Monday, March 31, 2014

Expect God's Protection

We should expect God's protection, and thank Him for it.

But we must remember that we receive from God by faith. So if
we don't believe God will protect us, we are, in effect,
hindering God's protection.

So we need to feed our faith on the promises of the Bible
concerning God's protection for His people. There are many, but
here are two.

ISAIAH 54:17 GWN
17 No weapon that has been made to be used against you will
succeed. You will have an answer for anyone who accuses you.
This is the inheritance of the LORD's servants. Their victory
comes from me," declares the LORD.

LUKE 10:19 NKJ
19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and
scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing
shall by any means hurt you.

Then we also need to express our faith in thanks to God every
day for His protection. The ninety-first Psalm can help us do
this. I suggest you make it personal and speak it often.

CONFESSION BASED ON PSALM 91 NLT
1 I live in the shelter of the Most High so I will find rest in
the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my
place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue me from every trap and protect me from
deadly disease.
4 He will cover me with his feathers. He will shelter me with
his wings. His faithful promises are my armor and protection.
5 I will not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the
arrow that flies in the day.
6 I will not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the
disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at my side, though ten thousand are
dying around me, these evils will not touch me.
8 I can just open my eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.
9 I make the LORD my refuge, I make the Most High my shelter,
10 so no evil will conquer me; no plague will come near my
home.
11 For he will order his angels to protect me wherever I go.
12 They will hold me up with their hands so I won't even hurt
my foot on a stone.
13 I will trample upon lions and cobras; I will crush fierce
lions and serpents under my feet!
14 The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will
protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in
trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my
salvation."

SAY THIS: Thank You Lord for protecting me and my family today.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

What Is Worship?

MATTHEW 4:10 NLT
10 "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the
Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve
only him.'"

Today we have what we call "worship services" that usually
consist mainly of singing songs and listening to a sermon. Many
also have "worship leaders" whose job is to lead the singing at
their church meetings.

There is nothing wrong with that. When we focus our attention
on the Lord, singing to Him from the depths of our heart,
giving time and attention to Him and His Word, instead of other
things, it indeed can be true worship.

But worship, as taught in the Bible, is certainly not limited
to these things.

In the New Testament, the main word used for worship can be
summarized as submission, or an attitude of submission because
of profound reverence.

In the Bible, worship is always demonstrated by doing
something. It may be bowing down prostrate on the ground before
someone. And it is often connected with giving -- a sacrifice.
But worship is always an action that demonstrates how much
something is valued.

Worship is a way of showing "worth-ship."

We show how much we value something by what we are willing to
give up to get it.

The only way of measuring how much we value someone is by what
we give to them, including such things as time, attention,
respect, loyalty, love, devotion, and also material things.

JOHN 4:23 NIV
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true
worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for
they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

SAY THIS: I will be a true worshiper of God.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Focus On Helping Others

PHILIPPIANS 2:4 NLT
4 Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an
interest in others, too.

It's not unusual for someone to feel like life is not worth
living. Many, if not most, feel this way some time.

My recommendation for those who feel this way is to begin
focusing on helping others. Lift the burdens of others and make
their life better. That will produce a life with meaning and
joy.

Only those who live to help others will ever find true
satisfaction in life.

It may seem like other plans people use to make themselves
happy are working in the short term, but in the long run they
always fail to bring lasting joy, fulfillment, and
satisfaction.

If you desire to be like God -- who is happy and joyful -- then
be a helper.

God helps everyone. He produces and gives an abundance of good
things for everyone. Air, water, food -- the list is endless.

At the end of your life here on earth, only what you have done
to help others will be valuable to you. All that you did for
only selfish reasons will be a disappointment.

The best tonic for depression is to get involved in helping
others.

When you begin to help others, it is amazing how your own
problems seem to shrink.

Do you want your life to be better? Then focus on what you can
do to make life better for others.

SAY THIS: I will act like God and help people.

Friday, March 28, 2014

God Is A Person

2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 LB
14 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. May
God's love and the Holy Spirit's friendship be yours. Paul

God has feelings, emotions, and desires.

God does not enjoy being neglected any more than you do.

God has none of the weaknesses we associate with people, but
nevertheless, God is a person.

God knows, thinks, and communicates.

God is not just a force. God has personality. We are made in
His image. We are like God, even though the image has been
marred by sin.

God is a Father. His intention is no less than a close,
personal relationship with you.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 ICB
9 God is faithful. He is the One who has called you to share
life with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God desires a relationship with you. But a good relationship
cannot be one-sided.

Love, respect, and communication are essential in any healthy
relationship.

When we ignore God and go about our lives like He doesn't even
exist, we can't expect our relationship to flourish.

And if the only time we talk to Him about anything is when we
run into a problem we can't handle, what kind of relationship
is that?

Fortunately for us, God is not touchy and doesn't treat us the
way we treat Him. But for us to continue treating God in such a
way is wrong.

It's time for us to grow up, quit acting like self-centered
babies, and treat God as He deserves.

SAY THIS: I will not neglect or ignore God.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

God Gives Seed

LUKE 8:11 NLT
11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God's word.

God usually gives us things in seed form. When we look at an
acorn, we don't see an oak tree, or a forest of oak trees, but
God can.

Ideas are seeds. When God desires to send a blessing into your
life, usually He gives you an idea. When you act on the idea,
blessings manifest in your life. (Of course, not all ideas are
from God, so we should judge them before acting.)

2 CORINTHIANS 9:10 NLT
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.

Most of what God gives us comes in seed form. This is why so
many think God has failed to provide for them or that He
doesn't care. It's because they did not recognize God's
provision, because it came in seed form.

