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.”