“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT
It can sometimes be hard to be courageous, to be strong, and to do everything with love. The way we start our day determines the outcome I believe. How are you starting your day? If it is not with prayer I believe your day will be directed by the world. Today’s prayer is that we would start our day with prayer and the word!!! God’s word will fill us with courage, strength, and most importantly love……Be Blessed
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new 2 Corinthians 5:17
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. Micah 6:8 MSG
I love the way this translation explains it, basically be nice to all and put God first in everything!!!!! The Bible has laid out instruction for our lives, it is so easy to get tangled up in the things of the world, but when God is first it becomes clear on how to handle circumstances. Today I pray that it would be this simple for us to translate – treat all equally, love with all you have, don’t be so hard on yourself, and most important PUT GOD FIRST…….Be Blessed
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new 2 Corinthians 5:17
“TRY TO STAY CONSCIOUS OF GOD as you go step by step through this day. GOD’S Presence with you is both a promise and a protection. CHRIST The LORD’S final statement just before HE ascended into heaven was: “Surely I am with you always.” That promise was for all of GOD’S followers, without exception. The promise of GOD’S Presence is a powerful protection. As you journey through your life, there are numerous pitfalls along the way. Many voices clamor for your attention, enticing you to go their way. A few steps away from your true path are pits of self-pity and despair, plateaus of pride and self-will. If you take your eyes off GOD and follow another’s way, you are in grave danger. Even well-meaning friends can lead you astray if you let them usurp The LORD’S place in your life. The way to stay on the path of Life is to keep your focus on GOD. Awareness of GOD’S Presence is your best protection.”
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” MATTHEW 28 : 20
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. HEBREWS 12 : 1 – 2
Prayer: Lord, I know the path to life is to keep my focus on you Jesus. And when I am tempted, though not by you because you never tempt, but by my flesh, the world, or the enemy – remind me that the one who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world. Keep me close to you today, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR GOD, in HIS Name. All suffering has meaning in GOD’S kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in The LORD. Bearing your circumstances bravely—even thanking GOD for them—is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles. When suffering strikes, remember that GOD is sovereign and that HE can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. Instead, accept adversity in GOD’S Name, offering it up to The LORD for HIS purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to GOD. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness.”
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. JAMES 1 : 2 – 4
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. PSALM 107 : 21 – 22
Prayer: Lord help me to remember you bring purpose out of all pain and suffering. Use them to strengthen my trust in you and to help others going through the same thing. Even when I feel surrounded, open my eyes to see your angel army in greater numbers surrounding and protecting me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. ’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” Luke 15:11-32 NLT
No matter what we have done or where we have been this is the same love that God has for us. Today’s prayer is that we would understand that there is no better time than now to go home, get in right standing with the Lord, he is waiting for you…..Be Blessed
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new 2 Corinthians 5:17
“TAKE TIME TO BE STILL in GOD’S Presence. The more hassled you feel, the more you need this sacred space of communion with The LORD. Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax in GOD’S holy Presence while HIS Face shines upon you. This is how you receive GOD’S Peace, which GOD always offers to you. Imagine the pain GOD feels when HIS children tie themselves up in anxious knots, ignoring HIS gift of Peace. Christ, The LORD died a criminal’s death to secure this blessing for you. Receive it gratefully; hide it in your heart. The LORD’S Peace is an inner treasure, growing within you as you trust in HIM. Therefore, circumstances cannot touch it. Be still, enjoying Peace in GOD’S Presence.”
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” PSALM 46 : 10
“The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” NUMBERS 6 : 25 – 26
Prayer: God help me to make time to be still in your presence. I desperately need this time with you each day so you can fill me with your peace, your promises, and your perspective. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11 NLT
How are you reacting to situations that catch you off guard? Are you being led by a loving God, or by a worldly reaction? We as believers need to strive to be like Jesus in our every moment. Today I pray that we would ask God for the knowledge to fit every reaction and handle them as Christ did…..Be Blessed
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new 2 Corinthians 5:17
“BEWARE OF SEEING YOURSELF through other people’s eyes. There are several dangers to this practice. First of all, it is nearly impossible to discern what others actually think of you. Moreover, their views of you are variable: subject to each viewer’s spiritual, emotional, and physical condition. The major problem with letting others define you is that it borders on idolatry. Your concern to please others dampens your desire to please GOD, your Creator. It is much more real to see yourself through GOD’S eyes. GOD’S gaze upon you is steady and sure, untainted by sin. Through The LORD’S eyes you can see yourself as one who is deeply, eternally loved. Rest in CHRIST’S loving gaze, and you will receive deep Peace. Respond to GOD’S loving Presence by worshiping HIM in spirit and in truth.”
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. HEBREWS 11 : 6
“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. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” JOHN 4 : 23 – 24
Prayer: God help me to rest in your loving gaze and arms, receiving your deep peace. Thank you for your steadfast, unconditional love. Help me to see myself and others through your eyes. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”” LUKE 6:38 NASB
This scripture is usually connected to financial gain, I believe this scripture describes everything in our lives. This scripture has always ministered to me in the form of giving to others, blessing others, and most of all loving others. Today’s prayer is that we would meditate on this scripture and apply it to our lives the way we see fit…….Be Blessed
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
“GOD IS THE CULMINATION of all your hopes and desires. GOD is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last: who is and was and is to come. Before you knew GOD, you expressed your longing for HIM in hurtful ways. You were ever so vulnerable to the evil around you in the world. But now GOD’S Presence safely shields you, enfolding you in HIS loving arms. GOD has lifted you out of darkness into HIS marvelous Light. Though GOD has brought many pleasures into your life, not one of them is essential. Receive GOD’S blessings with open hands. Enjoy GOD’S good gifts, but do not cling to them. Turn your attention to the Giver of all good things, and rest in the knowledge that you are complete in GOD. The one thing you absolutely need is the one thing you can never lose: GOD’S Presence with you.”
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. PSALM 62 : 5 – 8
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 PETER 2 : 9 (NKJV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. JAMES 1 : 17
Prayer: God help me to receive your blessings with open hands, yet not holding onto anything tighter than I hold onto you. You are the giver of all good things. Keep my eyes fixed on you this week Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
