Motivated By Love

Today’s Scripture

“I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 46:3-4 NCV)

Today’s Word

Far to many of us worry, suffer from anxiety, stomach problems, encounter sleepless nights, experience migraine headaches, eating disorders, depression and withdrawal from our friends and family, are easily agitated, have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowl Syndrome, Palpitations and various skin conditions, are easily offended and feel isolated and alone thinking we are the only one suffering from whatever this is. Doctors cannot help and in many cases just do not understand. Medication masks the underlying cause and just treats the symptoms; it seems no one at all understands what you are going through.

The Word of God declares that the One who created you understands. While you can't see Him yet, He certainly sees you. He see’s what you're going through and promises if we will turn to Him and trust in Him in ALL of our ways, He will be faithful to deliver us from whatever we are going through. Gods Word says, “I will never give you more than you can handle.” Today, take a tinny step back, look at all that God has created around you, and think just for one moment asking yourself, “Why did He create all of this?” Then remember His promise, “I will never leave You nor forsake you.” You may feel abandoned, forgotten, alone, fear old age, poverty, sickness and even death, but if you will look outside of yourself you will see God’s undying love for you. That is what He created you for, to love you and take care of you, His motive was and is pure love, that’s His nature, a nature many of us cannot comprehend, because we look at ourselves and not the One who made us. Look! Do you see what I see? I see the answer to your hopes and dreams, I see Gods invitation to you, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” What’s your motive for living today? Gods is to love you. Now go and step into your new life and live today, tomorrow and eternity with victory no matter what circumstance may come. One step, one day, one promise at a time and remember, you were created to discover the Champion in you.

A Prayer for Today

God, you made every delicate part of me, even the parts I have yet to discover. Help me today, to see more than my challenges, help me to see my victories through Your promise and guidance, thank you for loving me so deeply, warmly and passionately, help me to share Your great love with others. Amen.

What Matters Most?

Today’s Scripture

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. (Ephesians 1:11) (Msg.)

Today’s Word

The most important thing in life is living your purpose. God created you with a spectacular and particular purpose in mind. You are not a notion, an afterthought or a mistake, you are who you are because God made you who you are, and there is no mistake about it, you were planned and are where you are right now for a reason, and until you understand that you will always search and life will never make sense. Romans 8:6 says, “Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life.”

Finding the purpose to any creation begins with the Creator; and God created you for His purpose and with freedom. To know that purpose begin by looking at the Master's Plan for your life in His Word (The Bible) and you will begin to discover all that He created you to be for His glory. Today, just take a moment and consider all that is around you and remind yourself by what you see that God made you and all that is around you for His joy. Ask yourself, "How can I bring Him joy today?" Then go and do it. When you do, you're going to bless God and everyone else around you. Stay focused on His plan, not yours, not the plan of others but the Creators plan and you will begin to live your purpose step-by-step.

A Prayer for Today

God, help me to focus on what really matters most, Your plan for my life. Help me to draw closer to You and focus and walk in Your rhythm and not my own. Help me to understand that You made every bit of me, and to discover all the workmanship that came from Your hand alone. Thank you for creating me, I am excited to discover all that You made me to be. Amen.

Becoming Unstoppable!

Today's Scripture

"Do not rejoice against me, O my enemy, for though I fall, I will rise again! When I sit in darkness, the Lord himself will be my Light." (Micah 7:8)

Today's Word

Holy warriors for God never quit. Every warrior I've ever read about in life has experienced various setbacks and challenges just like you and I have, but the fact that God is on their side has proven time and time again that nothing on earth can hold them down, and it's always dependant on a level of believing God's promise for the life He has given each of us. With God's strength and support, you can become an unstoppable holy warrior who is victorious in every spiritual battle you may face. That's because when it comes to warriors, failure is never the final ending, it's just the beginning of a new opportunity for God to show His strength in your weakness.... it's called "promise", God's promise to give you the victory in every battle. The Word of God says, "The battle belongs to the Lord". God has guaranteed victory for those who live right in His name. Today, will you refuse to lose to the enemy? Will you rise up and reach a whole new level of abundant living by trusting God for your every need? Live victoriously today, trust God; that's what God has called you into life to do.... Trust Him!

