He Prepares the Way for Victory

Today’s Scripture

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ...” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV) He Prepares the Way for Victory There are times in life when we all face situations that seem impossible. It’s easy to get discouraged and think that things won’t ever work out. But the scripture tells us that God goes before us and makes our crooked places straight. In other words, even though you may not have the connections you need right now, you don’t have to worry. God is going before you lining up the right people, arranging the right breaks, and setting up the right opportunities. He is preparing the way for victory! Today, if you are facing difficulty, don’t fall into the temptation to get negative and sour. That adversity is no surprise to God. He’s not up in the heavens scratching His head and thinking, “Oh, no. Now what am I going to do?” No, He already has every day of your life written in His book. Before you had that problem, God already had the solution. He is going before you right now preparing the next chapter of your life. Stay in faith and keep the right attitude because He is moving you forward into the victory He has prepared for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for ordering and directing my steps. Thank You for working behind the scenes on my behalf. I choose today to trust in You, knowing that You are good, and You always lead me into victory in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Enjoy the Journey

Today’s Scripture

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” (Proverbs 4:18, ESV) Enjoy the Journey Oftentimes, people tend to get wrapped up and busy with things that don’t really matter in eternity. It’s easy to get consumed by your career and stay focused on your goals. It’s good to work hard, but you’ve got to learn how to play hard, too, so that you can stay in balance. I heard somebody say, “It’s not that life is so short, it’s that we wait so long to begin living.” If we want to truly enjoy the journey of life, we have to take time to stop and smell the roses. Do you appreciate the people you love? Do you hug your children before you leave each day and give your spouse a kiss? When was the last time you called your parents to tell them how much you love them? That’s how we can enjoy the journey. If you’ll stay determined to enjoy the journey of life, you’ll live with no regrets. You’ll see your path shine brighter and brighter, and at the end, you’ll be able to say, “I made the most of my life. I enjoyed my family. I enjoyed my friends. I finished my course with joy.” A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Teach me to enjoy my relationships more because they are all that matter in eternity. Help me to enjoy the journey of life as my path shines brighter and brighter until the full day in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

A New Way of Thinking

Today’s Scripture

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:22, NKJV) A New Way of Thinking Are you ready for increase? Are you ready to go to the next level spiritually, physically and emotionally? In today’s verse, Jesus is saying that you can’t go to a new level with an old way of thinking. I’ve found that many people hear the truth that God has more in store for them, and something resonates on the inside. Their spirit comes into agreement with God. But oftentimes, their natural minds will try to talk them out it. Thoughts come like, “It’s not going to happen for you. You’re not going to have a great year. You know what the economy is like.” Or, “You’re never going to get well. You saw what the medical report said.” “You’re never going to get married. You’ve been single so long.” Friend, those are the old wineskins that you have to get rid of. This is a new season. What’s happened in the past is over and done. You may have been through some disappointments, you may have tried and failed or things didn’t work out. That’s okay. We serve a God of restoration. It’s time to get a new vision for your life. It’s time to open yourself to a new way of thinking so that you can move forward and receive all of the blessings God has in store for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, today I choose to get rid of old wineskins. I choose to release old thinking, old habits, and anything that would keep me from Your best. Strengthen me by Your Spirit so that I can live my life in a way that pleases You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Protected by Love

Today’s Scripture

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16, NKJV) Protected by Love All throughout scripture, God commands us to love. First Corinthians tells us that love is the greatest thing. Love is all that matters on this earth, and it’s all that will last in eternity. But did you realize that we are protected when we walk in love? When we are selfish or self-seeking, the scripture tells us that it opens the door to confusion and every evil work. But when we walk in love, when we choose to put others first, when we choose to be patient and kind and walk in unity, we are protected by love. We close the door to the plans of the enemy in our lives. Today, check your love walk. Read 1 Corinthians 13 and see if you emulate the characteristics of love. Remember, love is not a feeling; it’s a choice. Receive His love, walk in it, and find His supernatural grace and protection. A Prayer for Today “Father, I humbly come before You today asking that You search my heart. Remove any selfish way in me and help me to always walk in love. Thank You for protecting me through Your promises in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The Position of Power

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) The Position of Power Every day, we have opportunities to get upset, be frustrated or get 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 it ended up taking three. Life is full of inconveniences; but even though we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control our reactions to those circumstances. I heard somebody 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. Remember, we were created to live in peace. Peace is our position of power. If you get stressed because you got off schedule, or got upset because your child wouldn’t eat his breakfast, or frustrated because somebody offended you, what you’re doing is giving away your power. Instead, make the decision to release those offenses and disappointments so you live in peace and move forward in the power and victory the Lord has for you! A 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.”

