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Monday, October 31, 2011
Psalm 46:10
Appreciate Your Calling
Appreciate Your Calling
Romans 12:5
Learn to appreciate the call of God on your life. He has a different call for everybody. None of us are called to do all the work that needs to be done, but we can each enjoy the assignments we are given. We can also enjoy the work God does through others.
Today holds an opportunity to mature in the knowledge of God and to enjoy whatever God has called you to do. Your part is needed. Ask God early in the day to show you where to use your gifts to help others.
Be Truthful...Get Over It..Minister to your Emotions
Be Truthful
Proverbs 20:22
God doesn’t mind if you tell Him how you honestly feel. Actually, telling God how you feel will give you relief. If you repress your feelings and pretend you aren’t angry or hurting, and try to be super spiritual, you will miss the healing that God can give to you.
Be truthful with God. Don’t carry a grudge all day. Get in touch with what is going on inside of you and talk to God about it. Truth is the only thing that will set you free to enjoy the rest of your day (see John
Get Over it
Proverbs 27:5
Hiding your true feelings, like resentment or unforgiveness, keeps you in bondage to them. It is impossible to get your day started right if you keep waking up with pain from yesterday’s wounds. If you carry around this kind of “emotional baggage,” it will poison your day.
Sometimes you have to confront things to make them better. But use wisdom. While it is good to talk about things, don’t dump all your thoughts and emotions on every person who comes along today.
Talk to God about your situation before you meet anyone. He may lead you to speak with someone you trust. But if He doesn’t, learn to trust it completely to Him, and let it go.
Minister to Your Emotions
Psalm 16:1)
God gave us feelings, and it is all right to minister to your emotions or to the emotions of other people. Do something kind for yourself to keep your emotions healthy; just don’t be ruled by them.
Treat yourself to a hot bath or a walk in the fresh air. Do what you need to do to get emotional release.
If yesterday wore you out, get refreshed spiritually and emotionally before starting a new day. Find some time alone with God, listen to teaching or music tapes, and refill your heart with an awareness of God’s presence.
Find Balance
Find Balance
Hebrews 2:1
When Satan finds people out of balance, he has an inroad to destroy their lives. There are people who get out of balance in everything: from not sleeping, to sleeping too much; from not cleaning their house, to trying to keep it so clean that nobody can move in it.
Find balance; balance keeps your day going right. Satan doesn’t much care if you don’t do enough of something, or if you do too much of it, as long as you don’t stay balanced. Take time to examine yourself prayerfully, and ask God to show you how to remain balanced.
Enjoy Your Whole Day
Enjoy Your Whole Day
Psalm 9:1
Some Christians feel guilty when they are doing something that isn’t “spiritual.” Somehow or another, they feel the need to hurry through the grocery store, dash through the house cleaning, and rush through all the daily aspects of life that seem irrelevant to their faith. They want to get back to doing something “spiritual” so God will be pleased with them again.
God did not intend for you to hate the secular side of life. You can enjoy holiness and time with God even when you are doing daily chores, running errands, or taking the children somewhere they need to go. Don’t begrudge the routine things of life; see every activity as an opportunity to serve God with your whole heart.
Encourage, Don’t Criticize
Encourage, Don't Criticize
10/12
1 Thessalonians 5:11
We can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we become encouragers instead of critics. It is the greater person who does the right thing; Christ's righteousness dwells in you to help you do what is right. You are great in God's eyes when you choose to do right and bless others.
No matter how rough you day is today, speak words that up lift and encourage those around you. Encourage others if you notice them doing a good job - not just those who work with you, but people wherever you go, such as store clerks, auto mechanics, and waiters. Say something like, "I appreciate the extra effort you are making to do you job well." You can change your life and someone else's by choosing to speak positive words.
It’s the Lord’s Battle
It's the Lord's Battle
10/31
Psalm 34:7
In the Old Testament, people carried banners when they went to war, sending the singers and praisers into the battle first. When the tribe of
When King Jehoshaphat prepared for battle, he took the position of getting on his face to worship God. If you have battles to face, get in the position of warfare, and just worship the Lord. God's response to our worship is, "Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Pray All Day
Pray All Day
Psalm 141:2
God wants to be the center of your life: the center of your conversation, the center of your entertainment, and the center of your relationships. Prayer keeps Him in the center of all you do.
Years ago I could have told you that I prayed an hour every day. But now, I couldn’t even determine how long I pray, because I just pray every time I see or feel a need. I pray while driving. I pray while working, and while relaxing. Sometimes I just stop what I am doing and praise God, and that is prayer too. I cast my cares on Him and say, “Lord, I am not going to worry about anything today; I am giving it to You.”
Prayer should be like breathing, natural to do anywhere you are.