A Prayer for Today

God, thank you for Your guaranteed victory in spiritual battle. Thank you for giving me the chance to be a holy warrior. Help me to be consistent in fighting for You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Take The First Step and Watch What Happens

Today's Scripture

"The thief 's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." (John 10:10)

Today's Word

Is all of your trust in God today? Many people say that they believe in God, but act like He's a distant and uninvolved relative. To have the fullness of life that God promises you, you must believe what God says, not just believe in His existence. God wants you to step out and leave the ordinary behind. He is speaking to you today and encouraging you to believe in Him. God is waiting to bless you more than you could ever think, but you have to take the first step. Your step may be big or small, but you must take it to come closer to God and experience everything that He wants you to experience.

A Prayer for Today

God, I know that You're waiting to bless me more than I could ever imagine. Give me the strength to take the first step, and come towards You! Thank you for all that You've blessed me with already. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Outside The Comfort Zone

Today's Scripture

"As they went a woman who wanted to be healed came up behind and touched him, for she had been slowly bleeding for twelve years, and could find no cure (though she had spent everything she had on doctors). But the instant she touched the edge of his robe, the bleeding stopped." (Luke 8:43)

Today's Word

Are your hopes, dreams, and visions way big today? I hope so, because there are no limits for the powerful and loving God that you serve! When God puts a dream in your heart, even a big dream that seems almost impossible, He will also put in your heart the ability and the opportunity to complete it. The tough part is that you're going to have to step outside of your comfort zone, and allow God to give you what you need. The woman described in Luke 8 had a dream of being healthy, but nobody could help her. She kept dreaming and reached out for Jesus to be healed. Reach out for your dream today and watch God do the rest!

A Prayer for Today

God, I know that You have big plans for me. Help me to let You do things that are out of my comfort zone. Thank you for Your power and for the dreams You give me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Stop Buying The Lie

Today's Scripture

"For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love." (Romans 8:38)

Today's Word

No matter how many weaknesses you think you have or mistakes you have made, you are very special to God! You are beautifully, wonderfully and uniquely made, their is none other like you, and you need to celebrate His handiwork in you! Too many times people compare their lives to others rather than looking to God's promises and celebrating what God has given them. Worrying about your weaknesses or mistakes will sidetrack you and keep you from fulfilling your destiny. You may be saying, "You just don't know how I've lived. You mean to say I'm not supposed to feel guilty and condemned? That I don't need to pay God back for all my mistakes by going around feeling bad about myself?" Yes, that is exactly right! Jesus came so you can have an abundant life, so begin seeing yourself today as God sees you and stop buying that old lie that the enemy himself is trying to sell to anyone who will buy it.

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for loving me unconditionally without holding my sins against me. Give me the power to stay on track and fulfill my destiny for this day and every day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Swept Away

Today's Scripture

"I will not forget you. I have swept away your sins like a big cloud; I have removed your sins like a cloud that disappears into the air." (Isaiah 44:21-22)

Today's Word

I'm told in certain parts of the southern United States from New Mexico to parts of Florida, clouds don't linger. They're swept away by winds from the north or fresh breezes from the Gulf. That's what God says about your sins and shortcomings—they're swept away before you know it. God is a loving, forgiving, redeeming, life-changing God. So start agreeing with God and change the image you have of yourself. Instead of telling God what you can't do, agree with what He says you can do! You can turn your entire life around if you look at yourself the way that God sees you and agree with His purpose. God is with you, so you can be fearless and victorious each day. Gideon, the great hero of the Bible, thought of himself as weak, but God called him a "mighty man of fearless courage." The Bible says, "If you believe, then all things are possible." Get God's vision of victory for your life. See yourself as the champion God created you to be and begin living your new life of liberty today!

