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| SCRIPTURE |
| “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” |
| (Proverbs 9:10, NIV) |
 |
| WORD |
| After Jesus was born, the Bible tells us in Matthew chapter two that Wise Men came from the East to bow before Him and worship Him. They went to great lengths just to get a glimpse of the Child and traveled a long distance for many months, following the star. When they saw Him, they were so overwhelmed. The scripture says they fell on their faces to honor and worship Him. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. That means that we should have a reverential honor and respect for Him — just like the Wise Men did. We are wise when we set everything else in life aside in order to seek Him. We are wise when we worship Him and give Him everything that we are. We are wise when we take time to honor Him. Remember, God is a rewarder of the people who diligently seek after Him. As you continue to put Him first in all you do, you’ll increase in wisdom and discernment, and you’ll move forward into the life of blessing He has in store for you. |
| |
| PRAYER |
| Father in heaven, today I choose wisdom by choosing to honor You. I put You first in my heart, my mind, my emotions and my actions. Show me Your ways that I may walk with You and acknowledge You in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
| — Nick Evans |
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Wise Men Still Seek Him
The Father’s Anticipation
| |
| SCRIPTURE |
| “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace” |
| (Isaiah 9:6, AMP) |
| |
| WORD |
| When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, not only is your eternity secure, but you become a child of the Most High God. You instantly have an Everlasting Father! Think about that word everlasting. It means that before the beginning of time, the Father was there. He was waiting for you to accept Him and become a child of His. I can only imagine that He was excited and anticipating that day just like a father would anticipate the birth of his child in the natural. I can imagine that each day God would think, “Is it today?” I don’t know what your experience has been with your earthly father, but God is a good and perfect Father. He loves you with an everlasting love. He loves everything about you so much that He notices when a single hair falls from your head. He accepts you just the way you are, and He loves you enough to guide you and work His character in you. And, He will be your Father from now until eternity! He will never leave you nor forsake you! Thank Him today for being your Everlasting Father! |
| |
| PRAYER |
| Everlasting Father, thank You for loving me today and for always being with me. Help me to understand Your love more so that I may know You better. Let Your love flow through me so that others may see Your goodness and come to know You as their Father also in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
| — Nick Evans |
Prince of Peace
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The Wonderful Counselor
| |
| SCRIPTURE |
| “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor...” |
| (Isaiah 9:6, NIV) |
| |
| WORD |
Do you need wisdom or direction in your life today? The scripture tells us that Jesus is our Counselor. And He’s not just any kind of Counselor, He’s a Wonderful Counselor. When something is wonderful, it means it is unusually good, marvelous or astonishing. Think about that for a moment. God is a marvelous, astonishing, unusually good Counselor — the very best you could ever have! Today, no matter what you may be facing, no matter what kinds of decisions you have to make, consider God. Ask Him to direct your steps and confirm His perfect will for your life. Remember, He is the best counselor there is. Let Him direct and guide your path. Seek Him with your whole heart, put Him first, and let Him lead you in blessing and victory in every area of your life. |
| |
| PRAYER |
| Father in heaven, You are my Wonderful Counselor. I submit all my ways to You. I trust that You have a good plan for me. Thank You for giving me wisdom and direction in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
| — Nick Evans |
Unto Us
| |
| SCRIPTURE |
| “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder...” |
| (Isaiah 9:6, NKJ) |
| |
| WORD |
When Jesus came to earth, He brought with Him everything you need to be empowered to live a life of victory. He came as a little baby, but He represented all authority in heaven and earth. When you choose to serve Him, you have access to all of His resources. You have access to His peace, power, authority, provision, joy and strength. He brought all of this to us when He came to earth. Unto us a child is born...unto us victory is given. Unto us, peace is given. Unto us, provision is given. Unto us hope and healing are given. Unto us eternal life is given! Whatever you need today, remember, when Jesus came into the world, He made a way for every one of your needs to be met spiritually, emotionally and physically. Surrender your life to Him and receive all the spiritual blessings He has in store for you! |
| |
| PRAYER |
| Father in heaven, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, so that I could be free to live an abundant life in You. Fill me with the revelation of Your love and everything that You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
| — Nick Evans |
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Failure is Not Final
SCRIPTURE
“...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead”
(Phillipians 3:13, NIV)
(Phillipians 3:13, NIV)
WORD
Are you down on yourself today because of past mistakes you’ve made or because you’re not where you want to be in life? God knows every poor choice, every difficulty, every wrong turn you may have made, and He’s already planned your comeback! In scripture, Jonah took a detour, so to speak. It took him a little bit longer, but because he called out to God, because he believed, God not only rescued him, but God got him to his final destination.