Listen to Your Heart

Today’s Scripture

“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.” (Proverbs 16:23, NKJV) Listen to Your Heart Choosing your words is very important. The scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. God Himself spoke the worlds into existence by the creative power of words. You can bless your future with your words, or you can curse it. There are many influences over our words. In the heat of the moment, we can let our emotions tell us what to say. We can listen to what others say and allow them to influence our words. We can even be influenced by what we watch on TV, the internet or read in the news. But notice what today’s verse tells us that a wise person does—a wise person listens to their heart and lets their heart teach them what to say. As a believer, when you listen to your heart, you are tuning in to what the Spirit of God is saying to you. You are coming into agreement with Him. Today, listen to your heart. Take time to be still and quiet before the Lord. Allow Him to teach you what to say. As you submit your words and ways to Him, He will direct your path. A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for giving me power in the words of my mouth. Help me to stay tuned in to You by listening to my heart. Teach me to use my words to always speak life and bless others in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Joy Comes in the Morning

Today’s Scripture

“...Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5, NLT) Joy Comes in the Morning When you wake up each morning, God sends you a special delivery of joy. It comes knocking at your door. When you get up in faith and make the declaration that “this is going to be a good day,” do you know what you just did? You just answered the door. You just received the gift of joy that God sent to you. The problem is that some people never answer the door. Joy has been knocking for months and months, years and years saying, “Come on! Let me in! You can be happy! You can enjoy your life!” Make up your mind that You’re going to answer the door for joy. Wake up every morning and say, “Father, thank You for another beautiful day. I’m going to be happy. I’m going to enjoy this day. I’m going to brighten somebody else’s life. I receive Your gift of joy, today!” A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for joy. Thank You for peace. Thank You for walking me through the difficult times. I choose today to answer the door for joy every single morning so that I can walk in the strength You have given to me in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

It’s Time to Thrive

Today’s Scripture

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2, NKJV) It’s Time to Thrive Many people today are living in “survival mode.” If they can just make it through the day, they’ve accomplished their goal. And, there are times when circumstances can seem overwhelming. There are seasons that are more difficult than others. But God doesn’t want us to just survive, He wants us to thrive. He wants us to prosper in all things. One definition of the word “thrive” means “to realize a goal despite circumstances.” That means you can prosper in all things no matter what is going on around you. You don’t have to settle for an average year; you can have an extraordinary year. You may be planning on just getting by, but God is planning on abundance. He’s planning on overflow. It’s time to get into agreement with God. It’s time to walk in His ways. It’s time see your dreams come to pass. It’s time to thrive because God has a plan for you to prosper in every area of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for the gift of today. I choose to cast my cares on You knowing that You care about me and for me. Help me to see the good plan You have for me so that I can thrive the way You intended in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Line up Your Heart

Today’s Scripture “...The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV) Line up Your Heart Every one of us has an outer life and an inner life. The outer life is our public life that the people around us see. The inner life is made up of our thoughts, attitudes and motives. Only you and God know what’s going on inside of you. Too many people go around today pretending—acting one way, yet on the inside they’re thinking something totally different. Their heart and actions don’t line up. But we have to understand that God is looking on the inside. We can fool a lot of people, but we can’t fool God. He would rather us be open and honest than go through life pretending. Take inventory of what’s going on inside of you today. Are you at peace? Are you overlooking offenses? Do you believe the best in people? Do your heart and actions line up? If not, ask the Lord to give you an undivided heart. Be determined to stay true in your mind and actions. Line up your whole being with His Word so that you can be pleasing to Him all the days of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, I humbly come before You today and ask that You search the deep places of my heart. Show me if there is any area where I need to line up my heart and actions. Help me to be authentic and true in my mind, heart and actions in Jesus name. Amen.”

