Abiding TV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (James 1:2-3 NKJV).

Did you know two people can go through exactly the same circumstance and see the situation completely differently? A victory-minded person will see every trial as an opportunity to apply the Word of God and create a testimony of victory. A defeat-minded person will see a trial as yet another problem to struggle through in life.

Winners never see tests and trials; all they see are opportunities. Others who are looking on may think they are going through hard times, but winners don’t see it that way.

God’s will is that every trial is turned into an opportunity to bring increase to you in some way. He wants you to come out of every trial with the advantage. It is never God’s will that the devil succeeds against you.

The Bible says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NKJV). When you are walking in love with God—following His plan and purpose for your life—you can face every negative situation with complete confidence. You know God will turn the tables as you exercise your faith in His Word.

The Bible says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32 NKJV).

It is always God’s will that you turn each trial you face into a testimony of victory. When you accept the fact that God plans for you to benefit and increase in every negative situation, you can face your trials with joy. You can walk through anything with joy, knowing that the outcome will be a testimony to the goodness of God.

Confession: I walk by faith, confident that God works out every trial and situation for my good. I walk in complete and total victory, knowing I am called according to God’s purpose.

Author: Jerry Savelle

Romans 6:22-23

The moment we trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we enter into a life of faith. In other words, we live by the assurance that God is all He claims to be and will do everything He promises. Salvation is instantaneous, but it takes a lifetime to learn and understand what that entails.

As soon as we are saved, God begins what is known as sanctification, teaching us to be like Him. This is a process, as it takes time to learn to walk by faith, trusting what we cannot see.

Even with God’s Holy Spirit living inside of us, we nonetheless battle our flesh. We desire to do what God says and to see as He sees, but because we have behavior patterns left over from our old sinful nature, we will falter and do things in our own strength, according to our own rationale. We must choose daily to follow His way.

To grow in godliness, we must learn to listen to our Father. But since this is not a natural tendency, self-discipline is needed. It is best to set a specific time each day to meditate upon God’s Word. Eagerly expect Jesus to speak to you, and listen to what He is saying. Write notes in your Bible with the date and what the Lord has impressed upon you. Then, apply the truth you learn, and observe the results.

Hearing God’s voice and being in tune with His Spirit are vital parts of walking in faith. But these things don’t just happen; they require determined persistence. As with physical exercise, the more we strengthen our spiritual “muscles,” the more the process becomes part of who we are.

Bible in One Year: Isaiah 40-42

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives."
John 12:24, NLT

TODAY'S WORD:
It’s good to be passionate about your dreams, but did you know a dream can actually become an idol? If it’s all you think about, and you’re not going to be happy unless it happens your way, that’s out of balance. The fact is, sometimes you have to release that dream back to the Father.

Sometimes we can get frustrated because we are trying to force things to happen on our timetable. Sometimes we hold on to things so tightly, but when we are finally willing to let them go, that’s when God can bring them to pass. If you’ll choose to release that frustration and not let it become the center of your attention, but instead, thank God that He’s directing your steps, that will open the door for God to give you the desires of your heart.

We have to remember, God already knows what we want and what we need. He’s the One who put those desires in us. We shouldn’t be consumed with trying to make things happen. Instead, a greater act of faith is to be happy right where you are; to stay open and trust God because He has good plans in store for your future!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
"Father, today I release my dreams, my desires and my 'wants' like a seed falling to the ground. I know that You have a good plan for my future, and I trust You to bring it to pass in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen."

Romans 6:18—And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness. Of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose and action

Proclaim your freedom from addiction!

God broke the power of in my life when I surrendered completely to His will and direction.  Because I once rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High, I sat in darkness and bondage.  I stumbled and fell, and no one was there to help.  But when I cried out to the Lord in my trouble, He heard me and saved me from my distress.  In His goodness and lovingkindness, He brought me out of darkness and shattered the bonds that held me.  By His Word, I am healed.

I am a new creation in Christ Jesus.  My old person was nailed to the cross with Christ in order that my body, the instrument of sin, might be made ineffective and inactive for evil. I am no longer a slave to sin, having been delivered form its power when I was crucified with Christ.  The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave His life for me.

