Monday, March 31, 2008

You Are Part Of Christ's Body On Earth

1 CORINTHIANS 12 NLT
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up
only one body. So it is with the body of Christ.
17 Suppose the whole body were an eye--then how would you hear?
Or if your whole body were just one big ear, how could you
smell anything?
18 But God made our bodies with many parts, and he has put each
part just where he wants it.
21 The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The
head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you."
22 In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least
important are really the most necessary.
27 Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of
you is a separate and necessary part of it.

Scripture says we are a Body -- not just that we are "like a
body." You ARE connected to everyone who acknowledges Jesus
Christ as Lord -- whether you like them, or think they are
necessary, or not. Whatever happens to ANY member of the Body
does have an affect on EVERY member.

Remember this the next time you are tempted to speak ill of
another believer, or mistreat them. Even if they don't believe
exactly like you, or go to the same church -- they are still
connected to you in Christ. So be nice to your Body!

SAY THIS: I am a member of Christ's Body on earth. Today I will
let Jesus Christ manifest His love and wisdom through me.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

We Shall Be Like Jesus

1 JOHN 3:2 NKJ
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been
revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is
revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

God's plan is to change you. He will not quit until you are
like Jesus Christ.

ROMANS 8:29 NKJ
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to
the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many
brethren.

God has already made the decision. You WILL be like Jesus! (It
may take awhile -- but God has plenty of time.)

Surely this doesn't mean an identical physical appearance, but
perfection. Perfection morally, spiritually -- and yes, even
physically and mentally.

So don't be discouraged with where you are now. God is still at
work and He is no quitter.

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 NKJ
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a
good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus
Christ;

How is God doing this? Primarily through His Word. So, stay in
the Word. The more you expose yourself to the accurate Word of
God, the more you will be changed into the likeness of Jesus
Christ.

SAY THIS: God is at work to make me like Jesus!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Prayer Guidelines

Prayer is communication with God. Talking with Almighty God is
the greatest privilege you have.

God desires a growing relationship with you. Communication is
essential for a relationship to develop. Involve God in every
part of your life: every decision and every action. In that
sense you should pray without ceasing -- always being in
communication with God.

However, we need special prayer times focused completely on the
Lord. He is worthy of our time and attention -- and we require
this time with Him to develop spiritually.

Remember the instruction given in Psalm 100:4, "Enter into His
gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise." If
you seem to run out of words to praise God, use some of the
Psalms, or praise and give thanks in tongues (1 Corinthians
14:16-18).

Many use the model prayer our Lord gave in Matthew 6:9-13 as a
guideline for their special daily prayer time. Some of the
principles taught are:

*You are praying to your Father.
*First worship and honor God.
*Pray that God's will be done before praying about your own or
others' needs.
*Ask for God's forgiveness and help.
*Finish by praising God.

During times of prayer many find it helpful as a memory aid to
have a prayer list of people and things to pray for. Also,
keeping a journal of your prayer requests and answers is
beneficial and will bless you tremendously as the years go by.

Always base your prayer on Scripture. Scripture is God's
answer. Receiving from God in prayer involves taking His answer
(His Word) to Him and receiving your request by faith.

Also, every believer can and should develop the habit of
praying much in tongues. This not only edifies you spiritually
(1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 1:20), but allows you to pray with a
wisdom beyond your ability and knowledge (Romans 8:26-27).

SAY THIS: Prayer is a privilege.

Friday, March 28, 2008

If You Have A Need, Plant A Seed

LUKE 6:38 NKJ
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed
down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your
bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be
measured back to you."

The natural response to having a need is to focus on getting
instead of giving. And to hang on tightly to what we have.

But God does not bless selfishness. He is a giver, and desires
for us to become like Him. So, God's Word tells us to give.

(Some preachers may have tried to exploit these truths to
enrich themselves, but that does not nullify God's promises.)

God is trying to raise us to a higher level of thinking, where
we trust in His faithful provision, and act in line with that
faith by blessing others.

PROVERBS 11:24 NET
24 One person is generous and yet grows more wealthy, but
another withholds more than he should and comes to poverty.

It requires faith to give when you don't have enough to meet
your own needs. But remember that faith pleases God, and
nothing is too hard for God.

Faith acts on God's Word. Fear hesitates.

To help us understand how giving can enrich us, instead of
impoverishing us, Scripture pictures a farmer planting seed for
a harvest.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6,10 NLT
6 Remember this--a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get
a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a
generous crop.
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then
bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase
your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity
in you.