A Mark of Honor

Today’s Scripture

“It is an honor for a man to cease from strife...” (Proverbs 20:3, AMP) A Mark of Honor Oftentimes, challenges are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone in the office isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbor who always parks in front of your house and blocks your mailbox. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture. You can’t allow the little things to open the door to strife in your life. In the Bible, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. He simply “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. In our own lives today, most frustrations aren’t worth our energy. When we avoid strife, it is a mark of honor. Today, I encourage you to turn away from strife. Keep your focus on what God has called you to do. As you do, you will live in honor, and you’ll move forward in the destiny He has in store for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife so I can focus on the destiny You have prepared for me. I love You and bless You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

He Delights in Your Prosperity

Today’s Scripture

“...Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” (Psalm 35:27, NKJV) He Delights in Your Prosperity We serve a God of abundance! He doesn’t want you to have just barely enough to meet your own needs; He wants you to be so blessed that you have more than enough to meet the needs of the people around you. He wants you to be so blessed in your finances that not only can you pay your bills and accomplish your own dreams, but you can be a blessing to others. In the same way that a parent loves to see their children doing well and excelling, God wants to see you doing well and excelling in every area. That’s why the scripture says that He takes pleasure in prospering you. But the key is that you have to make room for it in your thinking. You have to expect that He wants to bless you. Today, begin to thank Him for His abundance in every area of your life. Declare that because you walk in obedience, God’s blessings are going to chase you down! Don’t just settle for a “good enough” mentality; develop an overflow mentality because He delights in your prosperity! A Prayer for Today “Father, today I surrender my thoughts to You. Give me an overflow mentality. Direct my mind toward You and teach me to be a blessing everywhere I go in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

What’s Your Part?

Today’s Scripture

“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? ...” (Romans 10:14–15, NLT) What’s Your Part? It’s amazing how God can create so many people in the world and set up a plan for us to work together for His purposes to build the body of Christ. We all have a part. One scripture puts it this way: some plant seeds, some water, and some bring in the harvest. No matter what role each of us have, when we work together, we are honoring God. It pleases Him when we partner with one another to share the good news of the Gospel. Today, know that you have an important part in the body of Christ. Whether you minister in the pulpit or on the street corner, or whether you sow seed so that others can go, you are important. Don’t ever underestimate the part you play because together we are building His kingdom. A Prayer for Today “Father, I humbly come to You today. Thank You for giving me a part to play in building Your kingdom. I dedicate back to You the resources You have given me. Use me for Your glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The Tongue of the Wise

Today’s Scripture

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18, NIV) The Tongue of the Wise It’s easy to see how words can be used like a weapon. We’ve all either been “cut” by the words of others, or we’ve used words to put someone “in their place.” The truth of the matter is that when we use words recklessly, we are not being wise. Scripture tells us that the tongue of the wise brings life and healing to others. Today, look for ways to be wise. Find something nice to say about someone. Share an encouraging word. Let your words bring healing to those around you. You never know how you can change a person’s life by sharing a kind and gracious word. Always remember, words are like seeds. When you plant words of life and blessing into others, you will reap a harvest of blessing in your own life in return. Be wise and bring healing! A Prayer for Today “Father, today I choose to be wise. I submit my tongue to You and commit to use it for good and not for evil. Show me ways to be a blessing to others. Help me find creative ways to encourage the people You have placed in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Get Your Joy Back

Today’s Scripture

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 1:8, NIV)

Get Your Joy Back

Have the difficulties and pressures of life taken your joy away? Today is the day to get it back! It’s time to get excited about your future and learn to enjoy each and every moment. If you don’t make the conscious effort to keep your joy, as time goes by, you’ll get more and more solemn. Not only will the enemy rob you of the joy that belongs to you, he’ll rob your family and friends of the gift that you are to them. When you have joy, you can use that joy to influence the people around you for good. Joy is strength, and when you have joy, you can offer strength to the people God has placed in your life. Today, draw the line in the sand and say, “That’s it. I’m not going to live another day negative, discouraged, sour and grumpy. I’m going to put a smile on my face. I’m going to live my life happy.” Choose to let your faith in Him fill you with inexpressible and glorious joy so that you can be a blessing everywhere you go!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for Your love. Thank You for choosing me and molding me into Your image. Today, I invite You to fill me with Your inexpressible and glorious joy so that I can be a blessing to the people You have placed in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Refuse to Worry

