Jesus Sweetens the Hard Times by Erin Keeley Marshall

Jesus Sweetens the Hard Times “Manna.... It tasted like honey.” Exodus 16:31 (NLT) Ever wonder how “survival mode” got its bad name? Just try this experiment. Imagine yourself deep in the crush of stress (you may not have to pretend). Now say, “Mmm... survival mode!” as if you’re tasting something delectable.... No good, right? When we think of survival mode, we’re more apt to get an imaginary taste of disinfectant or shoe leather or the choking whiff of a vacuum cleaner bag than of a buttery croissant or a chocolate truffle. We don’t equate struggling to get by with the luxury of a rich delicacy. My family is emerging from midlevel survival mode over the past few months. Suffice it to say, last year brought wonderful answers to prayer; but it delivered some whoppers as well. A stressful but welcome move, endless subcontractor projects, overwhelming job stresses, job changes, health issues, cold and flu season, more cold and flu season, copious co-pays, multiple prescriptions, etc. You’ve been there. As I reflect on this season, I’m reminded of the ancient Israelites who were delivered from slavery... into the wilderness. Surely they felt like they’d traded one form of survival mode for another. But as I reread their story I noticed the Lord’s timeless faithfulness to refresh us. Namely, the provision of manna. Plain, white manna. The Israelites lived on it for forty years. Not much of a delicacy... unless they looked beyond the unassuming flakes to see the heart of the One who provided it. Sweet like honey. Jesus’ sustenance reveals the sweetness of His love for us. His presence in our circumstances is oh, so sweet. Nothing bitter or soapy or leathery or toxic about His care. He didn’t have to add sweetness to their survival mode. But He did. Trust His loving heart to sweeten yours as well. Faith step: Ever heard that honey doesn’t expire? Just like Jesus’ love for you. Buy a small bottle for your pantry, and write on the front “Jesus sweetens survival.” By Erin Keeley Marshall

A Willing Spirit by Rod Parsley

A Willing Spirit Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:25 How often have we said the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak? We often recite that Bible verse almost flippantly, without realizing what we are saying. It becomes almost a 'cute' thing to say when we are tempted by something. There is an old Latin proverb that says: "He conquers twice who conquers himself in victory." How true that is! To conquer our sins is one of the most difficult things we have to do in our lives on earth, because we are tempted almost every day. General George S. Patton said, "Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." If you accept the challenges when they come around, and take up the sword against them, you will be taking steps toward changing your history of defeat and experiencing victory! Deuteronomy 20:4 says, "For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Accept the challenges you face in life daily, and trust God for victory-for with Him on your side, you can defeat any enemy! Further Reading Matthew 12:20 Psalms 13 Romans 8:35-37

Think on Purpose by Joyce Meyer

Think On Purpose by Joyce Meyer - posted September 29, 2013 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]. —Ephesians 4:23 A real breakthrough came for me in my love walk when I realized that love was something I needed to do on purpose. I could not wait to feel loving; I had to choose to be loving. The same rule applies to our thoughts. We must learn to think good thoughts about people on purpose. We must learn to look for the good, not the bad, in everyone. We all have faults and weaknesses, but we all also have good qualities. I admit that we must look harder to find the good in some people than in others, but to be like Jesus, that is what we must do. Jesus finds the good in everyone and magnifies that instead of the bad. He found the good in me and started developing it until it finally surpassed a lot of the things that were wrong with me. He has done the same thing for many of us, and He expects us to do the same for people we encounter every day. Take a moment and try this experiment. Just sit and think some good thoughts on purpose about someone you know, and see how much better you feel about yourself. If you keep it up, you will begin to notice changes in that person’s attitude toward you. One reason that individual will change is that you will have changed. Thinking good thoughts opens the door for God to work. If we want the Lord’s good plan to manifest in our lives, we must get into agreement with Him (Amos 3:3). He is not negative in any way, and according to the Bible, we have been given the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)—but we must choose to use it. We also have a mind of the flesh, and I often feel it is like the earth’s gravitational pull; if we don’t resist, we are pulled in its direction. Because of humanity’s sinful nature, our thoughts will automatically go in a negative direction unless we direct them otherwise. Love Others Today: Choose to think good thoughts today–even if you don’t feel like it. From the book Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2011 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved

Our Distinct Advantage by Joe Stowell

“The LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Have you ever felt that if God were to show up today as often as He did in the lives of the people in Bible times, you too could be a spiritual hero? It’s easy to think that people like Abraham, Moses, Paul, and others had a distinct edge because God showed up in spectacular ways to talk with and tell them exactly what to do. We think that if Jesus would just appear and give us the lowdown on life face-to-face, we could all be the smashing success for Him that we always wanted to be. But it’s not just the people of the Bible who leave us thinking that we must be second-rate Christians. All you have to do is go to a prayer meeting where someone gives a glowing report on the way in which God dramatically answered their prayer, while your prayer list remains full of unanswered prayers. Let’s face it. It’s easy to grow discouraged and sometimes even disillusioned with our less-than-spectacular Christianity. And when that happens, our walk with Christ becomes ritualistic and unenthusiastic. But before you get depressed, it’s possible that your expectations and perspectives are out of whack. When we think that all Bible people had it good, we should note that God “showed up” in Abraham’s life only about once every 15 years! Abraham had no Bible, no small-group fellowship, and no exhilarating worship experiences, yet his steadfast faith is celebrated in Hebrews 11:8-19. And even though Joseph was unrelentingly faithful to God against great odds, for many years God didn’t “show up” to rescue him from his plight. Yet he hung in there because he knew that “the Lord was with him” (Genesis 39:21). Paul had only two direct encounters with Jesus. You can count on it, the rest of their lives were pretty ordinary, a lot like yours and mine. It’s easy to think that Joshua and God’s people in the Old Testament were unusually blessed because God promised to be with them (Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:9). But we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the same promise is given to us in the New Testament (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus Himself promised that He would not leave us as “orphans” but would send the Holy Spirit to be in us and with us (John 14:16-18). In fact, if anybody has an edge, we do! God dwells within us in the person of the Holy Spirit to convict, comfort, guide, and encourage. His 24/7 presence is waiting to be tapped and used no matter where we are or what we are facing. We have the full revelation of Scripture that the Holy Spirit uses to teach and direct our lives. No Bible hero had the privilege of having a Book that could be carried, read, memorized, and used in transforming ways to tell them everything they needed to know about God and themselves—but you and I do! You may still be saying, “Yeah, but God hasn’t done anything for me lately!” If so, remember that if He does nothing more than save us from sin, cancel hell, and guarantee heaven, He has already done far more than we deserve and enough to keep us happily praising Him for the rest of our lives! Now’s a good time to start rejoicing. You’ve been blessed with all you need for growth and glory! Tap the resource. YOUR JOURNEY… Have you ever felt abandoned by God, or cheated because of a lack of “spectacular” events in your life? Take a moment to ask God to forgive you and to gratefully thank Him for the riches He has by grace given you. Since you have the advantage of the Holy Spirit and the Bible, what can you do to be more sensitive to the voice of the Spirit and the life-changing input of God’s Word? Think of a situation you will face or have faced today in which you can use your spiritual advantage to make a difference. Be specific, and then follow through. If God never seems to do anything spectacular for you, is He still worthy of your undiminished love and enthusiastic loyalty? Why or why not? Categories: Application, Basics Of Faith, Belief, Bible Study, Christian Faith, Faithfulness, God, Growth, Love For, Promises, Relating To God, Relationships, Sanctification, Trust Tags: belief, Faithfulness, Growth, Love For, Promises, sanctification, trust

