WHO’S ON THE LORD’S SIDE?

WHO’S ON THE LORD’S SIDE?

Joshua 24:15.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Years ago when Italy went to war there was a shortage of soldiers. To find recruits, one captain went through the villages calling men to fight with him. Many joined him bringing their own weapons into combat.
One elderly lady was so moved by the sight that she got her broom, placed it on her shoulder and began to march with them.
Many of the soldiers laughed at her. One looked at her and asked, “What good are you, old lady?”
“Not much,” she replied, “but I want everyone to know whose side I’m on!”
Life requires many choices. But there is no more important choice for each of us than to let the world know whose side we are on. Joshua said, “So honor the Lord and serve Him whole heartedly.” He challenged the people to declare their allegiance to God because He had proven His trustworthiness to them.
From simple to significant, we make many choices each day. Not being able to see the future or knowing which direction our lives may take, we must put our trust in the One who does. We must listen to the Lord as He speaks to us through His Word. When we do, it will be easier to make the right choices. Especially if we are on the Lord’s side and draw upon His strength.

Prayer: Lord, may we live our lives letting those around us see the depth of our commitment to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Extend Forgiveness

Extend Forgiveness

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..."
Luke 23:34, KJV

When you’ve been hurt or offended, sometimes it’s tempting to hold on to unforgiveness. But we have to remember, when people wrong us, our battle is not against flesh and blood. In other words, that person who hurt you is not the real enemy. The Bible says that your adversary is the devil, and he knows that if you don’t forgive, then your prayers won’t be effective. Unforgiveness puts up a barrier in your life to the power of God. In fact, if we don’t forgive others, we can’t be forgiven by God. But when you choose forgiveness, you open the door for God’s healing power to flow through your life. 

Disarm the enemy in your life today by choosing forgiveness. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who wrong you. Look at what Jesus did—when He was betrayed, beaten, mocked and disrespected, He chose forgiveness. As you follow His example, you will open the door for God to move in your life, and you’ll live in victory in every area of your life!

Prayer

"Father, thank You for forgiving me and giving me new life. I choose today to extend the gift of forgiveness to others. I bless those who have wronged me and ask You to heal every broken place in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen."

Forget Not His Benefits

"Forget Not His Benefits"

Today’s Scripture
Psalm 103:2
“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

God has given us many benefits today! He’s given us so much to be thankful for. When you meditate on His goodness, faithfulness and blessings in your life, it will change you on the inside. When you focus on the fact that He saved you and set you free, the challenges and obstacles in your life will begin to fade away.

No matter what you may be facing today, forget not His benefits! God wants to satisfy you with good things. If you need healing today, healing is a benefit. If you’ve made mistakes in your life, forgiveness is a benefit. If you feel tired and overwhelmed, strength is a benefit. As you turn your thoughts toward the Father today, He will strengthen and empower you to live as an overcomer in every area of your life!

PRAYER
Loving Heavenly Father, thank You for Your blessings and benefits in my life. I choose to focus on Your goodness and believe You have so much more in store for me. I honor You today in all that I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.

New Times and Seasons

New Times and Seasons

"He changes times and seasons..."
Daniel 2:21, NIV

God is always looking to take us to higher levels. He wants us to grow and increase in every area. Change is often a catalyst for growth in our lives; it keeps us from getting stuck in a rut. Sometimes, in order help keep us on our path toward our destiny, God will supernaturally open and close doors of opportunity. He will "stir us" out of comfortable situations and stretch us because He loves us too much to allow us to live in mediocrity.

Do you know how an eaglet learns to fly? That mother eagle will take her eaglet to the very highest point--way out of its comfort zone--and then she just releases it. As the eaglet falls, the mother swoops down and picks it up again. She does this over and over until the eaglet spreads its wings and soars through the air.

That's what God wants for you today. He wants you to soar in life! You might feel like that eaglet learning to fly, but know that God is right there with you! He is bringing you new times and seasons so that you will grow and embrace the very best He has in store for you!

PRAYER

"Dear God, today I open my heart and mind to receive all that You have for me. I trust that You are with me directing my every step. I embrace Your seasons of change and thank You for helping me grow in every area in Jesus' name. Amen."