Friend, know today that failure is not final. God always has the final say. Mistakes don’t have to keep you from your destiny. God’s plan can override every setback. Your world may be in turmoil today in a relationship, in your finances or health. But know this: not only will God rescue you; He will set your feet on a rock and lead you to your final destination in life. Remember, the promise He placed on the inside of you didn’t go away because you had some personal failures. No, that failure is only temporarym but His Word remains forever! Keep hoping, keep believing because He will move you into the blessing and victory He has prepared for you!
PRAYER
Father God, thank You for Your hand of victory and blessing that is on my life. Today, I shake off the past, I shake off failure, I shake off poor choices and trust that You are restoring me and leading me into the plan You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen!
— Nick Evans
A New Route
SCRIPTURE
“Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion”
(Psalm 103:4, NIV)
(Psalm 103:4, NIV)
WORD
I know people who feel like they’ve wasted years of their lives because of poor choices. They spent years in a relationship that was toxic, years with an addiction, years at a job where they weren’t fulfilled. But you have to realize, nothing you have been through is ever wasted. Your past experiences, good and bad have deposited something on the inside of you. Those challenges have sharpened you to help make you who you are today. When the enemy brings hardship into your life, God has a way of taking that experience and turning it around for your advantage. You may think you’ve hit a dead end, but if you’ll stay in faith, you will see God begin to open up a new route. He’ll put the right people in your path, the right opportunities, the right circumstances to move you forward toward your God-given destiny.
Today, don’t focus on what’s happened in your past, focus on what God will do in your future. He wants to restore your soul and revive your dreams. Keep believing, keep expecting, keep hoping because God has a new route for your future!
PRAYER
Father God, I come humbly before You today. I give You my past, present and future knowing that You will redeem my life. I release those who have hurt me, I choose forgiveness so I can be free to move forward in the new route You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
Setup for a Comeback
SCRIPTURE
“For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again...”
(Proverbs 24:16, NIV)
(Proverbs 24:16, NIV)
WORD
Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you received some bad news about your health or perhaps a relationship didn’t work out. That was a setback. It’s easy to get discouraged or lose your enthusiasm or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we’re going to see God’s best, we have to have a “bounce back” mentality. That means when you get knocked down, you don’t stay down. You get back up again. You have to know that every time adversity comes against you, it’s a setup for a comeback!
Remember, as a believer in Jesus, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny. If you stay in faith, then God will turn what was meant to be a stumbling block into a stepping stone, and you’ll move forward in strength, full of faith and victory!
PRAYER
Father in heaven, thank You for setting me up for success in everything I do. I choose to trust and rely on You knowing that Your plans are for my good. I know my best days are ahead of me and look ahead to the blessings You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
Sunday, 11 March 2012
It’s About the Way You Finish
SCRIPTURE
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”
(2 Timothy 4:7, NIV)
(2 Timothy 4:7, NIV)
WORD
So often, when people make mistakes, they get down on themselves and think, “If only...” “I should have...” “What if...?” It’s easy to feel like you’ve missed the best plan for your life. That’s when people get discouraged and stop pursuing their God-given dreams. But understand today, just because you’ve made a mistake or failed in some way, that doesn’t cancel God’s plan. God never disqualifies you. He never says, “Go sit on the sidelines. You’ve blown it too many times. You’ve got too many weaknesses.” No, God always gives you another chance!
Some of the great people in the Bible made very poor choices. The apostle Paul started off as a murderer, yet his destiny was bigger than his mistakes. He ended up becoming a great leader and writing over half of the New Testament.
What am I saying? Our mistakes, our failures, our poor choices don’t have to keep us from our God-given destiny. With God, it’s not about the way you start in life, it’s about the way you finish. Receive His grace today and embrace the bright future He has in store for you!
PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy to me. I trust that my days are ordered of You. I ask that You strengthen and empower me to fulfill Your call on my life. I love You and bless You today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
His Plan for You Remains
SCRIPTURE
“God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable”
(Romans 11:29, NIV)
(Romans 11:29, NIV)
WORD
No matter where you’ve been, no matter what you’ve done, realize today that your destiny supersedes your mistakes. When God designed the plan for your life, it wasn’t dependent on you being perfect, never making a mistake, or never taking a wrong turn. No, God knew we would all make mistakes. He knows how to get you back on track no matter where you are in life. Just like there are many routes on a map, God has a plan to help you reach your destination. He has detours, shortcuts and bypasses. He has already calculated the entire route for your life.
