Receive Grace
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Posted:Dec 4, 2007 3:28 am
Last Updated:Dec 4, 2007 4:05 pm 18426 Views
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“It is through Him that we have received grace (God’s unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the nations” Romans 1:5
Do you want to see more of God’s favor in your life? Receive His grace. Grace is God’s favor, but it’s also His supernatural empowerment. When you have God’s grace and favor, it enables you to accomplish more and to be more effective both in your own life and in building the kingdom of God. This verse says that God’s grace enables us to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples among all nations. Maybe you can’t go to all nations today, but you can make a difference in the lives of the people around you. You can “promote faith” by living a life of love. God wants to empower you with His Grace so that you can show love and encourage the people in your life–your coworkers, your family, your friends. Receive His grace today by simply opening your heart and thanking Him for it. Thank Him for His grace that empowers you. Thank Him for a gift of faith in your life, which works by love. As you receive His Grace today, you will feel His empowerment and walk forward in the favor and blessing He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your promise of grace in my life. Thank You for unmerited favor and empowering me through Your Word. I receive Your grace right now and invite Your love to flow through me today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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PURSUE YOUR STRENGTHS
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Posted:Dec 3, 2007 2:10 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 6:6 am 15029 Views
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“Do not neglect your gift…” (I Timothy 4:14).
God has equipped each one of us with specific gifts and talents. It’s up to you to not only to identify those gifts, but to be disciplined to develop those gifts. You have to learn to stay in your strength zone. What are you naturally good at? What do you enjoy doing? Take the time to identify your strengths and weaknesses and as the scripture says, give yourself to your gifts. In other words, don’t spend all your time trying to improve your weaknesses. Don’t waste valuable days pursuing things that are outside your main gifting. Focus on your strengths. There is something that you’re good at naturally–something you can do that comes easy to you. Step out into your area of gifting. Are you good with people? Are you good with your hands? Do you have a great voice? Find ways to develop those gifts. Know that your gifts and talents are a part of your divine destiny. If you’ll be comfortable with who God made you to be, and thank Him for your unique gifting, you’ll not only enjoy your life more, but you’ll be ready to receive the abundant blessing God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping me with everything I need to be successful in this life. I ask that You show me how to develop the gifts within me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Guard Your Heart
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Posted:Nov 30, 2007 3:52 am
Last Updated:Dec 1, 2007 4:56 am 13971 Views
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“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Proverbs 4:23
Just like a computer, what you allow into your heart programs your thinking and words, which ultimately determines the direction of your life. Your eyes, ears, and mouth are all gateways to your heart. What you watch and listen to goes into your heart whether you realize it or not. You can guard your heart by filtering what you watch and listen to. If you don’t want to be like the people you see on TV, you shouldn’t watch that program. If you don’t want to act like the people in the songs you hear, you shouldn’t listen to them. But beyond that, you have to guard your heart against bitterness and bad attitudes. When those negative emotions sink into your heart, they will keep you from moving forward. The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. That means your words show where your heart is. Take inventory today of what you are saying, watching, and listening to. Make sure that you are glorifying the Lord with your every action. As you guard your heart and mind, the wellspring of life within in you will flow freely, and you will live in the abundance the Lord has in store for you.
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I submit my mind and heart to You. I choose to guard my heart and ask that You guide and direct my everyday choices. Purify me by Your spirit so that life will flow from me in every area. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
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Forgive Others
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Posted:Nov 29, 2007 2:19 am
Last Updated:Nov 30, 2007 3:52 am 12448 Views
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And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted, (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another (readily and freely) as God in Christ forgave you” Ephesians 4:32
As followers of Christ, our character should mirror His character. We should be helpful to one another, kind and tender toward one another, understanding and loving. Most of all, we should be extending forgiveness to one another in the same way that Christ extends forgiveness toward us. In other words, forgive unconditionally. Many times, people won’t forgive until the other person says they are sorry. Or, they won’t forgive because they think somehow they are punishing the other person or giving them what they deserve. But the only person that is hurt by your unforgiveness is you. When you hold unforgiveness, you can’t be forgiven by God, and you are the one locked up in the hurt and pain. Don’t hold unforgiveness any longer! Forgiveness simply begins with a choice to obey God’s command. When you open your heart to forgiveness, you open your heart to God’s healing and restoration in your life. Make the choice today to forgive others–readily and freely–as God in Christ forgave you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for shaping my character and making me more like You. I invite You to work in every area of my life. I choose to forgive just as You have forgiven me. I bless Your holy name today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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LIFT YOUR EYES
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Posted:Nov 28, 2007 2:17 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 6:6 am 12643 Views
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I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth” Psalm 121:1-2
What are you looking at today? Are there challenges in your life to overcome? Don’t just look at your problems day in and day out, lift up your eyes and look toward heaven. You will naturally move in the direction that your eyes are looking. If you are always looking at your problems–meditating on them, feeling sorry for yourself, telling everybody about them–you will become consumed by them. But when you look up, your life will start to move up. When you keep your eyes on Jesus, it is also a sign of your faith and expectancy. The Bible tells us that faith is what moves the hand of God. When you have an attitude of faith and expectancy, you open the door for His power in your life. Decide today to focus on the goodness of our God. Lift your eyes and heart to Him and begin to praise Him with your words. As you lift your eyes, your help will come, and you will live the victorious life He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I choose to lift my eyes to You. I will look to You for my help. Thank You for showing me Your salvation and deliverance. I bless You today in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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LOVE MUCH
