Let Disappointments Go
But he who keeps (treasures) His Word (who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety), truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached, maturity). 1 John 2:5
It can be disappointing when people who are close to us don't do what we would like for them to do. But if we really love them, we should encourage them to follow the Holy Spirit rather than try to keep us happy all the time.
Help others grow spiritually by encouraging them to listen for God's voice. Remind them that God will help them through mistakes and lead them to a good life. Soon they will be making Spirit-led, rather than people-led, decisions. It is tremendously gratifying to see loved ones mature spiritually in Christ.
The Law of the Spirit
Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2
Life is not just one long party; there will always be hard things and easy things mixed together in the events of your life. Regardless of what today brings, you can still have joy in the Lord, and that joy will give you strength to handle whatever comes your way on any given day.
When you follow Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life keeps you free to enjoy yourself because you can cast any burdens on the Lord
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.
God will lead you to know what to do, and He will energize you to do what needs to be done. you won't feel drained by life, but will grow through both the trials and the triumphs as you walk with God today.
Do Whatever God Says
So that the righteous and just requirements of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit (our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit). Romans 8:4
"In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).
God is everything. Talk to Him all day long, every time you need to make a decision or overcome anything negative. Whatever He says to do, do it. If He says don't do it, don't do it. You don't belong to yourself; you belong to God.
Religious teaching tries to predetermine what God wants from you. But He will write on your heart what is good and what is bad for you to do. He will speak to your inner conscience and keep you safe, as long as you pay attention to His voice and do what He tells you. Throughout the day today, occasionally stop what you are doing and ask Him if there is anything He wants to say to you.
Love Is the Higher Law
Love does no wrong to one's neighbor (it never hurts anybody). Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law. Romans 13:10
There are things that we shouldn't do, simply because we love God, and because we don't want to hurt somebody else's conscience. We may have the freedom to do these things, but our freedom could offend others, or cause them to do somethings against their conscience, and thus sin against God. If you walk in love today, there may be things that you have to right to do, but the Holy Spirit will prompt you not to evercise your right out of love for someone who is watching you. Love never demands its own way
1 Corinthians 13:5 Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs;
Love is always the higher law.
Wear the Right Armor
And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's. 1 Samuel 17:47
When David went out to face Goliath, everyone around him said, "David, you can't do this!" But God put a sense of "knowing" within David that he would succeed in the name of the Lord. When King Saul decided to let David fight, he gave David his armor, but David said, "I cannot, because I am not used to this"
1 Samuel 17:31-39 Some men heard what David had said, and they told Saul, who sent for him. David said to Saul, "Your Majesty, no one should be afraid of this Philistine! I will go and fight him."
"No," answered Saul. "How could you fight him? You're just a boy, and he has been a soldier all his life!"
"Your Majesty," David said, " I take care of my father's sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear carries off a lamb, I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. And if the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death. I have killed lions and bears, and I will do the same to this heathen Philistine, who has defied the army of the living God. The Lord has saved me from lions and bears; he will save me from this Philistine."
"All right," Saul answered. "Go, and the Lord be with you." He gave his own armour to David for him to wear; a bronze helmet, which he put on David's head, and a coat of armour. David strapped Sault's sword over the armour and tried to walk, but he couldn't, because he wasn't used to wearing them. "If I can't fight with all this, " he said to Saul. "I am not used to it." So he took it all off.
David knew he was to go in the name of the Lord with only his slingshot
v40-50 He took his shepherd's stick and then picked up five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his bag. With his catapult ready, he went out to meet Goliath.
The Philistine started walking towards David, with his shielf-bearer walking in front of him. He kept coming closer, and when he got a good look at David, he was filled with scorn for him because he was just a nice, good-looking boy. He said to David, "What's that stick for? Do you think I'm a dog?" And he called down curses from his god on David. "Come on," he challenged David, "and I will give your body to the birds and animals to eat."
David answered," You are coming against me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the Israelites armies, which you have defied. This very day the Lord will put you in my power; I will defeat you and cut off your head. And I will give the bodies of the Philistine soldiers to the birds and animals to eat. Then the whole world will know that Israel has a God, and everyone here will see that the Lord does not need swords or spears to save his people. He is victorious in battle, and he will put all of you in our power."
Goliath started walking towards David again, and David ran quickly towards the Philistine battle line to fight him. He put his hand into his bag and took out a stone, which he slung at Goliath. It hit him on the forehead and broke his skull, and Goliath fell face downwards on the ground. And so, without a words, David defeated and killed Goliath with a catapult and a stone!