Today’s Scripture

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27, NIV) Refuse to Worry Are you worrying about something? To worry means to allow something to revolve in your mind over and over again. God doesn’t want you to live worried or anxious about anything. He knows that worry steals your peace and joy. It affects every area of your life. Have you heard the saying, “Don’t worry yourself sick?” That’s because worrying affects your physical body. It affects your sleep. You won’t ever gain anything by worrying; in fact, you’ll lose precious moments that you can never get back again. The good news is that God has promised that you can have victory over worry. It starts by making the choice to trust in Him. When you cast your cares on Him, He will give you His peace. Today, put an end to worry in your life. Choose to feed your faith and fill your mind with God’s promises. As you focus on God’s Word, you’ll drive out worry and fill your heart with faith and expectancy to overcome in every area of life! A Prayer for Today “Father, today I put an end to worry in my life. I choose to feed my faith by studying Your promises and declaring Your Word over me. Help me to totally trust in You today and every day in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Don’t Be Moved

Today’s Scripture

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24, NKJV) Don’t Be Moved I think it’s interesting that the apostle Paul never prayed for every challenge to go away. He prayed that God would give him the strength to go through them with a good attitude. He sought emotional maturity. Our level of emotional maturity can be seen by how much it takes to get us upset. You’ve heard the saying, “A small pot boils the quickest.” That means if we don’t keep our emotions in check, we’ll always be stressed out and make mountains out of molehills. If we lose our cool because our child forgot his or her homework, or we’re aggravated because somebody didn’t do something we wanted them to do, then we’re not passing the test. We’ve got to grow and mature to the point where we can say what the apostle Paul said, “None of these things move me.” He said in effect, “It’s no big deal. I’m not worried about it. I trust God. I have a destiny to fulfill.” Today, choose to see things from God’s perspective. Keep your emotions in check. Don’t be moved by your circumstances; instead, trust God because He is faithful. He’s working behind the scenes, and He will fulfill His promises to you! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for doing a work in my life. Thank You for molding me and shaping me into Your image. I ask for Your supernatural joy and strength to stand strong no matter what I face in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Stay above Strife

Today’s Scripture

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” (Proverbs 17:14, NIV) Stay above Strife Too often, people fall into the trap of strife. Someone may say something that rubs you the wrong way, and before you know it, there is tension, quarreling and division. The Bible tells us that strife opens the door to every evil work. It’s the enemy’s greatest trap to keep people from living in victory. But you don’t have to fall into the trap of strife, you can rise above it. Like today’s verse says, you can simply drop the matter before it turns into something bigger than it needs to be. You don’t have to sink down to somebody’s level and argue with them and try to prove that you’re right. You weren’t put on this earth to correct everybody around you. If you are going to be all that God’s called you to be, you have to learn to stay above strife. Instead of letting disagreements pull your relationships apart, look for common ground to draw you closer together. Look for peace. Look for ways to be a blessing. Stay above strife so you can enjoy your relationships and experience the blessing He has for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, I choose to stay above strife. I choose to honor You by seeking peace in my relationships. Empower me to walk in love and be a blessing everywhere I go in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

He Orders Your Steps

Today’s Scripture

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord...” (Psalm 37:23, KJV) He Orders Your Steps When we encounter difficult situations, we can be tempted to wonder if we are on the right path for our lives. And yes, sometimes we make poor choices that get us off course. But if your heart is following after God, if you’re determined to stay in faith and put Him first in your life, you can be confident that you are right where you are supposed to be! You might say, “That couldn’t be right. I’m uncomfortable. Somebody isn’t treating me right.” God will not allow a challenge to come into your life unless He has a divine purpose for it. Truly, nothing in life happens to us; it happens for us. In other words, God uses those difficult things to grow us and stretch us and take us to another level. Remember, He orders your steps. Stay in faith, keep a good attitude, and let Him lead you into the good plan He has for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for ordering my steps. I trust that You are at work in my life even during the times when I don’t understand. Give me the strength and courage to do what is right in Your sight. I bless You today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Enjoy the Journey

