Thursday, November 25, 2010

Constant Gratitude

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!”
(1 Chronicles 16:34, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD

No matter what may be happening in the world around you, you can always find something to thank God for. Gratitude is a powerful force that opens the door to God’s blessing. Having constant gratitude proves your faith in God because not only do you thank Him for what He has done in the past, you thank Him for what He will do in the future. It’s that kind of faith that pleases God. Constant gratitude also shows humility because when we are thankful, we magnify God instead of magnifying our problems. It gives us proper perspective and opens the door for God’s grace, favor and supernatural empowerment.

So what are you grateful for today? Are you grateful for the sun that shines and brings a new day? Are you thankful for the gift of eternal life? As you choose an attitude of constant gratitude, you’ll experience His mercy and loving kindness in greater ways. You’ll be filled with His peace and joy and pave the way to move forward into the abundant life He has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for another day to praise You. Thank You for all You have done in my life. Help me to see Your hand of blessing as I continually acknowledge and praise Your name. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Thanks Be to God

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ...”
(2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJ)

TODAY’S WORD

God promises to always lead us into victory! That means, no matter what you are facing, no matter what’s going on in the world around you, no matter what anybody says, you should always be thanking God because victory is on the way!

You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to celebrate what God is going to do in your life. Put some action behind your faith. In the middle of that adversity or tough time, start making a list of who you’re going to invite to your victory celebration. That means if you’re in the hospital, start planning what you’re going to do when you get out. If you lost some money when the stock market went down, start planning your coming-out-of-debt party. When things don’t look good in the natural, remember, we serve a supernatural God. With God leading you into victory, you can always plan for increase. You can plan for restoration. You can plan for a comeback that will make you stronger and better than you ever were before!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I give You thanks and praise today for the promise of victory. Give me Your vision for the future so that I can move confidently into the abundant life You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Favor in High Places

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend”
(Proverbs 22:11, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

When you’re talking with people throughout the day, do you speak with grace? In other words, do your words empower people? When others leave your presence, do they feel strengthened and want to rise higher?

Grace is simply God’s favor and empowerment. When you pass that grace on to others with no strings attached, the scripture says that you will have the king for a friend. In other words, you will have favor in high places. Influential people will want to be around you. People in authority will want to be your friend. When you sow grace and favor, you will reap it in your own life in return.

Today, look for ways to build up the people around you. When someone makes a mistake or lets you down, instead of being critical and faultfinding, show love. Let your words be filled with grace. Extend His favor everywhere you go and watch that grace and favor come right back to you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for Your grace and mercy upon me. I choose to speak with grace and empower others. I love a pure heart and desire to do Your will. Thank You for honoring me as I honor You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Saturday, November 13, 2010

The Spoken Blessing

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you...and give you peace”
(Numbers 6:24–26, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

All throughout scripture, we see that there is tremendous power in our words. You can speak life or death, blessing or cursing over your future. When you choose to speak the Word of God, you are activating His power in your life. When you speak life and blessing over others, you are sowing seed for the harvest in your future.

Right now, I want to speak a blessing over you. It’s a blessing that Victoria and I declare over our congregation every week. I invite you to listen to it over and over and let it sink down deep into your heart. Forward it to your friends and family as seeds of blessing and encouragement into their lives as well!

Please know that we love you and pray for you every day. Thank you for being a part of this ministry.


Friday, November 12, 2010

Anxious for Nothing

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”
(Philippians 4:6, NASB)

TODAY’S WORD

So many people today are living uptight, worried and anxious about the future, filled with frustration and concern. In the natural there may be good reason, but understand, living that way is not God’s best. God doesn’t want us to be filled with anxiety and frustration; He wants us to live in peace. You can find rest in Him knowing that no matter what is happening around you, God Almighty has His hand on you.

