Dying to Truly Live!

Today's Scripture

"No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it-what God has arranged for those who love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Today's Word

When Christ asks you to die to yourself, He is asking you to allow Him to re-create you into something new and wonderful. It's like the outer shell that covers a seed. As long as that shell is in place, the seed will never grow. The shell has to die for that seed to produce a harvest. Your outer shell has to die for you to be fruitful. Once we give up what we want and begin living for Christ, we will begin to experience the peace, joy, and happiness that God has in store for us. Friend, you will never know what real living is until you let go of your outer shell! True happiness and true fulfillment come when we give our lives away, because when we do that God is prepared to flood your heart with His goodness.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, I know that true happiness and fulfillment come when I relinquish control of my life to you. Give me strength to do just that today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE RELATING TO TODAY'S TOPIC:
John 3, Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 7:7-14, John 6:60-71, Ephesians 2:1-10, Luke 13:22-30, Luke 14:15-24, John 17:1-5, Acts 2:14-41, Romans 10<1-15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.

Misery Loves Company

Today's Scripture

"I promise to rescue them from the drudgery and humiliation they are undergoing, and to take them to the land now occupied by the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, a land "flowing with milk and honey." (Exodus 3:17 - TLB)

Today's Word

It's hard to help someone who doesn't want help. Many times, because of God's Spirit of love that is within you there is an innate passion for compassion which feels the pain of others and ultimately wants to reach out and help, only to be disappointed and hurt when your efforts are rejected or denied.

So, how do you help someone that continues to reject your reach? Let go!

While serving in the US Navy some years ago I underwent various training to ready us for our journey across the Pacific in route to Vietnam. One of the courses was in Air and Sea rescue. We were taught that when someone is drowning many times they will pull the rescuer down with them as they struggle unproductively to stay afloat; we were taught it is best to stay close, yet far enough away so that the victim cannot put their hands on you and pull you down with them. Once they tire (surrender) and give up their struggle, only then can you effectively reach out and bring them to safety.

You may find yourself in a similar situation today; you're trying to help someone you care so much for and they just aren't giving you anything to work with. Take a moment, evaluate the situation through prayer and meditation, step back for a season, and when the time is right and the person you are reaching for gives up the battle, then reach out, and help them in any way you can into a new life that is filled with hope, promise and expectation which is found in God's Word of Truth.

Remember: Your ultimate goal is to bring them, through example, into your world (The Kingdom of God) a new life and not their world, a place of ultimate destruction (The world of Gloom and Doom).

A Prayer for Today

Lord, help me to reach out and help those You love so much, show me the way to go, the way to love and the way to make a difference in the world today. Use me, because I am willing to serve You as You designed and created me to. In Jesus name. Amen.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE RELATING TO TODAY'S TOPIC:
Genesis 18:1-15, Ezekiel 3:16-27, Psalm 46:1-11, Nehemiah 2:1-10, Mark 9:38-41, Galatians 6:1-10.

Think, Before You Speak

Today's Scripture

My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. (Psalm 35:28 - NIV)

Today's Word

Planting apple seeds will never grow bananas. When you have negative thoughts chances are you'll not have positive outcomes.

When you say, "I'll never have money" you probably will not. When you say, "I'm never going to get out of debt, find a spouse, get healed, own a home, grow old, have a good family, finish school, or go to heaven", chances are you are going to get exactly what you have declared. Sometimes we put curses on ourselves and others and do not even realize it. Words are important, because they express the true feelings of the heart and reveal the direction in which you are headed.

God's Word [The Bible] declares blessings over your entire life and shows you how to do the same. When you begin to speak His promises rather than your enemies' lies and curses you're proclaiming the favor that your Creator intended for you when He spoke you into existence for His purpose. You are more than a conqueror, created in the image of your Designer. You have been given dominion [managerial authority and power] over everything upon the earth, it is yours to discover, take care of and share with others.