Today, if you’re feeling like you’ve blown it, if you feel like you are too old, too far gone or too off track, know that nothing you've done, no mistake that you’ve made — or ever will make — is a surprise to God. He’s already got it figured out. He’s arranged a comeback for every setback! He has grace for every weakness. He has mercy for every failure. Receive it today and move forward with boldness into the destiny He has for you!
PRAYER
Father, thank You for the gifts and talents You’ve given me. Thank You for keeping me on track and ordering my steps. I repent today for any disobedience that has caused me to get off course. Keep me close to You always as I set my love on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
Get Your Joy Back!
SCRIPTURE
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
(1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, NIV)
(1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, NIV)
WORD
Did you know that it is God’s will for you to be joyful always? God wants you to be happy and carefree. He wants you to love your life no matter what your circumstances look like. In fact, when you have joy in the midst of difficult circumstances, it’s the evidence that you have faith and trust that God is going to bring you through.
God’s supernatural joy is strength. When you have His joy, you can stand strong no matter what’s going on around you. You might say, “Joel, I’m just not a real jovial person. I’m more serious. I never laugh much.” I realize God made us all differently, but you can train yourself to laugh more. I read where the average child laughs over 200 times a day, but the average adult only laughs 4 times a day. What’s happened? We’ve allowed the pressures of life, stress and more responsibilities to, little by little, steal our joy.
Make the decision today to get your joy back. Decide that you are going to look beyond your problems and look to God to see you through. Ask Him every day to fill you with His supernatural peace and joy so that you can live in His strength and victory all the days of your life!
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I humbly receive Your Word today. I choose to open my heart to You and invite You to fill me with Your joy and strength. Thank You for showing me Your goodness and empowering me with Your grace. I bless You today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
He Will Fight Your Battles
SCRIPTURE
“With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.”
(2 Chronicles 32:8, NKJ)
(2 Chronicles 32:8, NKJ)
WORD
In scripture, the enemy was coming against Hezekiah, causing him all kinds of trouble, trying to keep him from his destiny. But Hezekiah didn’t get all upset. He just kept abiding, being faithful and putting God first. In Second Kings 19, God said, “Hezekiah, I myself will come against this enemy. He will receive word that he is needed at home, and I will cause him to want to return and he will be defeated.”
Notice that when you abide in Him, the Creator of the universe says, “I myself will come against your enemies. I myself will come against that sickness. I myself will come against those who oppose you.” It says God is the one who caused Hezekiah’s enemy to turn around. That means God can cause that unfair boss to take an early retirement. God can cause that neighbor that’s giving you so much trouble to decide to pack up and move. God can cause that classmate to be transferred to another school.
Today, no matter what’s coming against you, keep pressing into God. Put His Word first place in your life. Honor Him in all that you do. Let Him fight your battles and bring you into the land of victory He has prepared for you!
PRAYER
Father, I bless You and praise You today because You are good! Thank You for Your good and precious promises. I submit my ways to You; I surrender my will to You knowing that You are working in my life. Thank You for fighting my battles as I keep myself in covenant with You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
The Good Land
SCRIPTURE
“For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land — a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills”
(Deuteronomy 8:7, NIV)
(Deuteronomy 8:7, NIV)
WORD
Are you facing an area of lack in your life? Lack in your finances, lack in your relationships, lack in your physical health? The good news is that’s not the place God wants you to stay. He wants to bring you into a new land with no lack, no shortage, no defeat and no mediocrity. He wants you to live in a place where you will have more than enough so you can be a blessing to others. He wants to lift you up and keep you up. He wants you to remain stable and strong in Him.
The key is that in order to get God’s results, we have to do things God’s way. His love is unconditional, His access is unlimited, but our obedience is what opens the door to His blessings. We have to do our part and humble ourselves before Him and keep pressing forward with an attitude of faith and expectancy.
Remember, promotion doesn’t come from people, it comes from the Lord. When we follow Him, He leads us into the land of blessing, the land of more than enough, the land of opportunity. Today, put Him first, follow His commands and let Him lead you into the good land!
