Apr 18, 2011

The Promise Keeper—Scripture: Joshua 1:1-11

Think on this:  “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

What a blessed assurance! When it was time for the children of Israel to move to the next level of faith, there was no question that God would keep His promise to be with them. As you step out in faith, remember that God will protect and watch over the words He has spoken over your life. The good news is that God’s promises have no expiration date—so wait on Him in faith-trusting that God our promise keeper will never forget you or His promise.  

Prayer:  Dear Father, help me to accept the fact that your promises are not just for other people, but they are also for me.

Declare:  God has plans to prosper me, to give me a hope and a future.
Rev. Heidi Stevens

Apr 13, 2011

Don’t Die in the Desert—Scripture: Joshua 5:1-7

Think on this:  “The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord.” Joshua 5:6 (NIV)

What should have been an eleven day journey into the Promised Land took forty years.  The children of Israel took their eyes off God and started complaining, even as God was providing for them. What the Israelites failed to take with them on their journey out of Egypt, and to unpack in the barren wilderness of Sin, was their spiritual survival kit for desert living. A spiritual survival kit includes thirst quenching living water that only God can provide, shelter from the sand storms of life that blow fiercely from time to time, and a moral compass to stay firmly on the path of righteousness. All of us need to be prepared for desert times.  These are seasons when our promises are deferred, when life’s challenges threaten to overtake us, or when we fall into the snare of temptation and disobedience.  Make plans now to stay alive in your desert times and purpose to keep your stay as brief as possible. Keep your spiritual survival kit with you at all times and trust that God will deliver you into your Promised Land in due season.
Prayer:  Dear God, help me to accept and embrace your timing for the promises you have for my life. Help me to keep my eyes off life’s little inconveniences and to keep my eyes firmly on you.
Declare:  I shall not die- but live to declare the wonders of the Lord!
Rev. Heidi Stevens

Apr 12, 2011

Lord Keep Me Day-By-Day—Scripture: Luke 11:2-4


We are always thinking of the next thing, planning next year’s vacation this year and spending next month’s money today. Yes beloved, sometimes we get caught up in the rat race of planning too far ahead and taking for granted that tomorrow is always going to be there. I believe that while this planning is important we sometimes take for granted the One who is making it all possible. The Bible reminds us that in Him we live, move, breathe, and even have our being, so we ought not to take for granted what he gives, but thank him daily.  

Sometimes we need to slow it down a bit and pray the prayer of Jesus, “Give us this day what we need!” What we are then asking the Lord to do is to keep us day-by-day. I believe in planning like everyone else, but I cannot take today for granted, I (we) must remember that as he daily fed the children of Israel, and as he kept our ancestors, he can keep us day-by-day.

Pray: Thank you Lord for keeping me one day at a time!

Remember the song: Lord keep me day-by-day in a pure and perfect way. I want to live; I want to live in a building not made by hands!

Determined to Live by Faith,
Dr. Stan