Loving Actions Speak Clearly
10/16
Ephesians 4:2
It is good for the unsaved members of your family to see you studying the Bible, going to church, and bearing the fruit of the Spirit. But your family may be more receptive to the gospel if you minister to their needs. Ministering to them may require giving up a prayer meeting to do things with them, such a going fishing or shopping with your spouse, helping your son work on his car, or taking your daughter out for lunch.
The Bible says that the natural man does not understand the spiritual man (see 1 Corinthians
So spiritual talk doesn’t always make sense to unsaved people, but loving actions speak clearly to them. Walk in love’s anointing today: be kind, joyful, peaceful, and stable. Let God love others through you.
Be Wise to the Enemy
10/17
1 Peter 5:8
Satan cannot devour just anybody he pleases. He has to find someone who gives him an opening to do so. One of the ways we give him an opening to destroy us is through imbalance in our lives. A good example would be, if we eat improperly and in an unbalanced manner over al long period of time, we may open the door for the enemy to bring sickness or disease into our life.
Many times when people are recovering from illness, they follow a strict diet that brings balance back into their eating habits. Find balance in all you do, and keep the enemy away from your door.
Talk to God Anywhere
Talk to God Anywhere
1 Corinthians 6:19
The angel of the Lord said to Moses, “Take the shoes off your feet, for the ground on which you stand is holy ground “(see Exodus 3:5). The ground was holy because the Holy One was there. Now through faith in Jesus, you are the temple of the Holy Ghost. Everywhere you go becomes a holy place because the Holy One dwells in you.
God is not in a building, where you can only visit Him on Sunday morning. He is with you everywhere you go. You can talk to Him while you vacuum, or while you change the oil in your car. When you let God become involved in every aspect of your life, everyday becomes exciting.
Talk about God – Not the Devil
Subject: START YOUR DAY RIGHT
Talk about God – Not the Devil
God once said to me, "Quit talking so much about the devil, what he is saying ands what he is doing. I am saying something! Talk about what I am saying. I am doing something! Talk about what I am doing."
Then one day God spoke a Life –changing word to me, saying, "Why don't you study the Word, and see how Jesus waged spiritual warfare?"
I found that Jesus didn't talk or preach much about the devil and what he was saying or doing. He simply dealt with the devil by casting him our of people's lives. He told him to shut up. He quoted the Word to him (see Luke 4:1-13). Resist the devil today and tell someone about the good things God is doing for you.
Stay in God's Presence
Stay in God’s Presence
Psalm 27:6
The psalmist David said that the thing he wanted most was to be with God and to dwell in His presence all the days of his life (see Psalm 27:4). David loved God for who He is, not just for what He did for him.
The Word says that if we abide in the presence of God, He will defeat our enemies, and hid us in the day of trouble.
God’s attention is on us, but we must keep our attention on Him to enjoy the fullness of His presence in our lives. We must invite God to be involved in everything we do, and then remember to praise Him for His goodness.
Seek God First
Seek God First
10/28
Romans 14:17-18
Forget all the things you think you need, and just admit to God that you need Him. Seek first the
God knows your needs even before you ask. Don’t become a seeker of promotion or position. Don’t spend your life seeking prosperity. Seek the One who prospers. Seek the One who heals. Seek the One who is the giver of every good and perfect gift.
Remain Steadfast
10/29
Genesis
15:6
Spending time with God keeps you stable, steadfast, and calm. God says He “will strengthen and harden you to difficulties” (Isaiah 41:10). When your faith is fed daily by God’s presence, the devil can’t control you, because you don’t get easily upset.
Being filled with God’s truth makes it easier to live the life God has for you. Let God be your anchor in the midst of the raging waves of circumstances. Remain steadfast in God.
Don’t Be Entangled
10/30
Ephesians 6:11
We are called to be soldiers in the army of the Lord. Likewise, as we serve the Lord, we should focus on His work, not our own concerns.
If we want to be a witness of God’s power, we must first do what He says to do, and show others the fruit that comes from serving Him. We do this by keeping our minds constantly on Jesus Christ. We must still handle the business of everyday life, but we are not to let the affairs of the world pull us down.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Enjoy the Good Life
Enjoy the Good Life
Psalm 4:7-8
God has prearranged and made ready a good life for you, but that good life is a choice. You have to decide to follow God's leading in order to walk in it.
The Bible contains guidelines for that good life. It is not a book of laws; it is about the liberty and freedom to live the life that reaps good things. It is a book of wisdom that will lead you to peace and joy. If you do what the Word says to do, blessings will chase you and find you where ever you are. (see Deuteronomy 28:1-2)
The Grace of God
The Grace of God
Romans 9:17
If you want victory over something, prepare yourself to work at it. But it is not a matter of depending on yourself or winning at life through your own determination. God gives us grace to do good works. But grace doesn't mean that our human flesh gets a free ride while we just lie down and go to sleep.
You are made for good works, to be a servant of righteousness. You are built to take responsibility, and God will help you accomplish all He gives you to do. He sets you free from the bondage of sin so that you can conform to His divine will though purpose, and action (see Romans 6:18). Victory is achieved through God's grace, but you have to choose to trust Him every step of the way.
