From: Love Worth Finding Ministries
2 Corinthians 1:4 "God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from Him."
Somebody has well said that discouragement is a dark room where the negatives of fear and failure are developed. There are some who are encouragers and others who are discouragers.
Have you ever met a discourager? They’re like a drink of water to a drowning man. They can brighten up a room by leaving it. They leave you drained and depressed.
But an encourager leaves you full and refreshed. God has cornered the market on encouragement. All encouragement comes from God.
You’re never more like God than when you’re encouraging people and never more like the devil than when you are discouraging people.
Find a needy person and enrich him; a lonely person and include him; a misunderstood person and affirm him; an undiscovered person and develop him; a failing person and restore him.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Power Of Intercessory Prayer
From: The Upper Room Devotional
Colossians 1:9 "Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you."
I was late for a church service project that I was in charge of. Even worse, I had just learned that we might lose thousands of dollars on the sale of our house. These and other "crises" had sent me over the edge, and my mind jumped from one possible disastrous outcome to another. "How can so much go wrong in such a short time?" I raged aloud as I pounded the steering wheel with my fist.
Suddenly, peace descended upon me, and my frantic thoughts instantly faded. I felt as if someone had draped a warm blanket over my shoulders. Immediately I called my wife and said, "You've been praying for me, haven't you?" "Yes," she replied. "Debbie and I were praying together for you on the phone. I just hung up."
This dramatic experience reminded me of the power of intercessory prayer and our Christian duty to pray for others. When I think of the many people I encounter each day, I pray not only that they be relieved of their trials but that they receive help and comfort and draw nearer to God through their trials.
My wife's prayer for me did not make the troubles go away, but the peace of God that came over me helped me get through them and drew me nearer to my Lord.
Father, remind us to pray constantly for those who are in the midst of worries and trials. Amen.
Colossians 1:9 "Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you."
I was late for a church service project that I was in charge of. Even worse, I had just learned that we might lose thousands of dollars on the sale of our house. These and other "crises" had sent me over the edge, and my mind jumped from one possible disastrous outcome to another. "How can so much go wrong in such a short time?" I raged aloud as I pounded the steering wheel with my fist.
Suddenly, peace descended upon me, and my frantic thoughts instantly faded. I felt as if someone had draped a warm blanket over my shoulders. Immediately I called my wife and said, "You've been praying for me, haven't you?" "Yes," she replied. "Debbie and I were praying together for you on the phone. I just hung up."
This dramatic experience reminded me of the power of intercessory prayer and our Christian duty to pray for others. When I think of the many people I encounter each day, I pray not only that they be relieved of their trials but that they receive help and comfort and draw nearer to God through their trials.
My wife's prayer for me did not make the troubles go away, but the peace of God that came over me helped me get through them and drew me nearer to my Lord.
Father, remind us to pray constantly for those who are in the midst of worries and trials. Amen.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Behavior Toward Others
From: The Word For You Today - Bob Gass Ministries
Galatians 5:22-23 "When the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce… kindness, goodness… gentleness."
Dr. John Maxwell writes: "Sooner or later, a man, if he is wise, discovers that life is a mixture of good days and bad, victory and defeat, give and take. He learns that it doesn't pay to be a too-sensitive soul, that he should let some things go over his head.
He learns that he who loses his temper usually loses out, that all men occasionally have burnt toast for breakfast, and that he shouldn't take the other fellow's grouch too seriously. He learns that carrying a chip on his shoulder is the easiest way to get into trouble, that the quickest way to become unpopular is to carry tales of gossip about others, that buck-passing always turns out to be a boomerang, and that it doesn't matter who gets the credit so long as the job gets done.
He learns that most others are as ambitious as he is, that they have brains as good or better, that hard work, not cleverness, is the secret of success. He learns that no one ever gets to first base alone, that it's only through co-operative effort that we move on to better things. He realizes (in short) that the 'art of getting along', depends 98% on his own behavior toward others."
Galatians 5:22-23 "When the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce… kindness, goodness… gentleness."
Dr. John Maxwell writes: "Sooner or later, a man, if he is wise, discovers that life is a mixture of good days and bad, victory and defeat, give and take. He learns that it doesn't pay to be a too-sensitive soul, that he should let some things go over his head.
He learns that he who loses his temper usually loses out, that all men occasionally have burnt toast for breakfast, and that he shouldn't take the other fellow's grouch too seriously. He learns that carrying a chip on his shoulder is the easiest way to get into trouble, that the quickest way to become unpopular is to carry tales of gossip about others, that buck-passing always turns out to be a boomerang, and that it doesn't matter who gets the credit so long as the job gets done.