ISAIAH 55:10-11 NLT
10 "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on
the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always
produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it
will prosper everywhere I send it.

God gives us seed, but we must value it and protect it. If we
are moved by the storms of circumstances that try to convince
us God's Word will not work, we allow the devil to steal it
from us.

MATTHEW 13:19,23 NKJ
19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not
understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what
was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the
wayside.
23 "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears
the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and
produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

When we understand God's message and steadfastly act on it,
regardless of circumstances or feelings, it always results in a
harvest of blessing. God's Word always works!

SAY THIS: God has given me valuable seed for a purpose.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

God Knows

EZEKIEL 11:5 NLT
5 ... "This is what the LORD says to the people of Israel: I
know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes
into your minds.

God not only knows all things but He also understands all
things because He created everything (including you). So it is
senseless to try and fool God or manipulate Him.

HEBREWS 4:13 NLT
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is
naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we
are accountable.

God knows how to make your body healthy and strong.

God knows how you can live in financial freedom and abundance.

God knows how to make your family be like Heaven on earth.

God knows how to solve every problem you will ever face.

Whatever you need, God knows how to get it. Whatever your
question, God knows the answer.

MATTHEW 6:4 NLT
4 Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all
secrets, will reward you.

God knows everything you don't know. And He is willing to share
His knowledge with you. But... it will not just happen. You
have to desire it. You have to seek it.

God is not in the habit of forcing Himself, or His ideas, on
people. He gave us freedom to choose. Sadly, many of us have
been making a lot of wrong choices.

You may wonder, "How do I get God to tell me what He knows?"

There is no formula for making God tell you something. God is a
Person, not a machine. What you need is to develop a
relationship with God -- to get to know Him.

All relationships are built on communication. You need to spend
time listening to what God says in His Word. You need to talk
to God. You need to ask Him questions. You need to draw near to
God. This is God's desire because He loves you, and loves to
spend time with you.

You need to esteem your relationship with God and spending time
focused on Him as more important than other things.

"But I don't have time to spend seeking God and developing a
closer relationship with Him because then I wouldn't have time
to watch all my favorite television shows."

If someone treated you the way you treat God, would you be
inclined to favor them, to help them, to go out of your way to
do things for them?

Fortunately, God is gracious, merciful, and forgiving. And He
loves you exactly as you are right now, although He is well
aware of all your shortcomings. So you don't need to be afraid
of God. But He is still a divine Person with feelings and
deserves to be treated with respect.

Ignoring God effectively shuts Him out of our life. Not that
God excludes us, but we are the ones making the choice to
exclude Him.

If you desire the fullness of God's blessing and favor, then
you should not put Him last place in your life, your time, and
your devotion.

SAY THIS: God knows!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Christian Unity

1 CORINTHIANS 12:27 NLT
27 All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a
part of it.

EPHESIANS 4:3 NLT
3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit,
binding yourselves together with peace.

God hates discord and quarreling among brethren (see Proverbs
6:16-19).

Does this mean we should "compromise" to have Christian unity?
No!

But nowhere does the New Testament teach that having perfect
doctrine will save us, or give us favor with God. Instead,
right standing and favor with God is a gift we receive by God's
grace.

It is never compromise to show love. We can walk in love
without compromising what we believe.

In John 17:11 and 22 Jesus prayed for our unity, so we know it
is God's will. However, that does not mean every Christian
group must join together into one group.

We are to be united in our love for the Lord and for one
another. But that does not mean we should all be doing the same
thing in the same way. God is a God of diversity!

1 CORINTHIANS 12:4,6 NLT
4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same
Spirit is the source of them all.
6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does
the work in all of us.

It is fine, even advantageous for us to have different groups
with different flavors. Even the children of Israel had twelve
tribes, not just one. But we should all walk in love toward
each other, being careful to not criticize or condemn others.

What we believe (our doctrine) can separate us, but Who we
believe in (Jesus) is what should bring us together.

In this life, we will never agree on every single thing that we
believe. We are all growing and learning, and we will never all
be at the same level of understanding. So our unity can only be
through Christ.

All who believe in Jesus Christ are members of His Body. So all
those who recognize Jesus as Lord are on our same team. We
should do nothing and say nothing that would harm any of them.

How should we treat other Christian believers, especially ones
who are not part of our group, or who do not believe like we
do?

GALATIANS 6:10 NLT
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do
good to everyone -- especially to those in the family of faith.

We should live as we believe God would have us to, and let
others live as they believe God has instructed them. If we
think they are misunderstanding Scripture, we can humbly and
gently tell them privately what we believe. But never should we
publicly criticize and condemn others who acknowledge Jesus as
their Lord. We are not called to be critics or judges, but
helpers.

All who belong to Jesus are our brothers and sisters. If they
need corrected our Heavenly Father is well able to handle that
job without our help.

SAY THIS: I recognize that I am in union with all who
acknowledge Jesus Christ, so I will not harm them by word or
deed.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Don't Let Your Heart Be Troubled

JOHN 14:1 NIV
1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also
in me.

Because Jesus told us to NOT LET our hearts be troubled, it
means we can do it. Jesus would never tell us to do something
that was impossible for us to do.

JOHN 14:27 NIV
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid.

JOHN 16:33 NIV
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world."

As this verse indicates, believers are not exempt from trouble
in this world. But Jesus the Victor is always with us to lead
us into victory, no matter what we may face.

PROVERBS 4:23 NLT
23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the
course of your life.

ISAIAH 26:3 NLT
3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all
whose thoughts are fixed on you!

The information you feed into your consciousness determines
what you believe.

If your heart is troubled, it means you are looking at, and
feeding in, the wrong information.

What you feed on, listen to, and watch is important.

Look to God and His Word. Refuse to doubt God's never-failing
love and provision.