He who lives in me is mightier than he who is in the world.  When I come close to God, He comes close to me.  Christ empowers me with strength to do all things.  With faith in God’s promises, I vow to never again yield my body to its cravings, subject to its lusts or evil desires.  I walk confidently as a servant of righteousness—conforming my life to God’s divine will in thought, purpose and action.  I am victorious because my faith is in Christ.  I believe He is the So of Go, and I place my hope and trust in Him alone.

In obedience to the Word of God, I abstain form the sensual urges, evil desires and passions of the flesh that wage war with my soul, my mind, and my body.  I strip myself of my former nature, corrupted through lusts and evil desires.  I no longer set my mind on things that gratify the flesh, and a no longer controlled by the unholy desires of my flesh.  I renounce the lust of my flesh, the lust of my eyes, and the pride in my life, for these do not come from God but are from the world itself.

Instead, I put on the new nature, created in God’s image, in true righteousness and holiness.  My new spiritual self is ever in the process of being renewed after the image and likeness of God, I am constantly renewed in the spirit of my mind by concentrating on and seeking those things that gratify the Holy Spirit.  I am led by the desires of the Spirit, for the Holy Spirit lives within me to direct and control me.

Christ came that I might have and enjoy abundant life.  Whereas, Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy.  I steep myself in the Word of God that I might know the divine power that is mine in Christ’s name.  I meditate on His commands day and night to keep myself from sin, and I remain cautious at all times—on the lookout for Satan’s attempts to lead me astray.  Jesus was made to be like me in every way, in order that He might become a sympathetic and faithful High Priest.  He, Himself, suffered by being tempted in all things—tested and tried.  Because of this, He therefore, immediately runs to the sound of my cry when I am tempted, tested or tried.  He knows how to rescue the godly, no matter the situation, out of temptations and trials.  So them I fearlessly, confidently and boldly draw near to Him and receive mercy and grace to help in times of trouble.

I walk in faith, not fear, for God is with me.  He will never forsake me.  He strengthens and helps me and makes the darkness into light before me.  I ask, and God places a hedge of protection around me.  He is my refuge and dwelling place.  He drives the enemy out before me.  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, He revives me—through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with me.  He stretches out His hand against the wrath of my enemies and His right hand saves me.

I test all things until I recognize that which is good; then I grasp it tightly in my hand.  I will not be overcome by evil, but will overcome evil with good.  I no longer try to fit into this world, but am transformed by the renewal of my mind.  In this way I can rightly discern what the good, acceptable and perfect will of God is for me.  Christ has set me free form the grips of addiction and sin.  I determine in my heart, by the grace of God, to stand fast.  I will never again be ensnared by the yoke of slavery to sin.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:10

Do you need a miracle? Then believe it, confess it and receive it!

"Oh Gloria, I just don't know if I can do that."

Yes, you can! You've already done it once. When you made Jesus the Lord of your life, you believed, confessed and received the greatest miracle in the universe, the miracle of a reborn spirit! Every other miracle you receive will come in exactly the same way.

You start by simply believing what God's Word says concerning your area of need, by letting that Word change your heart and mind.

A lot of people try to skip that step. They try to believe for a miracle without spending enough time in the Word to change their hearts and minds. They just want to confess it with their mouths and have it instantly appear. But that won't happen. It's what we believe in our hearts and say with our mouths that we receive.

If you don't have enough faith yet to believe for the miracle you need, then you can get it. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). So start filling the ears of your heart with the Word until faith for your miracle is born.

That's what the woman did who had the issue of blood. She believed in her heart that Jesus would heal her. Then she spoke her faith out loud. Then she acted on that faith--and she received her miracle.

It wasn't Jesus' decision. He didn't suddenly say, "You know, I think I'll work a miracle for that little lady today." No. She made it happen. She took her faith and drew on the power of God. That's why Jesus said, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole" (Matthew 9:22).

You have that same opportunity. God's power is always present everywhere. Your faith will bring it into your life, body or circumstances. So reach out to Jesus. Believe, confess and receive your miracle today.

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 9:18-31

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25 NIV).

Satan’s favorite tool to diminish your faith is the fear of failure. But you cannot serve God and be constantly worried about what other people think. You have to move forward. Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (NIV).