He learns that most others are as ambitious as he is, that they have brains as good or better, that hard work, not cleverness, is the secret of success. He learns that no one ever gets to first base alone, that it's only through co-operative effort that we move on to better things. He realizes (in short) that the 'art of getting along', depends 98% on his own behavior toward others."
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Don't Worry
From: Power Point Ministries
Philippians 4:6 "Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude."
Do you need a little peace in your life?
The apostle Paul wrote some practical help for you in Philippians. Now keep in mind, he was in prison when he wrote it. So, Paul knew what he was talking about!
Don’t worry. Trust God. Worry wastes your time and accomplishes nothing. Instead of being gripped by fear, worry, and stress, be gripped by the grace of God. Rest and relax in Him. He has promised to deliver you from all your fears.
Pray about everything. Really converse with God on a daily basis. Pray with an attitude of devotion and trust. That’s when prayer accomplishes something. When you pray, you won’t be immune from the problems of life, but you will be in touch with the Redeemer.
Philippians 4:6 "Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude."
Do you need a little peace in your life?
The apostle Paul wrote some practical help for you in Philippians. Now keep in mind, he was in prison when he wrote it. So, Paul knew what he was talking about!
Don’t worry. Trust God. Worry wastes your time and accomplishes nothing. Instead of being gripped by fear, worry, and stress, be gripped by the grace of God. Rest and relax in Him. He has promised to deliver you from all your fears.
Pray about everything. Really converse with God on a daily basis. Pray with an attitude of devotion and trust. That’s when prayer accomplishes something. When you pray, you won’t be immune from the problems of life, but you will be in touch with the Redeemer.
Friday, January 23, 2009
24/7
Christians in Agreement
Proverbs 23:26 "My son, give Me your heart, and let your eyes keep to My ways."
Big John was asked recently by some friends if he was a Christian. He was stunned to learn that they didn't know. Did he not reflect the Christian walk by his attitude, actions and words? He thought he did.
A Christian, by definition, is one who professes in, and by his/her actions and words, represents the teachings of Jesus Christ. Nobody is perfect and we all slip from time to time. "For all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). However, as they say, the "meat of the coconut" is what's in a person's heart. "I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart." (Jeremiah 17:10).
You can't be a part time Christian or a private Christian. It has to be "all in" 24/7. "Whoever acknowledges Me before men I will acknowledge before My Father in Heaven." (Matthew 10:32).
Do the people who know you have to ask if you are a Christian?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
He Will Direct Your Steps
From: Jack Graham Ministries
Psalm 25:4-5 "Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are my God and Savior, and for You I wait all the day."
God has a perfect plan and will for your life. So how do you make sure you’re on the right path?
1. Make a daily appointment with God. Take time on a regular basis to seek and listen to Him. Give the very best part of your day to God and open His Word.
2. Expect peace and joy. When you trust and believe in God, you’ll find peace and joy.
3. Be willing to wait. If in doubt, you and I should wait on God. We may not be ready to move on. God may be preparing us for what’s ahead.
4. Keep moving forward. (And that’s not a contradiction to #3!) I’m talking about keep doing the will of God. So much of the will of God we already know. And God will not take us one step further until we obey what He has already commanded us to do.
5. Seek wise counsel. Find someone who knows and loves you… and who knows and loves God. Turn to a minister, pastor, family member, or friend.
6. Be bold. Take some risks. If you step out in faith and believe God, He will direct your steps.
Psalm 25:4-5 "Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are my God and Savior, and for You I wait all the day."
God has a perfect plan and will for your life. So how do you make sure you’re on the right path?
1. Make a daily appointment with God. Take time on a regular basis to seek and listen to Him. Give the very best part of your day to God and open His Word.
2. Expect peace and joy. When you trust and believe in God, you’ll find peace and joy.
3. Be willing to wait. If in doubt, you and I should wait on God. We may not be ready to move on. God may be preparing us for what’s ahead.
4. Keep moving forward. (And that’s not a contradiction to #3!) I’m talking about keep doing the will of God. So much of the will of God we already know. And God will not take us one step further until we obey what He has already commanded us to do.
5. Seek wise counsel. Find someone who knows and loves you… and who knows and loves God. Turn to a minister, pastor, family member, or friend.
6. Be bold. Take some risks. If you step out in faith and believe God, He will direct your steps.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Trust Is A Daily Activity
From: Jack Graham Ministries
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding. In all things be mindful of Him and He will direct your paths."
The Christian life is really a matter of the heart. That's what God is most interested in. What this means is that you and I are supposed to live "inside out."
Our verse today has a promise you can live by. The promise is that God has a will for your life, which is His best for you.