Today’s Scripture

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NIV) Enjoy the Journey Sometimes it’s easy to become so goal-oriented and so focused on our dreams that we overlook the simple things that we should be enjoying in our everyday life. But we have to remember that life is not really about the destination, it’s about how we live all along the way. It’s about the path we’re on that shines brighter and brighter. In this life, there is no such thing as a finish line. Once you accomplish one dream, God will give you another. When you overcome one challenge, there will be another. There is always another mountain to climb. If we make the mistake of living just for the destination, we’ll look up one day and realize we’ve missed out on the biggest part of life. Most of life is routine. Most of us get up every morning, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed and do it again. There are very few mountaintops where you graduate from school, or get married, or have a child or go on vacation. The high times are few and far between. Don’t get stuck living for the mountaintops. Learn to enjoy the path you’re on. Learn to enjoy the people in your life. Learn to enjoy the simple blessings of walking in the path the Lord has prepared for you! A Prayer for Today “Father God, thank You for the gift of life. Thank You for the good plan You have for me today and in my future. Teach me to enjoy the journey of life, to embrace each day with joy and enthusiasm. Help me to see the blessings of every moment You have given me in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Take Heart

Today’s Scripture

“...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV) Take Heart Every day, things come against us in life to try to steal our joy and rob us of our victory. In fact, throughout your whole life, the enemy has had one mission—to kill, steal and destroy your hope, vision and happiness. But notice what it says in today’s verse—“take heart.” In one translation, it says, “Be of good cheer.” Now that may seem strange to say right after the phrase, “in this world you will have trouble.” But when we truly understand that we are overcomers in Christ Jesus, we can be joyful no matter what the circumstances look like. We don’t have to allow our emotions to get rattled. We don’t have to let our nerves go haywire. We can find rest knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and deprived it of the power to harm us! Remember, the things that happen in this life are temporary. We are in this world but not of it. We need to keep our focus on eternal things, things above. Sure, we will have trouble in this life, but we can stay encouraged because in eternity, we are overcomers through Christ Jesus! A Prayer for Today “Father, I humbly come to You today. I ask that You help me stay focused on eternal things. I choose to have joy and peace no matter what comes my way because I know I have the ultimate victory in You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Choose to Trust

Today’s Scripture

“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust...” (Psalm 40:4, NIV) Choose to Trust Trusting in the Lord is a decision we make just like any other decision we make in life. You chose what to wear today, you probably chose what you would have for breakfast, and you can choose to trust God today, too! When you choose to trust God, there is peace that settles in your heart. There are blessings in store when you put your trust in Him. No matter what you are facing today, you can have faith that God will come through for you. You can trust that His Word is always true. In Psalm 32, David calls God his “hiding place.” In other words, not only can you choose to trust God in the midst of your difficulty; you can hide in Him and find rest for your soul. When the circumstances of life seem overwhelming, choose to trust that God is ordering your steps. Find security in Him knowing that He’s making your crooked places straight and leading you into the everlasting life He has prepared for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, today I choose to put my trust in You. I know You are a good and faithful God. I hide myself in you and trust that You have my best interest at heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

This One Thing

Today’s Scripture

“...I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” (Philippians 3:13, NLT) This One Thing Are you focused on forgetting the past? Many people don’t fully understand what that means. They wonder, “How can I forget something that’s happened to me?” But one definition of the word forget is to “disregard intentionally or to overlook.” What this verse is saying is that you have to choose to disregard your past so that it doesn’t keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Even our past victories can sometimes keep us from rising higher. If we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in your history, it’s time to forget what lies behind. Make the choice today to look forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you. Trust that He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you forget what lies behind and press forward, you will see the abundant life the Lord has in store for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, I choose to forget the past today. I don’t want anything to hold me back from the good future You have prepared for me. I choose forgiveness and ask that You help me by Your Spirit to press forward in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Iron Sharpens Iron

Today’s Scripture

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV)

