You Can Handle It!

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me…”  (Isaiah 27:5, NKJV.)

 

Today's Word:

Isaiah said, “Take hold of His strength.” When you make this declaration, “I can handle it,” that’s not just being positive. You’re taking hold of strength. When you say it, you’re getting stronger. That’s why the scripture says, “Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’” If you’re always talking about the problem saying, “I can’t stand this job.” “This professor is so difficult. I’ll never pass his course.” “My loved one didn’t make it. I don’t know what I’m going to do.” All that does is drain you. When you talk defeat, Strength is leaving. Energy is leaving. Creativity is leaving.

 

Don’t let those things overwhelm you. You are not a victim; you are a victor!

 

No matter what comes your way, you can handle it! You are ready for it and equal to it. If you will stay in agreement with God, He will take what is meant for your harm and use it to your advantage. That difficulty won’t defeat you. It will promote you into the life of blessing and victory He has in store for you!

Let Your Love Grow

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”
(2 Thessalonians 1:3, NIV.)

 

Today's Word:

God’s desire is to see you grow and increase in every area of your life—especially in your love for others. That’s because love is the greatest thing, and it is all that matters in eternity. At the end of the day, at the end of our lives here on earth, love is what will last forever!

 

Notice that this verse tells us that love and faith are connected. It says in another verse that faith works by love. Love isn’t about feelings and emotions; it’s about the choice to treat people the way God tells us to in His Word. The more we know Him, the more we know His Word, the more we will walk in love.

 

Today, I pray that your love will continue to grow and build a solid foundation for your faith. I pray that through your connection with the Father, you are strengthened in all of your relationships as you move forward into the life of blessing He has for you!

Get in the Game

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“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.”
(Hebrews 12:1, NIV.)

 

Today's Word:

Is there a desire that you placed on the shelf, so to speak? Have you been sitting on the sidelines of your dream, celebrating everybody else’s victories, content to see the promises come to pass in their lives? It’s good to celebrate with others, but God wants to do something amazing in your life, too. He wants you to be celebrated. You don’t have to sit on the sidelines watching everyone else. You have treasures inside of you.

Think about the promises that God has spoken over you; dreams that He wants you to give birth to. It’s not too late. You’re not too old. It may look impossible, but our God can do the impossible. When you believe, favor is released. When you believe, hidden treasure comes forth. Don’t waste another day sitting on the sidelines of life. It’s time to get back in the game. It’s time to run your race. It’s time to press forward into the promises that God has in store for you!

Put Your Love Into Action

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“If anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him? Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth...”
(1 John 3:17-18, AMP.)

 

Today's Word:

I’ve heard it said that you can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving. Notice this verse tells us that love isn’t just about our words or thoughts; it’s about our actions. Love is about reaching out and meeting the needs of others. Sometimes meeting someone’s needs is as simple as a smile or sharing a word of encouragement. There are many ways to show the love of God. Can you pay for someone’s gas or groceries? Do you see a need in someone’s life that you can meet?

 

Remember, you are the hands and feet of Jesus on the earth. The Lord wants to bless you today so that you can be a blessing to others. He wants to work through you to show His love and compassion.

 

Today and every day, look for ways to put your love into action. The Bible says that it’s His kindness that leads people to repentance. He wants to show His kindness in the earth through you. Step out and sow good seeds of love by meeting the needs of others. God promises that those seeds will produce an abundant harvest in your life in return!

Avoid the Trap

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
(Proverbs 29:25, NIV.)

 

Today's Word:

Fear is one of the enemy’s favorite tools to keep us from going forward in our lives. As soon as we make a decision to step out in faith and do what God is telling us to do, immediately the enemy will bring fear. He’ll put thoughts in your mind like, “What if I fail? What will others think? Maybe I don’t have what it takes.” He’ll do his best to use fear to try to convince you to shrink back and just stay right where you are.

 

The Bible tells us that fear is a spirit. It affects your emotions. But when you choose to put your trust in the Lord, no matter how you are feeling, you are combating fear.

