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.”