Saturday, May 31, 2014

Scatter Your Enemies

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered…"  (Psalm 68:1, NKJV).
 
Today's Word:
What are you letting arise in your life? In other words, what are you focusing your words, energy and thoughts on? You might say, “Oh, it’s just so hard right now. My finances are tight.” “My health doesn’t look good.” “Somebody walked out on me.” No, you’re focusing on the wrong things. You’re letting defeat, discouragement and self-pity rise up. Why don’t you turn that around and say, “God is still in control. Somebody may have walked out on me, but I know God is going to bring me somebody better.” “I may be hurting right now, but I know God is the restorer of my soul.” “I may have an unexpected debt, but I know God is my provider. He is supplying all of my needs. He is fighting my battles.”
 
When you give God glory and let Him arise in your life, you can’t stay defeated. No foe can stand against you in the presence of Almighty God. Your enemies will be scattered! They will tremble at your words of faith! Let God arise and embrace the blessing and victory He has prepared for you!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, right now I release any negative, self-defeating thoughts or attitudes. Instead, I choose to let God arise in my life. I declare that You are worthy, You are holy, and You are the center of my joy, peace and strength in Jesus’ name. Amen

Friday, May 30, 2014

Good Sense

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense."  (Proverbs 19:11, AMP).
 
Today's Word:
Every day, we have opportunities to get upset, frustrated or offended. Maybe you had plans that didn’t work out, or someone was rude to you at the office. Maybe you were doing something that should have taken one hour and ended up taking three. Life is full of inconveniences. Even though we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control our reaction. They say, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond.”
 
We should always go out each day with a positive attitude, full of hope and expecting God’s favor. But at the same time, we should recognize that most days are not going to go exactly as we planned. However, we are created to live in peace. Peace is our position of power. If you get stressed because you got off schedule, or upset because your child wouldn’t eat his breakfast, or frustrated because somebody offended you, you are giving away your power. Instead, use good sense! Make the decision to release those offenses and disappointments so you live in peace. Overlook offense, release offense and move forward in the power and victory the Lord has for you!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, today I release every care, concern, offense and disappointment to You. I choose to keep the peace that You have given me knowing that with You, my best days are ahead in Jesus’ name! Amen

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Pull Up Your Stakes and Press On

by Dave

Today's Word:
Are there some tent stakes in your life that you need to pull up so you can press forward? Maybe you’ve stopped in a temporary place, and it’s time to keep going. Maybe you’ve gotten comfortable and decided that your dreams are never going to come to pass. Your health is never going to improve. I’m asking you to pack up your tent, gather up your belongings and start moving forward. You may have taken a temporary delay, but that’s okay. That didn’t stop your destiny. Today can be your new beginning. God is breathing new life into your spirit. He has greater victories in front of you!
 
Remember, the first place we lose the battle is in our own thinking. If you don’t think you can be successful, then you never will be. If you don’t think you can overcome the past, meet the right person or accomplish your dreams, then you’ll get stuck right where you are. You’ve got to change your thinking. God said no good thing would He withhold because you walk uprightly. Get rid of a negative, defeated mentality. Make room in your thinking for the new thing God wants to do, pull up your stakes and let God lead you in to your promised land!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for empowering me to pick up from this temporary place and move forward toward the dreams and goals You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Say of the Lord

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!”  (Psalm 91:2, AMP.)
 
Today's Word:
What are you saying of the Lord today? In other words, what are you declaring that God will do in your life? The next verse in this passage says, “And He will cover me, deliver me and protect me.” Notice the connection: “I will say” and “He will do.” What a wonderful promise! On the other hand, if we’re not saying anything, we’re not releasing our faith. So you could read the passage in the reverse, “I will not say of the Lord, and He will not do.”
 
Always remember that your words have creative power. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. When you declare who God is in your life, you are displaying your faith and trust in Him. Faith is what pleases God and opens the door for Him to move in your life. Today, declare God’s greatness in your life. Declare that He is faithful. Say of the Lord and watch what He will do on your behalf!

Saturday, May 24, 2014

That You May Be Healed

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”(James 5:16, NLT.)
 
Today's Word:
Relationships are so important in the eyes of God. As His children, He desires that we live in unity and stay connected with one another. When we are transparent and pray for each other, something supernatural takes place. We open the door to God’s abundant blessing and healing in our lives. When we walk in love and unity, our prayers become more effective, and His power is released in and through us.
 
