Foster Faithfulness

13/08/2023

As Jesus approached Jericho on the way to Jerusalem, Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging. Because of his cirucumstances, he was probably considered to be an outcast and overlooked by many. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Despite his circumstances and his surroundings, even when things appeared to be dark, he placed his eyes on Jesus.

Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. It may look like he was set aside but he was set apart. His vision was darkness but because of his persistence and faith in Jesus, he saw the Light!!

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” ~ 1 Timothy 6:12

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” ~Revelation 12:11

Lord, Your word tells us, to come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive Your mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Thank you, Lord, for stopping when You hear us calling out to You. Thank you for drawing us closer to You as You listen to what we have to say and thank you that You care so deeply for us that You ask us what we want You to do for us. No matter what circumstances are happening around us or around those that we love, we trust You. We can rest knowing that you are holding onto us. Lord, we love you. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen

30/07/2023

29/07/2023

Lord, You are loving and compassionate and caring. You are so good to us. We thank You for that today. You have searched us, and You know each of us. You know when we sit down and when we stand up. You understand our thoughts and are aware of all our ways. Before we even speak You know all about it Lord. You have encircled and placed Your hand on each of us. Father, the things that we place on ourselves and things that others place on us can be heavy. But Lord, You, have told us that we were never meant to carry that all on our own. Thank You, that we do not have to face these things alone or in our own strength. You have told us; for those of us that know You, we can have peace in the midst of the things that are happening within and surrounding us because You are in us and are on every side of us. Lord, nothing takes You by surprise and we trust You to work out every detail according to Your will and Your plans for us. Thank You that in You we can find rest for our souls. We love You. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

16/07/2023

Amen

14/07/2023

Friend, I don’t know what you are facing right now. Maybe, you’re feeling like Paul in this passage of scripture. He said, “no one stood by me” but “the Lord stood with me”. He was in a place that no one would want to be. He felt lonely and deserted by everyone. His community did not act or intervene or show their support at his hearing when this was all happening and unfolding. Perhaps they were afraid or didn’t know what to say. Perhaps they were dealing with their own crises and fearing the reality of being persecuted. I love what Paul says, as he is reflecting back, he is offering up forgiveness and asking the Lord not to count it against them. The Lord was there united with him, supporting and strengthening him. If you have a relationship with the Lord, you are never alone. He is standing there with you. He will strengthen you for the assignment He has you on if you allow Him to. As with any relationship, it takes action on our part as well. One day, this will be a part of your testimony of how you’ve overcome. To God be the Glory!

Lord, thank you for always being near us. I pray that each of us will be bold about sharing our faith with others so that they may come to know the truth and receive the hope that we have in You. We trust that you will rescue us from every evil work. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Lord, no matter what we face in this life, thank you that we are never alone. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, the author and perfecter of our faith. I pray that we can all say, I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. We love you. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen

29/08/2022

Lord, You are our God, we exalt You and praise Your name. For in faithfulness You have done wonderful things. We thank You for who You are and all that You have done. Because of You, we will always have Hope. Lord, today we place our trust in You. Please open our eyes today to see opportunities for sharing Your hope with others. We love You. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

24/08/2022

Lord, we thank you for Your presence in our lives. Your word says that You go before us. You are with us and have promised never to leave us or forsake us. In this life we will have trials of many kinds; but even in the midst we can have peace that is found only in You. No matter the circumstances around us, we will not be consumed. We will overcome! Help us to fix our eyes on You, Lord. We love You. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

22/08/2022

Lord, You are God of hope. Thank you for the gift of joy and peace that we receive when we place our trust in You, Lord. We pray that as we draw near to You each day that we will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that others that don’t yet know, may see and know that You are God. Lord, we praise You and give You all the glory. We love You. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

19/08/2022

Lord, we rejoice in You today. Thank you for our many blessings. Both our blessings here and our eternal blessings to come. Lord, we fix our eyes on You, the author and perfecter of faith. We know that for those who love you, God, that all things work together for good; for those who are called according to Your purpose. Lord, we trust Your plans. Our circumstances don’t compare to the joy found in You or to the joy that’s coming. We rejoice in that truth. We love You. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

17/08/2022

Amen.

16/08/2022

Lord, thank you for Your Word. Scripture tells us that we need to put on the full Armor of God so that we can take a stand against the enemy’s schemes. We have been instructed to stand firm and clothe ourselves with the belt of truth buckled around our waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition, we are to take up the shield of faith with which can extinguish all the flaming arrows from the enemy. We are to put on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is in the Word of God. We are to pray in the Spirit on all occasions, and we are to be alert and to keep praying for all the Lord’s people. Lord, we are uplifting in prayer to You right now the body of believers, the Church to You. Lord, we pray that none will neglect being in community with other believers. Your Word says that where two or three are gathered in Your name, that You are there also. If one falls down, a friend can be there to help them up, but pity the person who falls down, and has no one to help them up. Lord, help us to be diligent every day to put on the whole Armor of God, and to meet regularly, and to have accountability with one another as believers, so that we as the Church are protected and standing firm against the enemy. Please continue to mold and shape us so that our hearts, our minds, our words, and our actions are reflective of You and Your character. Thank you Lord for Your love, Your mercy and Your grace. We love you. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

