May 11 24
God’s Pathway for Your Healing
“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” Psalm 32:8 NLT
The longer I live, the more it becomes obvious to me that there are often many pathways to healing and wholeness. In fact, there are so many kinds of remedies and treatments available to us today that it can become confusing and bewildering when we need healing in our bodies. That’s why I have gotten in the habit of seeking God first when I need healing of any kind. The promise above says that the Lord wants to guide us along His best pathway for our lives, and we can ask Him to do that in the area of healing.
We can pray, “Lord, lead me along Your perfect pathway of healing and wholeness, and help me to follow You closely, and to cooperate with You fully and joyfully all the way.” Here, we are not only asking God for HIS means of healing us, but we are asking Him to help us to cooperate with Him in order to hasten our healing, and not hinder it in any way.
We can even ask the Lord to lead us to the people who are best for us in the healing process. “Lord, lead me to the doctors and health care providers that are best for me. Anoint and enable them to do me great good, and no harm.” Having the right doctors can make all the difference when we are seeking treatment for our ailments and afflictions. Not only that, but the people who are on staff in these doctors’ practices can even make a big difference.
I often pray, “Lord, spare me from all unnecessary, unpleasant, and harmful tests and treatments.” There’s nothing wrong with asking God to spare us from suffering. His Word is full of promises of protection, deliverance, and healing, and He won’t fault us for claiming them. In fact, the Bible tells us to, “Put the Lord in remembrance of His promises.” (Isaiah 62:6 AMP) We can do this by praying the promises that apply to our specific need, by declaring them out loud, and by thanking God in advance for honoring each one.
Scripture says, “Your road led through the sea, Your pathway through the mighty waters – a pathway no one knew was there!” (Psalm 77:19 NLT) Don’t put limits on God. His pathway of healing for you may not look like anything you ask or imagine. Believe that the Lord wants you healthy and whole, and expect a miracle today!
Lord, please renew my mind so that I will always believe with all my heart that You want me to live a long and healthy life. Teach me to avoid the people, places, and things that will do me more harm than good. Help me to be disciplined about taking care of my body and every aspect of my health. Thank You that as I cooperate with You for the restoration and preservation of my health, You will lead me along Your perfect pathway of healing and wholeness!
*To order J. M. Farro books on Amazon, please use this link!
*To purchase J. M. Farro autographed books, check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
May 5 24
We’re Still Here!
“From our very beginning we have faced never-ending discrimination. Nevertheless, our enemies have not defeated us. We’re still here!” Psalm 129:2 TPT
This verse from The Passion Translation talks about how God’s people have been persecuted and harassed since the “very beginning.” Those of us who are Christians know what it’s like to be discriminated against, especially in this politically-correct climate.
The Bible tells us plainly that, “Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it.” (2 Timothy 3:12 MSG) We are going to be called all kinds of vile names, and we will be labeled by people who detest Christ and His followers. But there’s good news. As the above promise states, our enemies cannot defeat us. Why? Because the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are on our side.
Years ago, when my sons were in their teens, some nasty kids in our neighborhood began attacking our home and property, after I forbid my children to associate with them. When we had no recourse but to involve the police, we were told that we would have to catch the troublemakers red-handed. Since the moment the trouble began, I prayed and stood on Jeremiah 20:11 (NIV): “The Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.” One night after a vicious attack on our home, my oldest son took off running after the leader of the gang, and he was able to apprehend the boy when he literally “stumbled” and fell. That evening, my husband, the police, and the boy’s parents came to an agreement, and we have lived here in peace ever since.
Yes, there will be times when we feel as though we are facing “never-ending discrimination” because of our devotion to Christ, just as those who came before us down through the ages. But one thing is undeniably true – to our enemies’ dismay – WE’RE STILL HERE!
Lord, when people insult me, lie about me, or persecute me in any way, remind me to “rejoice and be glad, because great is [my] reward in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-12) Comfort me as only You can when I am hurting in any way. Fill me with supernatural wisdom and strength to meet and overcome all of my struggles and challenges in this life. Thank You that by Your grace and power, I will not be defeated and I will not quit!
*To order J. M. Farro books on Amazon, please use this link!
*To purchase J. M. Farro autographed books, check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
Apr 28 24
Christ is Your Real Master
“In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, who will give you what He promised His people. Yes, you are serving Christ. He is your real Master.” Colossians 3:23-24 ERV
Before my husband, Joe, retired a few years ago, he had a very difficult boss at his job. This man not only caused my husband a lot of frustration and discouragement, but he disheartened all of the people who worked under him. Joe was the oldest one in his department, so he did his best to encourage the younger men who worked with him.