Plant whatever seed God has given you, and God will give the
increase through a harvest of blessing, and your needs will be
met.

GALATIANS 6:7 CEV
7 You cannot fool God, so don't make a fool of yourself! You
will harvest what you plant.

You are never without seed. Anything of value can be a seed.
Your time is valuable, so if nothing else, you can give time to
pray for others as a seed.

SAY THIS: Whenever I have a need, I will plant a seed.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Why Pray?

JOHN 15:5 NKJ
5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me,
and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do
nothing.

There are three reasons to pray: for God's benefit, for your
benefit, and for the benefit of others.

To Benefit God

Just as earthly parents enjoy talking with their child, our
Heavenly Father enjoys hearing from you.

Also, God desires certain things done on Earth, but He has
delegated authority to mankind. Through our requests, God can
justly intervene in earthly situations and bring His will to
pass. So, praying in line with God's Word benefits God.

To Benefit You

Prayer is communication with God. It includes listening,
discussion, and giving thanks -- not just asking for things.

Relationship requires communication. Your relationship with the
Lord will never grow without communication.

Time spent in prayer helps you stay tuned-in spiritually --
remaining sensitive to God. Prayer keeps you "connected" with
God. It helps keep your focus on God and how great He is.

Prayer is a way of humbling yourself and is the opposite of
doing things by yourself. Receiving direction from God is the
greatest help you can get. If you fail to seek God's help, you
are headed for trouble, because the devil sets traps to destroy
you.

Also, talking with God forces you to honestly face your
situation -- for you know you cannot fool God.

To Benefit Others

All around us, people are in great need. Through prayer we can
appropriate heavenly help on their behalf.

God can do more in one minute than you can do in a lifetime.

SAY THIS: I will pray because prayer is beneficial.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

You Must Control The Devil

JAMES 4:7 NKJ
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee
from you.

Most believers expect God to control the devil, but God gave
you that responsibility.

EPHESIANS 4:27 NKJ
27 nor give place to the devil.

Would God tell you not to let the devil have any place, if you
had no say about it? If the devil does have a place in your
affairs, it's because you allow it.

The devil will take over -- if you let him.

Jesus won the victory. It legally belongs to you. But the devil
is a criminal, who doesn't obey the law unless forced to. You
must enforce Jesus' victory and Lordship in the situations of
life, or the devil will take control by default.

No human being, in themselves, is any match for the devil. So
you can't resist him in your own ability or name. You are not
more powerful than the devil, but you do have more authority as
a believer in Jesus Christ.

Just as a policeman in uniform has the backing of the entire
government and all its forces, so believers have the backing of
God and all His forces, when we stand against the devil in
Jesus' Name.

God gave you authority to resist the devil, and expects you to
use it. If you disobey God by not using it, things will not go
very well in your life.

Praying to God to stop the devil's operations is no different
than my son asking me to take out the trash, after I told him
to do it.

God told us to resist the devil and he would flee. We must
believe and act on God's Word.

SAY THIS: I will resist the devil and he will flee from me.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Worship God With Your Money

PHILIPPIANS 4:18 NLT
18 At the moment I have all I need--more than I need! I am
generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with
Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is
acceptable to God and pleases him.

Our money represents time -- a portion of our lives. We trade
our time for money. To truly worship God requires our money --
our treasure -- not just our voices.

The word "worship" is a contraction of "worth-ship" --
something we do that demonstrates how valuable we think
something is.

We show how valuable we think God is by what we give to Him.
True worship offers our whole being to God, all we are and all
we have. Money is a tangible expression of the devotion in our
hearts.

Worship is an act of reverence. In the Bible it usually means
bowing down. (One Greek word in the New Testament translated
worship means to adore or reverence.)

But true worship always costs something. In true worship you
always give up something: sacrifices in the Old Testament,
sovereignty in bowing down, dignity, reputation, time, etc.

"Is it worth it?" is a worship question. "Is God worth it?" is
a worship question.

How much is God worth to you?

When you are a young person interested in dating someone, do
you begrudge the time, effort, and money you spend on them? Why
do you do it? Because you think knowing them, and being with
them, is worth it. That shows worth-ship, or worship.

God is a Person. He is great beyond description in every way.
What is it worth to you to know God, and be with Him?

It is not enough to say you love God more than anything. To
please God you also need to demonstrate your love.

SAY THIS: I will worship God with all I have, including my
money.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Do Not Worry

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 NLT
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Worrying can't accomplish anything. So why do it?

