Thursday, March 26, 2015

Keep the Joy

by Dave
 
Today's Scripture:
"I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."( John 16:22, NIV )
 
Today's Word:
Your life is probably so fast paced that it seems to be swirling around you at times. In the midst of a hectic schedule, there are plenty of opportunities to lose your joy. But you don't have to let any circumstance rob you of the joy that is rightfully yours in Christ. Once you decide to follow God and listen to Him, alone, nothing can take away that joy that is within you. And when your heart is set on joy, no one can wrestle it away from you unless you allow it.

Your enemy is roaming around like a lion - waiting to devour, destroy and rob you of joy (1 Peter 5:8). But he can't steal what Jesus has given to you in the first place. Today's verse is a promise from Jesus, Himself - so hold on to the joy that He has put in your heart!
 
Prayer for Today:
God, thank You for giving me unspeakable joy in my life. Help me today to hold on to what You have given me and not allow anyone or anything to take it away. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Keep Going

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."( Isaiah 40:31, KJV )
 
Today's Word:
Christ doesn't want you to settle for mediocrity in any area of your life! His plan is for you to be victorious and filled with joy each day. No matter what has happened to you in the past, God wants you to pick yourself up and keep going on the path that leads to victory. The Bible says that if you will look to God, He will renew your strength and help you soar like an eagle. That's an amazing promise from an amazing God! Keep pushing ahead even through the tough times, and you'll be blessed.
 
Prayer for Today:
God, thank You for Your promise of strength and endurance when I wait on You. Do not allow me to get stuck in a rut or give up on my journey with You. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

The Desire to Please Him

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him"( Philippians 2:13, NLT )
 
Today's Word:
Do you desire to please Him? When you become a believer by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God begins working in you. He changes your desires from self-seeking to God-seeking. When you make a wrong choice or do something that displeases Him, most times, you know it immediately. There’s uneasiness on the inside of you. You might even feel a little sick to your stomach. That’s because the desire to please God is built inside of you. That “feeling” is the Spirit’s gentle conviction that keeps us on the path He has for us.

But notice He didn’t just give you the desire to please Him; He gave you the power to please Him, too. He didn’t just call you; He equipped you! Follow that inner prompting so that your actions will line up with your heart’s desire. And remember, even when you make a mistake, even when you have a setback, God is always ready to help you. He loves you so much, and He wants the best for you. He wants you to continue growing spiritually. His plans and purposes for your life are good. And when you are submitted to Him, nothing can stop the Almighty God from accomplishing great things in and through you!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father in heaven, thank You for filling me with the desire to please You. I know that as I follow Your promptings, You are leading me in the path of life. I love You and bless Your holy Name. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Seeing What is Unseen

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."( 2 Corinthians 4:18, NKJV )
 
Today's Word:
God wants you to focus on the good things He has for you, which are far greater than the things you can see around you. Unfortunately, too many people give up when they face tough times. They stop expecting anything good to happen. But the truth is, hardships and trials are really opportunities for you to go higher. Whatever struggles you're going through right now, no matter how large or small...they are subject to change. 

God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Your health may not look very good today, but it's subject to change. You may be out of work today, but that's subject to change. Your finances may look dismal today, but that's subject to change! You may be struggling in your relationships or marriage, but that's subject to change too! No matter what your circumstances might be...you can experience real positive change when you look to God.
 
Prayer for Today:
God, it's so exciting to realize that the hard circumstances in my life are subject to change. Help me to keep on trusting You as You work out Your good purposes in my life. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

The Body of Christ

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"I will cause you to become the father of a great nation; I will bless you and make your name famous, and you will be a blessing to many others."  ( Genesis 12:2, NLT )
 
Today's Word:
Do you realize that Jesus has no arms to hug with except yours? He has no hands to heal and comfort the world with except the hands that you supply - so make a difference with your life today.
 
John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim's Progress, wrote, "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who cannot pay you back." God didn't call His people to come together just to get blessed, but to be a blessing to someone else. God told Abraham he would become the father of a great nation. But notice that God also wanted Abraham to be a blessing to many. If you want God to pour out His supernatural favor in your life, reach out to bless those around you.
 