The next time you’re tempted to worry or be anxious about something, remember this verse. God invites us to come to Him. In fact, the Bible says He rewards those who diligently seek Him. But notice, we can’t just come to Him any old way. He wants us to come to Him with a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving. Begin by simply saying, “Father in heaven, thank You for the privilege to come before You. Thank You for hearing my prayers.” As you come to Him with an open and humble heart, He will hear you and fill you with His peace and joy to live free from anxiety all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, today I choose to be anxious for nothing. I choose to set aside my worries and concerns. I thank You for Your faithfulness to meet every need in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Take Off the Limits

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]”
(Psalm 119:96, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD

Did you know you can actually limit your life by dwelling on the wrong things? So often, wrong thinking keeps people stuck right where they are. If you think you’ll never accomplish your dreams, then your life will follow your thoughts. If you think you don’t have the talent, the connections or the funds, then you are limiting yourself. We have to remember that God’s promises are forever settled in heaven. His Word stands true throughout all eternity!

Don’t limit what God can do in your life by focusing only on what you see in the natural realm. You have to realize that you serve a supernatural God, and just because you don’t see a way doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have a way. God can bring one opportunity across your path that will thrust you to a whole new level. He has explosive blessings in store that can blast you out of where you are and into a place of abundance. If you’ll shift your focus from this earthly realm and start looking at God’s supernatural realm, you’ll see His unlimited possibilities for your future. Take the limits off by setting your thoughts on what He can do in your life today!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, today I lift my eyes to You. You alone are the source of my strength, peace and provision. I choose to delight myself in You knowing that You will give me the desires of my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Filled to Overflowing!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine”
(Proverbs 3:9–10, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

God wants you to be blessed and successful in this life. He desires to multiply and increase you so that you can be a blessing to other people. He wants to fill you to overflowing. In other words, He wants you to have so much that you can’t help but bless the people around you!

God’s very nature is giving. All throughout scripture we see that giving is a demonstration of His love. When you are a giver, you are displaying who He is and reflecting His character. Notice that when you give to God first, it opens the door to God’s overflowing blessing. He promises to increase you so much that you can’t even contain it. You will be in a position to bless others and communicate His love everywhere you go. Today, I encourage you to be faithful and honor the Lord with the first fruits of your income and get ready to be filled to overflowing!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, today I commit every area of my life to You, including my finances. I know that Your system is the only system for true success. I choose to be faithful to Your Word and thank You for blessing me in return. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Monday, November 8, 2010

Power in Perspective

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth”
(Psalm 34:1, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD

It’s easy to get focused on what’s wrong in life, what we don’t have, and how big our obstacles are. If we’re not careful, we’ll lose sight of all the good things God has done. We’ll take for granted our family, friends, health and the opportunities God has blessed us with. We’ll get so busy and stressed out that we won’t appreciate the gift of today. What’s happened? Our perspective has gotten off.

Perspective is all about how we see a situation. There’s power in your perspective because you will draw into your life what you constantly meditate on. Business may be slow. The economy may be down. The wrong perspective is, “I’ll never make it. It’s just too much.” The right perspective is, “God is supplying all of my needs. He said He would prosper me even in a desert.”

Today, I encourage you to evaluate your perspective. Choose to lift your eyes to God the Father no matter what is happening in your circumstances. Remember, as you set your perspective in the right direction, your life will follow. When you keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, you open the door for His blessing in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I choose to bless You at all times. I declare that You are faithful! I lift my eyes to You because You are the source of my help, strength and joy forevermore. Thank You for leading and guiding me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Friday, November 5, 2010

Having All That You Need

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”
(2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

We serve a God of abundance! He is more than enough! No matter what is on your “plate” of life, God wants to pour out His abundant grace upon you. One of the meanings of grace is God’s good will, loving kindness and favor. His grace keeps us, strengthens us and causes us to increase. In fact, He’s already extending that grace to you right now; all you have to do is open your heart and humbly receive it by faith.

Humility is an important key to receiving God’s grace. If we are seeking our own way, it blocks Him from working in our lives. But when we are humble, then He will empower us by His grace. Notice in this verse that by His grace you will have everything that you need at all times...that’s living in abundance! And when you are living in abundance, you are equipped to be a blessing to those around you. Today, seek His ways first and allow Him to empower you by His grace.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, today I humbly come before You. I surrender my heart, will, mind and emotions to You. I ask that You pour out Your grace on me today and equip me for every good work. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.