MATTHEW 6:25-34 NKJ
25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your
body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and
the body more than clothing?
26 "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor
reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds
them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his
stature?
28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies
of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
29 "and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these.
30 "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which
today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not
much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or
'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your
heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.
34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will
worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own
trouble.

LUKE 10:41-42 NKJ
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you
are worried and troubled about many things.
42 "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good
part, which will not be taken away from her."

What did Mary choose that was better than worrying? Spending
time with Jesus hearing His Word. You would do well to follow
her example.

SAY THIS: I will trust in God and not worry.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Jesus Rose From Death

MATTHEW 28:5-6 NKJ
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be
afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the
place where the Lord lay.

Jesus Christ's resurrection is either the supreme fact in
history or a gigantic hoax. If Christ's resurrection is true --
we ignore its implications at our own peril. If not, then
Christianity is the biggest fraud in the history of the world.

Christ's resurrection forces the question of Christianity's
validity from being merely a philosophical issue to being a
historical one.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact verifiable from
history. No one can challenge Christ's resurrection -- if they
take an honest look at the evidence.

Only those who never study the evidence -- or who refuse to
listen to its testimony -- could deny the resurrection of Jesus
Christ.

Many learned men have tried to disprove Christ's resurrection --
only to become believers instead!

Some people refuse to examine the evidence, because they do not
want to believe in Jesus Christ and submit to Him as Lord.

The facts remain. Confucius' tomb, Buddha's tomb, Mohammed's
tomb, and Lenin's tomb are all occupied.

But Jesus Christ's tomb is EMPTY!

REVELATION 1:18 NKJ
18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive
forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

SAY THIS: I believe that Jesus Christ rose from death.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Meaning Of The Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth was the greatest event in
human history.

Why?

Not just because someone came back from death. That had
happened before.

Jesus was acting as a representative for the human race. What
He was doing was not for Himself -- but for us.

ROMANS 4:25 NKJ
25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised
because of our justification.

The people watching Jesus die on the cross knew nothing of
this. Later it was revealed what actually happened. Jesus was
being a substitute for the human race, suffering in our stead.
When divine justice was satisfied -- Jesus was raised from the
dead as your representative. You got credit for what Jesus did.

It was not just the death and resurrection of one man. It was
the legal death and resurrection of us all. All Jesus did was
as mankind's substitute representative.

Jesus was not raised from the dead until you were justified.
That means declared righteous, or in right standing with God.

The resurrection of Jesus, according to Scripture, is a
declaration that God has taken care of the sin problem and made
you righteous.

SAY THIS: Father, please help me to understand the implications
of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in my life.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Christ Is Our Passover

God gave instructions to the Israelites so they could escape
the judgment coming on the Egyptians.

EXODUS 12:7,13 NKJ
7 `And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two
doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.
13 `Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where
you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and
the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the
land of Egypt.

The Egyptians had no protection from the destroyer, but the
people of Israel who put the blood of a lamb on their dwellings
were safe.

The blood represented the Blood of the Lamb slain from the
foundation of the world -- Jesus Christ (Rev. 13:8). Judgment
was legally avoided because of it.

The blood applied stopped the destroyer. Action was required --
not just passive belief in the blood.

PSALM 105:37 NKJ
37 He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was
none feeble among His tribes.

Not only were the children of Israel spared from destruction,
but they all left Egypt in good health carrying away the wealth
of Egypt.

Christ is our Passover. Can we not expect Him to provide us as
much protection and deliverance as the lamb provided the
children of Israel in Egypt?

1 CORINTHIANS 5:7 NKJ
7 . . . For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

HEBREWS 8:6 NKJ
6 . . . He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was
established on better promises.

LUKE 22:20 NKJ
20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This
cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

New Covenant believers have the right to draw a faith Blood
line the devil cannot cross. By speaking words of faith we
apply the Blood over the "doorposts" of our lives -- the outer
edges of all that belongs to us.

With blood on the door of the Israelites in Egypt, no evil
dared enter their dwelling. Likewise, we are kept safe through
the protection of the divine Blood of Jesus.

Wherever we have authority we should apply the Blood -- and
never leave the protection the Blood of Jesus provides.

SAY THIS: Jesus Christ is my Passover who protects and delivers
me and my family.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Plead The Blood

Pleading the Blood of Jesus is not begging -- but a legal term.

REVELATION 12:10-11 NKJ
10 . . . the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before
our God day and night, has been cast down.
11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the
word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to
the death.