Iron Sharpens Iron

One of the best things I’ve learned is that God does not bring people into our lives so that we can make them just like us. God loves variety and He wants us to be different from each other. He’s given us different personalities, different strengths, different interests and different looks. He’s made us all uniquely so that we can sharpen one another and cause each other to rise up higher in life. If you’re going to be happy and enjoy your relationships, you’ve got to learn how to appreciate the differences and learn from the people in your life. If you don’t focus on the right things, you’ll end up allowing the little irritations to cause you to become resentful. Remember, nobody is perfect. If you’re going to grow, you’ve got to be willing to overlook some things. Our assignment is not to fix people. Our assignment is to love people. Our assignment is to sharpen one another so we can move forward in the good plan God has prepared!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Help me to see them the way You see them. Help me to appreciate the ways we sharpen one another so that we can help each other fulfill Your plan for our lives. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Free for All

Today’s Scripture

“...God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34–35, NIV) Free for All Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom—and God’s freedom is free for everyone! It doesn’t matter what your nationality or heritage is, or who your family is. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or don’t have; God wants you free from everything that would hold you back from your relationship with Him! God wants to pour out His abundant blessing on all who honor Him and do what is right. In fact, the Bible says in Galatians that in Christ, there is no Jew or Greek or even male or female. That means God’s not judging you based on physical conditions. He’s looking at your heart. He’s looking at the gifts He’s placed inside of you. Don’t let the enemy lie to you and tell you that God is blessing everyone else but you. Look for the ways He is pouring out blessing in your life. Thank Him for His acceptance, love and freedom. Focus on honoring Him and doing what is right, and you’ll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for loving and accepting me today. I choose to do what is right and honor You with my attitude, words and actions. Holy Spirit, show me if there is any area that isn’t pleasing to You and help me live as an example of Your goodness all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Be Stable Minded

Today’s Scripture

“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6, NIV) Be Stable Minded If there’s one thing that can lead you away from your potential and seeing the awesome plan God has for your life, it’s your emotions. Emotions are God-given, but too often, people allow their circumstances to dictate their emotions and thoughts instead of the Word of God. When we allow our circumstances to dictate our emotions, when we are moved by what we see and experience, it opens the door for doubt and fear to come in. When we allow doubt and fear in, we become unstable. We are tossed back and forth. Understand this key: the way you feel today has little to do with what God is actually doing in your life. He’s working behind the scenes whether you realize it or not! Don’t allow yourself to be tossed around by your emotions any longer. Instead, choose to be stable minded by focusing your thoughts on the Word of God. Stand strong in Him so you can confidently embrace the the good plan He has for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for Your Word which is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I choose to meditate on Your Truth which is my source of strength and faith. Help me to be stable minded, as I set my focus on You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

He Gives Us the Victory

Today’s Scripture

“But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57, AMP)

He Gives Us the Victory

God wants to pour out His favor on you so that you can live in victory in every area of your life. The scripture says He always causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus. That means, no matter what you may be facing today, God wants to make you more than a conqueror. Are you battling sickness? God wants to give you healing. Are you struggling with a broken relationship? God wants to give you restoration and peace. Are you facing a need—physically, spiritually or emotionally? God’s favor will bring you provision and supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory. Many times in the Bible when God’s people were going into battle, the worshipers were out in front of the warriors. When you choose to worship, when you are thankful and bless the Lord in the midst of your battle, you are opening the door to His favor in your life. It’s important to magnify your God; don’t magnify your problems! When you give God praise, He gives you the victory!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, today I give You thanks for Your mercy and faithfulness in my life. Thank You for leading me into victory! I magnify You and bless Your holy name today in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

He Collects Your Tears

Today’s Scripture

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8, NLT)

He Collects Your Tears

Do you know how important you are to God? He cares so much about every detail of your life. He cares about your thoughts, feelings and emotions. In fact, what you are going through is so important to Him that He records every sorrow and collects every tear you’ve shed. Why would God record your sorrows and collect your tears? Because He loves you so much, and He is your vindicator. He’s keeping account of every wrong that’s ever been done to you so that He can make up for every single one of them. He wants to restore everything that has ever been stolen. He wants to heal every single hurt and pain. He sees the longings and desires of your heart, and you can rest knowing that He is working things out for your good! Today, know that you are valuable to Him. He has your best interest at heart. He is working to bring restoration and peace to you. Keep standing, keep believing and keep doing the right thing because the One who collects your tears will restore every broken place in your life!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for loving me and setting me free. Thank You for being my vindicator. I choose to release every hurt, pain and sorrow, knowing that You will make all things new in Your time in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Be Still