When Joe and his coworkers were having an especially rough day at work one day, and he saw how downcast one of them was, he took him aside and gave him some very wise advice. He said, “Don’t ever let being treated unfairly cause you to do less than your very best work.” This is the principle that my husband lived by for his entire work life – over 50 years.
As it turns out, Joe’s work ethic is very biblical. Scripture tells us, “In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, who will give you what He promised His people. Yes, you are serving Christ. He is your real master.” (Colossians 3:23-24 ERV) These verses can apply to ANY kind of work – including ministry work, volunteer work, child care, and even housekeeping.
When we, as Christians, keep in mind that our real Boss is the Lord, we will work from a godly perspective – doing our best, and expecting heavenly and earthly rewards from God Himself. The Bible says, “Well-done work has its own reward.” (Proverbs 12:14 MSG) May you and I work with excellence in everything we do, so that we can reap the rich rewards we are destined to!
Lord, I pray that whatever I do, I will work at it with all my heart, as working for You, and not for people. Remind me often that I will not toil in vain, but I will long enjoy the works of my hands. (Isaiah 65:22-23) Teach me how to commit all of my work to You, so that my plans will always succeed. (Proverbs 16:3) Bless all my skills, and be pleased with the works of my hands. (Deuteronomy 33:11) Thank You that even when I am being treated unfairly, YOU will reward my work, and YOU will pay my wages in full! (Ruth 2:12)
*To order J. M. Farro books on Amazon, please use this link!
*To purchase J. M. Farro autographed books, check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
Apr 21 24
God’s Promise of Forgiveness
“Lord, if You keep in mind our sins, then who can ever get an answer to his prayers? But You forgive! What an awesome thing this is! That is why I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for He has promised.” Psalm 130:3-5 TLB
When I did something wrong the other day, and immediately felt convicted, I confessed my wrongdoing to the Lord, and asked for His forgiveness. Instead of receiving God’s forgiveness and cleansing according to His Word (1 John 1:9), feelings of condemnation overwhelmed me. I knew they were from the Accuser (Revelation 12:10), but I still couldn’t shake off the awful feeling of heaviness.
Then the Holy Spirit brought to mind some verses from Psalm 130. “Lord, if You keep in mind our sins, then who can ever get an answer to his prayers? But You forgive! What an awesome thing this is!” (v. 3-4) Suddenly, I felt the heaviness lift off of me, and I knew that God had heard my prayers of repentance, and that He had forgiven me.
But there’s more. Because the psalmist trusts in the Lord’s forgiving nature, and His faithfulness to His promises, he fully expects God to hear and help him in his time of need. “That is why I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for He has promised.” (v. 5)
How about you? When you sin, do you allow Satan to beat you up with accusations for a while, before you receive God’s forgiveness and cleansing? Jesus didn’t suffer and die so that you and I could live lives of guilt and shame. (Colossians 1:22) He died so that we could have ready access to Him and the Father, and so we could live lives of abundance and joy.
Here is God’s wonderful promise to us today: “If we confess our sins to Him, He can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.” (1 John 1:9 TLB) Ask the Lord to grant you fresh revelation in this area today, so that you can enter into a more deeply intimate and satisfying relationship with Him than ever before!
Lord, help me to love You, seek You, and serve You the way You desire and deserve. When I do sin against You, help me to be quick to turn to You in heartfelt repentance. Cleanse me with the precious blood of Christ, and empower me to be a doer of Your Word, and not just a hearer. (James 1:22) Thank You that as I am quick to confess my sins to You, I will enjoy the sweet, unbroken fellowship with You that is my inheritance in Christ! (1 Corinthians 1:9)
*To order J. M. Farro books on Amazon, please use this link!
*To purchase J. M. Farro autographed books, check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
Apr 14 24
You will be Strong All Your Life
“You will be strong all your life.” Deuteronomy 33:25 ERV
Here is a too-good-to-be-true promise from the Word of God for every follower of Christ. No matter how young or old we are, it is never too soon to claim this promise, and it is never too late, either. Why do I say that? Because we have a Redeemer who is able to reverse the hands of time, and the damage it has done to our spirit, soul, and body. And I believe with all my heart that if we will demonstrate childlike faith in His ability and willingness to heal, we will see Him work wonders on our behalf.