The devil is our accuser. The only successful plea is the Blood
of Jesus. Pleading our ignorance, our innocence, or our merits
will fail. Only relying on the Blood of our substitute
sacrifice, the Lamb of God, will win our case before God the
Judge.

When we pray, we should base our prayer on the Blood of Jesus
-- the price paid for our needs to be met -- instead of on our
need or our worthiness.

When we resist the devil, we cannot resist him based on who we
are or what we have done, but only on the price paid for our
complete redemption -- the precious Blood of Jesus.

Faith in Jesus' Blood, released in testimony against the devil,
will always cause him to flee. We must resist him, steadfast in
faith, for as long as it takes.

Our enemy can always be overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and
the word of our testimony. We have victory over every evil
because of Jesus' shed Blood.

PSALM 107:2 NKJ
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed
from the hand of the enemy,

We must SAY we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Here are
some example statements you could use in pleading the Blood.

In the Name of Jesus, I plead the Blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ against this problem.

I cover my home with the Blood of Jesus to protect all
occupants and possessions from all evil.

Especially in times of violence we need to cry out for the
protection of the Blood for all our household. Parents can put
the Blood on their "door" -- taking in all that pertains to
them -- and claim salvation and protection for their entire
family. The Blood is the one thing that will keep your family
safe in these perilous days.

When we awaken in the morning we should call for the Blood to
be upon us and all that belongs to us. Before we sleep we
should, in the same way, call for the protection of the Blood.

SAY THIS: I plead the Blood of Jesus over all my household and
all our possessions.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Redeemed By His Blood

1 PETER 1:18-19 NKJ
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things,
like silver or gold . . .
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot.

Some Christians shy away from talking about blood -- but not
the Bible. In fact, the Bible presents blood as an integral and
honored part of Christian teaching.

Blood represents life, and Jesus freely gave His life to redeem
you.

COLOSSIANS 1:13-14 NKJ
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and
translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins.

The blood of Jesus -- representing the giving of His life --
was the payment for your freedom. You should give bold
testimony to the power of the precious Blood of Jesus. It is
what has set you free!

Sin opens the door for the devil. But Jesus' Blood cleanses us
from all sin and closes the door of opportunity to the devil.

1 JOHN 1:9 NKJ
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus' Blood enables us to stand before God as if sin had never
existed. We have no other plea for entrance into God's presence
but the precious Blood of the Lamb.

HEBREWS 10:19 NKJ
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by
the blood of Jesus,

The blood of Jesus represents all that God accomplished for you
in His great redemption.

We should display the token of Jesus' Blood over the boundaries
of our lives -- anywhere the devil might have an opening -- by
releasing our faith in the sufficiency of that precious Blood
through words.

SAY THIS: I am set free by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Expect Favor

PSALM 5:12 NIV
12 For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround
them with your favor as with a shield.

If Jesus is your Lord, then He is also your righteousness (1
Corinthians 1:30, Romans 5:17). So, you are righteous in Christ
and qualify for this blessing.

Favor is the blessing of God causing people to like you and
treat you well.

Why expect favor?

Because God is your Father. He loves you. And He responds to
faith. When you walk in faith you expect blessings.

PROVERBS 16:7 NIV
7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his
enemies live at peace with him.

Some people always talk of how badly they are treated and how
things always go wrong for them. Should we be surprised? After
all, Jesus told us in Mark 11:23 that we would have what we
say.

Why not begin to say that God surrounds your life with favor?

SAY THIS: I expect God's favor in my life.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Hang On!

HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without
wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Sometimes it seems like there's no hope and no help. Like you
have no more strength or ability to go on. You're at the end of
yourself and just can't do any more.

Don't worry. Just hang on to your faith in God.

God is faithful. He will not forsake you. He has not forgotten
you. (It just seems that way when you face a trial of faith --
but it's a lie.)

It may seem dark and hopeless, but God is holding on to you.
God is working behind the scenes. Things will work out.

When you don't know what to do, just continue to trust in God,
and know that He is helping you. Persevere even when you feel
like you can't. Just don't give up.

JAMES 1:2-4 Barclay
2 My brothers, you must regard it as nothing but joy when you
are involved in all kinds of trials,
3 for you must realize that when faith has passed through the
ordeal of testing the result is the ability to pass the
breaking-point and not to break.
4 This ability must go right on to the end, and then you will
be perfect and complete, without a weak spot.

Trials are no fun. But we should not be surprised when we find
our faith being tested.

The devil is doing his best to steal your faith in God, but his
best is not good enough. God is greater than the devil. Hang on
to your faith!

Remember that God is for you. God is on your side. God will
help you and see you through.