So how do you get rid of the fear of failure?

One way is to redefine failure. What is failure? Failure is not failing to reach your goal. Failure is not having a goal. Failure is not failing to hit your target. Failure is not having a target. Failure is not falling down. Failure is refusing to get back up. You’re never a failure until you quit. So if you’re attempting something for the glory of God, that’s a good thing. Failure is not trying and not accomplishing anything. Failure is failing to try.

Another way to get rid of the fear of failure is to never compare yourself to anybody else. You’re always going to find somebody who’s doing a better job, and you get discouraged. And, you’re always going to find somebody who’s not doing as good a job as you are, and you become full of pride. Both of them will mess up your life. Discouragement and pride will keep you from serving God’s purpose for your life.

The Bible says in Galatians 6:4, “Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others" (GW)

Did you notice that the Bible says there is a legitimate pride? There’s a good kind of pride and there’s a bad kind of pride. The bad kind of pride is comparing: “I’m better than so and so!” The good kind of pride is, “God, I’m proud of what you’re doing in my family, my business, my life, my walk of faith.” That’s the good kind of pride.

When you get to Heaven, God isn’t going to say, “Why weren’t you more like so and so?” He’s going to say, “Why weren’t you who I made you to be?”

Let go of your fear of failure, because anything you’re attempting for God in faith is a good thing, regardless of the results.


Talk It Over

How has your fear of what other people think kept you from moving forward in faith?
In what ways are you using your gifts and abilities to work toward your goals?
What failures have kept you from pursuing your goals and dreams? What do you think God wants you to learn from those setbacks?

Beloved. Many of My children are feeling lost and abandoned. You feel as though your streams have dried up and you are dwelling in a parched land. Listen to Me, Dear One. My Voice is like the sound of many waters. My Spirit is flowing to you and in you and through you.

There is a River whose streams make glad the city of your God. There is a River flowing from the Throne of your God and of the Lamb. Come, My Child. Drink from My River of delights. My Waters are Life giving waters. Immerse yourself in the waters of the Spirit.

Dive into My River of Glory. The enemy's voice will be muffled, and My Voice shall become clear. For My waters are Living waters, deep and pure and crystalline.There is no pollution here, Dear One. The evil one cannot touch you in My Presence. As it has been spoken, I am pouring out Water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I am pouring out My Spirit on your families and My blessing on your descendants. Upon you and your offspring I am pouring out rivers of joy.

So come to Me, Beloved, and be refreshed. Leave the world behind. I am in your midst. It is finished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.

crystalline: strikingly clear or sparkling: SHINING
..Ezekiel 43:2 And His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth SHONE with His glory.
..Psalm 46:4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, he holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

..Psalm 65:9 You visit the earth and water it; You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water.

..Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

..Psalm 36:8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your delights.9 For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light.

..Isaiah 12:3 Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.

..Isaiah 44:3For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants.

John 4:14"But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

..John 7:38 Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’

..Revelation 22:1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

..Rev. 22:17The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

..Revelation 21:5And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.”
6And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life.
7The one who is victorious will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.…

[After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
—Romans 14:17

God’s kingdom is made up of things far greater and more beneficial than worldly possessions. God does bless us with material possessions, but the kingdom is much more than that: It is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Righteousness is not the result of what we do, but rather what Jesus has done for us (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). He takes our sin and gives us His righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). When we accept this truth by faith and receive it personally, we are free to live and enjoy the life Jesus died to give us.

Peace is so wonderful—it is definitely kingdom living. This is why we pursue peace, crave it, and go after it (see Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 3:11). The closer we get to God, the more we understand that Jesus is our peace (see Ephesians 2:14). God’s will for you and me is to enjoy His peace that goes beyond understanding (see Philippians 4:7).

Joy can be anything from calm delight to extreme hilarity. Joy improves our countenance, our health, and the quality of our lives. It strengthens our witness to others and gives us a godly perspective on life (see Nehemiah 8:10).

It is clear in the Word of God: Seek God and His kingdom, and He will take care of everything else (see Matthew 6:33).

There is no better life than life in the kingdom of God.