Living in peace and unity doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone around you all the time. It means you look for common ground. It means you reach out to others; you pray for them and help meet their needs. When we put the needs of others first, God will make sure our own needs are abundantly supplied. Follow God’s commands and pray for one another so that you may be healed!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for revealing Your truth to my heart. I choose to obey Your Word. I choose to pray for others and live in peace and unity, knowing that it will open the door for Your healing in Jesus’ name. Amen

Friday, May 23, 2014

Press Past the Mountain

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"The LORD our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain."
(Deuteronomy 1:6, NIV).
 
Today's Word:
Have you been facing a mountain for so long that you feel like you are just sort of stuck there? Maybe at one time you knew you would break that addiction. You knew you would beat that sickness. You knew you would get married. But, you’ve gone through disappointments. It didn’t happen the way you thought.
 
Today, God is saying to you what He said to the people of Israel. “You have dwelt long enough on this mountain.” It’s time to move forward. God has new levels in front of you, new opportunities, new relationships, promotions, breakthroughs. But, you’ve got to stir up your fire. You’ve got to get a vision for victory. The dreams, the promises that you’ve pushed down and thought, “Oh, it’s not going to happen. I’m too old. I don’t have the connections. I don’t know the right people,” God has it all figured out. If you will start believing again, start dreaming again, start pursuing what God put in your heart, God will make a way where you don’t see a way. Press past the mountain and move forward into victory!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy on my life. Thank You for empowering me to overcome every obstacle and press past every mountain. I look to You to lead and guide me into victory in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Don't Override the Alarms

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.”(Psalm 121:7, NIV.)
 
Today's Word:
Do you ever feel an inner “alarm” going off when you know you shouldn’t be doing something? As soon as we feel that uneasiness, we need to stop and evaluate what’s going on. Too often, people override that feeling thinking they’ll sort it out later, but then they have to deal with things that God could have saved them from. The time to respond is the time when you sense the alarm. You may be in the middle of a conversation and the alarm goes off. You know you’re supposed to walk away. Don’t ignore it. Or, you’re about to purchase something. You’re about to make some plans and you feel that check, that uneasiness, that alarm. That’s not random. That’s God talking to you. Pull back and see what God is saying.
If you will learn to listen, God can keep you from trouble. He can keep you from danger. Don’t ignore it and make life more difficult; instead, quickly obey. Follow His leading. Don’t override the alarms so you can partake of the blessing, favor and protection that God has prepared for you.
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for Your promise of protection and provision. I am Your sheep. I hear Your voice, and the voice of a stranger I will not follow. Teach me to trust You and follow Your leading all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Ask to Hear Him Better

by Dave

 Today's Scripture:
“I will listen to what God the Lord says…”  (Psalm 85:8, NIV.)
 
Today's Word:
Oftentimes, people think they can’t hear from God. They think He doesn’t talk to them. But really, it isn’t that God isn’t speaking; it’s not that He isn’t giving us direction. The problem is that we’re not always paying attention.
 
Learning to hear the voice of God is the most important skill you could ever develop. The more you pay attention to Him and the inner promptings and impressions of the Holy Spirit, the more you will know Him and see His goodness and protection in your life. How would your life be different if every morning you would wake up and pray, “God, help my spiritual ears to be open and sensitive to Your voice. God, help me to hear what You’re saying today?”
 
Today, know that God wants to give you wisdom, direction, protection and guidance that will save you heartache and make your life easier. He wants to give you breaks that will put you years ahead. If you’ll ask to hear Him better and learn to be still and listen, you’ll experience God’s hand of blessing and His direction in every area of your life.
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for continually speaking to my heart. Help me to hear You better. Help my spiritual ears to be open and sensitive to Your voice. God, help me to hear what You are saying today and every day of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen

Monday, May 19, 2014

Kindness and Goodness

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:15. AMP.)
 
Today's Word:
In Galatians chapter five, the Bible talks about nine fruits of the Spirit. These fruits are spiritual qualities that manifest in our lives when we allow Him to work in us. The more we invite God to move in our hearts and follow His Word, the more those characteristics will manifest in us.
 
Kindness and goodness are two of those fruit of the Spirit. The Bible tells us that His Kindness leads people to repentance. In other words, kindness advances the Kingdom of God. The more kindness and goodness we show other people, the more we are acting like God. The Bible also tells us that what we sow, we shall reap. When we seek to do good to others, we will reap goodness in our own lives in return.
 
Today, look for ways to show kindness and goodness to the people around you even when they aren’t kind to you. Don’t repay evil for evil. Take the high road. Bless those who wrongfully use you. Seek to do good, show kindness, and you will see it come back as a blessing in your own life in return!
 
Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank You for displaying Your character through me. I choose to show kindness and goodness so that I can honor You with my thoughts, words and actions all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen

Friday, May 16, 2014

Brag on God's Goodness

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me…”(Nehemiah 2:18, NLT.)
 
Today's Word:
In scripture, Nehemiah had a dream to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He didn’t have the money, the supplies or the manpower. What he had was incredible opposition. The city leaders were not for him. The critics tried to talk him out of it. He could have gotten discouraged and thought, “These obstacles are too big. I’ll never overcome these enemies.”
 
No, right in the middle of that difficulty he said, “I can do this because the gracious hand of God is on my life.” He was saying, “The favor of God is making a way.” Again and again, he made this same statement, “The gracious hand of God will help me overcome.” He was constantly bragging on God’s goodness. In the end, he not only rebuilt the wall, but he did it in record time. It should have taken a year or two, but he did it in just 52 days.
 
When you’re always talking about God’s goodness, that’s when you’ll see His favor, His goodness, His protection in new ways. You may be in a tough time, but don’t magnify your problem. Magnify your God. The bigger you make God, the smaller your problems will become. Brag on God’s goodness and move forward in His victory!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for Your gracious hand of favor on my life. I choose to believe that with You, all things are possible. I know that You are making a way where there seems to be no way. So I will brag on Your goodness all the days of my life in Jesus’ name! Amen

Thursday, May 15, 2014

You Cannot Be Defeated

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.”
(Psalm 41:11, ESV.)
 
Today's Word:
We all face situations where the odds are against us. We don’t see how we could get well, how a relationship could be restored, how we could ever break an addiction. In the natural, it all seems impossible. It’s easy to just accept it and think, “This is my lot in life.” But David said in Psalm 41, “The favor of God keeps my enemies from defeating me.” When you walk in God’s favor, honoring Him with your life, knowing who you are and whose you are, you cannot be defeated.
 
You may suffer a temporary setback, a disappointment or an unfair situation; but if you’ll keep moving forward, it won’t be permanent. What you’re facing may seem bigger, stronger and more powerful, but deep down, don’t be intimidated. One touch of God’s favor can turn any situation around. You’ve got to know you cannot be defeated when God Almighty pours out His favor on your life!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for Your hand of favor on my life. I choose to keep an attitude of faith and expectancy knowing that my enemies cannot defeat me in Jesus’ name! Amen

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Peace with your Enemies

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
(Proverbs 16:7, ESV.)
 
Today's Word:
What does it mean to please the Lord? In the book of Hebrews, it says that faith pleases God. Faith is simply believing that God is who He says He is and that He rewards those who seek after Him. The Bible also tells us that faith without works is dead. In other words, our faith is expressed through our actions.
 
For example, when you go to sit down in your favorite chair, you don’t stop and wonder if it’s going to hold you up. No, you have faith in that chair because you’ve sat in it hundreds of times. If you didn’t have faith that the chair would hold you, you wouldn’t sit down. Your actions are affected by your faith. In the same way, when we have faith in God, we follow His commands. We don’t wonder; we don’t wait. We just obey Him.
 
Today, know that you please Him when you seek Him by faith. You please Him when you read His Word. You please Him when you follow His commands. And, when you please Him, He makes even your enemies be at peace with you!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, my greatest desire is to please You in all things. Fill me with Your faith as I study and obey Your Word. Help me to stay close to You always and thank You for giving me Your peace in Jesus’ name. Amen

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Take Time to Listen to God

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”  (John 10:27, NIV.)
 
Today's Word:
God teaches us to hear His voice little by little. It can be something as simple as being at the mall and not feeling good about a purchase you’re about to make. No big deal. You put it back. At the office, you feel an unrest around a certain person. You just back away. At home, you feel a prompting to spend time with your child. At night you hear a suggestion, “Turn off the TV. Go to bed. You need your rest.” You turn it off.
 
Pay attention to what you’re feeling. Those are all little ways that the Holy Spirit guides us. Don’t ignore the impressions, the promptings. God speaks to us in a still, small voice. He is not going to boom out lightning to get your attention. He is not going to flash it across your TV screen. When God speaks, it’s usually subtle.
 
Remember, if you’re going to hear a whisper, you’ve got to get close. You’ve got to be tuned in. You’re not going to hear Him by accident with the busyness of the day, the stress of the office, running here and there. You have to ask yourself, “What am I feeling? What am I sensing?” You have to take time to get quiet and listen to God.
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for teaching me to hear Your voice. I choose right now to be still and lean into You. I pray that You will make Your voice clear to my heart. Thank You for leading and guiding me as I listen to You in Jesus’ name. Amen

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Follow Peace

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…”  (Isaiah 55:12, NIV.)
 