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep praising
and thanking God -- especially when you don't feel like it.
Don't give up. Hang on!

SAY THIS: I won't give up on God. I trust in Him.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Balance In Life

MARK 6:31 NIV
31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they
did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with
me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Balance is a difficult thing to achieve.

Success usually requires discipline, a large commitment of
time, and a lot of hard work.

But sometimes what's needed is to take a vacation!

Taking a trip is not always necessary, but taking a break from
your normal routine is.

You need time to think, and time to listen to what God is
saying to you -- as well as physical rest. Without taking time
to "recharge your batteries" you will never be your best.

People who face relentless responsibilities, such as pastors,
mothers of young children, care givers, and owners of small
businesses, especially need an occasional break.

(Be creative. It doesn't have to be expensive.)

We want to lead productive lives and be fruitful in our walk
with the Lord, but we cannot take the place of God. We cannot
do everything. We are not God.

Burning out is not a good witness for the Lord, as it makes Him
look like a hard taskmaster.

Humans require rest. To continue to be healthy and productive
for many years, we must live a balanced life which includes
rest and taking time off.

Always keep the big picture in mind. That includes eternity.

SAY THIS: Lord, help me to achieve balance in my life.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

None Of These Things Move Me

ACTS 20:24 NKJ
24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life
dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the
ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to
the gospel of the grace of God.

Some believers are tempted to give up on their faith in God
whenever the least thing seems to go wrong in their lives.

The apostle Paul suffered many things: beatings, stoning, and
shipwreck -- yet he called them "light afflictions."

2 CORINTHIANS 4:17 NKJ
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is
working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory,

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9 NKJ
8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are
perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed --

We are in a battle for the hearts and souls of men. The devil
is against us. While we know our victory is sure, we should not
expect to never face obstacles or difficulties.

2 TIMOTHY 2:3 NKJ
3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus
Christ.

If this life was all there was, this would not be a wise way to
live. But there is a life in heaven and a future world. We
would be foolish to live as if this life is all there is.

So we should not forget eternity and focus only on the present.

We must hold on to our faith in God, no matter how things seem
to be going at the present. Because of our limited
understanding, our ability to evaluate things accurately is
limited. Our wonderful Lord Jesus can be trusted. He loved us
enough to die in our stead, so we could go free. Why would He
lie to us?

We must be determined not to be moved by things our enemy does
to get us off our faith in God's Word.

SAY THIS: I'm not moved by what I see. I'm not moved by what I
feel. I'm moved only by what I believe, and I believe the Word
of God.

Friday, March 14, 2008

All Things Are Possible

MARK 9:23 NKJ
23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are
possible to him who believes."

From our early years we are educated in what is impossible.

But progress continues to be made by people who attempt the
impossible and achieve it.

Some have said that mankind's only real obstacle is between our
two ears.

We ARE limited by what we believe, according to Jesus.

So, how can we change what we believe? Only by getting new
evidence, which is available from the Word of God.

MATTHEW 17:20 NKJ
20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for
assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed,
you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and
it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

A conventional approach will not achieve the "impossible." It
will require acting different than the crowd, who probably
won't understand you or support you. Speaking to things and
telling them to move, as Jesus taught, is certainly not
conventional.

Acting different than everyone else can be scary. It's like
getting out of the boat to walk on water. But do you want
conventional results?

As you read the Bible and see the instructions God gave us, you
will usually find them unconventional. But the person who acts
on God's Word will be blessed.

SAY THIS: All things are possible!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Be Thankful For What You Have

COLOSSIANS 3:15 CEV
15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were
chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes
from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.

If you are reading this, there are literally millions of people
who would trade places with you. They envy you and would be
very grateful to enjoy all that you do.

Usually the more someone has, the less thankful they become.

So how can you overcome ingratitude? Only by changing your
beliefs. As long as you believe you're getting a raw deal, or
less than you deserve, you will never become a thankful person.

An attitude of gratitude is the result of what we focus on.

Remember, you deserved punishment. Instead, God gave you what
He deserved, and EVERYTHING you have -- every breath -- is a
gift. Keep this in focus and you will become a thankful person.

(An extra bonus is that a thankful person is a happy person.)

HEBREWS 13:5 NIV
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content
with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave
you; never will I forsake you."

What could be greater? Almighty God promises to always take
care of you! Never will you be forsaken! Never will you be left
facing life all alone! (You may feel forsaken, but it's a lie.)

A rewarding, satisfying, and fulfilling life does not depend on
being rich. Jesus is the one who told us, and He knows.

