Author: Lori Casto

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.  Psalm 139:1-4

There are 8.2 billion people in approximately 200 countries in the world who speak 7 thousand different languages. In the United States alone, there are 346 million, 790 thousand, 860 people. Yet, God still knows I’m surrounded by bean and corn fields. He knows I love summer. He knows what makes me laugh and what makes me cry. He knows the number of hairs on my head. He cares about every aspect of my life and understands me better than I understand myself.

Isn’t it comforting to know we have a heavenly Father who knows us so well and loves us so much? Sometimes I’m tempted to keep things to myself and not go to God with it. I don’t want to bother Him with things I’m trying to handle on my own. God doesn’t want that or expect it. Everything is important to God and never a bother.  He wants us to come boldly to His thrown. He wants us to come to Him with all things.

What have you been trying to manage on your own? You have a God who knows you and loves you. He’s ready to help. Isn’t it time you talk to Him about it? Better yet, isn’t it time you put whatever it is in HIS hands. Let go and give it to God.

How will you devote2day?

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2

Yes, my soul, finds rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:5-7

You, God, are my God, earnestly (Sincerely, intently, deeply) I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:1-4

• Rock- pillar, mainstay
• Salvation- redemption, deliverance, rescue, recovery
• Fortress- fortified, made stronger ,more secure
• Refuge- shelter, protection, sanctuary

Dear Heavenly Father-

Help me to seek  you with great intensity and sincerity. Help me to praise and worship you with the same intensity I seek  you. Help me to never underestimate your power made perfect in my weakness.

What is your top priority today?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34

“You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

My husband and I recently took our daughter to a college orientation. We left the college sad as the reality of our future with her 6.5 hours away is beginning to set in. We also left feeling a bit overwhelmed by the check list of things we needed to take care of before August. We hit the ground running when we got home and were able to accomplish most of the tasks set before us.

We feel an overwhelming desire to do everything possible to set our daughter up for college success. The steps we’ve taken over the years and more recently have all been to equip her for the road ahead. I know confidentially she is thoroughly equipped.

Once she finds herself without us around pushing her, it will be up to her to tap into the resources surrounding her. She’s equipped with everything she needs.

Just like my daughter is equipped for success, God has equipped us thoroughly “for every good work.” Whatever God has called you and I to, He has equipped us to do. God’s word is useful for training. The more willing we are to tap into His word, the more equipped we become to do what He has called us to do. We never have to feel unworthy or not good enough. He who called us is faithful. It’s important for us to be faithful back.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 1Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV

And now we look back on all this and thank God, a geyser of thanks! When you got the Message of God we preached, you didn’t pass it off as just one more human opinion, but you took it to heart as God’s true word to you, which it is, God himself at work in you believers! 1 Thessalonians 2:13 The Message

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Thursday Notes

 When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1 Timothy 1:5-7

• Holy Boldness– confidence in and dependence on The Holy Spirit at work in order to use the gifts and abilities He has given to further His Kingdom and bring others to Christ, as well as help others on their spiritual journey and to fulfil the calling of God.
• It’s important we remember our heritage and the work we are allowing God to do in our lives and that we live in such a way that we put ourselves in situations where we seek opportunities to “stir up the gift of God.”
• Because we have the power of God in our lives, we can decide with authority and confidence and not indecision or questioning or fear or timidity. Our “permission” comes from God.
• He who called us is faithful
• His calling is active and alive. Doors will open no man can shut.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

• Outward religion vs. an inward relationship with Christ

Dear Heavenly Father:

Help me to work at my relationship with you every day. Help me to read your word, fellowship with other believers, and worship and praise in church. I surrender to serving you. I want an intimate relationship with You, nothing superficial.