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for seeing me as victorious and useful. Help me to stand under Your ideas and fulfill what You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Things that really do not matter

Today's Scripture

"Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 3:21-24 (LB)

Today's Word

Sometimes we are unhappy because we get too concerned about trivial issues. The reason we lose our joy so rapidly is that we don't focus on the things that really matter and we allow unimportant things to upset us and rob us of our purpose and valuable time here on earth. How many arguments in your family are really over major issues? Isn't it true that a lot of the conflict in our life, a lot of the killjoys in our life are over inconsequential things that aren't going to matter thirty minutes from now much less for eternity? Every time you get upset over an insignificant issue, you are letting the killjoys rob you of God's joy for your life and it's all usually over a dumb reason.
Paul says, focus on what is good. That's going to be your choice. Each and every day we're making choices, so today, why not be joyful, or would you rather be stressed out by "things" that really do not matter? Remember: Many times we never finish because we lose our focus.

A Prayer for Today

God, help me to focus my thoughts on all that you have blessed me with rather than the things that really do not matter. Give me the strength to see beyond the "gloom and doom" others seem to throw my way. Help me to overcome thoughts that are not healthy for me, my family or others around me, help me to focus on what is true and honorable and right. Thank you for your patience, your love and your understanding as you continue to draw me closer and closer to You and to my purpose. In Jesus name. Amen.

Powerful Words

Today's Scripture

"Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'" (Joel 3:10)

Today's Word

Your words have incredible creative power! God says, "Let the weak say, 'I'm strong.' Let the poor say, 'I'm rich.' Let the troubled say, 'I'm free.'" Get your words lined up with God's Word. When you learn to think and speak about your future like God does, you can't help but be excited and hopeful! If you have a lot of obstacles in your path today, say, "I am strong in the Lord and the power of His might. No weapon that is formed against me is going to prosper. God always causes me to triumph." When you speak the words of victory, you'll live a life full of victory. And when you're faced with something that is bigger than you, just remember how small it is compared to God! That will give you a positive and powerful word to speak throughout the day.

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for the power you give to my words. Please make my words a source of blessing to others. And help me to live life victoriously as I live out victorious words! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Words can make all the difference

Today's Scripture

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put devious lips far from you." Proverbs 4:23-24

Today's Word

Be encouraged today to watch what you are saying. Your words have some very creative power and you can use them as a destructive force or as an instrument of blessing in your life and in the lives of others. If you continually speak negative words over your life, then eventual defeat will be the result. In the same way, if you speak words of faith and victory, you will see a harvest of blessing not only in your own life, but also in the lives of those around you.

Remember your mother telling you: "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all?" That was some very good advice. Don't give life to your negative thoughts by speaking them out into the air. You can't continue to speak negative words filled with doubt, unbelief or what I call "gloom and doom" and expect to have a positive life full of joy and hope. You can change your situation by changing your words. Talk about your visions, your dreams. Declare that you can do all things through Christ and that you are more than a conqueror, victorious in every area of life that God has given you. Don't let any thought, or someone else's negative words pull you down.

When you find yourself in a difficult situation, don't say the first thing that pops into your head, like "my back hurts so much I think I'm going to die" or "I'm never going to find a spouse" or "We'll never get out of these financial problems" or "I'll never land that contract...". Learn to control your emotions and take those thoughts captive, or you may very well reap what you have sown. When you use words of faith and victory God will fight your battles for you. When you speak His promise, you will reap His benefits. You'll overcome every challenge that you face and you will live the abundant life that God has in store for you. So remember to speak words of God's promise rather than words of the enemy's lies. To learn His promises for your life begin by reading the Bible each and every day, little-by-little and soon you will be amazed at what you will discover.

A Prayer for Today

God, make me an instrument of blessing to those around me. I praise You for giving me self control to hold my tongue rather than give life to negative thoughts. I want to have a positive life full of joy; let that be reflected in what I say today. In Jesus' name – Amen.