WORTHY WORDS

WORTHY WORDS

Psalm 19:12-14. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

It has been estimated that the average person speaks about 34,000 words a day. Multiply that by 365 and that amounts to about 12,000,000 words a year. That ought to make our jaws hurt!
When he wrote Psalm 19, David said that he wanted the words coming from his mouth and the thoughts stored in his heart to be pleasing to God. David was so concerned about his words that he wondered if there was any way for him to know the sins that were already lurking in his heart. Jesus spoke of the importance of our words and said that “?out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” These “words” should get our attention.
What are we to do about the words that come from our mouths? David asked God to “Set a guard over my mouth and to keep a watch over my lips.” What a great place to begin – to ask God to watch our lips and guard our mouths at all times.
Realizing that God knows every thought we think and every word we speak should cause us to ask Him to make our hearts and minds pure. Then with His power within us and His presence around us, our words will certainly be pleasing to Him and others.

Prayer:  Father, may our hearts be so full of Your love that the words we speak will help others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Plan for Good

Plan for Good

"…those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness."
Proverbs 14:22, NIV

Do you wake up every morning expecting favor and blessing on everything you do? Do you plan for what is good? When we plan for what is good, the Scripture tells us that we find love. We know that God is love so when you plan for what is good, you will find God in the midst of your plans!

Today, don't let the negative voices of the world or get you distracted or pull you off course. It doesn't matter what is happening around you, God's plan is always for your good. Pursue His plan. Seek love and faithfulness because what you seek you will find. Put Him first in all you do and find the peace, joy, and victory He has in store for you!

PRAYER

"Father, thank You for the good plan You have for my life. I choose Your ways. Direct my mind and thoughts according to Your purposes in Jesus’ name. Amen."

Something Out of Nothing

Something Out of Nothing

"The earth was formless and void…and God said, Let there be light."
Genesis 1:2-3, NASB

Are you believing God for something that seems impossible? We serve a great and mighty God and He can create something out of nothing! He can make a way when there seems to be no way. Before God spoke the world into existence, it was formless and void. If God can make the world out of nothing, He can take the empty places in your life and create something beautiful, too. He can speak light into your darkest hour. He can take your formless dreams and give them shape. He can resurrect your dormant gifts and talents! He can make your crooked places straight! Trust Him in all things because He can make something out of nothing!

PRAYER

"Father, thank you for making a way where there seems to be no way. Fill me with Your peace and faith and give me a vision for all You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

All Things are Possible

All Things are Possible

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
Matthew 19:26 NIV

Are you facing something today that seems impossible? With man it may be, but with God, ALL things are possible! If you seem to be in an impossible situation, get with God! Sometimes it’s so easy to focus on our problems and try to solve them in our own strength. But remember, the battle belongs to the Lord. He has a plan for your victory. He has a plan to give you a way out. He is making the things that seem impossible, possible. You can trust Him today. The Bible says that He has plans for your good, not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Start believing and declaring, “I am with God, and with God, all things are possible!” Are your bills piling up? With God, all things are possible. Do your relationships need healing? With God, all things are possible. Is there sickness in your body? With God, all things are possible!

PRAYER

"Father, thank You for making a way where there seems to be no way. I choose to trust You and believe that all things are possible! Show me Your power today. Work through me to encourage those around me to trust You more in Jesus’ name. Amen."

Established in Love

Established in Love

"...May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love."
Ephesians 3:17

There is tremendous power in love! In the same way that a tree will grow taller and stronger when its roots grow deep, you will be stronger and rise higher when you are rooted and established in love.

How do you establish yourself in love? It starts with a choice. When you say "yes" to love, you are saying "yes" to God because God is love! Then, you choose love again by acting according to 1 Corinthians 13. Loves means being patient and kind. It means not seeking your own way, not being jealous or boastful. When you choose love instead of choosing your own way, you are showing the world that God is first place in your life. The more you choose to walk in love, the deeper and stronger your roots will grow.

Remember, love is the greatest thing, and it is all that will last in eternity. Choose to establish yourself in love and let it be firm within you. Let His love build security in you and empower you to live the life of blessing He has in store for you.

PRAYER

"Father, today and everyday, I choose love. Show me how to love others the way You love me. Thank You for setting me free and empowering me to live the good life You have prepared for me in Jesus' name. Amen."