Sticking Up for Jesus for Joe Stowell

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 Recently, I read a disturbing quote from a pastor of a large church in California. He said, “I used to believe that we should ask Muslims to accept Christ as their Savior. But I don’t believe that any more. I’ve sensed the presence of God with Muslims, and I’ve come to believe that it’s wrong to try to talk them into becoming Christians.” I don’t know why he changed his mind, but caving in on what Jesus has clearly said, is a betrayal of Jesus Himself. Jesus came to make a way to God by removing the one barrier that blocks everyone’s path to God—the barrier of sin. This meant that He had to die in our place to pay the price of sin. Without His sacrifice, there is no other way. Let’s face it; if there were other ways to God, then He didn’t need to die. It’s ludicrous to believe that His Father would send Him through the agony of the cross if it were only another religious option. To deny that He is the way is to deny Jesus. But let’s get personal about this. While it’s easy to “be out” on a West Coast pastor who has bailed on the message of Jesus, we ourselves find it hard to tell people at the water cooler that we believe He is the only way. There are probably a lot of reasons why we tend to fudge on the issue: keeping culturally respectable, not appearing to be to the right of Attila the Hun, or just not wanting to seem intolerant or bigoted all stack up as pretty good reasons to duck when the subject is raised. But at some point, we have to make up our mind about whether any of these pressures are worth betraying Jesus for. Judas did it for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 27:1-5). And, to be candid about it, he had some pretty good reasons to bail. If he had stuck it out with the unpopular Jesus, he would suffer (as Jesus had told His disciples), be thrown out of synagogues, and perhaps even die for the cause. On the other hand, betraying Christ would bring him acceptance from the “powers that be,” safety, and security by aligning himself with the big guys—and some extra cash besides. Being like Judas is always an option. But let’s remember that he was no hero. When was the last time you heard of parents naming their newborn son Judas? All I’m trying to say is that sticking up for Jesus against heavy odds is always tough. But it’s always right. Perhaps we have misunderstood the nature of being a follower of Jesus: We are to take up our cross and follow Him. Paying a price for Him comes into clear perspective when we remember the phenomenal price He paid for us. I’m not asking you to be obnoxious about it, just humbly clear. And by the way, is there anything compelling about your life that would back up the words that Jesus is the way? Are you wonderfully different because Jesus is the way? Do people at the water cooler know that you are trustworthy, forgiving, fair and honest, joyful, and quick to speak a good word about others? It’s always easier to speak up for Jesus when we have already shown up for Jesus. YOUR JOURNEY… What attitudes and actions in your life back up the claims of Jesus? What’s your price? Write down any circumstances that might tempt you to act like Judas. Pray and ask God for the courage to stand up for Jesus when it would be easier to betray Him. How could you humbly yet clearly articulate Jesus Christ’s claim to be the only way to God? Write out a statement of about 25 words that clearly explains why He needed to die for all. Be sure to tell those who question you that He has already made a way for them to have a relationship with God. Categories: Basics Of Faith, Cross, Death, defending your faith, Jesus Christ, Ministry And Outreach, New Birth, Role Of, Salvation, Savior, Sharing The Gospel Tags: cross, death, defending your faith, New Birth, role of, Savior

No Compromise by Rod Parsley

No Compromise Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:3 There is a cancer running through many churches today-it is the cancer of compromise. It is the notion that we have to be like the world in order to win them to Christ. This is a ploy of the devil. Jesus never compromised in order to win people to the Father. He presented Himself as He was and let people choose. When Christians compromise, everybody loses. You and I have only one thing to offer the world... it is the one thing they can't get anywhere else in creation-the unchanging Gospel of Jesus Christ. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." Our message is not watered-down, secondhand, whitewashed, or a finely-wrapped dead religion. It is food, life, a lamp, it is a light and it is powerful. Compromise will not cause the world to turn to Christ-but when sin-sick people see us walking in holiness and purity, and offering a way out of bondage, filth and oppression, they will want to know more. Further Reading Psalms 119:105 Deuteronomy 8:3 1 Peter 1:15-16 God Bless,

Move Closer Every Day by Gloria Copeland

FROM FAITH TO FAITH -- DAILY DEVOTIONALSEARCH September 25, 2013 Move Closer Every Day Gloria Copeland I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. – John 15:5 Abiding in Jesus isn't something that comes automatically to any believer. It's a lifestyle that involves discipline and effort. We have to choose to give ourselves to our union with Him, to give Him first place where our attention is concerned. If we want to grow spiritually, if we want to walk in power and in fellowship with the Lord, we'll have to spend the time it takes to know Him. That's not something we can do for a while and then forget about either. We must continue in it every day. For the moment we stop moving closer to Jesus, we always start drifting away. You see, here in this natural world you're surrounded by ungodliness. You live in a body that is totally natural. Unless you purposely counter that with daily prayer and time in the Word, your body and your mind will simply give in to the pressures around you and go the way of the world. Right now, make a decision to give yourself to the things of God. Focus your attention on the Lord. Surround yourself with His Word. Listen to preaching and teaching tapes while you're getting dressed, driving to work, preparing dinner, working on your car, exercising, cleaning house and when you go to bed. Listen to the Word of God anytime, anywhere! Abide in Him today. Scripture Reading: John 15:1-11 © 1992 Eagle Mountain International Church aka Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Shake off the Past by Rod Parsley