Learn to Pray
Learn to Pray
Psalm 119:133-134
You may pray fifteen minutes every morning, and know you are touching heaven because things happen as a result of your prayers. But if you have a friend who prays for four hours every day, you may feel that you should pray more too.
Trust God to lead you individually in how long to pray and what to pray about. Spending an extra three hours and forty-five minutes can become a work of the flesh, if you do it just to be like your friend. You can wind up miserable and unproductive if you follow what someone else is doing, instead of simply saying, "Lord, teach me to pray."
Be Confident In God
Be Confident In God
Proverbs 3:26
Jesus knew where He came from, He knew what He was sent to do, and He knew where He was going. When you get that confidence of knowing God and His purpose for your life, you will not be affected by the judgments or criticisms of other people.
You know you belong to God. You know His hand is on you. You know His anointing is on you. You know what you are called to do. You know that with every breath you take, you are trying to follow Him, and you know where you are going when you are all finished. Say "Nothing that happens today can separate me from God's love and His purpose for my life."
Forgiveness Wins
Forgiveness Wins
Matthew 6:14
Unforgiveness will ruin your day. If someone hurts you, pray quickly, "God, I forgive them in Jesus' name." If your emotions feel strained when you see that person, stand firm in your decision to forgive them.
Pray for them, asking God to show you how to bless them. Do whatever God leads you to do for them, and let God's love work through you to heal the rift between you. If you do your part, God will bring your feeling in line with your decision, and you will enjoy your day and your life.
Powerful Christianity
Powerful Christianity
10/26
Acts 1:8 NIV
Being Spirit-filled is not limited to one particular brand of Christianity. Spirit filled people are found in every church and denomination. They are people who understand the need for the power of the Holy Ghost within them so they won't live a weak, defeated life.
The Word says to "ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), indicating that being Spirit-filled is something to which we submit ourselves. Ask God to fill you to overflowing with His Spirit so that everything you do today will be done through His power.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
GOD Said NO
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Hold on to Your Peace
Hold on to Your Peace
10/20
Psalm 72:7
In the Bible, people are told to hold their peace, because peace is a place of power. God tells us not to be moved when our opponents and adversaries come against us. We are to remain constant, fearless, and at peace. His Word says, "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest"
(Exodus 14:14).
No matter what is happening, remain consistent; continue treating people well, continue walking in the fruit of the Spirit. You don't know what kind of fruit you have until somebody comes along and squeezes it. You don't know how much fruit you have until somebody is picking it all day.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Avoid Extremes
Avoid Extremes
Proverbs 12:12
When I first became a Christian, I heard a message about keeping my mouth shut, so I made a decision that the next day I wouldn’t open my mouth to say anything. I was determined not to get myself in any trouble with my words.
The next morning I did not say a word for several hours. That made me mad all over again. Eventually I learned that extremes never make our days go right. Reading God’s Word helps us find balance to face everything that comes our way. The Word says we are to be well-balanced because the devil seeks someone to devour (see 1 Peter 5:8).
Love Truth
Love Truth
10/10
Ephesians
If you want to become fully mature in the Lord, you must learn to love truth. Otherwise, you will always leave open a door of deception for the enemy to take what is meant to be yours.
Some people have a difficult time facing truth and reality. They prefer to live in a make-believe world, pretending that certain things aren’t happening. But we cannot deny the existence of problems or act as if they are not real.
The devil is real, life is real, people are real, pain is real, and poverty is real. The good news is that no matter how real our pain may be, or how big our problems may seem, we can overcome all of them with the Word of God.
Friday, October 7, 2011
FW: START YOUR DAY RIGHT
Unseen Promises Exist
10/7
Matthew 21:22
Before the fulfillment of God’s promise to multiply Abram, He changed his name from Abram (“high exalted father”) to Abraham, (“father of a multitude”) (see Genesis 17:1-6). God spoke the promise long before it was visible to anyone.
Anything that is in the Word of God is a promise that can be rightfully and legally be spoken even before it visibly exists. Reach into the promises of God with the words of your mouth and prophesy them into existence. Read God’s Word and speak as the Holy Spirit leads you to do so today.
Lord Changes Things
10/8
2 Corinthians 4:13
God created with words everything that we see. God said, let there be light,” and there was light. Hebrews
Speak positive words today, and call those things that are not (that are invisible) into your life (see Romans
Esteem Others
10/9
Romans 15:2
There are people who make “ministries” out of criticizing everybody else. But most people who judge others, are the ones who are doing nothing themselves. They put down other people to try to lift up themselves.
The Word of God calls us to build up others, esteeming them more highly than ourselves (see Philippians 2:3). Avoid people who constantly criticize others so their negative comments will not rob your Godly enthusiasm. God can use you today to help strengthen someone’s faith. Ask Him to make you aware of these opportunities today.