THE 3 “T’S” OF LIFE

THE 3 “T’S” OF LIFE

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Writing in his diary, a young man predicted his future: “Someday I’m going to do something special with my life. I will become famous!”
Years later, an old man said to his family, “I could have done great things with my life, but I didn’t. I am so sorry. I wish I had. I am a failure.”
How tragic, because the old man and the young man were the same person.
God gives to each of us a limited number of days, a select number of skills and with them the ability to earn our livelihood. None of us know the number of our days or the length of our life. Some of us never develop the skills God has given us. And many do not use the fruit of their labor wisely. We must be aware of how we use God’s gifts.
An important question to ask ourselves every day is this: “What am I going to do with the time, the talents and treasures God has given me today?”
We have no assurance of tomorrow. We may lose the skills and our treasures may be taken from us. But when we attach our lives to God’s power and plan, we will have no regrets.

Prayer:  Teach us, Lord, to be faithful to You and to make the most of all You have given us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Promises of Peace

The Promises of Peace

"I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people..."
Psalm 85:8, NIV

No matter what is going on in your life right now, the Lord promises that you can have peace. It doesn’t matter what’s happening in the economy, in your relationships or at the office; nothing in this world can take His peace from you. But notice the first part of this verse - we have to do our part. We have to listen to what He tells us to do.

You may be thinking to yourself, “God doesn’t speak to me.” But once you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you become His. The Bible says that you are His sheep, and you can hear His voice, and the voice of a stranger you will not follow.

The Lord speaks in many ways. First of all, He speaks through the Word of God. But sometimes, He speaks through the encouragement of a friend, or through a song, or in the beauty of nature. Sometimes it’s a simple “knowing” deep down on the inside of you in your spirit. If you aren’t sure how God speaks to you, ask Him to teach you. Open your heart and be willing to hear His voice. As you take time to be still and listen to Him, He will speak. He will reveal Himself to you and give you peace all the days of your life.

PRAYER

"Father, thank You for Your promise of peace. Today, I open my heart to You and ask that You teach me to hear Your voice clearly. I will listen, I will obey, and I will walk in Your ways in Jesus’ name. Amen."

SAY IT ISN’T SO

SAY IT ISN’T SO

1 Corinthians 16:14 
Let all that you do be done with love.

A deacon phoned his pastor who was on vacation in a distant city. When he answered the call, the deacon blurted out, “Pastor, a cyclone just came through our county and destroyed my house and barn.”
“I’m not surprised,” he replied. Then he continued, “The punishment for sin is inevitable!”
“But Pastor,” continued the deacon, “it destroyed your house as well.”
“It did?” exclaimed the pastor. “The ways of the Lord are past human understanding.”
There are times when it is difficult to offer love and kindness to those whom we feel do not deserve it. Our responses to another person’s trials and tragedies often come from a distorted view of God’s love. We are inclined to look at what happens to others from a normal, human response and believe that “they got what they deserved.”
When we realize the kindness of God to us, and truly realize how undeserving we are, perhaps we may see things differently. If God does not hold anything good from us, should He not treat others the same?

Prayer:  Lord, may we look at others the same way You do – with love, kindness, care and compassion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Separate Yourself

Separate Yourself

"So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself…] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes…"
2 Timothy 2:21, AMP

Are there people or activities in your life that you know you need to separate yourself from? The Bible says that bad company will corrupt good morals. God wants you to constantly be growing and rising higher in life. That’s why this verse encourages us to separate ourselves from corrupting influences. Bad influences are more than just the people in your life--it can be anything that wrongly influences your thinking.

Be careful about what you are allowing into your mind. Be careful about what you read and what you watch on TV or the internet. Don’t give your attention to things that are going to drag you down. Choose to separate yourself today. Remember, God wants you to live an abundant life. He wants you be separate so that He can work through you and fulfill His purposes in your life!

PRAYER

"Father, thank You for Your Word which is the truth that sets me free. Give me strength to separate myself from anything that does not honor You in Jesus name. Amen."

Higher Thoughts

Higher Thoughts

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:9, NIV

God’s dream for your life is so much bigger than your own. He wants to bless you and enlarge your territory. His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours, and His plan is so much bigger than we can imagine. Choose today to focus on the good things God has in store for you. Don’t allow the circumstances of life to drag your thoughts down. Choose God’s thoughts by meditating on His Word.

The Scripture says to “set your mind on things above.” Those “things above” are God’s thoughts and His ways. Having higher thoughts means thinking, “I am blessed and highly favored. I am above only and not beneath. I am the head and not the tail. I am a victor, not a victim. I am righteous, and my path shines brighter and brighter to the full day!”