Shake Off the Past! You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. Ephesians 4:22 Memories can be painful. Far too many people live miserable lives because they allow their future to be corrupted by their past. Don't keep looking back in regret. Believers in Christ leave their old lives behind and look forward to a glorious future with Christ. Don't be like the Israelites, always looking back: "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death" (Exodus 16:3). Jesus came to destroy all sins-past, present and future! He has already forgiven all the sins you have committed, so forget the past and look forward to a new day in Him. God is about to send something into your life that's about to drive doubt and unbelief out. Sorrow is no longer welcome in your life! Don't look at the past no matter if the memories are painful or seem to be better than what you are experiencing today. Look toward the future and trust in the Lord. Your future is brighter than your past-embrace it! Further Reading 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 Revelation 21:4 Job 8:7 God Bless,

The Plagues by Mike Benson

The first (plague) was blood in the Nile (Exodus 7:28). The second plague was the frogs. God was bringing judgments on all the Egyptians' gods. The frog god was Heget or Heket was a fertility goddess. God was showing Pharoah that is the almighty God. How many know about God but don't know God. What is your idol? The magicians couldn't remove the frogs instead they made the situation worse (Exodus 8:7). Instead of letting God's people go immediately, Pharoah told Moses to wait until tomorrow. (Exodus 8:10). So how plagues will you have to suffer before you come to God?

Point of Contention by Joe Stowell

“If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” Galatians 5:15 You don’t have to be a sociologist to know that one of the most damaging dynamics in personal relationships is unleashed by the hurtful things that we say to each other. We all have a dragon in our dentures that is flat out hard to get under control. Itemizing the major categories of destructive speech is not a hard task. Gossip, slander, and lying always make it to the top of our “most wanted” list of speech criminals. But there are some additional troublemakers lurking in the dark corners of our wicked little hearts. One of these stealth tigers in your tongue is “contentious words.” I recall watching a butcher prepare a chicken for selling at the market. His sharp cleaver chopped away with well-timed strokes until the bird lay in a pile of pieces. Contentious words are just like that. They are the meat cleaver of relationships. They have the power to tear friends and family apart until there’s not much left. I suppose that’s why someone “who stirs up dissension among brothers” (Proverbs 6:19) makes the infamous list of things the Lord hates. Contentious hearts look for things to criticize and for opportunities to tear down a person, program, or idea. They destroy the essential commodities of happy and productive relationships. When we unleash a volley of contentious verbiage, things like trust, thinking the best of each other, and loving attitudes all get buried under our contentious words. It’s no wonder that Paul warned the Christians in Galatia about the danger of this kind of talk. He wrote, “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:15). The damage of contentious talk becomes especially significant when we remember that our relationships with each other are pictured in Scripture as the body of Christ. As Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 12, followers of Jesus are meant to be working as one, in cooperative harmony. Have you ever seen a body divided into several parts but still functioning well? Division destroys the reflection of God’s love among us and the power of His unity through us. Words that work against our unity as His body are the meat cleavers in Satan’s hand. The joyful unity that is enhanced by eliminating contentious speech is vital to the good health of our homes as well. When we refuse to let contentious words pollute the atmosphere of our marriage, God preserves the power of our home to be a living picture of Christ’s relationship to us as His bride (Ephesians 5: 1-33). He never divides Himself from His bride. His unconditional love, patience, tolerance of our weaknesses, and acceptance are all factors that draw us into a positive relationship with Him. His words to the church promote healing and growth. A home where love prevails over contention is a powerful testimony to God’s unifying love for us. Let’s face it: divisive words among God’s people give Satan a tremendous advantage in stifling God’s purpose and power through our lives. Our usefulness, joy, peace, and loving unity are all at risk when our tongues get out of control. I’m quite sure that Satan didn’t coin the phrase “divide and conquer.” But he sure knows how to get the job done when he has our words under his control. YOUR JOURNEY… Be honest: Are you prone to use words to sow discord, or are you among the blessed few who use their words to heal, help, and encourage? Memorize Paul’s timeless advice in Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Plan today to target a significant relationship, which you may be tempted to poison with contentious words, and then be intentional about pouring loving words into that person’s heart. Make this your prayer: “Lord, speak to me about the way I speak to others.” Categories: Attitudes, Character, Christian life, Christlikeness, Church Life, Compassion, courtesy, Kindness, Lifestyle Issues, Speech, unity Tags: Christlikeness, compassion, courtesy, Kindness, speech, unity