Your purpose is to know and proclaim that you are blessed of God. Then bless others with your bestowment. You were not designed to refute, curse or rebuke God's creations, which includes yourself, as well as others. You are blessed! So, proclaim it by living a positive confession rather than a negative concession.

Remember: No more gloom and doom.

A Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for always reminding me that I am the apple of Your eye. Teach me to proclaim Your promises over myself, my family and others. Help me to grow in every area of my life so that I may bring You all of the honor. In Jesus name. Amen.



ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE RELATING TO TODAY'S TOPIC:
Genesis 1: 28-30, Psalm 19:1-14, Proverbs 13:1-6, Matthew 12:33-37, Colossians 4:2-6.

It's Time To "Chazaq" Yourself

Today's Scripture

"David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him. . . but David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6

Today's Word

To live your best life now, you must act on your will, not simply your emotions. Sometimes that means you have to take steps of faith even when you are hurting, grieving, or still reeling from an attack of the enemy.

Before David became the king of Israel, he and his men returned home to find their city had been attacked, their homes were burned down, their possessions were stolen, and their woman and children were kidnapped. Instead of sitting around devastated and mourning over what had been lost, The Bible says that David "Chazaq" (pronounced Hazocked) or encouraged himself in the Lord and convinced his men to attack the enemy. As they persevered, God supernaturally helped them to recover everything that had been stolen.

You may be sitting around waiting for God to change your circumstances. Then you're going to be happy; then you're going to have a good attitude; then you're going to give God praise. But God is waiting for you to get up on the inside as David did. It will take courage; it will definitely take determination, but you can do it if you decide to do so.

God wants you to be a winner, not a whiner. Don't allow yourself to wave the white flag of surrender. You must show the enemy that you're more determined than he is. Shout aloud if you must, "I'm going to stand in faith even if I have to stand my whole lifetime!" When you do your part, God will begin to change things and work supernaturally in your life.

Remember: Learn to develop a victor's mentality and watch what God begins to do in your new life.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, I am beginning to realize more and more each day that You have a divine purpose for every challenge that comes into my life. Trials have tested my character over and over again and each time they have helped shape my faith more and more. Thank you for Your patience with me, Your purpose for me, and Your incomparable love. In Jesus name. Amen.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE RELATING TO TODAY'S TOPIC:
Joshua 24:1-15, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28, 1 Peter 1:1-13, Acts 14:1-28, Romans 1:8-17, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Timothy 1:1-18.

A Determined Spirit

Today's Scripture

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Today's Word

Life is too short to trudge through it depressed and defeated. No matter what has come against you or what is causing you to slip and fall, no matter who or what is trying to push you down, you need to keep getting up on the inside.

If you want to give your enemy a nervous breakdown, learn to keep a good attitude even when the bottom drops out! Learn to be happy even when things don't go your way. When many people face adversity, they allow their doubt to cloud their determination, thus weakening their faith. They don't persevere; they don't keep a good attitude. Ironically, because their spirits are not right, they remain in bad situations longer than necessary.

Medical science tells us that people with a determined, feisty spirit get well quicker than people who are prone to be negative and discouraged. That's because God made us to be determined. We were not created to live in depression and defeat. A negative spirit dries up your energy; it weakens your immune system. Many people are living with physical ailments and emotional bondages because they are not standing up on the inside.

Get rid of the mind-set that's saying you can't do it; you can't be happy; you have too much to overcome. Those are all lies from the enemy. Learn to tap into the can-do power that God has placed inside you. Stand strong and fight the good fight of faith.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, I can never stop praising you for the new life you have given me. I will not be discouraged, down nor defeated, but I will give you honor for I know that in every area of my life you have rescued me to be all that you created me to be. I will walk each day as a testimony to your goodness and grace and expect to be yet another opportunity to bless another. In Jesus name. Amen.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE RELATING TO TODAY'S TOPIC:
Genesis 49:1-28, Judges 7:1-24, Isaiah 40:25-31, Luke 4:1-13.