When you allow those higher thoughts to fill your mind, they will direct your steps. You will see yourself as an overcomer and live the abundant life God has in store for you!

PRAYER

"Father in heaven, thank You for thinking good thoughts about me. Help me to focus on Your higher thoughts today. Empower me to obey Your Word so that I can live as an overcomer in every area of life in Jesus’ name. Amen."

"Have a blessed day"

What the BIBLE say about maturity?

What is Maturity ???

Maturity is when you stop trying to change people, and instead focus on changing yourself.

Maturity is when you accept people for who they are.

Maturity is when you understand that everyone is right in their own perspective.

Maturity is when you learn to "let go".

Maturity is when you are able to drop "expectations" from a relationship and give for the sake of giving.

Maturity is when you understand that whatever you do, you do for your own peace.

Maturity is when you stop proving to the world how intelligent you are.

Maturity is when you focus on positives in people.

Maturity is when you do not seek approval from others.

Maturity is when you stop comparing yourself with others.

Maturity is when you are at peace with yourself.

Maturity is when you can differentiate between "need" and "want" and you can let go of your wants.

Maturity is when you stop attaching "happiness" to material things/ others but start living a life centered in your own silence & bliss.

Heb 6:1-3 says like this,
.."Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about CHRIST and go on to MATURITY,not laying again the foundation of REPENTANCE from acts that leads to death,and of FAITH in GOD,instruction about BAPTISMS,the LAYING ON of hands,the RESURRECTION of the dead,and eternal JUDGEMENT.And GOD permitting,we will do so."

Your Sun and Shield

Your Sun and Shield

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
Psalm 84:11, NIV

God's heart is to pour out His favor and goodness in your life. He longs to be your sun and shield. What does the sun do for us? It lights our way; it keeps us warm; it nourishes the plants of the earth so that we can have sustenance. The earth is sustained by its relationship to the sun, and God wants to sustain you through your relationship with Him. He wants to be your shield of protection against all the fiery darts of the enemy. He wants to light and direct your path.

Are you ready to receive Him as your sun and shield today? If you've been relying on anything else, let it go and put your trust in Almighty God. Open your heart and receive all that He has for you. Receive His favor, blessing and protection today. Let His light shine on your path so you can move forward into the life of victory He has for you!

PRAYER:

"Father, today I open my heart and mind to You. I receive Your blessing and favor and ask that You direct my every step. Show me Your ways that I may walk with You today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen."

Plan for a Comeback

Plan for a Comeback

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…"
2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV

God promises to always lead us into victory! That means no matter what you are facing, no matter what’s going on in the world around you, no matter what anybody says, you should always be planning for a comeback! In the middle of that adversity or tough time, start making your list of who you’re going to invite to your victory celebration. You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to celebrate what God is going to do in your life.

Why don't you step out and put some action behind your faith? That means if you’re in the hospital, start planning what you’re going to do when you get out. If you lost some money when the stock market went down, start planning your coming-out-of-debt party. When things don’t look good in the natural, remember, we serve a supernatural God. With God leading you into victory, you can always plan for restoration. You can plan to be stronger and wiser--you can plan for a comeback!

PRAYER:

"Father, today I give You thanks and praise for Your promise of victory. Give me Your vision for the future so that I can move confidently into the abundant life You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen."

Find Rest

Find Rest

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Matthew 11:29, NIV

Sometimes, the day-to-day pressures of life can cause unnecessary stress. In fact, many people lose sleep worrying about things or people in their lives. But God doesn’t want us to live stressed out and overwhelmed. He wants us to live a life of rest and peace.

When Jesus walked on this earth, He took time for Himself. He got away from the crowds. He spent time with the Father. That’s how He found rest. He was gentle and humble in heart. Do you ever notice that when you are stressed out or worrying about something, you’re less tolerant of others? You’re more likely to say something you don’t really mean. Today, God wants you to cast your cares on Him and live with a gentle and humble attitude. Release your burdens to Him. Follow the example of Jesus, and you will find rest for your soul.

PRAYER:

"Father, today I cast my cares on You. Teach me, Holy Spirit, to have a gentle and humble attitude. Help me find rest for my soul so that I can love others the way You love me in Jesus’ name. Amen."

DON’T STOP NOW!

DON’T STOP NOW!