Unity of Faith Kenneth Copeland

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. – Ephesians 4:11-13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith. What this scripture means is simply this: If we're ever going to become truly powerful in the kingdom of God, if we're ever going to be any great threat to the devil, we're going to have to grow up--together. It won't be enough for just a few of us to grow up on our own and say, "Too bad" about everybody else. It doesn't work that way. We're a part of each other. The Bible calls us one body...the Body of Christ. Let me give you an example. When I began teaching God's revelation on the laws of prosperity, I started getting incredible flack. Preachers started calling me and chewing me out because I wouldn't borrow money and things like that. Finally God said to me one day in prayer, "Don't teach on the laws of prosperity any more until I tell you to." "Why not?" I asked. "There's strife in the camp," He told me. "Other preachers are mad at you and in strife over it." I didn't realize then that the level where we stopped would affect us all. I didn't realize that even I wouldn't be able to go on and operate in the additional laws of prosperity until the rest of the Body would go with me. We're not islands unto ourselves. I can't do anything without affecting you. You can't do anything without affecting me. We're joined together by God but held together by one another (Eph. 4:16). We can only grow up...together! Learn to walk in love. Refuse to fall prey to division and isolation. Feed on the Word daily and encourage your brothers and sisters by feeding it to them too, so we can all grow up to be "a perfect [or mature] man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:13-28 © 1992 Eagle Mountain International Church aka Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

A Prize For Peace by C.P. Hia

Alfred Nobel made a fortune from the invention of dynamite, which changed the course of warfare. Perhaps because of the horrors that wars inflicted with the use of dynamite, he made a provision in his will for a prize to be given annually to those who work to promote peace. Today it’s called the Nobel Peace Prize. God’s expression of peace to the world was His Son. When Jesus was born, the angels’ clear, unmistakable message to the shepherds was “on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). The biblical definition of peace is, first of all, peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Sin makes us enemies with God (v.10), but Jesus’ coming to this earth and dying on the cross turned away God’s wrath. We can now be reconciled with Him. Having put right our relationship with God, Jesus now enables us to work at breaking down the barriers between us and others. Another kind of peace is having the peace of God (Phil. 4:7). There is no need to be anxious about anything, for we are told that we can make our requests known to Him. Having brought peace, Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father (Heb. 12:2). Today, we can have peace with God and the peace of God. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild— God and sinners reconciled!” —Wesley True peace is not the absence of war; it is the presence of God. —Loveless

Defeat Temptation by Our Prayer

30 Days of Prayer: Live a Stress-Free Day 21: Defeat Temptation No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The way to overcome temptation is clear: Sincerely want God’s help, earnestly ask for it, believe you have it, and act as God wants you to act. This will make you happy and give you confidence to resist the next temptation. Ask God for the power to stand up against your challenges.

Settle the Matter by Rod Parsley

Settle the Matter And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4 Many times Christians say that God gave them this or that illness. God doesn't give His children any ailments. Sickness is the work of the devil, and he alone should be blamed for it. You have no business claiming it "for God's glory." When God gives His children things, they are good things, for He is a good God. The Bible establishes this fact from the very beginning. After each act of creation God looked it over and declared that it was good. How can a good God give out disease, illness, lack, poverty, or violence and still be a good God? He cannot. God is good through and through, and there is no evil in Him. Whatever He does is for good, and if the enemy gives us his rotten fruit of disease, poverty or illness we can refuse to accept it in Jesus' name. Romans 8:28 says, "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." We can be confident God will work all things for our good and His glory-if we believe He will. Further Reading James 1:17 Genesis 1 Genesis 2 God Bless

God's Perfect Peace by Our Prayer

30 Days of Prayer: Live a Stress-Free Life Day 20: God's Perfect Peace But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Isaiah 57:20-21 Evil thoughts and actions lead to restlessness and weariness; they steal your peace. No one can experience inner peace until they experience inner cleansing. Our souls are restless until we find comfort in God; only then can we know pure joy