Attitude of Gratitude

Today's Scripture

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God." (Philippians 4:6)

Today's Word

So many people in which I have met over the years ask, "Why am I in this situation? My health is poor, my co-worker is mean, my kids are giving me a headache, my car is old, I have no money, and my husband, wife or friend just doesn't treat me right. It doesn't seem like my prayers for relief are ever going to be answered!" When people speak like that, I usually encourage them to look at what they just said. Perhaps the answer lies in your attitude.
Have you ever considered that maybe the Lord is waiting for you to be thankful for what you do have before He blesses you with more? You're going through something that is going to build you up in the long run.... it's called CHARACTER, who you are when no one's looking.

The Bible instructs us to pray with thanksgiving in every circumstance. Learn to develop a different attitude and response towards life's little tests, and see what God will begin to do in your life. He will take you places you've never dreamed of and you'll live the abundant new life that He has in store for you, it's called a life of victory.

Remember, change your focus and see His promise for your life through His Word, and you will begin to develop an "attitude of gratitude".

A Prayer for Today

Thank you, God, for the blessings you have given me. I can sit here and think of so many ways you have enriched my life. Always give me an "attitude of gratitude." In Jesus' name – Amen.

Buckets of Blessings

Today's Scripture

"What a wonderful God we have-- he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us." (2 Corinthians 1:3)


Today's Word

Consider you are given an empty bucket each morning that God awakes you for His purpose. Throughout the day as you encounter different circumstances you can make a decision, put blessings in the bucket and live lightly as you carry it throughout the day wherever you go, or deposit heavy stresses in the bucket and, likewise, carry them wherever you go, the decision is yours... blessing or stressing? Either way, you're going to carry it.

If you will change the way you look at your circumstance (Romans 12:2), challenge, trial or chore and see what is really happening, you will turn your stresses into blessings. God allows you to face many situations throughout the day to help you grow and mature as a believer. For example, the world may see sitting in a doctors waiting room or the DMV for an hour as a tremendous stress, while a maturing believer will see the opportunity as one to get out of the house, quite time to catch up on reading, time to "people watch" rather than "wall watch", or a time to minister the love of God to those near us through a smile, opening a door or just saying "hello." Whatever you face today, see it through the eyes of God and carry your bucket full of blessings with great joy, for tomorrow you will be given yet another bucket to make some more decisions as you continue to grow, mature and become the shining light God created you to be for His purpose.

A Prayer for Today

God, help me to take each moment you have given me and see that my stresses are really opportunities for me to laugh and see the blessings at hand as I continue to grow and mature as your child and begin to see things the way you do. Thank you for this day, for being with me always and showing me the way to go. Thank you for loving me so much and providing me with all that you have. In Jesus name. Amen

Take a stand today

Today's Scripture

"For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5:38-39)

Today's Word

When you step out to do something big for God, the enemy tries to send challenges and distractions to knock you off course and you may begin to loose focus. It could be in area's concerning your health, relationships, finances, vocation or any number of areas in your life. He may try to send you running, but you have a promise that God is working behind the scenes for you. You'll be amazed at what God will do in your life when you stand and face your challenges and learn to listen to Him. When you take a stand, you make a declaration of your faith in God, and automatically raise that shield of faith which extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16).

So take a stand today, and stay on the course the Lord has set for you. Take a stand in your prayer life, take a stand in your Bible-study time, take a stand in your acts of service and giving to others. Take a stand and see the salvation of the Lord in every area of your life! And no matter what "man" says, remember, God is the final authority, He has ordered your footsteps and no one can stop the plans God has ordained for your new life, it's a life of victory, if you will follow His lead.

A Prayer for Today

God, I want to fight the good fight of righteousness! I pray that I find the opportunity to make a stand for my faith today. Help me to stay the course by doing Your will and staying in the Word. Thank you for your unending strength and the promise of salvation. In Jesus' name - Amen.

An Attitude of Gratitude

Today's Scripture

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Today's Word

You can make a decision as to what kind of an attitude you will have each day. If you choose to have a good attitude as you begin your day and remember that each day is a blessing from God, then you'll set a positive tone for the rest of your day. The apostle Paul chose to be happy and content no matter what kind of circumstances he found himself in. Whether you have much or a little, choose to be happy and decide to serve the Lord faithfully with a vision of victory, remembering everything is going to be alright and no matter what you may face, this too shall pass. God wants your joy to be full no matter what comes into your life!