LUKE 12:15 LB
15 Beware! Don't always be wishing for what you don't have. For
real life and real living are not related to how rich we are."

SAY THIS: I will be thankful.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Do You Want To Be Happy?

What are you waiting for?

Most people are waiting for something -- something "special"
that will make their life great, so they can be happy.

Ask yourself: have others had this, and are they all happy? No,
they're not, and it won't give you lasting happiness, either.

Happiness is not determined by external circumstances, but by
internal circumstances.

Everyone chooses how happy they are by what they choose to
think about.

Your attitude is determined by your perspective, which is
determined by what you think about -- your focus. You choose
your focus, so ultimately, you are the one who chooses whether
to be happy, or not.

Perspective is what the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) are about.
Seeing a bigger picture than just this one small moment of
time. (The Beatitudes are where Jesus explained how some are
blessed, or happy -- even in difficult situations.)

(The word we translate as "happy" in the New Testament is
usually translated as "blessed.")

You won't get happiness by chasing what the world has to offer.
It has already been tried and found wanting.

And, you will never be happy as long as you are self-centered.
A focus on self is guaranteed to prevent happiness.

Right after Jesus performed the menial task of washing his
disciple's feet -- akin to cleaning toilets today -- He told
them:

JOHN 13:15,17 ICB
15 I did this as an example for you. So you should do as I have
done for you.
17 If you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.

You will be happy if you help others. If you take your focus
off yourself. That's what Jesus taught.

SAY THIS: I choose to focus on God and be thankful and happy.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Giving Is Planting Seed

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8 NLT
6 Remember this--a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get
a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a
generous crop.
7 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should
give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For
God loves the person who gives cheerfully.
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will
always have everything you need and plenty left over to share
with others.

God is love. Love gives and helps others. God wants you to be
like Him -- to be a giver.

God, knowing human nature, gave incentives to encourage us to
be givers. Not only does giving make us feel good, but God
promises whatever we give will be multiplied back to us -- the
same way seed planted by a farmer produces a larger harvest.

LUKE 6:38 NLT
38 If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you
in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for
more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving --
large or small -- it will be used to measure what is given back
to you."

God's plan is to develop you into a loving, giving person who
trusts God.

Faith and love -- the two primary attributes God is working to
develop in us -- are both exercised by giving.

It takes faith to give. It seems safer and more prudent to hold
on to everything we have, just in case we might need it. But
God encourages us to be generous and give to others -- trusting
Him to multiply our giving back to us.

Someone has well said that whatever we give does not leave our
life, but just enters our future, where it will be multiplied.

SAY THIS: Whenever I give, I am planting seed for a harvest of
blessing.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Jesus Died For Sinners

ROMANS 5:6 NKJ
6 . . . Christ died for the ungodly.

Jesus Christ did not come to earth to help perfect people, but
to help ungodly sinners.

ROMANS 5:8 NKJ
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus already paid the price for the forgiveness of all sins
through His death.

EPHESIANS 1:7 NKJ
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of His grace

The devil tries to make people think God does not love them
because of their sins. But nothing could be further from the
truth. God loves sinners! Jesus died to save sinners.

1 TIMOTHY 1:15 NKJ
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am
chief.

God is against sin because it is harmful to people, but He is
not against sinners.

If God could not or would not help a sinner, then He would
never help any human. The Bible tells the opposite story. We
have all missed the mark of perfection so we all need a Savior.
And we all have a Savior if we will but receive Him.

HEBREWS 9:26 NLT
26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die
again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for
all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin
by his own death as a sacrifice.

The sacrifice of Jesus was sufficient to deal with all sin. You
have been forgiven. Accept that forgiveness. Turn away from
going your own way and walk with God.

SAY THIS: Jesus died because He loved sinners, including me.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

When You Sin

1 JOHN 1:9 NKJ
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Many people let sin separate them from God. But the devil is
the one who tells us God does not love us when we sin.

Jesus paid a great price so you can be forgiven and freed from
sin and its penalty.

ROMANS 5:8 NKJ
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God is against sin because it harms people, but God loves
sinners!

When we sin, it does not make God hate us. We should not run
away from God, but run to Him for help and cleansing, so that
our fellowship with Him will not be hindered in any way.

We confess our sins to shut the door on the devil so he has no
place in our affairs. We don't need to confess our sins to get
God to forgive us. God has already forgiven! We confess our
sins to get rid of them, and keep the devil out.