Over the years, I have received some disappointing and distressing news from my doctors about my health. But I have also gotten some medical reports that left my doctors scratching their heads, and that had me rejoicing and praising God for His goodness and mercy. What has made all the difference in my life is that I have learned to lay hold of God’s promises to restore and heal, instead of taking medical reports at face value. I am constantly reminding myself of the Scripture that says, “You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2 NIV), and I don’t ever want to be guilty of not stretching my faith and asking for healing, when God could very well be prepared to restore me to health. (Jeremiah 30:17)
The great George Mueller said, “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.” If we, as born-again children of God, are inclined to pray only for things that are within the realm of human possibility, then we are in big trouble. And so are the people we pray for.
When I see that the Bible says, “Your strength will equal your days” (Deuteronomy 33:25 NIV), or “You will be strong all your life” (ERV, my favorite translation of this verse), I am inspired to claim this promise for myself, and to “Put the Lord in remembrance of His promises” as often as I need to. (Isaiah 62:6 AMP) Scripture says, “Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.” (Deuteronomy 34:7 NLT) Are you prepared to stretch your faith in God’s Word, and to go to the next level in your health?
Lord, fill me with childlike faith in Your ability and willingness to make me whole in every way. Remind me often that You are a Redeemer who can reverse the hands of time. Satisfy my desires with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:5 NIV) Cause me to return to the days of my youthful strength, right here on this earth. (Job 33:25 AMP) Thank You that as I learn to pray for things outside the realm of human possibility, I will witness You working miracles on my behalf!
*To order J. M. Farro books on Amazon, please use this link!
*To purchase J. M. Farro autographed books, check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
Apr 7 24
The Power to Get Wealth
“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:17-18 ESV
One evening some years ago, my husband, Joe, brought home a pizza for the two of us. That wasn’t unusual, but what was different was that he began bragging about how wonderful a provider he was. I told him that God was actually our Provider, and that he was just a channel that the Lord often used to provide for us.
As our lively banter became a bit more heated, I hit my husband with the verses above from Deuteronomy, where God warns His people not to ever think that it was the strength of their own hands that produced their wealth. (v. 17) Verse 18 says, “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is HE who gives you power to get wealth…” Joe got the message. God deserves the credit for giving us the skills and talents that enable us to earn a living, and He expects it.
King David told the Lord, “Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV) Even when we give to God, we are only giving Him back some of what we received from Him in the first place. My husband is retired now, and I believe that Joe and I are out of debt today, partly because we have learned to give God the thanks and praise for being our true Source.
Maybe you are in a place of great financial need today. On the basis of God’s Word, you can pray, “Lord, give me the power to get wealth.” But don’t stop there. Keep thanking and praising Him for giving you the talents, skills, and gifts you need to make a living. Your gratitude will delight God’s heart and open the door to His abundant provision!
Lord, help me to always remember that YOU are the One who gives me the power to get wealth. Remind me often that everything comes from You, and that when I give, it is YOU who are the Source of my giving. Help me to see all of my talents, gifts, and skills as coming from You, and make them more valuable and in demand every day. Thank You that as I continually give You the thanks, praise, and honor You deserve, You will reward me with an abundance and overflow of spiritual and earthly blessings!
*To order J. M. Farro books on Amazon, please use this link!
*To purchase J. M. Farro autographed books, check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
*To contact J. M. Farro by email, please use this address: jmf@jmfarro.com
Apr 1 24
Your God is a Great and Awesome God
“Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.” Deuteronomy 7:21 NIV
When I began studying the Bible in-depth many years ago, I would read about the Israelites doubting God after He worked wonders for them, and I would think, “How could they be so dull?” But after walking closely with God for a while, and allowing Him to teach me, I discovered that I often do the very same thing.
One verse that the Lord has shown me time and again when I have encountered a new problem is Deuteronomy 7:19 (NIV): “The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.” Here, the Lord is basically saying, “You remember those other adversities and enemies you faced in the past, and how I fought those battles and won them for you? Well, I’m going to do the same thing with these new troubles you are facing, if you will only look to Me and depend on My help!”
The NLT version says that God will use the “same power” against our NEW enemies that He used against our OLD enemies. Our “enemies” can be sickness or disease. Or poverty, debt, and lack. Or family or relationship problems. Or the loss of a loved one or a job. It can be whatever the devil throws at us.