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Posted:Nov 27, 2007 3:48 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 6:6 am 13096 Views
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“Therefore I tell you, her sins, many [as they are], are forgiven her–because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little” Luke 7:47
Did you know that forgiveness opens the door for love to operate in your life? This verse is talking about the story of the woman with the alabaster box of costly perfume. She was a notorious sinner in her day and when she saw Jesus, she fell at His feet and began washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair. When she received Christ’s forgiveness, love was the automatic response. She was forgiven of much and her love was extravagant. Do you want more love in your life? Do you want to feel more of God’s love and have stronger relationships with the people around you? Open your heart to forgiveness. Receive Christ’s forgiveness and extend it to others. When you are forgiven much, you will love much. And as Christ’s love flows through you, you will be empowered by His strength and live the abundant life He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your forgiveness which opens the door for Your love to flow through me. Help me to be Your light and Your example of love to those around me today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Great Peace
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Posted:Nov 26, 2007 2:33 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 6:6 am 12893 Views
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“Great Peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:165
God not only wants to give you peace, He wants to give you great peace! When you love the law of the Lord, nothing can make you stumble, and you will have great peace. Great peace gives you joy when it doesn’t make sense for you to be happy. It passes understanding. Great peace keeps you stable and strong no matter what may come against you. Make the decision to focus your attention on God’s Word today and everyday. As you discipline yourself in the scriptures, you will hunger more for God’s Word, and that love for His law will naturally develop. Psalm 119:105 says that His Word is a lamp to our feet and light to our path. That means God’s Word directs us. God’s Word protects us. You can find peace and security in His Word, knowing that He is faithful and your future is sure! Choose His Word today, and you will have great peace and live the life of blessing God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that gives me peace. I choose to focus on Your Word today so that You can protect me and guide me. I give You praise today for working in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Thankful For The Kingdom
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Posted:Nov 24, 2007 6:28 am
Last Updated:Nov 24, 2007 7:03 pm 13091 Views
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“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28
Thank God, we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken! The kingdom is simply God’s system. It’s His way of doing things. The Bible tells us that His kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. In God’s kingdom, when you give, it shall be given back to you, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. In God’s kingdom, you can have an abundance of peace and prosperity in your spirit, mind, and body no matter what’s happening around you. And just like the verse says, His kingdom cannot be shaken! That means, if the stock market goes down, God’s kingdom is still strong. If the housing market goes down, God’s kingdom is still strong. If gas prices go up, God’s kingdom is still strong! You can live in God’s kingdom that cannot be shaken–no matter what’s happening here on earth. Begin to thank God today for His kingdom. Thank Him for His system of blessing in every area of your life. As you obey His Word and worship Him with a grateful attitude, you will see His hand of blessing and walk in the abundant life He has for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for the kingdom. Thank You for Your system of blessing in my life. I open my heart to You and ask that You reveal Your truth to me so that I can live to please You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Too Busy For Joy?
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Posted:Nov 23, 2007 9:19 am
Last Updated:Nov 24, 2007 5:14 am 13089 Views
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"...then God blessed them, and said to them, 'be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it...'" (Genesis 1:28
Are you missing out on the joys of life because you are too busy? Are you over-committed? God never called you to be busy‒He called you to be fruitful. Don't get activity mixed up with productivity. Just because you are on the go, and always doing things‒even godly things‒doesn't necessarily mean that you're fulfilling God's best plan for your life.
Let me encourage you to prayerfully take inventory of the different activities in your life. Ask the Lord to show you which areas need to be pruned, and which areas need more focus. Ask Him to show which relationships to move away from, and which relationships to cultivate in your life. Stop allowing the unfruitful areas of your life to consume all of your time, focus, and energy. As you make adjustments to bring balance to your schedule, invest in the activities and relationships that bring you joy and peace. As you do, you will experience God's abundant blessing in every area of life!
A Prayer for Today
God, order my steps today. Help me to prioritize and to focus on those things that honor You and fulfill Your plan for my life. There may be relationships, commitments, and activities that I have to let go of-give me the courage to do so. I want to slow down, restore balance and experience more joy in my life! In Jesus' name ‒ Amen.
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Overflow With Thankfulness
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Posted:Nov 22, 2007 2:43 am
Last Updated:May 16, 2024 6:6 am 13073 Views
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“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7
Are you overflowing with thankfulness? Is your thankfulness spilling out on to the people around you? Don’t just think your thanks, show it! Don’t let the kindness of others go unnoticed. Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted the people who are closest to us, but those are the people we should thank the most. Your family, your friends, the ones who love and support you are the ones who should feel your thankfulness the most. And notice this verse says to live in Christ and be built up in Him. When you build yourself up by studying the Word and praying in the Spirit, then the second part of the verse will just come naturally–you will be strengthened in your faith, and your heart will be filled with thankfulness. Take a step of faith today and begin to show your thankfulness to those around you. Let it overflow on to the people around you. Sow seeds of gratitude and blessing. As you do, you will reap an abundant harvest in return and live the life God has planned for you today!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for strengthening me with Your faith and love today. Help me to be a blessing to those around me and give me creative ways to let my life overflow with thankfulness. I bless You today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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