EPHESIANS 1:7 NKJ
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of His grace

God loves people, including you. His ultimate plan is to have a
family of people who do not sin, but voluntarily choose the way
of love, which is God's perfect way.

But just as a good parent does not throw their baby into the
street because they are not perfect yet, but still mess their
pants, so God does not discard His children when they sin.

God loves you more than any good parent ever loved their child.
So look to Him for help in overcoming sin, instead of expecting
condemnation from Him.

When you sin, confess it to get rid of its influence in your
life and to keep the devil from having any place. I don't mean
begging God to forgive you and promising to never do it again.
Instead say, "That is wrong. I should not have done that. Lord,
I need your help to overcome it. Please continue working your
will in me."

Sin has already been paid for with the precious blood of Jesus.
God has already decreed that sin is forgiven, so that it should
not keep people from fellowship with Him.

SAY THIS: I will not let sin separate me from God.

Friday, March 07, 2008

Make Prayer A Habit

ROMANS 12:12 NRSV
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in
prayer.

Prayer is a habit that, like every other good habit, must be
developed.

You know you need to pray. You need God's help, His wisdom and
His guidance. But you must persevere in prayer. The activities
of life try to keep you from praying. So persevere!

LUKE 21:36 BBE
36 But keep watch at all times with prayer, that you may be
strong enough to come through all these things and take your
place before the Son of man.

In communing with God, you gain strength that comes in no other
way. You find the wisdom and courage to face life and overcome.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:17-18 ICB
17 Never stop praying.
18 Give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you
in Christ Jesus.

Learn to always include God in your thoughts. Ask Him about
everything. Cultivate your relationship by continual
communication. And one of the most important things for you to
communicate to God is your gratitude. Thank God for everything.

Don't relegate prayer to just when you're on your knees. As you
go about your activities, include God by constant communion
with Him.

Talk to God about everything!

SAY THIS: Lord, help me to develop the habit of continual
communication with you.

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Temporary!

This is what you should say to your circumstances when they
don't line up with God's Word:

Temporary!

2 CORINTHIANS 4:18 NIV
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is
unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is
eternal.

You may not realize it -- but problems often "speak" to you.
They say things like, "You can't get rid of me. I'll be with
you as long as you live."

"Your parents died from this and you will, too."

"Your family was poor and you'll always be poor. You'll never
have abundance. You'll never get out of debt."

Actually, it's the demonic forces behind the problems that
speak to our minds -- trying to keep us in doubt and unbelief.
We must resist those thoughts -- and the first step is to talk
back!

We should speak to thoughts of doubt and unbelief that are
contrary to what God has said in His Word -- for His Word is
truth.

Don't be passive. Resist!

The Bible tells us to resist the devil. That means to resist
his thoughts and ideas, too.

Long ago, God gave mankind dominion on earth. That dominion
included naming things. You still have that form of dominion
today. If you name your troubles as "yours" and "permanent" --
they will stay. But if you call them "temporary" -- they will
eventually leave.

Jesus told us to speak to our mountains and tell them to be
gone. But what should you say after you have spoken to the
mountain and it's still there?:

TEMPORARY!

SAY THIS: My circumstances are subject to change!

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Leave Your Case With God

ROMANS 12:19 NLT
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the
righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take
revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD.

When people do us wrong, to not retaliate is difficult. It
seems natural to fight back when someone attacks us.

But the Bible tells us to let God judge them.

This is not saying you should never defend yourself or what
belongs to you. But rather to not seek revenge after you have
been wronged. Instead, let God handle it.

People who try to exact revenge, usually end up committing more
injustice. Often a deadly cycle develops. Instead of taking
revenge, God's Word tells us to bless our enemies.

PROVERBS 25:21 NKJ
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is
thirsty, give him water to drink;

God is aware of every injustice. And God promises to right
every wrong, eventually. God is a righteous judge, but all
judgment is not instant, or even in this life.

1 PETER 2:21,23 NLT
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering,
just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you
must follow in his steps.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten
revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.

SAY THIS: I will not seek revenge but trust God to bring
justice.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

How Do I Get God To Do What I Want?

Sorry, you have it backward. God is trying to get you to do
what He wants, because His way is perfect, and yours is
obviously not.

PSALM 18:30 NKJ
30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is
proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

You don't need to get God to do anything. God knows what to do.
You are the one who does not know what to do.

Imagine a two year old child telling his parents what they
should be doing. It is even more crazy to think we know more
than God about what is best for us, and that we need to tell
Him what to do.

This attitude indicates immaturity.