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
1 Timothy 6:12, NIV
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TODAY'S WORD:
One of the keys to your dreams coming to pass is to see them coming to pass in your mind’s eye first!

One of the greatest baseball players of our time told about how that all through the day he envisions himself hitting the ball. Before he gets up to the plate, he visualizes getting on base. He has a picture in his mind of himself succeeding. It’s gotten deep down on the inside of him and now he’s moving toward it.

Of course, it takes more than just visualization to see our dreams come to pass. It takes obedience; it takes prayer, and it has to be a part of God’s plan for our lives. But if you’ll keep the right pictures in your imagination, seeing yourself rising higher, seeing yourself healthy and whole, that vision is going to get deep down on the inside and set the course for your life! When your mind is in agreement with God’s Word, it will help guide you toward your destiny!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
"Father, today I submit my dreams, desires, and thoughts to You. Use my imagination for Your purposes. Help me to envision the dreams You’ve placed within me coming to pass. Let me bring you glory in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen."

Genesis 12

Faith is the foundation of our Christian life. Hebrews 11:1 gives us the biblical definition of this term: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

True belief is more than something we express verbally; it is a pathway you and I follow. Throughout life, our heavenly Father takes us on a journey, allowing us to experience a real relationship with Him as we face each circumstance. Today’s passage illustrates that God has a purpose for everything we encounter. The Lord promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars visible in the sky (Gen. 15:5). Then He directed His servant to obey several commands, such as moving from home. Abraham was not told the details of this plan but trusted God anyway.

We now know he was the father of the Jewish nation and his lineage included Jesus, the Savior of mankind. Though the patriarch didn’t obey perfectly, he did step forward in faith, trusting in God’s ultimate purpose.

We, too, can know with certainty that the Lord is weaving together a beautiful plan. He is not obligated to explain His reasoning or reveal every detail. Instead, God shows us what the next step will be (Ps. 119:105), and our job is to obey, even when it doesn’t make sense.

If you want to know what God is doing in your life, obey Him. Often, you won’t understand the intricacies of the plan, but you can trust the goodness of His heart. Rest assured that all He does is purposeful and for your benefit. So step forward in faith, and you will see His faithfulness.

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 36-39

…And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19).


What the Lord Jesus meant when He said, "Whatsoever thou shalt bind…" almost has nothing to do with permission or lack of it. The Greek word translated "bind" above is "deó," and it means several things. It means to bind as in chains; it also means to put under obligation, to prohibit, or to prevent from free movement or liberty. However, many only relate with that word "deó" in isolation; but applying the other synonyms provides an expanded understanding of what Jesus actually meant in our opening verse.

When you study the Book of Revelation, chapter twenty, the Bible tells us about Satan being bound and cast into the bottomless pit by an angel; and it does tell us that the angel came with chains. Furthermore, in the ninth chapter of the same Book, you’d read about how there were fallen angels who were bound in the River Euphrates, and the word came for them to be released, to be "loosed." That wasn’t a mere permission and forbidding. Those fallen angels were bound, possibly with chains.

Then in the Book of Luke, chapter 13, we find a woman who because she had been bound by Satan, was bowed over; she came in while Jesus was teaching in the Synagogue, and Jesus said, "Woman, you’re loosed from your infirmity" (read Luke 13:12-16). The Master touched her and she straightened up, healed by the power of God. When Satan bound her, she couldn’t straighten herself.

Therefore, when Jesus said, "...whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven," He meant whatsoever you ask the Father in His (Jesus’) Name, the Father will give it to you. So, when you say to Satan, "I bind you!" it has to be clear what you’re saying, because we already stated that to bind means many things; which one do you mean? What is it you want to bind? Moreover, what do you understand by what you said? What does the devil understand by what you said? Your communication and intention must be clear.

For instance, Jesus said to an evil spirit, "...Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him" (Mark 9:25). He bound the devil from coming back into the young lad. He was very clear about his instruction to the devil and what He was forbidding him from. Therefore, when you want to bind an evil spirit, be clear as to what you want; and he won’t be able to withstand your command. Blessed be God!