How do you say yes to God's best? Trust Him. When you trust God, you look to Him, count on Him, and have confidence in Him. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, that's trust. But it's only the beginning.
Trust is an activity that we live every day of our lives. It's both a point and a process. It's knowing that God is for you and that He is working with your best interest at heart.
According to 2 Chronicles 16:9, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him."
When you trust God, you begin an exciting adventure. When you surrender and give Him control of your life, that's when you can start to see God's best for you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding. In all things be mindful of Him and He will direct your paths."
The Christian life is really a matter of the heart. That's what God is most interested in. What this means is that you and I are supposed to live "inside out."
Our verse today has a promise you can live by. The promise is that God has a will for your life, which is His best for you.
How do you say yes to God's best? Trust Him. When you trust God, you look to Him, count on Him, and have confidence in Him. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, that's trust. But it's only the beginning.
Trust is an activity that we live every day of our lives. It's both a point and a process. It's knowing that God is for you and that He is working with your best interest at heart.
According to 2 Chronicles 16:9, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him."
When you trust God, you begin an exciting adventure. When you surrender and give Him control of your life, that's when you can start to see God's best for you.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Wisdom
From: Wisdom From The Psalms Ministries
Psalm 9:9 "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."
Ellen lived in a tiny shack on the edge of a small backwater town. She had no modern conveniences; no car, no electricity, no fancy clothing. She just lived a simple life, giving of herself to others, sharing what little she did have with anyone who needed it. Often people tried to help Ellen, but she just smiled and said she didn't want for anything.
When asked why she lived as she did, Ellen said, "God has made sure that I've had enough to get by on. I don't need any more than that. He and I have a nice deal. When He needs me, He lets me know and shows me what I can do, and when I need Him, all I have to do is call. I've faced hard times, but the Lord has always given me strength and given me a place to run to."
The Lord is our refuge and our strength. It takes a great deal of wisdom to realize that. Our lives are much more than possessions and positions. Our lives are gifts from God; given to us and to others for His glory. We need not ask what more God can do for us, but what we might do for God. He will surely let us know.
Psalm 9:9 "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."
Ellen lived in a tiny shack on the edge of a small backwater town. She had no modern conveniences; no car, no electricity, no fancy clothing. She just lived a simple life, giving of herself to others, sharing what little she did have with anyone who needed it. Often people tried to help Ellen, but she just smiled and said she didn't want for anything.
When asked why she lived as she did, Ellen said, "God has made sure that I've had enough to get by on. I don't need any more than that. He and I have a nice deal. When He needs me, He lets me know and shows me what I can do, and when I need Him, all I have to do is call. I've faced hard times, but the Lord has always given me strength and given me a place to run to."
The Lord is our refuge and our strength. It takes a great deal of wisdom to realize that. Our lives are much more than possessions and positions. Our lives are gifts from God; given to us and to others for His glory. We need not ask what more God can do for us, but what we might do for God. He will surely let us know.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Greatest Life
From: Greg Laurie Ministries
Matthew 16:24 "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
If you want to be a true follower of Jesus, you need to take up your cross. That may sound miserable to some of us. You envision yourself carrying around some huge, wooden cross—living a miserable life, a life of selfless sacrifice.
Let me share something with you. Taking up the cross of Christ means that I come to the Lord and say, "God, I realize you know more about life than I do. You know my future and what is best for me. And Lord, I want what You want for me more than what I want for myself. I am willing to put Your will above my own. If that means letting go of something that would hold me back or hurt me spiritually, I'm willing. If that means cutting loose something that is dragging me down, I'm willing. Because I know that You love me and have my best interest in mind."
That is why the apostle Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).
The greatest life is the life that has been exchanged—the life that has been given to God. And the greatest life is living in obedience to Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:24 "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
If you want to be a true follower of Jesus, you need to take up your cross. That may sound miserable to some of us. You envision yourself carrying around some huge, wooden cross—living a miserable life, a life of selfless sacrifice.
Let me share something with you. Taking up the cross of Christ means that I come to the Lord and say, "God, I realize you know more about life than I do. You know my future and what is best for me. And Lord, I want what You want for me more than what I want for myself. I am willing to put Your will above my own. If that means letting go of something that would hold me back or hurt me spiritually, I'm willing. If that means cutting loose something that is dragging me down, I'm willing. Because I know that You love me and have my best interest in mind."
That is why the apostle Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).
The greatest life is the life that has been exchanged—the life that has been given to God. And the greatest life is living in obedience to Jesus Christ.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Freedom
From: Phil Ware Ministries
John 8:31-32 "Jesus said, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
There are few things more coveted than freedom. People die for it. People pray for it. People strive for it. True freedom comes from knowing truth. Knowing truth only comes by living in obedience to Jesus.