Today’s Scripture

“Be still, and know that I am God...” (Psalm 46:10, NIV) Be Still Our culture today has gotten used to having constant activity: computers, cell phones, television, email, video games. There’s nothing wrong with any of that stuff, but the Bible tells us that we need to stop and be still so we can focus on knowing God. I’ve found this to be true especially during the difficult times. When you are facing a challenge, it’s easy to want to run to a friend or talk about it with a co-worker. But at some point, you have to stop and say, “God, I rest in You. I know You have me in the palm of Your hand.” Remember, your battles are spiritual battles. The people in your life aren’t the source of your problems, the forces of darkness are. When you choose to be still and know that the Greater One lives on the inside of you, you are putting yourself in a position of strength. Everyday, take time to be still before Him. Let His peace cover you. Let Him refresh you by His Spirit. Remember, the battles you face belong to the Lord! A Prayer for Today “Father, I humbly come before You. I choose to be still before You. Speak to my heart so that I can know You more. Fill me with Your peace as I put my trust in You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Your Appointed Time

Today’s Scripture

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time...though it tarry, wait for it...” (Habakkuk 2:3, KJV) Your Appointed Time God has an appointed time to fulfill the dreams and desires in your heart. Just because it has taken a long time or because you've tried and failed doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. Don’t give up on those dreams! Don’t be complacent about pursuing what God has deposited into your heart. Our God is a faithful God. No matter how long it’s been, no matter how impossible things look, if you’ll stay in faith, your set time is coming. Remember, every dream that’s in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it there. Not only that, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. Declare by faith, “My time is coming. God is working behind the scenes on my behalf. I will fulfill my destiny!” As you continue to hold on to that vision and speak life over your dreams, it won’t be long before you will see them begin to take shape. You’ll see your faith grow, you’ll see your hope strengthen, and you’ll see yourself step into the destiny God has prepared for you! A Prayer for Today “Father, I receive Your Word which is life and health to me today. I ask that You ignite my heart with Your holy fire so that I can pursue Your perfect plan for my life. Make my thoughts and words agreeable to Your will so I can see my dreams come to pass in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Content Whatever the Circumstances

Today’s Scripture

“...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11, NIV) Content Whatever the Circumstances It’s easy to get so focused on our dreams, our goals and what we want that it consumes us. We can get to the point where we’re not going to be happy until it happens. But I’ve found that if we have to have something in order to be happy, our lives are out of balance. When our goals and dreams start to frustrate us, when we lose our peace and are not enjoying life, that’s a sure sign that we’re holding on too tightly. What’s the solution? You’ve got to release it. Freedom comes when you say, “God, I’m turning it all over to You. You know my desires, and You know what’s best for me. I’m choosing to trust You and Your timing.” When we learn to be content whatever the circumstances, it takes away the power of the enemy. It takes away his ability to frustrate us. Not only that, but by our actions, we show our faith in God. Choose to trust in His timing; choose to live in peace and joy, and find rest knowing that He has good things in store for your future. A Prayer for Today “Father, today I choose to trust in You. I release frustration over the dreams and desires in my heart, knowing that You know what’s best for me. I choose to trust in Your timing because You are faithful in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Where the Blessing Is

Today’s Scripture

“How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity...for there the Lord has commanded the blessing...” (Psalm 133:1–3, AMP)

Where the Blessing Is

So many people today desire God’s blessing in their lives which is great! However, did you know that He commands blessing on us when we are at peace with the people around us? As believers, we are called to work together in unity so that we can fulfill God’s purposes. We are called to serve one another in love and serve together in the house of the Lord. Is there someone in your life that you don’t quite get along with? The Bible says to pray for that person and go out of your way to be a blessing to them. It isn’t easy, but the reward is eternal. His blessing is everlasting. Make the decision today to live in peace and unity with the people around you. Look for common ground. Even if the only thing you can agree on is Jesus, focus on that! Focus on the love you have for God and for seeing people come to know Him. Live together in unity and open the door to see His blessing in every area of your life.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, search my heart today and see if there is anything that is keeping me from walking in unity with other believers. I choose love today. I choose peace. Help me to be an example of love to those around me in Jesus’ name. Amen.”