Today's Word:
God knows what’s best for you. He knows what you need and when you need it. He knows how to put you at the right place at the right time. He knows where the danger is and where the good breaks are. You have to learn to trust that inner peace, that inner prompting that leads you.
 
Even if the odds are against you, if you feel good about it in your heart, move forward. On the other hand, if there is unrest or uneasiness, if you don’t have peace, then wait. Don’t ignore the promptings, the impressions, the knowings. That’s God talking to you.
 
Always remember, God wants to help you in your everyday life, not just in the big decisions, but even in the small things. He wants to pour out His favor on you and release your frustrations. If you will be sensitive to His leading, if you will follow His peace, He will lead you into the blessing and victory He has prepared for you!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for peace. Thank You for leading me forth in joy and victory. I choose to listen to You. I choose to tune in to You. I choose to trust You knowing that You have a good plan for every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen

Monday, May 5, 2014

Favor Awareness

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“…his favor lasts a lifetime.”  (Psalm 30:5, NIV.)
 
Today's Word:
People promote awareness of all kinds of things in this world, but one of the most important things you should be aware of is the favor of God! Every day before you leave the house, you should say, “Father, thank You that I have Your favor.” As you drive to work or go about your day, meditate on His favor. Be aware of His goodness. Expect doors to open for you that may not open for somebody else.
 
Remember, favor means you have an advantage. There is something special about you because Almighty God has His hand on you. And I’m not talking about being arrogant and thinking that you’re better than somebody else. I’m talking about living with boldness – not because of who you are, but because of Whose you are! You are a child of the Most High God. Your Father created the whole universe. You can expect preferential treatment from Him!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for Your favor, grace and mercy. I choose to be aware of Your goodness and many blessings. I choose to meditate on Your love and look for Your hand at work in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen

Sunday, May 4, 2014

The Highest Power

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.”
(Nehemiah 9:6, NIV.)
 
Today's Word:
So many people today are looking for answers. They are looking for direction and tuning in to different voices around them. They think the universe is going to direct them or the stars will lead them. But, why would you turn to the stars for your answers when you can turn to the one who made the stars?
 
God didn’t just put you on the Earth and say, “Good luck. You’re on your own. I hope you make it.” No, He created us for fellowship with Him. He created us for relationship. He wants us to choose Him over anything else this world has to offer.
 
Today, don’t settle for second best. Don’t just look to a higher power; look to the Highest Power. Look to God, the Creator of the universe. He is good and has a good plan for your life. If you’ve never turned to God, call on Him today. Ask Him to reveal Himself to You. Ask Him to show you His ways so that you can walk with Him and know Him all the days of your life!

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Angels Move on Your Behalf

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.”
(Psalm 103:20, NIV.)
 
Today's Word:
Did you know that when you speak words of faith, angels are commissioned to move on your behalf? The Scripture tells us that God gives His angels charge over us. That means, when God hears you declaring His Word, He says to the angels, “Do you hear what My child is saying? They are speaking faith. Angels, I have an assignment for you. Go down there and begin to turn the situation around.” And the angels obey His Word!
 
If we could pull back the curtain on the unseen spiritual realm, we would see a host of angels and heavenly beings watching over us. That’s why it’s so important to guard what we say because with our words, we either open a door for God and His angels to move on our behalf, or we open a door for the enemy and the forces of darkness.
 
Make the decision today to only speak words of faith and life over you, your home and your family. Declare God’s Word and His promises and let your words set the angels into motion to help you fulfill the destiny God has planned for you!

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Tune in to Him

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”  (John 10:27, NIV.)
 
Today's Word:
Right now, there are hundreds of radio frequencies in the air, hundreds of television signals all around you. But, you don’t hear them all. The reason is that you’re not tuned in. If you tune a radio or television to one of those frequencies, then you would pick up the signal.
 
In the same way, God is constantly transmitting to us. He wants to lead us, guide us, protect us and give us insight. But too often, we’re not tuned to His frequency. You have to pay attention to Him and learn His voice. God doesn’t speak to us most of the time out loud. He speaks to us through subtle things. He leads us by peace inside.
 
The best way to “tune in to His frequency” is by reading and meditating on His Word. The more you know His Word, the more you know His voice. It’s like when you constantly tune in to a radio station and learn that DJ’s voice, you’ll recognize that voice when you are in a restaurant or at the mall. It’s the same idea. Tune in to God’s Word, tune in to Him and let Him lead you and guide you into victory all the days of your life!