Philippians 3:8-14, Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Sometime ago it was my privilege to be the commencement speaker at a high school graduation. At the end of the service, the students came forward and walked up to the headmaster to receive their diplomas. As he shook their hands, he looked into their eyes and said softly to each one of them, “Don’t stop now, keep moving forward!”
Great advice – not only for the graduates but for everyone, every day. Whatever we do, wherever we go, we must keep on keeping on. We must keep forgiving! Keep growing! Keep helping! Keep loving! Keep witnessing! Keep serving! Keep worshiping! Keep working! Keep laughing! Keep moving forward!
If this is important for life in general, it is even more important for the life of a Christian. Paul said that “I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.”
What great advice he offers us. Nothing should ever interfere with nor take our eyes off of knowing Christ. We must focus on Him the same way athletes focus on winning a race because nothing else matters.

Prayer:  Help us, Heavenly Father, to keep moving forward as we strive to grow into Your likeness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Gud one liners....

Gud one liners....
����1. Give God what's right -- not what's left.
����2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- God's way leads to an  endless hope.
����3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
����4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
����5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him be the period.
����6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
����7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come close to God for a face-lift.
����8. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.
����9. Don't wait till you are down before men before you go to God.
����10. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us.
����11. The church is prayer-conditioned.
����12. When God ordains, He sustains.
����13. Learn how to give and it will be given back to you
����14. Plan ahead -- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
����15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
����16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.
����17. Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.
����18. Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to drive.
����19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
����20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
����21. He who angers you controls you.
����22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.
����23. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.
����24. Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them & He'll clean them.
����25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Mustard Seed Faith

Mustard Seed Faith

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it will obey you."
Luke 17:6, NIV

A mustard seed is a very small thing, but when it’s planted, it grows into a huge tree. In the same way, Jesus is saying that a little bit of faith can bring tremendous results! As a believer in Him, you already have enough faith on the inside of you to overcome any obstacle. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you! It doesn’t matter if you grew up in church or not; it doesn’t matter what you know or don’t know, God wants to work in your life today! You may not see how, but all you have to do is believe God. With God, all things are possible!

Do you have mustard seed faith today? That's all you need. Put your faith into action by declaring promises. Praise Him and thank Him for the victory He has prepared for you!

PRAYER:

"Father, today I confess my trust and reliance on You. Thank You for depositing seeds of faith in my heart so that I can live in total victory. I believe that with You all things are possible in Jesus’ name! Amen."

CRITICISM

CRITICISM

Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience  and longsuffering with joy;

1)  Paderewski was a great Polish pianist. But when he first chose to take piano lessons a teacher said to him, “Your hands are too small. You will never be able to master the keyboard.”

2)  Caruso was one of the greatest tenors who ever lived. When he went for his first voice lesson in Italy, the teacher said to him, “Your voice is like wind whistling through a window.” He refused to give him voice lessons.

3)  Alexander Graham Bell spent years working to develop and perfect his telephone. When he displayed it to a group of people, they said, “You are a fool with a useless toy.”

As Christians we must learn to look at criticism as a “challenge and call to courage” and turn to the Lord for His guidance. If we are grateful for the skills and talents God has given us, we will accept every opportunity to “do better” as a gift to honor Him. The choice is ours: We can choose to rise to the occasion, meet it and be victorious, or give up in fear because we do not trust in Him. The God of our salvation and hope says that with His help all things are possible. We must only accept and act in His strength and power, knowledge and wisdom.

Prayer:  Lord of our lives, whenever we face an obstacle, may we see it as an opportunity to turn to You for grace and guidance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Door to Love

The Door to Love

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”- Luk.7.47.ESV

Did you know that forgiveness opens the door for love to operate in your life? Today's verse is talking about the story of the woman with the alabaster box of costly perfume. She was a notorious sinner in her day, but when she encountered Jesus, her life changed. She fell at His feet in worship and began washing His feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. When she received Christ's forgiveness, love was the automatic response. She was forgiven much, and her love was extravagant.

Do you want more love in your life? Do you want to feel more of God's love and have stronger relationships with the people around you? Open your heart to forgiveness. Receive Christ's forgiveness and extend it to others. When you are forgiven much, you will love much, and His love will empower you to rise higher in every area of life!

Prayer:
“Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your forgiveness which opens the door for Your love to flow through me. Help me to be Your light and Your example of love to those around me in Jesus’ name. Amen.”