Truth is not something you merely think about or believe. Truth is something you do, you live. Jesus' teaching always ends with the exclamation: Blessed are you who do these things! Only by doing will we ever know the truth that liberates us.
Prayer
Father, I seek not only Your presence in my daily life, but also Your pleasure in the choices I make. Please teach me more of Your truth as I pledge to live today in obedience to Your word and Your will. Through Jesus the living Word I pray. Amen.
John 8:31-32 "Jesus said, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
There are few things more coveted than freedom. People die for it. People pray for it. People strive for it. True freedom comes from knowing truth. Knowing truth only comes by living in obedience to Jesus.
Truth is not something you merely think about or believe. Truth is something you do, you live. Jesus' teaching always ends with the exclamation: Blessed are you who do these things! Only by doing will we ever know the truth that liberates us.
Prayer
Father, I seek not only Your presence in my daily life, but also Your pleasure in the choices I make. Please teach me more of Your truth as I pledge to live today in obedience to Your word and Your will. Through Jesus the living Word I pray. Amen.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Check Your Motive
From: In Touch Ministries
John 14:14 "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."
People sometimes interpret any request ending with the words "in Jesus' name, amen" will automatically be fulfilled.
Yet basing our entire concept of prayer on one isolated verse would lead to a skewed perspective. It is also important to consider . . .
Our Fellowship With God. For God to hear and answer prayers, we must first be saved from our sin through the redeeming blood of Jesus. Once we have trusted Christ as Savior, God will hear us only when we walk in righteousness before Him. Of course, He understands our weakness and doesn't expect perfection. But if we knowingly continue in sin and fail to repent, He will not listen.
Our Request. For some people, ending prayers with "In Jesus' name, amen" can seem like a magic charm, but nothing can force God's hand. This saying did originate from a good motive, though: the desire to ask only for what is consistent with Jesus' character. When we ask, we should pray with faith, believing that God is able and will do whatever is in His will. And we should willingly submit our desires to Him.
Our Motive. The Lord won't say yes to prayer that will hurt us or His purpose. When we bring supplications before Him, it is important to check our motive. Is our goal to glorify God and let others see Him in us? Or is our motive selfish, greedy, or impure?
Our heavenly Father tells us to pray. And He will answer when our hearts are pure.
James 4:3 "You ask and you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
John 14:14 "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."
People sometimes interpret any request ending with the words "in Jesus' name, amen" will automatically be fulfilled.
Yet basing our entire concept of prayer on one isolated verse would lead to a skewed perspective. It is also important to consider . . .
Our Fellowship With God. For God to hear and answer prayers, we must first be saved from our sin through the redeeming blood of Jesus. Once we have trusted Christ as Savior, God will hear us only when we walk in righteousness before Him. Of course, He understands our weakness and doesn't expect perfection. But if we knowingly continue in sin and fail to repent, He will not listen.
Our Request. For some people, ending prayers with "In Jesus' name, amen" can seem like a magic charm, but nothing can force God's hand. This saying did originate from a good motive, though: the desire to ask only for what is consistent with Jesus' character. When we ask, we should pray with faith, believing that God is able and will do whatever is in His will. And we should willingly submit our desires to Him.
Our Motive. The Lord won't say yes to prayer that will hurt us or His purpose. When we bring supplications before Him, it is important to check our motive. Is our goal to glorify God and let others see Him in us? Or is our motive selfish, greedy, or impure?
Our heavenly Father tells us to pray. And He will answer when our hearts are pure.
James 4:3 "You ask and you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
An Alarm Is Sounding Off
From: Greg Laurie Ministries
1 Peter 2:8 "They stumble because they do not listen to God’s word or obey it, and so they meet the fate that has been planned for them."
I believe America is standing at a crossroads. We live in a society that stands on the brink of moral bankruptcy. Crime continues to explode. Families continue to splinter. All the while, the fabric of society continues to unravel.
At my house, we have electronic gadgets like many people have in their homes. We have a microwave oven, a washer and dryer, and I even have a fax machine. Each of these devices comes equipped with its own alarm.
At breakfast, I will hear an alarm; it means the food in the microwave is ready. I will hear another alarm, which means it’s time to get the clothes out of the dryer.
Then I will hear an alarm for my fax machine. You would think the end of the world was coming with the alarm on this thing. It doesn’t even tell me what is wrong. I have to read the error codes, which means I have to read the manual. Then I will try to correct the problem.
I believe an alarm is sounding off all over our country. With my fax machine, if I do what the manual says, I can correct the problem.