No matter what you are facing today, I believe that if you will take this message to heart, and apply it to your situation, you will see the hand of God working mightily on your behalf. Trust Him. Cry out to Him. And treasure His words of assurance today: “Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God!” (Deuteronomy 7:21 NIV)
Lord, help me to always see You as the great and awesome God that You are. When I face new problems of any kind, remind me of how You used Your power in the past to help me overcome my former problems. Fight my battles for me, and show me how to cooperate with You every step of the way. Thank You that as I continually look to You, and depend on Your divine help, You will lead me along the paths of victory and success!
*To order J. M. Farro books on Amazon, please use this link!
*To purchase J. M. Farro autographed books, check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
*To contact J. M. Farro by email, please use this address: jmf@jmfarro.com
Mar 24 24
Pray Focused Prayers
“Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 AMP
One morning during my time with the Lord, He led me to the verse above. Usually, when the Holy Spirit shows me this powerful verse, He emphasizes the importance of “persistent” prayer, but this time was different. This time, He stressed the word, “focused.”
He reminded me of Jesus’ words in Mark Chapter 4, where He tells the Parable of the Sower. Here, the Savior talks about the people who have the Word of God preached to them, and how “Satan comes immediately and takes away the Word that was sown in their hearts.” (Mark 4:15 NKJV) The Holy Spirit impressed upon me that just as the devil comes for the Word, he also comes for our prayers.
Satan knows that God’s will for our lives is accomplished through prayer, so the last thing he wants us to do is pray. He knows that prayer limits his activities in our lives, and in the lives of our loved ones, and it greatly restricts his influence over us. He will do his best to distract us from praying and spending time in God’s Word.
I once heard someone say that if Satan can’t hinder our relationship with God by making us immoral, he will simply make us busy. The Lord did not call us to be busy, but to be productive and fruitful. Without praying focused prayers, we will never accomplish all that God has called us to do, because we will constantly be sidetracked by demon-devised distractions, discouragement, and detours.
Focused prayers have the power to stop the devil’s diabolical strategies against us and our loved ones. Are you prepared to do what it takes to pray these kinds of prayers?
Lord, teach me by Your Spirit to be persistent, alert, and focused in my prayer life. Show me what it means to be devoted to prayer. Fill me with an attitude of thanksgiving, especially in my prayer life. Help me to understand that this kind of prayer involves commitment and sacrifice. Thank You that as I cooperate with You in this area, nothing and no one can hinder Your awesome plans for me and mine!
*To order J. M. Farro books on Amazon, please use this link!
*To purchase J. M. Farro autographed books, check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
*To contact J. M. Farro by email, please use this address: jmf@jmfarro.com
Mar 17 24
You will Surely be Rewarded
“If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42 NLT
The verse above is a promise from Jesus Himself to His loyal followers. If we bless a fellow believer in even the smallest way, we will be rewarded by a grateful God.
What are some of the things we can do to minister to a brother or sister in Christ? We can offer them a word of encouragement when they need it most. We can call them or text them with an uplifting message. We can treat them to lunch. Or gift them with a new Bible. We can send them a heartwarming greeting card. Or give them a ride to church or a doctor’s appointment. We can pick up their groceries. We can pray for them, and share God’s promises with them. Sometimes the best thing we can do for fellow believers is to simply listen to them, and let them know how much they mean to us, and to God.
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV) is another promise from the Lord that we can confidently claim as we minister to His people. “God is not unjust; He will NOT forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” This tells us that we show our love for the Lord every time we intentionally bless our brothers and sisters in Christ. And He is not about to “forget” our efforts, simply because He is a just God.
So be generous with your acts of kindness toward fellow believers, knowing without a doubt that “you will SURELY be rewarded”!
Lord, give me a tender and responsive heart toward even “the least of [Your] followers.” Show me by Your Spirit which ones You would like me to minister to each day. Help me to pray the prayers of Your heart for them. Give me the right words at the right time to encourage and edify them. Multiply my resources of time, money, and energy as I plant seeds of kindness. Thank You that all of my efforts in Your name will SURELY be rewarded – here and in the hereafter!
*To order J. M. Farro books on Amazon, please use this link!
*To purchase J. M. Farro autographed books, check out the J. M. Farro ETSY Store at www.etsy.com/shop/JMFarro
*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
*To contact J. M. Farro by email, please use this address: jmf@jmfarro.com
Mar 10 24
