Here’s a thank you card for you! Sent from my Gratitude app 💌 https://gratefulness.page.link/95AH

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed”. – Maya AngelouHere’s a beautiful quote from my Gratitude app to brighten your day 😇 https://gratefulness.page.link/yqbs

www.olivetree.com/votd/index.php

Who Comes First?

As believers in Christ, we do declare that Jesus Christ is our Lord and King. But, in our decision making and in our lifestyle, who or what do we actually follow? The way of the world enthrones money, pleasure, status, power as gods. What about us? Are we willing to sacrifice these when they conflict with obedience to Christ? We need to keep Christ as King and Lord over all these other worldly and material desires.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we want to recommit ourselves to your Lordship and ask you to forgive us for following the way of money and power and pleasure when they conflict with your ways. In every area of our lives Lord, be our Master and King and give us the strength to help us live this out in our day-to-day lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Handling Temptation

Eve, in the Garden of Eden, was deceived by Satan and believed his lies rather than the Word of God. But when Jesus was tempted after his baptism, his basis for rejecting Satan’s temptations was the Word of God. For each of the temptations, Jesus’ response was, ‘It is written.’ We too need to believe and trust in God’s Word and then obey His Word rather than fall to the lies of worldly thinking and satanic deceptions. This will enable us to live meaningful and victorious lives. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the written Word and that you reveal to us the way to live through your Word. We pray that we will read, study, meditate and hide your Word in our hearts so that we live the abundant and victorious lives that you have called us for. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Can You Pray And Worry At The Same Time?

Some concepts are mutually exclusive. Light and darkness. Life and death. East and west. Wet and dry. And prayer and worry. The apostle Paul suggests we form a similar pattern for our concerns. Since God knows our concerns, and our faith and confidence reside in Him, we can safely set those stressors aside and rest in Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I lay today’s worries at your feet. I’m tired of carrying them around; I realize they’re not really a form of caring – they just reflect a lack of prayerful faith. I pray for those fears and situations bothering me. May your Spirit give me peace today as I rest in you. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

An Alien Citizenship

Whether or not you were born and raised in Hong Kong or are just a visitor, there are times we all feel like we’re somewhere we don’t really belong. As the song says, “This world is not my home; I’m just a-passing through.” Our lives here are certainly important, but they pale in comparison to our ultimate, amazing, fantastic home above.

Prayer: Father God, I admit the politics and ways of this world often frustrate me. Some days it seems we’re at a standstill; others that we’re going headlong in the wrong direction. Help me to be patient with the ‘here and now’ while I look forward to the day when I reach ‘home’ with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Joy – Thick, Deep, And Wide

Joy from above is not a yellow perpetual smiley-face. It’s a deep-seated something that permeates one’s entire life, regardless of circumstances. At the core, joy reflects our faith and confidence in a loving heavenly Father. It stems from a knowledge that a Master plan is in place, even when we can’t see the whole thing. Rejoice today!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I declare today my joy is in you. I’m facing things I don’t completely understand. I have my doubts and admit my concerns. But I also know that all things work together for good for those who love you and are called according to your purposes. Today I choose joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

bible.com/bible/1/isa.43.18-19.KJV