Prayer for Today:
Lord, I know that I may be the only representation of You someone around me may ever see — so help me to be an instrument of Your love and blessing to them. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Laugh a Little

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength."
( Proverbs 17:22, NLT )
 
Today's Word:
God has given you a great prescription for living a long, healthy, and happy life: Laugh, and laugh a lot! The "medicine" of laughter is within everyone, but you may need to start taking it. Recent studies have shown that laughter boosts the body's immune system, reduces stress, reduces the risk of heart attack, and even acts as a natural tranquilizer. Those are health benefits everyone needs. That's why it's tragic to go through life with a stone face.
 
The enemy has convinced too many into thinking that they need to be somber and serious in order to be a Christian. But don't fall for that trick. God wants you to laugh and live well!
 
Prayer for Today:
Lord, thank You for a sense of humor and for laughter. Teach me how to enjoy this wonderful gift and share it with others. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Pursuing the Dream

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."( Philippians 3:14, KJV )
 
 
Today's Word:
If you want to live a joyful and fulfilling life, learn to celebrate each moment of each day. All it really takes is a decision on your part to relish the events, people, and tasks that make up everyday life. Of course, you should have goals. God has put dreams and desires in each person's heart. And there will always be another dream, another challenge just over the horizon.
 
Slow down and enjoy each stage of what He is doing in your life. You don't have to make everything happen today. Pursue the goals that God has planted in you, but don't forget to enjoy each stage of the journey!
 
Prayer for Today:
God, I know that You have planted dreams and goals in me. Help me to pursue them with the awareness that they will happen in Your time, and give me the ability to enjoy where You have me today. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Live to Give

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy..."( Proverbs 11:24, NLT )
 
Today's Word:
Start giving your life away, and before you know it the blessings of God will chase you down and overtake you. You may think that there is very little, if anything, that you can give, but that's just not true. You've got plenty to give because many times giving has nothing to do with money or possessions. You can give a smile, you can give a word of encouragement, or you can give your time. Begin each day with a determination to be a blessing to as many other people as possible. That's a great goal to begin each day chasing!
 
Prayer for Today:
God, thank You for thinking of me first. Give me the strength and insight to see the needs of others and help fulfill them. I know when I do this I will begin experiencing Your blessing! In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Live with Expectancy

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."( John 10:10, ESV )
 
Today's Word:
If you live with a strong sense of expectancy, and follow God’s will for your life, then God will bless you and use you in a powerful way. It's difficult for some people to imagine this, but you must come to the realization that God is so much bigger than anything you will ever face. So why would you not live your life expecting Him to give you victory?

God intends for you to be a champion, not a defeated person. If you claim victory and expect victory, you will get it along with a greater sense of power and peace! God wants you to live abundantly, so learn to expect His abundance.
 
Prayer for Today:
God, I want to thank You for Your abundant gifts and blessings. Help me to live expectantly and powerfully. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Prayer of Blessing

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates."
( Deuteronomy 6:5-9, MSG )
 
Today's Word:
When you need to remember an important meeting or memorize an assignment, what do you do? Most people write it down and put it in a place where they will see it constantly, like a mirror or a refrigerator. Do the same thing with God's Word, because it will help you to remember God's promises.

The Bible is God's Word to His people, and should be memorized so that it stays in your mind and your heart. Read the Scripture each day and store its words in your heart, because they are all true!
 
Prayer for Today:
God, thank You for giving us Your Word, which promises your blessing to me. I know that if I dedicate myself to following Your Word, my life will be enriched and I will experience the blessings You have for me. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Be Yourself!

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly."  ( Romans 12:6, NASB )
 
Today's Word:
The key to living a happy, fulfilling, satisfied life, is really very simple. Just be the person God made you to be, and have the courage to do what God called you to do. He has a unique and individual plan for your life, and the way to becoming a champion for God is to discover that plan and follow it wherever it may lead.

But because you are human, it's easy for you to get distracted - many times, because you're trying too hard to please other people. Of course, there are legitimate demands on your time that must be met. The good news is that these things don't have to thwart God's plans for you. Just make it your desire to follow and please Him, and you won't be thrown off the path by life's demands and distractions.
 
Prayer for Today:
Lord, please help me today to use the abilities and gifts You have given me to honor You. Thank You for not expecting me to try and be someone other than the person You made me to be. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Recovering What Has Been Lost

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten."( Joel 2:25, NIV )
 
Today's Word:
You can break free of the hurt, the pain, and the mistakes of the past, and recover the years, the joy and the blessings that have been stolen from you. God wants to restore these things to you - not just the way they were before - but twice as much so that you are far better off than when you began.