 

Today, I encourage you, don’t allow fear to trap you and hold you back. Instead, take a step of faith knowing that God is on your side. He is for you and with you, leading and guiding you in the path of victory all the days of your life!

The End of Your Drought

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“You, O God, sent a plentiful rain…”
(Psalm 68:9, NKJV.)

 

Today's Word:

Every person goes through times of drought, or dry seasons, when we don’t see the changes we hoped for. We’ve got big dreams, we’re standing on God’s promises, but things stay the same. It’s dry and barren. Maybe you are blessed in one area and in a drought in another. It’s easy to think, “This is the way it’s always going to be. I’ll always have this struggle.” No, in 2014 that drought is coming to an end. Any area of brokenness, dryness, loneliness, every empty place, if you will stay in faith, God is going to rain down favor, healing, and restoration.

 

We declare that this year, you are going to see an abundance of rain! Every drought is only temporary. That dry season is not going to last forever. Struggle and lack is not your destiny. It’s temporary. Rain is headed your way! Declare it by faith, “Father, thank You that the drought is ending and the rain is coming; and in 2014, I will see an abundance of Your goodness in my life!”

You Can Handle It

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
(1 Corinthians 10:13, NKJV.)

 

Today's Word:

We all go through challenges, disappointments and unfair situations. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and think, “This is too much. I can’t deal with this illness. I can’t handle this difficult child.” Or, “I can’t take this traffic. It’s driving me crazy.” But, God promised He will never let us face more than we can bear. Nothing that comes your way in life is too much for you.

 

This is what Joseph did. He was betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit and spent years in prison for something he didn’t do. But, he didn’t get depressed. He didn’t start complaining. His attitude was, “With God, I can handle it. God is still on the throne. I’m going to stay in faith and keep being my best.” In the end, he was made second in charge over all of Egypt.

 

Today, if you are feeling burdened and overwhelmed by circumstances, know that with God, all things are possible. No person can keep you from your destiny, no bad break, no disappointment, no sickness. Keep believing, keep hoping, keep praying and keep moving forward because with God, you can handle whatever comes your way!

Resist Fear

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined]…” (1 Peter 5:9, AMP.)

 

Today's Word:

The very moment you first feel fear, you have to resist it. In other words, you have to act against it. If you make the mistake of dwelling on your fears and start thinking about all the reasons why you can’t do what God is telling you to do, then it won’t be long before you develop a negative mindset that will keep you stuck where you are.

 

In the Bible, when God told David to go fight Goliath, it says that David moved quickly toward the battlefield. In other words, he didn’t think about it. He didn’t allow fear to grip his heart and talk him out of it. He just did what God wanted him to do.

 

So many people today are just sitting on the sidelines of life. They have tremendous potential on the inside, but they keep letting the enemy talk them out of doing what God wants them to do. Every time they get a vision of victory for their life, the enemy brings fear; and they just swallow his lies hook, line and sinker. Don’t let that be you! Instead, obey quickly. Resist fear and boldly embrace every blessing the Lord has in store for you!

Day 7 - To Counseling

by Bonnie

If you only hear one thing from this book, I pray that you hear this. DO NOT make any major decisions when you are dealing with a broken heart. You will be tempted to make some decisions that will be based on feelings, and most times our feelings will take us down the wrong path. Be very careful with whom you seek counsel and whom you choose to hang around. Waiting is the hardest thing in the world for me. I was desperate. I wanted to move on or do what I thought would make the pain stop. This is very dangerous. I realized I needed to talk to a counselor. I sought help because I was too hurt to think clearly. Although my counselor helped me tremendously, the most wonderful counselor is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is within you if you are a Christian. When Jesus left this earth to go to heaven, God sent his Spirit. The Holy Spirit led me time and time again with the decisions I needed to make. He will lead you if you ask Him with a pure heart. Don’t rush.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Psalm 73: 23-24 Yet I am always with you; you hold me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Reflection: Is it OK to seek professional counseling? Yes. I believe my Christian counselor was led by the Holy Spirit and helped me see things from a different view than
what I could see. In deep pain, sometimes our view into our situation is muddy. God can still lead us and ultimately it is that inner peace that helps us make the right decisions. If you need someone to talk to, seek a recommended Christian professional. There are websites that can assist or a church pastor might have someone they would recommend. Seek counsel along with guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: O God, in the moments that I’m making decisions, remind me that you know what is best for me. I need you to be my Counselor. This is very hard to pray, but my prayer is that in the decisions I need to make, I wholeheartedly seek to please you. I will do whatever you want me to do. Please Father, don’t let me step out of your will for my life. Keep me from making a mistake. Give me wisdom and discernment that can only come from you for the choices I need to make. Show me out right what you want me to do. I am yours forever. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Finished With Fear