15/08/2022

Lord, You are our strength and our defense. You are our salvation. You are God, and we praise and exalt You. Thank you that You go with us and fight for us against the enemy, and that You give us victory. Thank you for Your example, for Your Word, and for the hope of Heaven. You told us that in this world that we would have trouble but to be encouraged because You have overcome the world. Our peace is in You. Thank you for giving us strength and power when we are weary and weak. Lord, forgive us when we try to do things in our own strength instead of putting our trust in You. For when we are weak, then we are strong. We love you. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

12/08/2022

Lord, You are our refuge and strength, and You are always ready to help in times of trouble. We have nothing to fear or to worry about because You are with us. Forgive us, Lord, when we are striving to do things on our own and fighting battles that don’t belong to us. Help us step back and get out of the way. Lord, we trust You. We thank You that You fight the enemy on our behalf because the battle belongs to You. We love You. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.

12/08/2022

Lord, we thank you that You care about every detail going on within us and around us. Thank you for being present and for desiring a relationship with us. Thank you for the privilege of being able to come before You and share what’s on our hearts and minds and what's going on in our lives. Lord, You are our refuge and hiding place. Thank you for hearing and listening to what we have to say even when You already know what it’s regarding before a word has been spoken, or written, or through the words that won’t come, or through the tears that are shed. Thank you for giving us unlimited time with You and for never dismissing or rushing us. Thank you for being patient. Lord, You are the source of our hope, comfort, and peace. You protect us from trouble and surround us with songs of deliverance. Thank you for delighting in us and for calming our fears and for rejoicing over us with joyful songs. We love you. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.

08/08/2022

Lord, You are Love, and we are made in Your image. You have told us that we are to love as You have loved us. Love is patient and kind. It is not envious, boastful, or proud. Love does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking or easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Lord, it is our desire to point others to You in all that we do. Please help us to be on guard, to stand firm in faith, to be strong and courageous, and to do everything in love. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.

05/08/2022

Lord, we pray that we are encouragement to those that are around us today and please bring people to mind that may need to hear from us right now. Lord, we ask that You would help us to remove distractions and busyness in our lives and help us prioritize relationships and community. Help us not to neglect that. We uplift our loved ones in prayer to You right now. Thank you for each one. Lord, we pray that they will draw near to You. We also pray that each one prioritizes being in community because that's Your design for each of us Lord. We are not meant to be alone or in isolation. Lord, you know each one by name. Please meet their needs. We love You. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

03/08/2022

Lord, thank you for equipping us with what we need to share the Gospel with others through Your Word and through our testimonies. Thank you for giving us the power of the Holy Spirit that is at work within us. We are not alone. You are with us always. Our confidence is in You, Lord, and we ask that You would speak through us. Help us, Lord, to be obedient to the calling You have placed on each of our lives to go and to share with others teaching them to observe everything that You have commanded of us. We trust that You are preparing the hearts and minds of people. We know that some may be ready to follow You when we share, and for some it may just be planting the seed. Lord, either way we release them over to You. Help us to be a beacon of light and a source of hope everywhere we go so that others may see and know. Lord, we give You all the glory. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

02/08/2022

Lord, we thank you for the love that You have lavished on us, that we are called Your children. You are a good, good Father. Lord, You are love and we thank you that nothing can ever separate us from Your love that is revealed through Christ Jesus our Lord. You are Holy, Holy, Holy and we bless Your great name. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.

01/08/2022

Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. We pray that as we seek whole-heartedly after You through prayer and through Your Word, that You would counsel us and give us clarity throughout our studies of scripture. We pray for transformation in our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit living in us so that we will bear these fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thank you, Lord showing and teaching us how we should live. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.

29/07/2022

Lord, thank you for Your great love and compassion toward us. Thank you for being present and empathetic when we are in distress. Thank you for hearing us when we pray. For those of us that know you, Lord, we have hope for what is to come; but in this world that is broken there’s an “and”. We have hope and we have pain. Thank you that we can come to You when we are weary and burdened, and that we can find rest in You. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

28/07/2022

Lord, we are called to love and serve and be available. In a world where there are so many things grabbing our attention, Lord, we pray that we will be intentional about doing what You have called us to do. Thank you for the unique gifts that You have given to each one of us, and we pray that we use them in a way that brings glory to You. Lord, help us to separate ourselves from the things in this world that are sinful. We are to be in the world but not of it. We are Your image bearers. Our lives are a living testimony for You Lord. Help us to live in the way that You have instructed us so that we reflect who You are to each other as the body of believers and to people who don’t yet have a personal relationship with You. Lord help us to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

27/07/2022

Lord, You told us that in this world we will have trouble but to be encouraged because You have won the battle over the world. Thank you that we don’t have to go through these things alone. It's a privilege that we can come to You with our burdens and that we can find rest and peace that passes all understanding in You. You, Lord are our strength. Thank you that You have gone before us and are with us. Our circumstances are temporary. Help us Lord to live in a way that glorifies You and shines Your light to the world. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