Confession

Greater is He that’s in me than he that’s in the world! I’ve been given power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the ability of the enemy! I live in the Name of Jesus, and triumph gloriously by Him always, glory to God!

further study: Matthew 16:19; Ecclesiastes 8:4; Mark 3:27

: Psalms 52-55 Romans 5:12-21

: Ephesians 4:25-32 Isaiah 51

Your words mean the most to the people closest to you. Today, look for people to encourage. Go out of your way to be a blessing. It doesn't have to be anything major. Sometimes a smile or a kind text is all people need. Ask God to direct you and develop your heart of encouragement!

""But encourage one another daily..."" (Hebrews 3:13, NIV)"

This is Message “A Heart of Encouragement“ by Victoria Osteen. Be blessed as you watch

Memorise: 
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5


Read: Joshua 1:1-7, (KJV)
1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

Bible in one year: 
Hebrews 1:1-5:9,
Psalms 23

Message:
Divine backing is the support you receive supernaturally from the Almighty God. Without divine backing, hardly can any man succeed in life. This is because demonic activities in the world are out to frustrate mankind. The Bible says:

“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhibiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
Revelation 12:12

In the memory verse for today, God encouraged Joshua to take up the spiritual mandate of leading His people to the Promised Land. Joshua was assured of divine backing when the Lord said:
“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Joshua 1:5

God repeatedly encouraged Joshua to be courageous. No wonder he did great exploits in the Name of the Lord. When David faced Goliath, it was divine backing that saw him through the fight against the experienced giant. In response to the giant’s curses, David said:

“This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”


1st Samuel 17:46
David, prior to this time had been enjoying divine backing. It was this divine backing that enabled him to kill a lion and a bear that wanted to steal his father’s livestock. Beloved, you too will enjoy divine backing if you surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Even as a believer, for you to enjoy divine backing, particularly in the ministry, you need to be broken and live in obedience of the Word of God. Jesus said:

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
John 15:16
Jesus chose you to win souls to His Kingdom and He promised to back you up by providing everything you request for. May the Lord give you supernatural support and the backing you need to succeed in Jesus’ name. (31 July 2016 open heavens)  

Prayer Point
Father, please support me in all I do in Jesus’ name.

Open Heavens written by Pastor E.A Adeboye

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him.

Isaiah 55:7

You can't win a victory as long as the problem is the biggest thing in your life!

The Lord woke me up to that fact a few years ago. At that time I was facing some difficulties in my ministry that seemed so big to me, I thought about them from morning till night. Even though I was standing against them, I was thinking more about those problems than about the scripture promises I was standing on.

Then I saw something in Matthew 6:24-25: "Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life...."

I'd read that scripture hundreds of times, but that day I saw something I'd never noticed before. I saw that immediately after Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters," He said, "Take no thought." Suddenly it hit me: We serve our thoughts!

That's why Isaiah 55 says for us to forsake our thoughts, and by the Word, take God's thoughts. That's why 2 Corinthians 10:5 says to cast down thoughts that challenge the Word and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Do you want deliverance from your problems today?

Then quit serving them! Quit allowing them to consume your thought life. And don't wait until circumstances change to do it. Instead, realize that circumstances won't ever change until you switch from wrong to right thinking.

I know that's not easy to do, especially in the midst of heavy darkness and trial. But you can do it if you'll do these three things:

First, remember you aren't alone. You have the Word (God's thoughts). You have the Holy Spirit to strengthen you and you have the mind of Christ.

Second, get around people who are full of faith. Instead of rehearsing your problem, let them do the talking. Make yourself listen. Join in with their faith and resist darkness.

Third, praise God. Do whatever it takes to make yourself praise. When you begin to praise, God's presence will turn back those worried thoughts and make them fall!

Your problems are not the biggest thing in your life. Jesus is. Serve Him with your thoughts and He will set you free!

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 55

“Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (Ephesians 3:20 TLB).

Faith is choosing and believing God’s dream for your life. Nothing starts happening in your life until you start dreaming. God gave you the ability to dream, to create, to imagine. Dreaming is an act of faith. Everything you see on this planet started as a dream.

So, how do you get God’s dream for your life? You do three things:

First, you dare to ask for it. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (TLB).