Similarly, God has given us His manual—the Word of God. It tells us what to do when a society unravels. But we’ll never find the solutions to America’s problems if we never turn to the pages of Scripture.
Deuteronomy 30:10 "If only you heed the voice of the Lord, your God, and keep His commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law; when you return to the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your soul, then, the Lord, your God, will again take delight in your prosperity."
1 Peter 2:8 "They stumble because they do not listen to God’s word or obey it, and so they meet the fate that has been planned for them."
I believe America is standing at a crossroads. We live in a society that stands on the brink of moral bankruptcy. Crime continues to explode. Families continue to splinter. All the while, the fabric of society continues to unravel.
At my house, we have electronic gadgets like many people have in their homes. We have a microwave oven, a washer and dryer, and I even have a fax machine. Each of these devices comes equipped with its own alarm.
At breakfast, I will hear an alarm; it means the food in the microwave is ready. I will hear another alarm, which means it’s time to get the clothes out of the dryer.
Then I will hear an alarm for my fax machine. You would think the end of the world was coming with the alarm on this thing. It doesn’t even tell me what is wrong. I have to read the error codes, which means I have to read the manual. Then I will try to correct the problem.
I believe an alarm is sounding off all over our country. With my fax machine, if I do what the manual says, I can correct the problem.
Similarly, God has given us His manual—the Word of God. It tells us what to do when a society unravels. But we’ll never find the solutions to America’s problems if we never turn to the pages of Scripture.
Deuteronomy 30:10 "If only you heed the voice of the Lord, your God, and keep His commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law; when you return to the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your soul, then, the Lord, your God, will again take delight in your prosperity."
Monday, January 12, 2009
Christians Need Relationships To Grow
From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries - Rick Warren
Hebrews 10:24-25 "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
Some of us hesitate to commit ourselves to developing an intentional plan of growth that requires accountability or relationship with others because we believe spiritual growth is a personal and private matter. We choose to believe each person develops in his or her own way at his or her own rate.
This is an aberration from the truth. The idolatry of individualism has influenced even the way we think about spiritual growth.So much of the teaching on spiritual formation is self-centered and self-focused without any reference to our relationship to other Christians.
This is completely unbiblical and ignores much of the New Testament. The truth is that Christians need relationships to grow. We don’t grow in isolation from others. We develop in the context of fellowship.
Over and over again in the New Testament we find this basic truth: Believers need relationships with each other to grow! “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another …”
God intends for us to grow up in a family.
Hebrews 10:24-25 "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
Some of us hesitate to commit ourselves to developing an intentional plan of growth that requires accountability or relationship with others because we believe spiritual growth is a personal and private matter. We choose to believe each person develops in his or her own way at his or her own rate.
This is an aberration from the truth. The idolatry of individualism has influenced even the way we think about spiritual growth.So much of the teaching on spiritual formation is self-centered and self-focused without any reference to our relationship to other Christians.
This is completely unbiblical and ignores much of the New Testament. The truth is that Christians need relationships to grow. We don’t grow in isolation from others. We develop in the context of fellowship.
Over and over again in the New Testament we find this basic truth: Believers need relationships with each other to grow! “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another …”
God intends for us to grow up in a family.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Seek God First
From: Daily Disciples Ministries
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
If you do not spend time with the Lord today, the devil will kill, steal and destroy any fruit of the Spirit. The most important thing that allows us to live a victorious Christian life seems to be the hardest thing to maintain on a consistent basis. We have to understand that the power of the Holy Spirit is released by abiding in the Word. If the devil can keep you from opening the Word, you will be ineffective and have little peace in knowing the will of God. The Lord wants to instruct you and keep you in the way you should go; but you must spend time with Him for Him to be able to lead you.
Repeatedly, the common excuse is that we are too busy. But by spending time with the Lord, He is then allowed in intervene in your life in such a way that gives you more time in your day. It is like tithing. You give and then you get. Time works the same way with the Lord.
No one was busier than Jesus. He had many things to do and many lessons to teach in a very short period of time. What did He do? Jesus made it a priority to spend time with the Father. He would rise early, before the dawn, just to pray. There was nothing that was more important than or as pressing as spending time with His Father. If Jesus needed to spend time alone with God, how much more do we need to spend time with Him? If the devil cannot make you bad, he will make you busy. Why? Because all those seemingly valuable things you are doing distracts you from the only thing that really matters for eternity. Even church-oriented events will not bear the fruit you are praying for without His counsel and His blessing.