If we were so good at figuring out things, we should be running
the universe instead of God. But look at what our decisions
have produced -- a mess. What we need is new management, not
just to get God to do something for us.

Even if we were to get God to do what we think He should do for
us, would it really fix our life?

For example, many people think getting a lot of money would
solve every problem, but the facts show differently. Just look
at the record of people who won the lottery. Some people think
getting a spouse would fix everything, but don't think about
how half the people who do get married then seek a divorce.

What you need is to let Jesus be Lord of your life. You need to
learn of Him and follow His directions. You need to learn His
ways. Your ways have got you in a mess. You need to change your
ways so you can have a change in your life.

God has already done what He needs to do. Now we must learn how
to receive His provision and walk in victory.

If you are on the road to destruction, why should God give you
a new car and gas money to go down that road? Your decisions
have produced wrecks in your life. What you need is a new
driver. Let Jesus take the wheel.

You don't need to argue with Jesus or tell Him what to do. You
just need to trust Him.

God knows more than you do, and loves you more than you love
yourself. He desires the best for you. You can trust someone
like that!

SAY THIS: Lord Jesus I trust You. Please take over management
of my life.

Monday, March 03, 2008

Jesus' Invitation

REVELATION 3:20 NKJ
20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My
voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with
him, and he with Me.

Most people think this verse is directed to non-believers. Not
so. Jesus was talking to those already in the church.

How sad!

This is the Lord, the Head of the church, speaking to His own
people. "If you will open up to Me, we will enjoy times of
fellowship."

God desires your fellowship. He wants you to spend time with
Him. But He invites -- He never forces.

We enjoy the presence of those who love us, especially when we
also love them. God loves you more than anyone else does. So,
you shouldn't need to be forced, or talked into, spending time
in fellowship with God.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 NIV
9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus
Christ our Lord, is faithful.

God has called you. You must choose whether to answer.

Who would you rather know than God?

Spending time with someone is the way you get to know them. You
begin to know what they like and dislike, and how they think.
When you spend time with the Lord in His Word and prayer, you
get to know Him.

Spending time with someone is the only way to build a
relationship.

SAY THIS: Jesus, I open up the door to You!

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Speak To Your Mountain

MARK 11:23 NKJ
23 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,
`Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in
his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to
pass, he will have whatever he says.

"Talk to mountains? Do you think I'm crazy?"

Jesus talked to things, and taught that "whoever" could also
speak to mountains.

A mountain is primarily any obstacle that stands in your way.

Faced with obstacles, most Christians pray to God. But Jesus
told us to speak directly to the obstacle and tell it to be
removed.

There is nothing wrong with discussing things with God. You
should. But when something is blocking your progress -- Jesus
said YOU should tell it to get out of the way.

Most Christians just speak to God about the mountain, instead
of following Jesus' directions and speaking directly to the
mountain.

Are you just talking to God about the problems in your life,
instead of talking directly to the problems and telling them to
be removed?

MATTHEW 17:20 NKJ
20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for
assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed,
you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and
it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

According to Jesus, unbelief keeps us from speaking to our
mountains.

What is the mountain in your life? What stands in the way of
your progress? What holds you back from going forward and
fulfilling God's plan?

Speak God's Word to that mountain!

Speak to the devil and his forces and tell them to get out of
your affairs.

Speak to sickness and tell it that it can't stay in your body.

Speak to debt and financial lack and tell them to be removed
from your life.

Speak to doubt, fear, and worry and tell them to be gone.

If you say, "I just can't believe it would do any good for me
to talk to problems," that's why you still have them.

Read what Jesus said again, and again.

SAY THIS: I will speak to the mountains that try to hold me
back.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Forgive Yourself

1 JOHN 2:12 NLT
12 I am writing to you who are God's children because your sins
have been forgiven through Jesus.

COLOSSIANS 3:13 NIV
13 . . . Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

GALATIANS 5:14 NIV
14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your
neighbor as yourself."

For many people, the hardest person to forgive is themselves.

If God can forgive us, then we can, and must, forgive
ourselves. Not to forgive ourselves is to exalt ourselves above
God.

If God can decree that we are forgive-able, but we say we are
too bad to be forgiven, we are saying we know more than God.

Should your standards be higher than God's standards? He
forgives. Why won't you forgive yourself?

The devil wants you to stay focused on your past and your
failures, so you will not receive God's blessing.

God wants you to believe His Word and focus on His victory so
you will have a better future.

Which one will you choose to follow?

SAY THIS: Because God has forgiven me, I forgive myself.