.  It ends with “ not anything in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”.  These are two incredible anchors of hope; I am…

7 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 This passage of scripture is often quoted and hotly debated.  Theologically, I understand this verse.  Practically, it is a daily challenge.  I can explain it, but I struggle to live it.  Many things happen in the regular course of day, but not all of them are good.  How can all things in my life be good? When it comes to good, I do not get to define what is good.  Good to me are those things that bring me pleasure and allow me…

6 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8 There are many things that clamor for my trust.  Things like money, power, influence, popularity, intelligence, and others, they all plead for me to trust in them.  Often times I find that I trust in myself more than anyone or anything else.   But God calls me to trust in Him, to trust only in Him, and to trust Him at all times.  To trust in God is a fearful thing for it requires me to turn my back on everything and everyone else. I can feel…

5 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 I often desire to have a spirit of power or the discipline of self-control.  I would love to be know for my love.  Yet too often a spirit of fear grips me.  It holds me tightly and causes me to do things I later regret.  In those moments my lack of spiritual insight causes me to make yet another spiritual blunder.  I try to grab power, or love, or exhibit self-control, but what I display is weak, empty, and hollow. I cannot give myself a spirit of power, love, and…

4 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 It does not take much for me to be gripped by anxious thoughts and feelings.  The minute something does not go as I planned it , I begin to wrestle with fear, doubt, and insecurities.  I try to figure out how to get things back to where I want them to be.  My peace is built on me being in control.  A fast teaches me…

3 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 During a fast, the desire for the foods I am fasting from often arises.  In those moments, I must deny those physical cravings and reminded myself of why I am fasting in the first place.  This fast is designed to help me draw closer to God.  I am seeking Him.  As I deny the physical to seek God spiritually, I am also reminded that far too often I seek things I want.  I allow my desires to become the primary focus of my life, and allow God, His…

2 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24 It does not take long for the physical desires to make themselves know in a time of fasting.  The desire for foods, like meat, bread, and sugar began to make them selves known by the end of the day.  Today I am praying for God to expose more of those physical desires, not less.  I am opening myself up to Him, in order that He would examine my thoughts and motives and expose those things that…