If you want God’s blessing on your life this year, you must dare to ask for it. You must say, “God, what’s your dream for my life? What do you want me to do?” Then you ask yourself, “What would I attempt for God if I knew I couldn’t fail?” Let that expand your vision.

Second, you believe God’s promises. The Bible says in Jeremiah 32:27, “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” (NLT, second edition)

Never let an impossible situation intimidate you. Let it motivate you to pray more, believe more, trust more, experience more, learn more, and grow more. Faith always works in the realm of the impossible.

Hudson Taylor said there are three stages to God’s will in your life: impossible, possible, and done.

Third, you dream big. “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:8 NIV).

The size of your God should determine the size of your goal. You haven’t really believed God until you’ve attempted something that can’t be done in the power of the flesh. If you want to know how big your dream should be, ask yourself two questions: How much time do you have to give to it? If it’s a dream you can give the rest of your life to, then you can really dream big.

Second, what are you shaped to do? What are your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences — the five things that make you you. What do you love to do? What are you gifted to do?

Dream great dreams for God. It’s the first step in your walk of faith.


Talk It Over

Have you been waiting on God to make your dream happen? What have you asked of him concerning your dream?
What is the seemingly impossible thing you would attempt if you knew you wouldn’t fail?
How do your dreams reflect the amount of faith you have in God?

..Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
..Psalm 139:16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
..Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.

..Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and NEW things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
..Isaiah 43: 19 Behold, I am doing a NEW thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
..Ephesians 2:8For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.
..2 Corinthians 3:17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
1 Peter 4:12-13, NIV

TODAY'S WORD:
If you know you are going into a challenging season, you can get prepared for it. You can make sure you are mentally ready. But what about the difficulties that we don’t see coming? The unexpected crisis that catches you off-guard? Sometimes, it can seem so overwhelming that it almost knocks the wind right out of you.

The scripture says that we shouldn’t be surprised by fiery trials. That’s because the forces of darkness would not be fighting against you if they didn’t know that God has something amazing in your future! Sometimes, those unexpected difficulties are just a sign that you’re on the right track. It’s always darkest just before the dawn appears. The enemy always fights the hardest when you are closest to your breakthrough. The key is to stay the course and keep fighting the good fight of faith.

In the difficult times, keep your joy and keep declaring God’s Word over your future. God has promised that you will overcome every obstacle. You will defeat every enemy, and you will embrace the blessing and victory He has in store for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
"Father, thank You for walking with me in every season of life. Today, I cast all of my cares on You. I cast all of my difficulties, all of my questions, and all of my concerns. Thank You for working all things out for my good in Jesus’ name. Amen."

When we refer to Apostle Paul, we think of his faith. We know that he was a great man of faith. But I believe that there is another characteristic about this man’s life that should be mentioned right alongside his faith, and that is his joy.

The people in Lamentations had lost many things. They had lost many possessions, confidence, stability, security, peace, and most of all, joy. They didn’t see anything in their lives to be joyful about.

Lamentations 5:21 says, “Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.”

What were they saying? In other words, “God, we need some restoration in our lives. We’ve lost many things. There are many negative things happening in our lives. There is nothing positive that we can point at. And we’ve lost our joy. Our joy has withered away. Restore us, Lord.”

Have you recently asked God for some restoration? Many times, we find ourselves needing restoration. Why? Because Satan is a thief. He comes to steal, to kill and to destroy your life (John 10:10). I’m sure he’s stolen some things from you. He may have stolen your marriage, your finances, your children, your job, your peace, your joy, your confidence. He is a thief out to destroy your life. And what you need is restoration.

You may be waking up in the middle of the night wondering where in the world you are going to get the money to meet that need. God, is it over? Is this as far as we go? What did I do to get into this kind of condition? God, have I sinned? Lord, what is going on here? The worst thing you can do is lose your joy. Joy is vitally important in the midst of adversity. Joy is a powerful force.

Hebrews 10:32-34 says, “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.”

The most important thing for you to do when Satan is trying to take everything you’ve got is maintain your joy. Don’t ever let him steal your joy. The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). What you need most in the middle of a storm is strength to carry on.

If you have no joy, you have no strength. If you have no strength, then you can’t resist. If you can’t resist, then the devil will not flee. And if the devil doesn’t flee, then you will not win. Your victory is directly linked to your joy!