If you have battles to face in life, don't let others tell you how to fight. God will personally direct you in the way you should go. His Word is your weapon; that is why it is a vital necessity to arm yourself with knowledge and to spend time in God's presence before you have to face any giants.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Day 25, June
Follow God's Leading
Roll your works upon the Lord (commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and) so shall your plans be established and succeed. Proverbs 16:3
Trying to figure everything out before you obey God will steal your joy. God doesn't have to answer you when you ask, "Why God, why?" Trust means that you won't always have answers when you want them. Sometimes you just have to get to the other side of a situation to see the whole picture of what God is doing in your life.
God may be trying to separate you from some influence in your life that is keeping you from receiving the better plan He has for you. He may be "pruning" you to encourage new, healthier growth
John 15:1-8 "I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit. You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. Whoever does not reamin in me is thrown out like a branch and dries up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burnt. If you reamin in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.
Use uncertain times to demonstrate your faith by trusting Him.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Roll your works upon the Lord (commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and) so shall your plans be established and succeed. Proverbs 16:3
Trying to figure everything out before you obey God will steal your joy. God doesn't have to answer you when you ask, "Why God, why?" Trust means that you won't always have answers when you want them. Sometimes you just have to get to the other side of a situation to see the whole picture of what God is doing in your life.
God may be trying to separate you from some influence in your life that is keeping you from receiving the better plan He has for you. He may be "pruning" you to encourage new, healthier growth
John 15:1-8 "I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit. You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. Whoever does not reamin in me is thrown out like a branch and dries up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burnt. If you reamin in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.
Use uncertain times to demonstrate your faith by trusting Him.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Day 22,23 & 24 June
Choose How To Live
For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith. And this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving), but it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
You can live under the law of sin and death, with its rules and regulations; or you can live under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which by grace sets you free from the law of sin and death
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.
Galatians 5:4-5 explains that the law brings us to nothing and separates us from Christ. But the Holy Spirit will help us conform to God's will in purpose, thought, and action. Choose the law of life and say, "Today, I will enjoy a grace-filled day."
Let God Lead Others
Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause. Psalm 25:3
Our day might seem better if everyone would just do what we tell them to do. But God doesn't override people's will, and we are not to do so either. Instead of trying to control people, pray that they will "hear" God leading them. If someone persists in doing something his or her own way today, show your confidence in God by stepping aside. You may learn that you were wrong, or they may learn that you were right. God is big enough to get both you and them out of my mess they may make. Either way, He will get the glory, if you put your trust in Him.
Don't Be Afraid to Stop
The thoughts and purposes of the (consistently) righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous. Proverbs 12:5
Don't be ashamed to back off if you get out in the middle of something and find that God is not in it. Just be secure enough to simply say, "I thought this was God, but it's not, so I am not going to do it anymore."
You can apologize to others if you caused them any trouble or confusion. But there is no shame in quickly admitting that you were wrong. It is more important not to perpetuate a mistake than it is to keep people from thinking you were wrong. Don't be afraid to say, "I didin't hear from God." Honesty will keep your day going right, all day long.
Wait for Peace
A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Proverbs 16:9
You may have to step out to find out the right thing to do. If you don't hear clearly from God, just step in the direction you think you should go, and then wait for peace. If you lose your peace, back out of wherever you were headed.
Dave and I (the author) almost bought two different buildings to house our ministry. We were in negotiations until, one morning after praying, Dave said, "Joyce, I don't have peace about buying that building, I feel like God is saying, 'If you buy that building, you are going to be sorry later.'". So we waited for peace, and now we have a building that is completely paid for with room to grow. Pray until you find peace.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith. And this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving), but it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
You can live under the law of sin and death, with its rules and regulations; or you can live under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which by grace sets you free from the law of sin and death
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.
Galatians 5:4-5 explains that the law brings us to nothing and separates us from Christ. But the Holy Spirit will help us conform to God's will in purpose, thought, and action. Choose the law of life and say, "Today, I will enjoy a grace-filled day."
Let God Lead Others
Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause. Psalm 25:3
Our day might seem better if everyone would just do what we tell them to do. But God doesn't override people's will, and we are not to do so either. Instead of trying to control people, pray that they will "hear" God leading them. If someone persists in doing something his or her own way today, show your confidence in God by stepping aside. You may learn that you were wrong, or they may learn that you were right. God is big enough to get both you and them out of my mess they may make. Either way, He will get the glory, if you put your trust in Him.
Don't Be Afraid to Stop
The thoughts and purposes of the (consistently) righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous. Proverbs 12:5
Don't be ashamed to back off if you get out in the middle of something and find that God is not in it. Just be secure enough to simply say, "I thought this was God, but it's not, so I am not going to do it anymore."
You can apologize to others if you caused them any trouble or confusion. But there is no shame in quickly admitting that you were wrong. It is more important not to perpetuate a mistake than it is to keep people from thinking you were wrong. Don't be afraid to say, "I didin't hear from God." Honesty will keep your day going right, all day long.