No matter where you are today, or what happened to you yesterday, God wants to give you a new future filled with joy, fulfillment and abundance, a forgotten past and a fresh future! God wants to give you a new start and a future that is better than anything you could ask for or even imagine.
 
Prayer for Today:
God, give me the strength to break free from anything in my past that is holding me back. Thank you for being the God of new beginnings. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Keep Looking Ahead!

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you."
( Proverbs 4:25, NIV )
 
Today's Word:
In order to fulfill your divine destiny, you have to know your purpose. You need a plan and then you must work within that plan. You should wake up each day knowing where you're going, which direction you will take to get there and what you want to accomplish.

Once you find your purpose, stick with it! Don't allow the distractions of life to get you off course. Ask yourself, "Is what I'm doing moving me toward my God-given destiny? Am I staying focused? Is this my purpose or am I just wasting my time being busy?"

Don't be distracted and spend your time and energy on things that may be interesting, but are not helping you fulfill your destiny. Remember, God's plans are blessed and as you walk in His plan for your life, you will experience His abundant blessing on everything you set your hand to!
 
Prayer for Today:
God, Your Word promises that You will guide me if I seek You. Show me how to order my time and arrange my schedule to accomplish Your will. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Love The Job You're In

by Dave

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, NLT )
Today's Word:
Some people think that loving their work means they won't have to work hard, or that they won't have frustrations. No, those things are 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 and in your spirit; you will feel a sense of accomplishment. When you're serving in your purpose, you will be fulfilled and enjoy your life. You'll live the best life that God intended for you - and He'll take you places that you've never even dreamed of! You'll experience the abundant life He has in store. Our deepest desire for you is that you discover and follow God's perfect will - knowing your calling, so that one day you can look back and say, "This is why God put me here."
Prayer for Today:
God, I want to thank You today for giving me meaningful and fulfilling work to do. Help me to see Your ultimate purpose and experience Your joy in even the most ordinary aspects of my work. In Jesus Your Son’s Name. Amen.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Just Do It!

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished."
(I Chronicles 28:20, ESV)


Today's Word:
Fear not. That is the message David had for his son, Solomon. For many years, David wanted to build a temple for the Lord. But God told Him that specific job belonged to his son, Solomon. Solomon was young and inexperienced, and even though he knew he had a mandate from God, he was intimidated by the prospect of building a great house of worship, one that would be a dwelling place for the Most High. You can probably understand his apprehension.

But his father David had some good advice for him. He told his son, "Forget your fear. God is bigger than your problems. He is bigger than the temple you are going to build. He is bigger than any adversity that you might face. So just get busy and do your part and God will do the rest."

Perhaps as you begin this new year, you have some changes that need to be made. Maybe you need a renovation in your marriage, finances, health, or emotions. Whatever your individual needs may be, notice the words of David, "Be strong and courageous, and do it. Fear not, be not dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you."


Prayer for Today:
God, I'm excited to see what You have planned for me this year. Whatever I face, I will not be intimidated. I will begin this year by seeing myself as You do—happy, healthy, and prosperous. Thank you for the gift of another year. In Jesus Your Son’s name, Amen.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Praising in the Midnight Hour

by Dave

Today's Scripture:
"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose."  ( Acts 16:25-26, NIV )
 
Today's Word:
Paul and Silas were put in jail for spreading good news. It wasn’t fair. They were beaten with rods without a trial. It was unjust. As they sat in the prison, bloody, bruised and uncomfortable, they began to sing praises to God. All of the sudden, there was a great earthquake. The prison doors flung open, the chains fell off and they walked out as free men. What happened? They praised their way to victory!

Friend, if you’re going to live in victory, you have to know how to praise in your midnight hour—when things seem the darkest, when you’re in pain, disappointed, lonely or experiencing a loss. When you praise Him no matter what, that’s when God can enter your situation. That’s when He can break your chains and set you free!

Even if you aren’t in a difficult season, remember, praise paves the way to victory. Praise is what we are called to do! Today, praise Him, not because of how you feel but because He is worthy! Praise Him in your midnight hour and get ready to embrace the freedom and victory He has prepared for you!
 
Prayer for Today:
Father, right now I lift my heart to You. I declare that You are worthy to be praised, and Your worth doesn’t change because of my circumstances. I will bless You in the midnight hour knowing that You are good, and You have victory and freedom in store for me in Jesus Your Son’s name! Amen.