SAY THIS: I will not allow my heart to be troubled, but I will
trust in Jesus.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Jesus Is Our Pattern

ROMANS 8:29 NLT
29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to
become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn,
with many brothers and sisters.

Jesus is not only our Saviour, but also the model of what we
are to become.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:49 NKJ
49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall
also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

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 whole program with mankind is to eventually make us all
like Jesus Christ.

COLOSSIANS 3:10 NLT
10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know
your Creator and become like him.

Jesus is our pattern, our example. He is the one we are to
follow, to imitate.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:1 NKJ
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

JOHN 14:12 NKJ
12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the
works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these
he will do, because I go to My Father.

We can't make ourselves like Jesus. Otherwise we would not even
need a savior. But God can, and is.

SAY THIS: God is working to make me like Jesus.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Hundredfold Blessing

MARK 10:29-30 NKJ
29 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there
is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father
or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the
gospel's,
30 "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time --
houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and
lands, with persecutions -- and in the age to come, eternal
life.

Many think it is extreme to believe God could multiply their
giving by 100 times. But if you look at God's creation, you see
that is not abnormal.

One corn seed can easily produce 800 kernels of corn from one
plant. So it is not extreme to think God can multiply a seed
100 times.

GENESIS 26:12-14 NKJ
12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a
hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him.
13 The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he
became very prosperous;
14 for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds
and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him.

What happened to Issac can happen to you. God does not play
favorites.

Hearing, understanding, and acting on God's Word is the key.

MATTHEW 13:23 NKJ
23 "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears
the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and
produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

SAY THIS: I believe God can provide a hundredfold return of
blessing for anything I give for His sake.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Prosperity God's Way

PROVERBS 28:19 NLT
19 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases
fantasies ends up in poverty.

The world's way is to "get rich quick" by any means. God's way
is slower, but sure, and will not end up destroying you.

JEREMIAH 17:11 NET
11 The person who gathers wealth by unjust means is like the
partridge that broods over eggs but does not hatch them. Before
his life is half over he will lose his ill-gotten gains. At the
end of his life it will be clear he was a fool."

The world's idea of how to get rich is winning a lottery. Yet a
careful study of those who have won reveals that it usually
ruined their lives, instead of blessing them.

PROVERBS 28:20 NLT
20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person
who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

PROVERBS 28:22 NLT
22 Greedy people try to get rich quick but don't realize
they're headed for poverty.

MATTHEW 6:33 NKJ
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.

In explaining the Kingdom of God, Jesus said it works like a
seed planted in the ground. The seed produces a large harvest
of increase, but it does not happen overnight. It results from
gradual but continuing growth.

MARK 4:30-32 NLT
30 Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What
story should I use to illustrate it?
31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the
smallest of all seeds,
32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows
long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade."

LUKE 16:10 NLT
10 "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful
in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you
won't be honest with greater responsibilities.

Those who have been found faithful in handling little are
entrusted with more. God's way is not to trust you with more
than you can handle. This is because He loves you.

Premature prosperity (before someone is able to handle it) can
ruin a life. Money is not evil, but it can buy you more
opportunities to do evil.

Actually, money is morally neutral, but powerful. If the person
who has money is evil, it will likely be used to promote evil.
But if the person who has money is good, it will likely be used
for good.

Money gives you more choices, and allows you to make them
faster. In the life of someone who is not prepared to handle
great riches, it can easily bring destruction.

God's will is that every single person always have enough not
only to meet their every need, but also sufficient to share
with others. The reason this is not happening is because the
devil has stolen from us through our ignorance of God's will.

So there is no need to try to get God to prosper you. Instead,
concentrate on believing and following God's Word so you can
keep the devil from stealing from you what God has provided.
And understand that as you are faithful and diligent you will
increase and walk in greater and greater abundance.

SAY THIS: God's way of prosperity is best.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Grow Up!

1 CORINTHIANS 14:20 NIV
20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be
infants, but in your thinking be adults.

It's fine to be a baby -- for awhile. But we expect babies to
grow and mature. If anyone still acts like a baby when they are
past that age -- something is wrong.

It's the same in the spiritual as in the physical realm --
we're supposed to grow up. But too many Christians seem content
to remain babies.

Babies focus only on themselves and their needs. God desires
for us to learn to love others and help them.

God wants His children to mature and be trained -- not be a
bunch of babies for ever.

EPHESIANS 4:15 THE MESSAGE
15 God wants us to grow up ....

Sometimes we wonder why our prayers have not yet been answered.
We sit in our corner and whine and complain about God not doing
what He should. We throw fits and complain to everyone we see.
We think God has failed us. But it is never true!

God is just expecting us to act on His Word, and continue
walking in faith and love. God would not do anyone a favor by
allowing them to never grow up.

God wants us to have good things, but He also wants us to grow
up, to learn His ways, and to trust Him. So, instead of just
instantly giving us everything, He encourages us to draw closer
to Him, learn to walk in faith, and learn how to receive all He
has provided for us.

So while you may not always like God's timing, it is the best
for you, even though you may not think so now. Later you will
rejoice, because you will more clearly understand what God has
done.

EPHESIANS 4:15 NASB
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all
aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ,

Facing new things as a baby is likely very intimidating. For
example, learning to walk is no doubt scary for a child. But
they can do it, and after learning they would certainly never
wish to go back.

It is the same with us now in our Christian life. God is urging
us on: to use our faith, to act on His Word, to trust Him. It
seems scary, but God knows we can do it. Once we learn how to
walk with God by faith, it is a real joy and we would never
wish to go back.

God desires for you to leave your little restricted world and
step out into His world of unlimited possibilities where you
can fellowship with Him.

SAY THIS: I will feed on God's Word and let Him mature me, so I
won't act like a baby.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

God Encourages

2 CORINTHIANS 7:6 NLT
6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged
us by the arrival of Titus.

God usually works through people.

The encouragement and love you receive through others, actually
has its source in God.

So as we show love and offer encouragement, we can be God's
mouth and hands extended to those around us.

2 TIMOTHY 4:2 GWN
2 Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right.
Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very
patient when you teach.

As you can see from this Scripture, one of the main purposes of
the Word is to encourage us.

HEBREWS 10:25 NLT
25 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.

A main purpose of Christian believers meeting together is for
encouragement. We are to encourage one another.

Scripture tells us that Jesus does not give up on people just
because they are weak.

MATTHEW 12:20 NLT
20 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering
candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.

Many are weak and need our input to give them strength to
continue. Many more would overcome in life if they had more
encouragement.

Jesus desires to help people. If you are a member of His Body
on earth, His plan is to work through you today.

SAY THIS: I will let God encourage others today through me.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

God Is A Perfect Parent

MATTHEW 7:11 NIV
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in
heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

God is primarily a parent -- and a good one, too -- the best.
Better than any earthly parent by far.

I used to think of God primarily as a judge, someone watching
to see if I did anything wrong so He could punish me.

But that is not what the New Testament reveals to us.

Jesus taught us to pray: "Our Father. . ."

That is the primary way we should relate to God, as our Father.

Only once in the KJV New Testament do we find the phrase "God
the judge," while the phrase "God the Father" is found thirteen
times. Eleven times we find the phrase "God our Father," but
not once do we find "God our judge."

A good father will combine being a friend and also being a
trainer. He will be tough when necessary, for the good of the
child.

That's the way it is with God. Yes, there are some things He
has told us not to do -- but they are all for our good, because
He knows there will be bad consequences if we do them.

We can be confident God is always playing the part of being a
good parent to us. He is always trying to help us, nurture us,
and encourage us. God is for us -- not against us.

And, even when we do wrong and get in trouble -- God is there
to help us -- not to condemn us. He is our perfect parent.

We must realize that everything God does is for our benefit --
not His. God is raising a family. He is training us and
encouraging us to grow up. Our destiny is to be like Jesus
Christ.

Children are not afraid of good parents, because they are there
to nurture and help. However, a good parent will punish wrong-
doing -- not because they want to hurt their child -- but
because they want to train them so they can mature and do well
in life.

The primary desire of every good parent is to see their child
grow up, to become a mature, responsible, capable adult.

This is also the desire of God for His children. His desire is
that we grow up to become mature like Christ.

This requires a certain amount of freedom and responsibility. A
parent cannot forever shelter children and expect them to
mature properly. God wants us to learn to love, just like
Christ did.

SAY THIS: God is a wonderful parent -- the best ever.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Love Yourself

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

Most people understand it's right to love our neighbor -- but
many do not realize it's also God's will for us to love
ourselves.

We need to understand this correctly. We should not think of
ourselves more highly than we ought (Romans 12:3). But we must
remember God placed a high value on us when He gave Jesus to
redeem us.

So we should not hate ourselves, or see ourselves as hopeless
failures. We should not put ourselves down or speak critically
of ourselves.

Without the Lord, we can be wretched creatures. But when we
come to Jesus, He changes us and puts us in the family of God.
Ephesians 2:10 says we are God's workmanship (literally God's
work of art). For us to be critical of God's work of art is not
respectful of God.

When we realize we are valuable and precious -- not because of
what we do, but because God made us, then we can love our
neighbor as we should -- not because of what they do, but
because God also loves them.

First Corinthians 13 tells us what love acts like. It is
patient, kind, and accepting.

How should we love our self? We should be kind and respectful,
just as we should be with others. We should forgive and forget
the past rather than beating ourselves over the head with our
failures and mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Why let them be
an anchor holding us back from making progress?

We understand we are to forgive others, but many refuse to
forgive themselves.

Don't refuse to forgive yourself for the failures and sins of
the past. God forgives you. Should your standards be higher
than His? Since God forgives you, you should forgive yourself.

The command to love our self is not meant to make us selfish,
but to take care of God's creation. We are not to love
ourselves more than we love our neighbor.

God loves our neighbor just as much as He does us. That does
not mean we have the exact same responsibility toward our
neighbor as we do concerning our own life, but we should care
about them, in the same way as we do ourselves.

Loving yourself means taking care of yourself. And it means
accepting yourself as you are -- because God made you. (No, God
didn't make you to be in the shape you are in now, but He made
YOU. And as long as you keep condemning yourself you will stay
in bad shape.)

God loves you right now. Because you are good enough for God to
love, then you are good enough for you to love. Your standards
should not be higher than God's.

SAY THIS: God loves me, so I should love myself.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Remember Me

LUKE 22:19 NLT
19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he
broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This
is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me."

Not only were these some of the last words of our Lord Jesus on
earth, but they are the heart cry of every human: remember me.
We all have a desire to be of value, to be significant, to be
judged as someone important -- at least to someone.

Remember me!

Jesus -- in addition to everything else He is -- is also human.

As Jesus faced the enormity of the task ahead of Him, He told
His little band of followers: Remember me! Don't let my life
and my sacrifices be in vain. Don't forget about me!

Do you remember? Or, have you forgotten?

Is Jesus at the forefront of your thoughts each day? Or, do you
forget about Him -- most of the time.

Do you walk and talk with Jesus? Or, does your life give no
testimony to your belief in Him?

Do you live as if Jesus did not redeem you? Are your days lived
just as if Jesus never existed? Do you neglect to remember
Jesus except on Sunday, or Christmas?

Probably all of us have fallen short in this area. But the Lord
is gracious and it is never too late to change.

SAY THIS: I will never forget Jesus.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

MARK 12:31 NKJ
31 "And the second, like it, is this: `You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater
than these."

Eight times the Bible tells us to love our neighbor as we love
our self.

Clearly, God considers this important. But what does it mean?

It means we should not just look out for our own interests, but
also for those around us.

PHILIPPIANS 2:4 NKJ
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but
also for the interests of others.

Who is our neighbor?

Anyone -- and everyone -- who is near-by. If they are near us
they are, at that moment, our neighbor. And according to God's
Word, we have an obligation to love them.

What does this word "love" mean in the original Greek language
of the New Testament.

It is "agapao," the word used of the kind of love God has for
us. It gives and asks for nothing in return. It gives without
waiting for the other person to love first. It is not a selfish
love, but cares about the welfare and happiness of the person
being loved.

To truly love your neighbor as yourself, you need to be a born
again child of God. Love is of God, and to show this kind of
love you need to be born of God (1 John 4:7). Without His love
continually flowing out of your heart, it will not be possible.

SAY THIS: With God's help, I will love my neighbor as I love
myself.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Thank God For You!

2 THESSALONIANS 1:3 NLT
3 Dear brothers and sisters, we can't help but thank God for
you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one
another is growing.

God made you for a purpose. God has a plan. You are not an
accident.

You may not have discovered where you fit and what your purpose
is yet, but God has not forgotten you. He is still at work.

Most of us will not affect the whole world, or even our entire
city. That does not mean you are not important.

The Bible uses the picture of a human body to illustrate the
Body of Christ. Not every part is ever seen, but every part is
important.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22 NLT
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least
important are actually the most necessary.

Even if no one knows the part you are doing, God does. You are
important to God -- important enough to die for.

God has a plan for you, and it lasts far beyond this life that
we can now see.

SAY THIS: Thank God for me!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Talk To God About Everything

HEBREWS 4:13-16 NLT
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is
naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we
are accountable.
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered
heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we
believe.
15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he
faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.
There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help
us when we need it most.

You should talk to God just as you would to a very well-
respected friend. Don't worry about using any special form of
words. Just talk openly, honestly, and sincerely from your
heart. (This is what "prayer" is supposed to be.)

God knows what you are thinking anyway. You can't fool God or
hide anything from Him. God knows you better than you know
yourself. And the wonderful thing is that God still loves you!

Nothing that concerns you is unimportant to God. Remember, He
even keeps count of how many hairs you have!

God is not too busy to hear about every detail of your life. I
have no idea how God can listen to all of us, but He can. He is
not bound by time like we are. However He does it, we don't
have to be concerned but can just trust Him.

JEREMIAH 33:3 NKJ
33 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and
mighty things, which you do not know.'

What a privilege to have the input and counsel of God who knows
everything. Don't fail to take advantage of this tremendous
opportunity.

We are called into fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ! That
means we should share everything with Him.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 NKJ
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship
of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God invites us to fellowship with Him. That would include just
discussing things. Just visiting. Just "hanging out" together.
This is what God desires. So don't disappoint Him!

Don't talk at God, talk directly to God. Prayer should not be a
spiritual exercise you have to get through. It's a conversation
with Someone who loves you, and is very smart.

"But what can I say to God?"

"Thank You!" would be a good start. What would you say to any
friend who was with you? You wouldn't have any trouble figuring
out what to talk about with them would you?

"But," you say, "God doesn't talk back."

Yes, that is a difference you have to get used to. True, God
does not usually speak back to us in the normal human fashion.
The main way He "speaks" to us is through inward impressions or
ideas, all of which will line up with His written Word, the
Bible. We have to learn His way of communicating.

SAY THIS: God wants me to talk with Him about everything, so I
will.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Be Thankful For What You Don't Have

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NLT
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for
you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Some people have trouble being thankful unless they have a
perfect life with everything they think they should have.

But with the right perspective, you can be thankful when you
have nothing. You can be thankful at least that you are not
being overwhelmed by bad things.

There are many people on a deathbed with cancer or other
diseases, who would gladly give all their financial assets to
be free from their disease. You probably would too, if you were
in that situation.

So, if you are not afflicted with a deadly disease right now,
then you can, and should be thankful, no matter what else is
happening in your life.

"But preacher, I do have a deadly disease and the doctors say
there is no hope. How can I be thankful?"

The fact that you are reading this demonstrates several things.
First, you can read -- and still have vision. That is more than
many people have. You can be thankful for that.

No matter how bad your situation or circumstance in life may
be, there is someone somewhere who has it worse than you do.

Some people desperately wish they had a large house or a fancy
car like their neighbor, not realizing the huge payments their
neighbor is making. You can be thankful you don't have to make
the big monthly payment.

If you are living in peace, you should be thankful that war is
not raging on your doorstep.

Why not take a moment right now and make a list of all the bad
things you are thankful that you don't have.

SAY THIS: Thank You Lord for all the bad things I don't have.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Claim Prosperity!

1 CORINTHIANS 3:21b LB
21 For God has already given you everything you need.

(We don't claim prosperity, or anything, from God. We are not
making any demand on God.)

God has already made provision for us in every area of life. He
created enough abundance for all mankind. Yet many Christians
struggle with financial problems. But the problem is not that
God is withholding from us.

Throughout the New Testament, we are told God has already given
us everything we need, for example see: 2 Peter 1:3, Romans
8:17, Romans 8:32, Galatians 4:7, Ephesians 1:3.

The problem is that we've been allowing the devil to steal what
belongs to us. We must quit allowing this to happen. We must
stand in faith and claim what is ours. After all, Jesus paid a
great price for us to have it!

Jesus came to redeem us from the control of the devil and set
us free from the curse. Jesus paid the price for us to have
abundant blessing in every area of life.

2 CORINTHIANS 8:9 ESV
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though
he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by
his poverty might become rich.

But the devil is a thief. So we must claim prosperity from the
devil who has stolen from us -- and continues to steal from us
if we let him.

ISAIAH 53:5 ESV
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for
our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us
peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Jesus' suffering brought us peace. (But unless you understand
Hebrew it is unlikely you would realize all this means.)

Peace -- shalom -- means wholeness, nothing missing, nothing
broken, nothing wrong. It definitely includes the idea of
prosperity -- every need met and having more than enough.

Jesus suffered so you could have this shalom -- peace and
prosperity. Part of the curse that Jesus redeemed you from is
poverty.

And what a curse poverty is! It causes misery, disease, ruined
lives, and destroyed families.

The devil has tried to convince Christians that poverty is a
blessing because it will make you humble and more godly. While
it is true that many rich people are arrogant and ungodly, that
does not automatically mean being poor makes you godly. On the
contrary, God is the richest being in the universe, and riches
have not corrupted Him.

The devil is a thief. He has stolen money that belongs to you.
You need to say, "That's mine! Jesus paid for me to have
abundant provision. Turn loose of it devil!"

That is what I mean by claiming prosperity.

After you receive legal notice that something is yours, you can
claim it whenever you desire. God's Word is our legal notice of
what belongs to us as a gift because of the wonderful grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ. It's time we quit letting the devil
steal what belongs to us.

SAY THIS: I claim prosperity. It's mine because Jesus bought it
for me.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Thank You!

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NLT
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for
you who belong to Christ Jesus.

When you don't know what to say or do -- say "Thank You!"

Sometimes we feel like we don't know what to do. We wonder what
God's perfect will is.

Certainly the will of God is not for us to start worrying and
being fearful about missing His will. Instead we should stay in
faith, knowing that God is working and guiding us even when we
are not aware of it.

God is not responsible for the bad things that come our way in
life -- the devil and people are to blame.

But when we start complaining and criticizing, we step out of
faith, joy, and peace. These spiritual forces (the "fruit" of
the spirit) are for our protection.

So we can, and should, always thank God at all times. We should
develop the habit of having an attitude of gratitude.

Our God is amazing! He can turn bad things around and take the
sting out of them.

When we stay in faith, always being thankful, the sting is
removed from the evil that comes against us. Then, instead of
destroying us, it can become a stepping-stone to take us to a
higher place of blessing.

So while God is not actually responsible for any of the bad
things that happen, we should be thankful always -- no matter
what happens.

An attitude of constant gratitude provides a shield of faith
protecting you and allowing God to freely act in your life,
bringing blessing and deliverance.

So when something bad happens in your life, don't complain.
Don't criticize God, or people. Don't beat yourself over the
head. Just begin (and continue) to say things like:

Thank You Lord that you are with me to guide me and help me,
that You love me, that You are working in my life, that You
protect me and preserve me and deliver me from evil, and that
no weapon formed against me shall prosper or prevail!

The most appropriate words you can ever speak are "Thank You!"

SAY THIS: Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Sunday, March 09, 2014

Endure Hardship

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

We are involved in a battle for the hearts and minds of people.
Our enemy, the devil, has forces arrayed against us.

But our Lord Jesus has defeated the devil and stripped him of
all authority. The Lord is our Helper and He has promised to
never leave us. But Jesus never promised that we would never
face opposition or persecution. In fact, He told us we would.

JOHN 16:33 NKJ
33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good
cheer, I have overcome the world."

2 TIMOTHY 3:12 NKJ
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will
suffer persecution.

God is our Father and He is good. Therefore we can always
expect good to come from Him.

But Scripture also alerts us to the fact that on earth we are
in the midst of a struggle involving evil. While the ultimate
victory of Love is assured, people are still making decisions
which are not the best for all concerned. This can at times
result in us facing persecution, trouble, or hardship.

People make bad decisions because they are in spiritual
darkness. We are God's representatives to bring them Light.

So there will be times, in order to help others, that we will
need to endure things that are not pleasant for us.

God promises us ultimate victory (and even rewards for our
service for Him), so we need to always remain steadfast in our
faith, never wavering in our conviction that God is good and He
is working on our behalf -- no matter what we may be facing in
life.

God loves all people, even those who are causing us distress.
Yet most of those people have been blinded to the reality of
God's love for them.

God is not happy about you suffering, any more than He was
happy for His Son Jesus Christ to suffer on the cross.

But God is pleased when we, just like Jesus, willingly "endure"
without striking back when people do us wrong. Why? Because it
may be the only way for these people to see there is a reality
to God's love -- when they see it in you.

2 CORINTHIANS 3:3 NLT
3 Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of
our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen
and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved
not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

SAY THIS: In response to God's great love, I am willing to
endure hardness as a good soldier for my Lord Jesus Christ, in
order to help people.

Saturday, March 08, 2014

Accept People As They Are

ROMANS 15:7 NIV
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in
order to bring praise to God.

We have only two choices, accept people, or reject them. When
you realize this, it may change the way you treat people.

When we criticize or condemn people, we communicate rejection.
When we try to change people, it communicates that they are not
good enough for us, that we don't like them.

"But what if they are not perfect? What if they don't believe
everything I believe?"

Were you born believing all you do now? Or did you go through a
process of learning over time? Should we throw out people
because they still have something to learn?

What happens when you don't accept people as they are? It feeds
the lie that they are no good and have no value.

We can accept people and celebrate their value without
approving of their sins. But when we refuse to accept people
until they are perfect, we communicate rejection.