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for your endless blessings and continued faithfulness each and every day. Give me the strength to get up each morning declaring Your blessings and Your favor. Help me to win the victory, through my thinking and attitude towards your promise, never forgetting You are always with me, guarding and guiding me all the way. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Enjoying Your Work

Today's Scripture

"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." (Colossians 3:23)

Today's Word

When you love what you do, that doesn't mean you don't work hard, or that you don't have some frustrating days and people to deal with. That's all a part of life. But ultimately, God can help you enjoy what you're doing. When you're in God's will, there will be a joy on the inside. Deep down in your spirit you will feel a sense of accomplishment. You'll live the best life that God intended for you. If you'll live a focused life, with your priorities in order and clear goals for the future, there's no limit to what God will do! He'll take you places that you've never even dreamed of. You'll experience the abundant life He has in store for you. Your deepest desire should be to follow God's perfect will, so that one day you can look back and say, "This is why God put me here."

A Prayer for Today

God, I am so thankful that because of Your presence in my life, the work I do each day can have real purpose and meaning. Help me to do my work with joy, as unto You, and use me to be a blessing to someone else who needs my encouragement and example today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Learning To Trust God

Today's Scripture

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Today's Word

If God simply delivered you from every hard circumstance, and never made you grow and move forward, you would never learn to trust Him completely. Life is not always fun because it's not enjoyable to lose the "training wheels" and step out and grow in faith. But God says that He will always be with us no matter what. We just can't see the whole picture like He can. God often works behind the scenes in hard times to prepare you, train you, teach you patience, and develop your character. If you learn how to hang on through the difficult times, you'll get to see His good plan for you. Sometimes you just have to step out and receive what He has for you knowing that everything is going to alright and God does have a plan for your life. Trust is not learned in the easy times, trust is learned and strengthened in the not-so-easy times.

A Prayer for Today

God, thank You for making me strong through adversity. I also thank You that because You are faithful to me, I can be faithful to You. Give me Your wisdom to make right decisions today and the strength to stand strong in all the circumstances I may be challenged by. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Discovering Your God-given Purpose

Today's Scripture

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." (Romans 12:6)

Today's Word

There's nothing more encouraging than to discover your purpose, your area of calling, and begin to really focus on it! Don't let the enemy convince you you've been forgotten or left out. God has entrusted everyone with different gifts and talents. You have talents, you have abilities, and you have natural strengths. Become aware of what they are and begin to use them for God's glory. Do you know that there is something important that only you can accomplish for God? I encourage you to discover and follow your God-given purpose and fulfill the destiny He has for you! Then, you can wake up each day into a new life filled with joy and purpose because your life is focused and filled with the blessing and abundance of God.

A Prayer for Today
God, I am so thankful for the unique gifts You have given me, and for Your plan to help me succeed in every area of my life. Give me the strength and wisdom to live today with joy and purpose, and help me use these gifts to bless and encourage others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Setting Goals - Forming Principals

Today's Scripture

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." (Proverbs 4:25)

Today's Word

You have a unique, God-given purpose that only you can fulfill! God is the architect of your life and His Word is a blueprint containing all His hopes and plans for your life. One of the best ways to set goals is to start writing them down — both your short-term and long-term goals. It's amazing how your life can begin to take shape when you can see on paper where you want to go. Once you set your goals or form your principals, stick with them! Don't allow the distractions of life to take you off course. Ask yourself, "Is what I'm doing moving me toward my God-given destiny? Am I staying focused?" Then, allow God to help you avoid things that are not helping you fulfill your destiny.

A Prayer for Today

God, please help me set my schedule each day to accomplish the goals You want me to reach in my life. Thank You for caring so much about me that You have a unique plan and purpose for my life! In Jesus' name. Amen.