Seek Him first – first thing in the morning, first before any plans are made and first in your thoughts and prayers. No other task can compare to finding God after seeking Him with your whole heart. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
If you do not spend time with the Lord today, the devil will kill, steal and destroy any fruit of the Spirit. The most important thing that allows us to live a victorious Christian life seems to be the hardest thing to maintain on a consistent basis. We have to understand that the power of the Holy Spirit is released by abiding in the Word. If the devil can keep you from opening the Word, you will be ineffective and have little peace in knowing the will of God. The Lord wants to instruct you and keep you in the way you should go; but you must spend time with Him for Him to be able to lead you.
Repeatedly, the common excuse is that we are too busy. But by spending time with the Lord, He is then allowed in intervene in your life in such a way that gives you more time in your day. It is like tithing. You give and then you get. Time works the same way with the Lord.
No one was busier than Jesus. He had many things to do and many lessons to teach in a very short period of time. What did He do? Jesus made it a priority to spend time with the Father. He would rise early, before the dawn, just to pray. There was nothing that was more important than or as pressing as spending time with His Father. If Jesus needed to spend time alone with God, how much more do we need to spend time with Him? If the devil cannot make you bad, he will make you busy. Why? Because all those seemingly valuable things you are doing distracts you from the only thing that really matters for eternity. Even church-oriented events will not bear the fruit you are praying for without His counsel and His blessing.
Seek Him first – first thing in the morning, first before any plans are made and first in your thoughts and prayers. No other task can compare to finding God after seeking Him with your whole heart. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Make Up Your Mind
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
Ephesians 1:11 "We were… chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with… His will"
Before you were born, God already had a plan for your life. The Living Bible puts it this way: "All things happen just as He decided long ago." Notice, it says "all things". That includes the things you want to run from! When Jonah tried to run from God and go to Tarshish, God said, "No way. My plan is in place. If I let you escape I wouldn't be God. If I have to I'll send a storm, rock your boat and put your life on hold in order to accomplish My purpose."
When Jonah could go no lower he prayed and God answered him, just in time to go and preach in Nineveh, his original destination. You can go the easy way or the hard way, but you'll go! The Psalmist said, "Your way… is in the sanctuary… Your way was in the sea [storm]" (Ps 77:13 &19). The choice is yours.
Understand this: you have been picked for a purpose; God has too much invested in you to let you get away with things. If you have to come on a stretcher when He calls you'll come. If you have to leave behind a relationship, or an addiction, or a personal agenda, you'll come. And you'll know it's God, because you'll be willing to leave behind those things which now mean nothing, in order to live for those things which now mean everything.
So, for your own good, make up your mind to walk with Him and follow His plan.
Ephesians 1:11 "We were… chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with… His will"
Before you were born, God already had a plan for your life. The Living Bible puts it this way: "All things happen just as He decided long ago." Notice, it says "all things". That includes the things you want to run from! When Jonah tried to run from God and go to Tarshish, God said, "No way. My plan is in place. If I let you escape I wouldn't be God. If I have to I'll send a storm, rock your boat and put your life on hold in order to accomplish My purpose."
When Jonah could go no lower he prayed and God answered him, just in time to go and preach in Nineveh, his original destination. You can go the easy way or the hard way, but you'll go! The Psalmist said, "Your way… is in the sanctuary… Your way was in the sea [storm]" (Ps 77:13 &19). The choice is yours.
Understand this: you have been picked for a purpose; God has too much invested in you to let you get away with things. If you have to come on a stretcher when He calls you'll come. If you have to leave behind a relationship, or an addiction, or a personal agenda, you'll come. And you'll know it's God, because you'll be willing to leave behind those things which now mean nothing, in order to live for those things which now mean everything.
So, for your own good, make up your mind to walk with Him and follow His plan.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Our Daily Bread
From: Daily Disciples Ministries
Matthew 6:11 "Give us this day our daily bread."
Today’s verse is taken from what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. When Jesus’ disciples asked Him how to pray, He gave them this prayer as a model. Matthew 6 and Luke 11 record this prayer in its entirety.
Like many people, I learned the Lord’s Prayer as a child and I have prayed it thousands of times. But how many of us really think about what we are praying when we recite this prayer? How often do I ask for my daily bread?
I guess a better question might be: what exactly is “our daily bread?” Certainly our daily bread consists of those things that we need to survive, to live on. We need food, water, clothing and shelter. We need financial resources to get the things we need. So, we must pray that the Lord will meet those needs and give us our daily provisions.
There is another type of “daily bread” that applies here as well – our spiritual bread. We cannot live abundant spiritual lives without a daily portion of God’s Word. Learning to feed on His Word every day will give us the spiritual nourishment we need to live a victorious Christian life.
Ask the Lord today to give you His bread of life: to meet your physical needs here on earth, and to also meet your spiritual needs as you walk with Him. When you allow the Word of God to penetrate your heart and mind daily, you will be transformed. Make time for reading your Bible today and let the Lord feed you with His amazing Word
Matthew 6:11 "Give us this day our daily bread."