When someone feels rejected, they tend to reject those who
reject them, and what they represent. So when Christians
communicate rejection to sinners, they assume God is rejecting
them, and tend to reject God because they think He rejects
them.

Whenever you reject someone, you have set yourself up as their
judge, something only God is truly qualified to do.

To walk with Jesus you will have to treat people as Jesus would
treat them. You may not like the way they look, talk, act,
think, or smell, but if they are a human being you must
acknowledge that Jesus Christ loves them enough to die for
them.

Jesus is our perfect example, and He is not rejecting people
(John 6:37). Instead, the Bible reveals that Jesus Christ is
our Advocate, (our defense lawyer), not the one who condemns (1
John 2:1, Romans 8:34).

People are hurting. Usually they know they need to change, to
be better, and to do better. What they have not discovered is a
way they can change. They have probably tried, but given up in
defeat.

Only God's unconditional love can give them the strength they
need to have hope. Most people realize that if they must earn
God's help there is no hope for them.

This is the main reason why so many people shun Christianity
and want to have nothing to do with God. They have accepted a
wrong image of God, thinking He is a stern Judge who is against
them, instead of realizing the truth that He is a loving Father
like the father in the story of the Prodigal Son that Jesus
told us about in Luke 15:11-32.

God accepts people as they are. So should we. Christ died for
the ungodly (Romans 5:6). God so loved the world that He gave.

People crave love. Unconditional love will draw people. It is
God's goodness that leads people to repent (Romans 2:4).

Every time we meet someone, we are faced with a choice: love
them -- or judge them, accept them as they are -- or attempt to
change them, make them feel respected -- or despised, make them
feel valuable and precious -- or make them feel worthless.

You might as well accept people as they are instead of trying
to change them. You can't change people anyway. Only God can
really change people. Our job is to love them and help them.

Also remember that God made people to be different. So don't
expect everyone will be exactly like you.

SAY THIS: I will accept people and love them with God's love.

Friday, March 07, 2014

Righteousness, Peace, Joy

ROMANS 14:17 NKJ
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Here is a description of the Kingdom of God: righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Righteousness means everything being right.

God has given us the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17). That
means He has put us in right standing with Himself. He has said
that everything is right between us and Him. Sin no longer
separates us from God, because the precious blood of Jesus has
cleansed us and we are forgiven by God.

Because we have right standing with God (righteousness), we
have peace. There is no more struggle. God is not mad at us.
God is on our side.

Peace means more than the absence of conflict. Peace means
nothing broken and nothing missing. Peace includes the idea of
prosperity -- having everything needful in abundance with no
lack.

When you are right with God and have peace -- nothing missing
and nothing broken -- you will have joy.

You can look at this as a progression, righteousness produces
peace, and when you have righteousness and peace, joy will
result.

God's Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. It is a kingdom of
love. It is a kingdom where everything is right. In it there is
no imperfection and no lack. It is a kingdom of peace. There is
never any conflict because there is no selfishness. It is a
kingdom of joy. Everyone rejoices because of the goodness of
God.

God's kingdom includes everywhere God reigns. In the world
there is trouble (John 16:33). But by faith in Jesus, it can be
overcome (1 John 5:5).

SAY THIS: Because of God's gift of righteousness, I have peace
and joy as a member of His Kingdom.

Thursday, March 06, 2014

Your Faith Will Be Tested

1 PETER 4:12 ESV
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it
comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were
happening to you.

Don't be surprised when your faith is tested! And don't be
afraid! Jesus -- who promised to never forsake you -- is still
there to help you.

The test of faith is the devil trying to steal your faith. The
devil wants you to believe something other than God's Word.

MARK 4:15 ESV
15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is
sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away
the word that is sown in them.

The devil wants to steal God's Word out of your life, to stop
your faith. So you have to hang on to your faith! You have to
say "NO!" to the devil!

Our enemy could never steal faith in God's Word away from us
unless at some point it seems like God's Word is wrong. Or that
God has forgotten us and forsaken us. This will happen to you
sometime! When it does, trust God and His faithfulness more
than you trust your present circumstances.

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

HEBREWS 4:14 NLT
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered
heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we
believe.

No matter what it seems like -- Jesus is faithful. He cannot
lie! Our problem is our limited perspective. We don't know the
future, but God does.

1 PETER 1:7 ESV
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith -- more precious
than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire -- may be
found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation
of Jesus Christ.

Genuine faith is very precious to the Lord. When you overcome
tests you grow spiritually, which causes joy in Heaven, and
should encourage you to rejoice, too.

JAMES 1:2-4 ESV
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of
various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces
steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

LUKE 22:32 ESV
32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And
when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

SAY THIS: When my faith is tested, the Lord will help me pass
the test.

Wednesday, March 05, 2014

God Is Pleased With Faith

HEBREWS 11:6 NKJ
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder
of those who diligently seek Him.

Faith is often preached from the human perspective: believe God
and get your needs met. There's nothing wrong with that, but
it's a one-sided perspective.

So let's also try to look at faith from God's perspective.
Would you get any pleasure out of people who doubted you?
Surely God gets no pleasure out of people doubting His Word,
either.

Does God deserve respect?

YES!!!

To doubt what someone says shows disrespect. While humans can
be wrong, God only speaks absolute truth.

Many people only think of acting on God's Word from their
perspective, without considering God's feelings. Their
motivation is completely self-centered, thinking only of what
it will profit them.

Let's decide not to act this way!

Do you desire to please God? If you don't desire to please God,
you don't know Him. God is so wonderful, so great, and so good,
that if you really know Him you cannot help but desire to
please Him.

But how can a human please God? How can we, in any way, operate
on God's level and impress Him? The Bible reveals that God is
pleased with our faith.