26/07/2022

Lord, thank you for Your great love for us that we should be called Your children. Thank you for the Hope and the Future that we now have through Jesus. Lord, help us to speak boldly about the gospel so that those that don’t yet know will hear. Help us be vessels for you Lord. Thank you that You have given us the Word to say. We pray for hearts to be receptive to Your message. Thank you for the person or people that shared the good news with us. Because of that, our lives are forever changed. Thank you, Lord, for Your forgiveness, for Your grace, and for Your mercy. We love You Lord. It’s in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

25/07/2022

Lord, You are our everlasting rock, our salvation, our fortress and our deliverer. Thank you that You know our hearts and hear our cries and that we can take refuge in You. You are our stronghold and we will not be shaken. We love You. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen

22/07/2022

Lord, we come before You with thankfulness. Thank you for creating the Heavens and the Earth. Thank you for Your beautiful creation that You spoke into existence, and for all the intricate details of Your creation that You poetically orchestrate each day. God, help each of us to be mindful so that we take time to pause each day and reverently look and take in Your beautiful masterpieces. Thank you, Lord, for creating each of us. We are all uniquely made, but we are all also made in your image. Thank you for sending Jesus to live here on earth so that we could see and live by His example. Thank you for the gift of salvation offered through Jesus when He died on the cross, for our sins, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the hope of Heaven. Lord we, give You honor and praise for who You are and for all that You have done. It’s in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

21/07/2022

Thank you Lord for Your unconditional and unwavering love for us. Thank you for Your forgiveness and for Your faithfulness. Thank you for Your example. Help us to be more like you each day. We love You. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen

20/07/2022

Friend, I don't know what all you have faced in your life. I'm certain that you have gone through some hard things, though. Know that you are being prayed for. I want to share with you the Hope that I now have that you can have also. I found that hope through a friend of mine that I'm now following. His name is Jesus. If you haven't heard about Him, I would like to introduce you to Him through these verses of scripture that are posted.

If you would like to receive this gift of salvation and eternal Hope that you just read about, you can say a simple prayer right now.

Jesus, I confess my sins and ask You to forgive me. I need Your Hope. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins; that you were buried and rose from the dead. Please come into my heart and my life as Savior and Lord. Please help me to follow you daily through the help of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your love and forgiveness and for saving me. It’s in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Friend, if you prayed that prayer today, I’m so excited for you! Welcome to the Family of God! We would love to hear from you!

If haven’t made that decision yet and have questions, please reach out as well!

If you have already been following Jesus, I’m thankful you made that decision and glad that you are here!

I want to leave you with this final reminder for today: You are seen. You are heard. You are loved. You are prayed for.

19/07/2022

What does “Though None Go With Me” bring to mind for you today? In Luke, chapter 5, Jesus is teaching by the Lake of Gennesaret, and the people there were crowding around Him to listen to the Word Of God. Jesus then gets into a boat that He sees nearby and continues to teach. When He finishes teaching, He asks Simon, the one to whom this boat belonged. “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon replies, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.” When they did, they caught so many fish that the nets began to tear. There was enough fish to fill two boats; so much so that the boats began to sink.

Looking back, Simon was a fisherman by trade, and he had already attempted what he knew to do but had no success. The net came up empty. So when Jesus is calling him to let down his nets again for a catch there’s some doubt. But, Simon was obedient and did what Jesus asked of him, and that made all the difference.

The last verse of the passage says, "Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him."

“Though none go with me” are lyrics from an old hymn called “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.” Is God calling you right now to do something? Friend, what is your net or place of safety and security that He’s asking you to leave behind? Where are the deep waters that God is asking you to cast down your net? If you would like this community, to be praying for you, please leave that in the comments. Know that you will be prayed for. If you don’t know Jesus and would like to know more about Him, please reach out to me anytime and I would love to visit with you.

My prayer for us, Lord, is that each of us will be obedient to what You are calling us to do. God, sometimes that calling can feel unsettling to us because it usually requires us to step away from our comfort zone. But God, You are ultimately our source of comfort, and we can trust Your call because we can trust You. Lord, please give us courage to boldly follow you, even if that means, though none go with us. Thank you that we are never truly alone when we have You. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

18/07/2022

What are you going through today? Has this been a challenging day for you? Are you facing some pain or disappointment or discouragement right now? God wants to hear from you. He knows every detail about us and the things that we face, but still He desires for us to talk to Him about what’s on our hearts and minds. This verse from Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to come BOLDLY to the throne of our Gracious God. That is such a privilege that we get to do that. Friend, I want to encourage you today to visit with God about whatever is on your heart and mind right now.

Thank you, Lord, that we have the privilege of getting to come before you and talk to You. I’m so grateful that You care about all the details that are going on within us and our lives. Your Word says not to fear for you are with us, and not to be afraid, for you will strengthen us and help us, and you will hold on to us with Your righteous right hand. Thank you for being our security, comfort, and our hope. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen