Dear God, I come before You today asking for a heart that seeks You, worships You, and praises You in every season of my life. Your word in Isaiah 45:2 says, “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron.” God, I’m trusting that You’re going before me, and I’m asking You to help me put You first in everything. Nothing and no one is worthy of competing for the number one spot in my heart. Teach me how to make prayer and time in Your word a real priority even when life gets busy, and never stop pulling at my heart or calling me back to You when I start to drift. Create a fire in me that burns brightly for the things of God and keeps You at the center of everything I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. -Psalm 55:17

📖 Verse of the Day
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” - Amos 5:24 (NIV)

This verse reminds us that God desires more than outward acts of worship. He cares deeply about how we live, how we treat others, and whether our lives reflect His righteousness. Justice and righteousness are meant to flow consistently, not occasionally, shaping our decisions and actions every day. God’s heart is for compassion, integrity, and fairness. Let this verse encourage you today to pursue what is right, love others well, and allow God’s character to be seen through the way you live.

Black Father's are Powerful!!!

What about the blood of Jesus?

Was Jesus’ death and the shedding of His blood necessary? What did it accomplish? What does His blood mean for you?

For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Mt. 26:28) (Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. – Heb. 9:22)

Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (Jn. 6:54) (Faith in the blood opens the way into eternal life with God.)

…shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28) (The church was purchased by the blood of Jesus which is God's blood! Without the blood of Jesus, the debt would still be owed).

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (Rom. 5:9) (The blood justifies us and saves us from the coming wrath of God. The coming wrath indicates that the shedding of Jesus’ blood was necessary).

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7). (The blood, and thus the sacrifice of Jesus, was necessary for the forgiveness of sins).

…how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb. 9:14) (Jesus offered Himself to God through His death and the shedding of His blood in order that we might, with a conscience free from guilt, serve God).

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Heb. 10:19) (The blood gives us access to the throne of His grace. It gives us boldness and confident relationship with the Father.)

The blood of Jesus isn’t to be used as a superstitious chant. It is to be understood and received by faith as the door into the new creation, righteousness, authority, joy and peace. We by faith stand in the finished work of the cross and receive the full blessing of His blood.

BB

About Those Pharisees

John 9:34 'They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.'

JOHN 9:34
Much of the Pharisees' problem was spiritual pride, as is very evident by this statement. They were so blinded by their arrogance that they couldn't believe anyone who hadn't been through their 'seminary' could teach them anything.

The name 'Pharisees' comes from a Hebrew word meaning 'separate.' This term was applied to this sect because of its extreme devotion to the Mosaic law and commitment to leading a separated life. This was a reaction of the devout Jews who came back to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity, and saw the pagan customs and influences of the Babylonians everywhere. Not only their religion but their identity as a nation was being threatened. The Pharisees were patriots as well as religious zealots, who in the beginning served a very needed function in the Jewish nation which was struggling for survival. However, over the centuries the Pharisees had departed from the Mosaic law and had written their own interpretations of the law - interpretations which they held to be God-inspired and equal to that of Moses. In Jesus' day this group was characterized by hypocrisy and self-righteousness. They, as a whole, persecuted Jesus and His followers and received the Lord's most stinging rebukes.

The Pharisees, like many people today, were ignorant of achieving right standing (righteousness) with God through the simple act of receiving His forgiveness by faith and were trying to earn salvation by their own acts. No one can fulfill God's commands (Rom. 3:23) except Jesus (Heb. 4:15). Therefore, to be righteous, we must put our faith in what He has done for us.

AWM