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
(2 Timothy 1:7, NLT.)

 

Today's Word:

So many people today are missing out on God’s abundant joy, peace and victory because they keep giving in to a spirit of fear.

 

They are afraid to make a decision, they are afraid to confront issues, they’re afraid to step out in faith, they’re afraid of the past, and they’re afraid of the future! But as believers, we don’t have to live that way.

 

Always remember, fear is not from God. God has given you power, and His power is greater than any other power in the universe! You have to make a decision to deal aggressively with fear. You can’t be passive and expect to live in victory. The only way to conquer fear is to confront it head-on with the Word of God. His Word is truth which sets you free!

 

The next time you feel fear, declare today’s verse in 2 Timothy 1:7. Tell fear it has to go and walk in freedom. Sing a song of praise and declare God is empowering you. Focus on Him, find freedom and move boldly into the blessing He has prepared for you!

The Season of Change

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.”
(Proverbs 1:32, NKJV.)

 

Today's Word:

God will never ask you to do something without giving you the ability to do it. But when we’re passive or complacent and think, “Yes, I know I need to do that. Maybe next week,” well, next week turns into next month. Next month turns into next year. When we put off what God has told us to do, we miss that season of grace. But if you’ll deal with things as soon as God brings them to light, you’ll have a special grace, a special empowerment. You’ll feel God’s enabling power helping you to do it.

 

Today, is there something you’ve been putting off? Something you know in your heart that you are supposed to do? Don’t let the season of grace pass. Don’t let complacency destroy you. Your destiny stands before you. God has something amazing in your future. Be bold; be strong. Step out in faith, be obedient and walk in the abundant rain of His blessing!

Through Faith and Patience

by Dave

 Today's Scripture:

“...imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”
(Hebrews 6:12, NIV.)

 

Today's Word:

In our culture today, people are used to getting things right away. Some people say that we live in a “microwave” society. In other words, we’ve been programmed for immediacy. People don’t like to wait. But the scripture says, “It’s through faith and patience that we inherit God’s promises.”

 

Sometimes, it’s easy for people to start out in faith. We declare, “God, I believe I’m going to accomplish my dreams. God, I believe I’m going to overcome this obstacle.” But, it gets harder when we have to walk in patience. When you pray, can you say, “God, I not only believe for big things but I trust Your timing? God, I’m not going to get discouraged if it doesn’t happen immediately. I’m not going to give up because it’s taken a week, a month or five years. I know the set time is already in my future, so I’m going to wait with faith and patience because I know that it’s on the way.”

 

Remember, through faith and patience we inherit His promises. Trust His Word, trust His timing, and trust that your answer is on its way!

Look Again

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

'Go and look toward the sea,' he told his servant. And he went up and looked. 'There is nothing there,' he said. Seven times Elijah said, 'Go back.' The seventh time the servant reported, 'A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea…'
(1 Kings 18:43-44, NIV.)

 

Today's Word:

The Bible says that after the prophet Elijah prayed and asked God to end the drought, he said to the people, “I can hear the sound of an abundance of rain.”

 

He was saying in effect, “There is a yes from God in our future!”

 

Elijah told his assistant to go look on the other side of the mountain to see if there was any sign of rain. When the assistant came back, he said, “No, Elijah. There’s not a cloud in the sky. It’s perfectly clear.” Elijah didn’t get discouraged and think, “What are we going to do now? I might as well quit this prophet business.” No, he simply said, “Go back and look again.”