Today’s verse is taken from what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. When Jesus’ disciples asked Him how to pray, He gave them this prayer as a model. Matthew 6 and Luke 11 record this prayer in its entirety.
Like many people, I learned the Lord’s Prayer as a child and I have prayed it thousands of times. But how many of us really think about what we are praying when we recite this prayer? How often do I ask for my daily bread?
I guess a better question might be: what exactly is “our daily bread?” Certainly our daily bread consists of those things that we need to survive, to live on. We need food, water, clothing and shelter. We need financial resources to get the things we need. So, we must pray that the Lord will meet those needs and give us our daily provisions.
There is another type of “daily bread” that applies here as well – our spiritual bread. We cannot live abundant spiritual lives without a daily portion of God’s Word. Learning to feed on His Word every day will give us the spiritual nourishment we need to live a victorious Christian life.
Ask the Lord today to give you His bread of life: to meet your physical needs here on earth, and to also meet your spiritual needs as you walk with Him. When you allow the Word of God to penetrate your heart and mind daily, you will be transformed. Make time for reading your Bible today and let the Lord feed you with His amazing Word
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Poor Decision Making
From: In Touch Ministries
Psalm 51:12 "A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me."
How many people have lamented, If I had it do over again, I'd do it differently? "It" refers to decisions, actions, and conversations we'd like to take back. As King David mourned the sinful choices that made him an adulterer and a murderer, he probably thought about the righteous alternatives. Like David, we tend to make wrong decisions when we are ruled by our appetites rather than godly discernment (2 Sam. 11:4).
Foolishness of some kind often results when people give in to stress placed on body and mind. These "earthly vessels" are more vulnerable than we think. That's why Christians shouldn't make snap judgments when feeling hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (H.A.L.T.). In those states, we are particularly at risk of making bad decisions with no lasting gain.
Craving immediate gratification makes for poor decision making. We need time to weigh a situation's merits and drawbacks. And we must consider potential long-term outcomes, particularly if there might be an eternal impact. Sometimes that process takes a few minutes, but in other cases, we might have to deliberate and seek God's guidance for weeks or months.
Satan is always on the lookout for a gap in the Christian soldier's spiritual armor, but physical, mental, and emotional vulnerabilities prove handy for his cause as well. Do not give the Evil One a toehold! Keep yourself fed, rational, in good company, and rested. Then you are prepared to make godly judgments on the spot rather than thinking of them in retrospect
Psalm 51:12 "A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me."
How many people have lamented, If I had it do over again, I'd do it differently? "It" refers to decisions, actions, and conversations we'd like to take back. As King David mourned the sinful choices that made him an adulterer and a murderer, he probably thought about the righteous alternatives. Like David, we tend to make wrong decisions when we are ruled by our appetites rather than godly discernment (2 Sam. 11:4).
Foolishness of some kind often results when people give in to stress placed on body and mind. These "earthly vessels" are more vulnerable than we think. That's why Christians shouldn't make snap judgments when feeling hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (H.A.L.T.). In those states, we are particularly at risk of making bad decisions with no lasting gain.
Craving immediate gratification makes for poor decision making. We need time to weigh a situation's merits and drawbacks. And we must consider potential long-term outcomes, particularly if there might be an eternal impact. Sometimes that process takes a few minutes, but in other cases, we might have to deliberate and seek God's guidance for weeks or months.
Satan is always on the lookout for a gap in the Christian soldier's spiritual armor, but physical, mental, and emotional vulnerabilities prove handy for his cause as well. Do not give the Evil One a toehold! Keep yourself fed, rational, in good company, and rested. Then you are prepared to make godly judgments on the spot rather than thinking of them in retrospect
Monday, January 5, 2009
Your Unique Purpose
From: Today God Is First - Os Hillman Ministries
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know well the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for a future full of hope."
If you are going to discover how God wants to use your life and work, you must know why you were created.
First and foremost, God created you to know Him and to have an intimate relationship with Him. In fact, God says that if a man is going to boast about anything in life, "boast about this: that he understands and knows Me" (Jer. 9:24).
Mankind's relationship with God was lost in the Garden when Adam and Eve sinned. Jesus' death on the cross, however, allows us to restore this relationship with God and to have an intimate fellowship with Him. The apostle Paul came to understand this when he said, "I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience His resurrection power, be a partner in His suffering, and go all the way with Him to death itself" (Phil. 3:10).
Establishing this relationship with God is vital to understanding your purpose. If you don't have this relationship with God, you will seek to fulfill your purpose out of wrong motives; such as fear, insecurity, pride, money, relationships, guilt, or unresolved anger.