JOHN 6:28-29 NKJ
28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work
the works of God?"
29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God,
that you believe in Him whom He sent."

Of course you cannot separate what you believe from your
actions, because you always act on what you really believe. To
illustrate, if someone told you the building you were in was on
fire, if you believe them you will act by leaving. If you do
not try to leave the building, then you do not really believe
what they said.

HEBREWS 10:38 NKJ
38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him."

Even if our walking by faith in God has not yet seemingly
produced many results -- is it not worthwhile to continue
simply in order to bring pleasure to God?

What higher accomplishment could a human have than to please
God?

SAY THIS: I will walk by faith in God's Word -- because that
pleases God.

Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Life Lessons

Our life on earth is a learning process. We are in "school"
whether we realize it or not.

What are the main lessons we are supposed to learn in life?

* God is trustworthy.

PSALM 118:8 NKJ
8 It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in
man.

TITUS 1:2 NKJ
2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised
before time began,

1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 NKJ
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship
of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

* Be loving.

GALATIANS 5:14 NLT
14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command:
"Love your neighbor as yourself."

1 JOHN 4:21 NKJ
21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God
must love his brother also.

1 JOHN 3:23 NKJ
23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the
name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave
us commandment.

* Be thankful.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NKJ
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you.

COLOSSIANS 3:15 NKJ
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also
you were called in one body; and be thankful.

* Respect authority.

EPHESIANS 6:2 NLT
2 "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment
with a promise:

1 PETER 2:17 NLT
17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and
sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.

ROMANS 13:7 NLT
7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and
government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and
honor to those who are in authority.

SAY THIS: Help me Lord to learn my lessons.

Monday, March 03, 2014

Let Jesus Be Boss

ACTS 2:36 NIV
36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made
this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

"Boss" is a modern meaning of the word "Lord."

Somebody has to be the boss. Somebody has to make the final
decisions.

It's not a hard thing to let Jesus be your boss -- it's a
wonderful privilege.

Jesus knows more than you do. And Jesus loves you more than you
love yourself. So He desires the very best for you and knows
how to make it happen. Therefore letting Jesus call the shots
in your life is the smartest thing you could do.

Of course, if you choose, you can go your own way and do your
own thing. You can try to do the best you can on your own --
and see how it works out.

If you owned a large important company, who would you rather
run the company for you, a brilliant executive with a perfect
track record of running many other companies successfully, or
someone who has never run a company before?

You have control over something much more important than a
company -- your life. Who do you want to run it for you? Jesus,
with a perfect track record. Jesus, who knows more about the
future than you know about the past. Or, yourself?

Without the wise, loving, experienced, guidance of Jesus, you
will almost certainly crash in life.

Sure, you may get along fine for awhile. But, eventually, it
will all crash around you. Trust in yourself, and you will be
disappointed. Trust in God and obey Him, and you will not
regret it.

SAY THIS: Jesus, I choose You to be my boss.

Sunday, March 02, 2014

God Has Already Given

Most people are asking God to give them things that God says
already belong to them.

Many are still hoping God will forgive them. But Scripture
tells us God has already forgiven us, and He is no longer
holding our sins against us.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 NLT
19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no
longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this
wonderful message of reconciliation.

Instead of begging God to forgive us, we should be thanking Him
for already forgiving us! And we should tell others they are
also forgiven!

Just as God has already forgiven us, He has also already
blessed us. He has given us every blessing.

EPHESIANS 1:3 GWN
3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through
Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that
heaven has to offer.

God HAS blessed us with everything Heaven has to offer.
Spiritual blessings are the reality behind all physical
blessings. They are what cause the physical manifestations.

God has already given. Now we need to learn how to receive His
blessings, and to keep the devil from stealing them from us and
our families.

Once we truly realize God has already given to us, we will rise
up and stop the enemy stealing from us.

Scripture says God already gave us all things when He gave us
Christ Jesus.

ROMANS 8:32 NKJ
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for
us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all
things?

WITH Jesus He freely gave us ALL things!

Can you imagine God saying, "I will give you my Son, but you
can't have ________." Ridiculous! With Jesus we were given
EVERYTHING God has. Every blessing.

God has not held back on us.

2 PETER 1:3 NKJ
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain
to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called
us by glory and virtue,

All things that pertain to life and godliness are ours through
the knowledge of Christ. Whatever pertains to you having a
full, satisfying, joy-filled life -- God has already given you.

Jesus is the heir of all things, and we are joint-heirs with
Him (Hebrews 1:2, Galatians 4:7, Romans 8:17).

God has given healing. God has given prosperity. God has given
peace. God has given joy. God has given us all the blessings
Heaven has.

We don't need to convince God to help us. We only need to learn
how to receive what God has already given to us.

SAY THIS: I should receive what God already paid for and
provided for me.

Saturday, March 01, 2014

Always Be Thankful

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NLT
18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is
God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Bad things happen in life sometimes. There are times we don't
understand what is happening or why. But we can always be
thankful for many things:

God loves us.

Jesus died for us.

Our sins our forgiven.

Jesus has promised to never leave us.

God is our Father and He is faithful.

We have an eternal home in Heaven.

What we choose to focus on determines our attitude. While we
may face problems, we don't have to let those problems become
our focus. We can choose to give thanks and praise God for His
goodness and faithfulness.

Imagine how discouraged that will make the devil feel!

Also, think of the pleasure it must bring our Father God when
we stay in faith and focus on Him, instead of being distracted
by the stuff the devil does trying to steal our faith.

If you are always thankful, the bad things that do happen to
you will lose their ability to really harm you. For God will
work in your life.

SAY THIS: I choose to always be thankful to God, no matter what
happens.