 

This happened six different times, but Elijah kept saying, “Go look again.” On the seventh time, the servant came back and said, “Elijah, I saw a small cloud in the sky. It isn’t much, just the size of a man’s hand.” Elijah’s answer was basically, “You’d better get your umbrella. Rain is coming!

 

Friend, like Elijah, maybe you are believing for something, and you aren’t seeing anything happen. Don’t give up, go look again! If God has promised it, He will do it. It won’t be long until you see His showers of blessing pouring down on every area of your life!
 

Prayer for Today:

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. I believe that You are working behind the scenes even when I can’t see it. I choose to keep believing. I choose to look again until I see every promise fulfilled in Jesus’ name. Amen

A Rainstorm Is Coming

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“Then Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!’
(1 Kings 18:41, NLT.)

 

Today's Word:

In First Kings 18, the Samaritans had been in a great famine. For three and a half years, there had been no rain. The prophet Elijah showed up and said to King Ahab, “I hear the sound of the abundance of rain.” When he said that, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, yet he chose to believe what he heard in his spirit in spite of what he saw in the natural. With his eyes, he saw drought, famine and barrenness; but inside, he heard the sound of the abundance of rain.

 

Friend, this is what faith is all about. You’ve got to believe what you hear in your heart even when you see just the opposite. God is saying, “There’s about to be an abundance of favor in your life. The drought is coming to an end. You’re going to see healing, restoration, new opportunities, new growth.”

 

Soon after, that rainstorm came. And just like Elijah, you have to believe that your rainstorm of blessing is right around the corner. No matter what anyone says, no matter what happens, keep believing and keep declaring because soon you will hear the sound of rain!

Like Fire In Your Bones

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“…But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.”  (Jeremiah 20:9, NKJV.)

 

Today's Word:

In scripture, God gave a promise to Jeremiah that he would become a great prophet and speak to the nations. But Jeremiah was young and afraid. He didn’t see how it could happen. He started telling God all the reasons why it wouldn’t work out. He said, “God, when I get up to speak, people mock me and make fun of me. I’m young. I’m tired. I’m intimidated.” Just when you think he is going to talk himself out of it, he says in Jeremiah 20:9, “Your Word in my heart is like a fire shut up in my bones.” He was saying, “God, I may not see how it can happen. All the odds are against me, but this promise You put in me will not go away. It’s like a fire. It’s alive. I can’t get away from it.”

 

You may be at a place right now where you could easily give up on what God has placed in your heart. But like Jeremiah, there is a fire shut up in your bones. What God promised you will not die. You can try to ignore it. You can try to talk yourself out of it. Your mind may tell you that it’s never going to happen, but deep down you feel a stirring, a burning, a restlessness. That’s the promise God put in you. He loves you too much to let you be average. He is going to push you into greatness. Get ready because the gifts, the talents, the skills, the ideas, the untapped potential is about to come forth!

Hearing His Voice

by Dave

Today's Scripture:

“If only you carefully listen to the voice of the Lord your God…”
(Deuteronomy 15:5, AMP.)

 

Today's Word:

All through the day, there are two voices that compete for our attention – the voice of faith and the voice of defeat. You’ll hear a voice saying, “You’ll never rise any higher. You don’t have what it takes. You’ve reached your limit.” But if you listen carefully, you’ll hear another voice saying, “You are well able. You can do all things through Christ. Your best days are still up ahead.” You are the one who gets to choose which voice has power in your life.

 

The moment you verbalize a thought, you give it the right to come to pass. When you speak faith, you’re in agreement with God. When you speak defeat, you’re in agreement with the enemy. God-talk brings God on the scene. Enemy-talk brings the enemy on the scene.

 

Why don’t you get in agreement with God today? The negative voice may be louder, but you can override it. You can take away all of its power by simply choosing the voice of faith. Choose to declare favor, blessing and increase over your life so that you can walk in the victory the Lord has in store for you.