God's desire is for you to be motivated out of love for Him and to desire to worship Him in all that you do. As you develop your relationship with God, He will begin to reveal His purpose for your life. "For I know well the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for a future full of hope."
Today, ask God to help you discover your unique purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know well the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for a future full of hope."
If you are going to discover how God wants to use your life and work, you must know why you were created.
First and foremost, God created you to know Him and to have an intimate relationship with Him. In fact, God says that if a man is going to boast about anything in life, "boast about this: that he understands and knows Me" (Jer. 9:24).
Mankind's relationship with God was lost in the Garden when Adam and Eve sinned. Jesus' death on the cross, however, allows us to restore this relationship with God and to have an intimate fellowship with Him. The apostle Paul came to understand this when he said, "I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience His resurrection power, be a partner in His suffering, and go all the way with Him to death itself" (Phil. 3:10).
Establishing this relationship with God is vital to understanding your purpose. If you don't have this relationship with God, you will seek to fulfill your purpose out of wrong motives; such as fear, insecurity, pride, money, relationships, guilt, or unresolved anger.
God's desire is for you to be motivated out of love for Him and to desire to worship Him in all that you do. As you develop your relationship with God, He will begin to reveal His purpose for your life. "For I know well the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for a future full of hope."
Today, ask God to help you discover your unique purpose.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Setting Goals
From: Love Worth Finding Ministries
Proverbs 16:3 "Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."
Have you ever written down some God-given goals to keep you from being a drifter? Without goals, you’re a ship without a rudder, a compass, a sail and an anchor. What kind of ship is that? One that is doomed to failure. Most people don’t plan to fail. They simply don’t plan.
How can you tell whether or not your goal is a God-given goal?
· First, have you prayed over it and asked for God’s blessing?
· Second, does it create in you enough spiritual enthusiasm and excitement to see it fulfilled?
· Third, does it demand the very best in you?
· Fourth, does it touch every area of your life? There is no area of your life that is out-of-bounds from God.
Take some time now; it’s time to write down some goals and even a mission statement focused on the following areas of your life: spiritual, physical, relational, intellectual, and financial.
Proverbs 16:3 "Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."
Have you ever written down some God-given goals to keep you from being a drifter? Without goals, you’re a ship without a rudder, a compass, a sail and an anchor. What kind of ship is that? One that is doomed to failure. Most people don’t plan to fail. They simply don’t plan.
How can you tell whether or not your goal is a God-given goal?
· First, have you prayed over it and asked for God’s blessing?
· Second, does it create in you enough spiritual enthusiasm and excitement to see it fulfilled?
· Third, does it demand the very best in you?
· Fourth, does it touch every area of your life? There is no area of your life that is out-of-bounds from God.
Take some time now; it’s time to write down some goals and even a mission statement focused on the following areas of your life: spiritual, physical, relational, intellectual, and financial.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Godly Resolutions
From: Greg Laurie Ministries
Romans 14:12 "Every one of us will have to give an account of himself before God."
Many people make resolutions this time of the year. Right now, people are planning their New Year's Resolutions.
Some are going to swear off alcohol or smoking or television or overeating. Others are going to try to change wicked habits like gossip or worry or losing their temper.
Many people will try to start new habits like getting in shape physically. Health clubs love the first of the year, because people love to commit to going to the gym and working out three to five times a week.
But most of those people never follow through, because they were not serious in the first place.
There are different, more important resolutions you want to make for 2009. There are godly habits you want to start and ungodly habits you want to break.
It has been said, "A habit is like cable. We weave a thread of it every day until at last we cannot break it." That can be a good or a bad thing depending on your habits.
This New Year, make a concerted effort to develop godly habits—habits that cannot be broken and that will build others up in their love for the Lord.
Romans 14:12 "Every one of us will have to give an account of himself before God."
Many people make resolutions this time of the year. Right now, people are planning their New Year's Resolutions.
Some are going to swear off alcohol or smoking or television or overeating. Others are going to try to change wicked habits like gossip or worry or losing their temper.
Many people will try to start new habits like getting in shape physically. Health clubs love the first of the year, because people love to commit to going to the gym and working out three to five times a week.
But most of those people never follow through, because they were not serious in the first place.
There are different, more important resolutions you want to make for 2009. There are godly habits you want to start and ungodly habits you want to break.
It has been said, "A habit is like cable. We weave a thread of it every day until at last we cannot break it." That can be a good or a bad thing depending on your habits.
This New Year, make a concerted effort to develop godly habits—habits that cannot be broken and that will build others up in their love for the Lord.
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