Wait for Peace
A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Proverbs 16:9
You may have to step out to find out the right thing to do. If you don't hear clearly from God, just step in the direction you think you should go, and then wait for peace. If you lose your peace, back out of wherever you were headed.
Dave and I (the author) almost bought two different buildings to house our ministry. We were in negotiations until, one morning after praying, Dave said, "Joyce, I don't have peace about buying that building, I feel like God is saying, 'If you buy that building, you are going to be sorry later.'". So we waited for peace, and now we have a building that is completely paid for with room to grow. Pray until you find peace.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Day 21, June
Choose How to Live
For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith. And this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving), but it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
You can live under the law of sin and death, with its rules and regulations; or you can live under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which by grace sets you free from the law of sin and death
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union witth Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.
Galatians 5:4-5 Those of you who try to be put right with God by obeying the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ. You are outside God's grace. As for us, our hope is that God will put us right with him; and this is what we wait for by the power of God's Spirit working through our faith.
This scripture explains that the law brings us to nothing and separates us from Christ. But the Holy Spirit will help us conform to God's will in purpose, thought, and action. Choose the law of life and say, "Today, I will enjoy a grace-filled day."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through (your) faith. And this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving), but it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
You can live under the law of sin and death, with its rules and regulations; or you can live under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which by grace sets you free from the law of sin and death
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union witth Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.
Galatians 5:4-5 Those of you who try to be put right with God by obeying the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ. You are outside God's grace. As for us, our hope is that God will put us right with him; and this is what we wait for by the power of God's Spirit working through our faith.
This scripture explains that the law brings us to nothing and separates us from Christ. But the Holy Spirit will help us conform to God's will in purpose, thought, and action. Choose the law of life and say, "Today, I will enjoy a grace-filled day."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Day 20, June
Study Daily
Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them (as your ministry), so that your progress may be evident to everybody. 1 Timothy 4:15
Second Timothy 2:15 says, "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (rightly handling and skillfully teaching) the Word of Truth."
It is difficult to grow if you don't like to read the Word. If Satan has created obstacles to keep you from reading the Word, take authority over him. Declare your love for the Word, and then read it -- even if only a couple of pages a day. Your desire for more will quickly increase. If you truly don't like to read, then pray that God will give you a brand new desire to do so right now.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them (as your ministry), so that your progress may be evident to everybody. 1 Timothy 4:15
Second Timothy 2:15 says, "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (rightly handling and skillfully teaching) the Word of Truth."
It is difficult to grow if you don't like to read the Word. If Satan has created obstacles to keep you from reading the Word, take authority over him. Declare your love for the Word, and then read it -- even if only a couple of pages a day. Your desire for more will quickly increase. If you truly don't like to read, then pray that God will give you a brand new desire to do so right now.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, June 19, 2009
Day 19, June
Quality Is Better than Quantity
I call to remembrance my song in the night; with my heart I meditate and my spirit searches diligently. Psalm 77:6
God cares more about the quality of what you learn than the quantity of teaching to which you are exposed. He would rather you read one scripture verse and get revelation out of it than to read two whole books in the Bible and not have a clue about what you read.
Listen for key messages that the Lord is specifically speaking to you when you hear good teaching through television, radio, sermon tapes, a church service, or weekly Bible study. Ask God to show you how to apply what you hear to your own life. Meditate on His Word each day and look for ways to use what you have learned. Then you will know that you are engaging in and enjoying true quality time with Him.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
I call to remembrance my song in the night; with my heart I meditate and my spirit searches diligently. Psalm 77:6
God cares more about the quality of what you learn than the quantity of teaching to which you are exposed. He would rather you read one scripture verse and get revelation out of it than to read two whole books in the Bible and not have a clue about what you read.
Listen for key messages that the Lord is specifically speaking to you when you hear good teaching through television, radio, sermon tapes, a church service, or weekly Bible study. Ask God to show you how to apply what you hear to your own life. Meditate on His Word each day and look for ways to use what you have learned. Then you will know that you are engaging in and enjoying true quality time with Him.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Day 18, June
Get Peace From God
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God (Who gives) to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding and it will be given him. James 1:5
Be careful when somebody makes a suggestion that sounds good; not every good idea is a God-idea. Don't rush into making a decision or accepting a new responsibility without praying about it first.
Slow down long enough to ask God for wisdom, and listen for His guidance. Take a little bit of time to see if you have peace about the idea. If you don't have peace, you don't even have to understand why you don't have peace. Just don't do it!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God (Who gives) to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding and it will be given him. James 1:5
Be careful when somebody makes a suggestion that sounds good; not every good idea is a God-idea. Don't rush into making a decision or accepting a new responsibility without praying about it first.
Slow down long enough to ask God for wisdom, and listen for His guidance. Take a little bit of time to see if you have peace about the idea. If you don't have peace, you don't even have to understand why you don't have peace. Just don't do it!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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