PRAYER
Father God, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. Thank You for restoring my soul and leading me beside still waters. Today, I recommit my life afresh and anew. Help me follow Your commands and leading in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
Friday, 27 January 2012
Hidden in Him
SCRIPTURE
“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock”
(Psalm 27:5, NIV)
(Psalm 27:5, NIV)
WORD
What a wonderful promise found in today’s scripture that when you seek God, when you serve Him with your whole heart, He will hide you in His shelter. You can be so connected to Father God that you are untouchable and invisible to the enemy! You are hidden in Him! That means no matter what is happening around you, you will have strength, confidence and rest greater than ever before knowing that you are safe in Him. Challenges may come your way, but you won’t be worried about them. You know that, ultimately, things are going to work out for your good. You know that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. People may be talking, trying to make you look bad, but you don’t even give it a second thought. You know that your future is too bright to be distracted. You know they don’t control your destiny. You just keep on being your best, walking in integrity, meditating on the Word, worshiping throughout the day, and stay hidden in Him!
PRAYER
Father God, I come to You with an open and humble heart. I surrender every area of my life to You. Mold me into Your image and keep me hidden in You. I bless You and praise You today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
Remain
SCRIPTURE
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you”
(John 15:7, NIV)
(John 15:7, NIV)
WORD
In life, we all have ups and downs. There are seasons that are more difficult than others, seasons of testing, trials and temptation where our character is being developed and our faith in God is being strengthened. Sometimes it can feel like you are taking two steps forward and then three steps backward. But if we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that life is always going to be this way. Even in the strong seasons, you'll start looking for things to go wrong.
God doesn’t want us to be living life like a roller coaster. He wants to bring us to a place of stability where we remain strong in Him. Jesus said, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you abide in me, you will bear much fruit and your fruit will remain.” The word “remain” means “to be fixed, immovable, not affected by circumstances.” If you will just keep abiding in Him, just keep meditating on His Word, He’ll bring you through. He’ll make you strong, He’ll keep you stable, and you’ll keep moving forward into the life of blessing He has prepared for you!
PRAYER
Father, today I set my heart and mind on You knowing that You are good and faithful. I trust that as I seek You and put You first, You will direct my steps. I choose to remain in You and follow Your leading in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
When You Make a Mistake
SCRIPTURE
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
(1 John 1:9, NKJV)
(1 John 1:9, NKJV)
WORD
When we make mistakes in life, there are three main things that we need to do. Number one, ask for forgiveness. Number two, receive God’s mercy. And number three, move forward with your life. Let it go and press ahead.
So many people today are still beating themselves down over something they did five years ago. They’ve asked God to forgive them a thousand times, but can’t let it go. They go around living depressed, defeated and feeling unworthy. If that’s you, realize today the price has already been paid. The first time you asked God to forgive you, He forgave you. Now you’ve got to receive God’s mercy and press ahead. That mistake did not change who you are to God. My children have never once gotten up in the morning as an Osteen and then done something wrong and gone to bed that night with a different last name. No matter what they did, they’re still my children.
You may have made mistakes today, but because of the blood of Jesus, you are still your Father’s child. You are still the apple of God’s eye. You are still His most prized possession. God may not be pleased with every action, but He is pleased when you receive His forgiveness by faith!
PRAYER
Father, thank You for the blood of Jesus which cleanses me from all unrighteousness. Thank You for forgiving me and restoring me. I choose to forget the past and move forward into all that You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
Know Him as Father
SCRIPTURE
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’ ”
(Romans 8:15, NIV)
(Romans 8:15, NIV)
WORD
When you acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of the living God, that He came to earth, lived a sinless life, died for our sins and rose again on the third day, then you have a new relationship with God. He becomes your Savior. People receive this truth and know God as the all-powerful, all-mighty Creator of the universe — the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And, He is all of that and worthy of our praise! But, many people don’t realize how personal God wants to be with you. He doesn’t just want you to see Him as living far off, He wants you to know Him as a close, loving and gentle Father — your Daddy.
If you didn’t have a good father growing up, don’t let that taint the image of who your heavenly Father is. He is merciful. He is forgiving. He is loving. Let the Word of God show you how good and faithful He is. Get to know Him in a more personal way. Talk to Him on a daily basis. Remember, you don’t have to go through anybody else to talk to God. You have a direct line. Know Him as your Savior, know Him as your Lord, know Him as your Father, and know His love in a new way.
PRAYER
God, I want to know You more today. Show me Your ways that I may walk with You. Show me Your love and Your grace. I surrender every area of my heart, mind, will and emotions to You, my Father in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Nick Evans
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