Believers

God’s Spiritual Discernment for the Believer in Jesus Christ

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Photo taken in Colorado.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, I come in Jesus’ Name to thank you, as a believer in Jesus Christ, for the opportunity to have spiritual discernment from You and Your Word (the Bible) through the Holy Spirit. This also gives me the capacity to see and understand what is right and wrong. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15a “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things.“

I ask You to show me any corrections needed in my life and give the ability to follow them. I want to know Your perfect will for my life because it gives me a plan of safety, comfort, peace, and protection. Direct me to know when I am going in the right direction, and to experience the truth of the second half of Romans 8:6. “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.“

It is a blessing that You, the Creator of this awesome universe, have an interest in my wellbeing. You want to guide me with love and wisdom along this life’s journey. Remind me often that You want to teach me through Your Word (the Bible), and that It alone has the power to overcome my tendency to sin and the work of the evil one (Satan).

Direct me to be open to the promise in Psalm 32:8. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” To God be the glory! Amen.

God’s Perfect Gifts for a Believer in Jesus Christ (Based on James 1:17)

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Photo taken in Nebraska.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, I come to thank You for blessing me with good and perfect gifts. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” It is a blessing to know when difficulties and trials come that You have not changed but are still good. You are still and always will be the source of all good.

Direct me to have the ability to recognize and praise You for all the good things coming from You–mercy, grace, compassion, kindness, peace, wisdom, love, etc. Thank you that You always have a plan for whatever happens in my life. Even when I can’t begin to comprehend and understand the situation. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Give me an understanding and appreciation of Your amazing gift of creation, how precisely everything works together in perfect timing not only for human beings, but also for all the animals and plants on the earth. Thank you for the blessings You have stored up for all of us that worship You and come to You to escape the unkind world. Psalm 31:19 “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear [honor and respect] You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!” I honor You with gratitude for all that You are and do. Amen.

God’s Promise to Uphold Believers in Jesus Christ (Based on Isaiah 41:10)

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Photo taken in Colorado.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, thank you for this verse that You gave to Israel, and all of us who are believers, as Your chosen people. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” It is a great comfort for me that You, the Creator of the universe, want to encourage me by telling me that You are present everywhere I go (“for I am with you“).

You are also reminding me not to be anxious or worry whether You can handle my life situations. Direct me to focus on You, the unlimited One, who is speaking in this verse (“for I am your God“). In these chaotic and uncertain times we are living in, it gives me peace to know that You promise strength and help (“I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you“).

Direct me to keep in the front of my mind that it is You who holds on to me, and not me holding on to You. Remind me often that it is my responsibility to take in Your Word and be obedient to what You tell me to do in order to develop righteousness in my Christian walk (“I will uphold you with my righteous right hand“). Obviously, You knew that we as Your children would have to deal with many fears throughout life, causing You to reference the subject over 300 times in different contexts in the Bible (“fear not“).

Thank you for encouraging me in so many ways not to fear, but to trust in Your presence to overcome my fears. Amen.

God’s Desire for a Believer’s Complete Commitment to Him

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Photo taken in Florida.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Loving Heavenly Father, I come to You through the Name of Jesus, longing to be totally committed to You and Your purpose for me in this world. Thank you for telling me in Your Word, the Bible, what Your desire is for me. Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.“

I realize that in my own strength, I am too weak and frail to accomplish what You want for me. Direct me to be alert and aware of all kinds of possible temptations that come my way. Since temptations strike in my most vulnerable areas of life, give me a sensitivity to the subtleties of them (like a news alert). Spiritually equip me to overcome the desires and the powers of the flesh and Satan. It is You alone, through Your Word and prayer, who can provide the strength to shore up my defenses against the power of my flesh. Mark 14:38 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.“

Father, it is my desire, with Your direction, to practice Jesus’ commandment in Mathew 22:37-39. “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’“

In Jesus’ Name, thank you for saving me from my sinful flesh and giving me the opportunity to live in the Spirit. Amen.

The Believer’s Gift of God’s Righteousness Through Jesus Christ

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Photo taken in Colorado.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Righteous Heavenly Father, I come in Your Son’s Name to thank and praise You that it is through Jesus alone that I am made righteous in Your sight. He met me right where I was and redeemed me from the pit of Hell. He gifted me with His righteousness with no limitations. Philippians 3:9 “And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.”

The world tells me that I need to help myself and pull myself up by my bootstraps. Forgive me and correct me when I begin to adopt that attitude in my walk with You.

It is a great blessing that You tell me in Your Word, the Bible, that by Your grace, wisdom, and sanctification I can continually grow in the righteousness that started at the time of my salvation. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

It is a great blessing to know that I can trust in Your righteousness and that it will never change or wear out. Psalm 111:3 “His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.”

Direct me to recognize and accept my inability to help myself and my desperate need for You to lift me up and sustain me. Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burdens on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Thank you, in the glorious, redeeming Name of Jesus. Amen.

God’s Defense for Believers

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Photo taken in Colorado.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Lord, I come to You in the name of my great savior and defender, Jesus Christ. I am aware that I am constantly assaulted by the evil one. He takes every opportunity he can find to trip me up and cause as much chaos as possible. I am not strong enough to resist him myself. Therefore, I thank You for the shield of protection You have put around me as expressed by David in 2 Samuel 22:2-3. David said: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence.”

It is such a blessing to rest in Your arms knowing that I do not have to fear because You are always on my side. Your presence is always surrounding me and Your love never leaves me. I appreciate so much the message expressed in this beautiful old hymn by Francis Crosby:

Safe in the Arms Of Jesus

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care.
Safe from the world’s temptations; sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow, free from my doubts and fears; only a few more trials, only a few more tears!

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast; there by His love overshadowed, sweetly my soul shall rest.

Direct me to be constantly mindful of Your promise in Psalm 46:1. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Thank you that I have the privilege of bringing these thoughts in Jesus’ Name, Amen.