Author: Jerry Savelle

Romans 5:6-9

Oftentimes I preach, “God loves you, and He has a plan and a purpose for your life.” Yet whenever I do, it seems someone in the crowd believes that he or she is an exception. I have heard many reasons why people decide verses like “For God so loved the world ...” (John 3:16) don’t apply to them. Sadly, they have bought into the devil’s lie that they aren’t important enough to be singled out for blessing from among the billions on earth. Or they listen to Satan’s deceiving voice when he insists that they are too weak, sinful, or scarred to merit the Lord’s love.

How do I know that God thinks you are special? Jesus Christ died for you. Because of the heavenly Father’s love for the world, He sent His Son to die on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of everyone living in the past, present, or future. None of us deserve the Father’s care and protection, but thankfully, deserving isn’t the basis for His love. In fact, God’s very nature is love, which He demonstrated through Christ’s death “while we were yet sinners” (Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:8).

God cares so much for His children that He gives each one a place in His plan for the world. Believers are gifted with the talents and attributes needed to carry out His purpose (1 Cor. 12:11). However, Christians who consider themselves exempt from His love aren’t looking for the opportunities He sends. They are too distracted by Satan’s lying voice.

The Lord loves you. He says so again and again in the Scriptures. But don’t take my word for it. Read His Word for yourself and see how much He cares.

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 31-35

1 John 2:17—He that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

Salvation Is In Your Self-interest

When you open the Bible and read all about hell, you’ll not want to go there.  Hell is a real place and if you haven’t received the Lord, that’s where you’re going.

Healing is in your selfinterest.  It’s in your selfinterest to have love, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.  These things are in your selfinterest.  But when you give yourself only to the things of the world, then that is selfishness and it will destroy you.

So Jesus’ financial advice comes out this way:  Invest in yourself, but invest wisely, because the final test of every investment is its permanence.  Dewdrops are as pretty as diamonds—until the sun comes up.  They’re not permanent; they don’t last.  Jesus says not to invest on this earth because it is not permanent.  Invest in his kingdom and he will give it back to you on both sides of the Jordan River.

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”  Send it ahead of you, and it will be there when you get there.  To the carnal mind that’s insanity, because the carnal mind will only believe that it can see, touch and hold.  But those who are persuaded that the word of Go is true can firmly fix themselves upon the fact that the Lord is faithful, and he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

Somehow people get in their minds that when they give money to the Lord, they’ll never see it again.  But that’s the only money you’re ever going to see again!  There’s a tombstone in England with this inscription:

What I spent, I lost.
What I kept, I lost.
What I gave, I now have.

Psalm 91:3
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.

Today, we hear of new strains of viruses which were unheard of only a generation ago. The world has yet to find cures for them and many people are afraid of being struck down by these viruses.

But as believers, we are not of the world, though we are in the world. (John 17:15–16) So our protection is not of the world, but of the Lord. And when we say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust,” (Psalm 91:2) then what follows is not “maybe”, but surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.

A couple in our church can testify that surely the Lord delivered and protected their two young children during a Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) outbreak, which claimed a few lives in Singapore not long ago.

When their four-year-old daughter started vomiting and running a fever, the mother brought her to their family doctor, who found ulcers in her mouth and small red dots on her hands and feet—symptoms of the HFMD. Naturally, the doctor prescribed medication for her.

Back home, however, the little girl continued to vomit throughout the day, throwing up everything including the medication. Her fever persisted. Not able to do anything for their daughter, the parents prayed, proclaiming Jesus as their healer, and partook of the Holy Communion many times with both their children.

That night, their daughter’s fever broke and the vomiting subsided. They continued making the Lord their refuge and fortress. Within two days, their daughter was completely delivered from the disease. And all this while, their six-year-old son was completely protected from the infectious disease.

Beloved, you don’t need to be afraid of deadly diseases which may have claimed the lives of others. You don’t have to be fearful that you or your child may become victims of these super bugs. When the Lord is your refuge and fortress, surely He shall deliver you and your family from the snare of the fowler, such as the avian flu, and from all perilous pestilences!

Thought For The Day
Our protection is not of the world, but of the Lord, who delivers us from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.