What on Earth are we doing by Joe Stowell

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 “What on earth are you doing?!” You may have heard that phrase when your mom told you to clean your room and found you playing with your toys instead, or maybe when your teacher caught you passing notes in class. But if God were to ask you this question, how would you respond? Paul tells us that as followers of Jesus we have been put on this earth to bring glory to God in everything we do. So what should that look like? God’s glory is the manifestation of all that He is in His unsurpassed, stunning perfection. It is His amazing love, His wide mercy, His deep grace. His glory is seen in His truth, justice, wisdom, and power. To glorify Him means that we have the high privilege of showing Him off in a world that is totally unaware of what He is really like. Acts of mercy to the undeserving, grace to the needy, forgiveness to an offender, living wisely according to His will—all give glorious visibility to the character and quality of our God. There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about God. It’s our job to let others see what He is really like. And, when they like what they see, let’s be sure to let them know who taught us to live like that. It’s not a good idea to steal God’s glory! May our lives be a “show and tell” for God’s glory.

Judgment Day by Rod Parsley

Judgment Day Honesty Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14-15 There is a spirit of deception that is so pervasive today that many believers have succumbed to it. They believe they are walking uprightly before God and that a little fleshly indulgence now and again will not disqualify them from heaven. They use excuses to justify their sin, saying that "it's only a little" or "it's only one time." God's Word on the subject is clear-the wages of sin is death. A little bit of yeast (sin) affects the whole loaf (see 1 Corinthians 5:6). You can't sin a little without it tarnishing your witness. You can't sin a little without it diminishing your power. You can't sin a little without sowing curses and death for yourself. When you sin, confess your sins and turn to the Lord who will forgive and heal your heart and your life. You have to be honest with yourself and face your condition; you need to have judgment day honesty. If you were before the throne of Christ now, would you be confident of being welcomed in as one of His sheep? I encourage you to have judgment day honesty every day. Further Reading 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Ephesians 5:5 Genesis 4:7 God Bless,

Open Your Mouth by Rod Parsley

Open Your Mouth ... Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. Psalms 81:10 You are supposed to let God fill your mouth with His Word-every day. Yet, there are many believers who are ready to swallow whatever the devil throws their way, and they fall for it hook, line and sinker! You can put a stop to that by letting your mouth be filled with God's Word. Find three people today and tell them what God has done for you! Look at yourself in the mirror and say "Something good is about to happen to me today." Don't waste another minute, another thought or another tear on what the world says or thinks of you. Your life is not measured or determined by what anybody says! God is the ruler of everything-and He loves you! What could be better than that? Open your mouth in prayer today and let Him fill you with His Word. Revelation 10:10-11 says, "I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings." Fill your mouth with God's Word and you will find that a successful life is inevitable!Fill your mouth with God's Word and you will find that a successful life is inevitable! Further Reading Joshua 1:8 Proverbs 18:21 Romans 8:1 God Bless

Ripple Effect by Joe Stowell

I pray . . . that you may approve the things that are excellent." Philippians 1:9-10 As a kid, one of my favorite pastimes was skipping stones across the surface of a smooth lake. Inevitably, ripples would flow from the impact of the stone. It’s like that with choices. Every choice we make creates a ripple effect on our lives as well as on the lives of others. The choices we have made throughout life determine where we are and what we are becoming. Choices are also telling. What we really want, love, and think show up in the choices we make. It’s no wonder then that Paul urged us to make “excellent” choices—choices that emanate from a heart fully committed to Jesus. He stated that when our love abounds in knowledge and discernment, we are able to understand what is best, so that we may “approve the things that are excellent” (Phil. 1:9-10). Excellent choices are the proof of a life that is deeply committed to Jesus and His ways, and they have the ripple effect of filling our lives “with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:11). As a friend of mine wisely told me, our lives are not made by the dreams we dream but by the choices we make. Let’s make excellent ones! Do a deed of simple kindness, Though its end you may not see; It may reach, like widening ripples, Down a long eternity. —Norris Make an excellent choice and watch the ripple effect of blessing. Categories: Character, Choices, Christian life, Decisions Tags: character, choices, decisions

Joy in His Presence by Rod Parsley

Joy in His Presence You will fill me with joy in your presence. Psalms 16:11 Troubled times are upon us. This world is not going to get any better, only worse. The good news for the blood-washed and blood-bought is that although we live in this world, we belong to the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is diametrically opposed to the system of this world. That means when things get worse for the world, they should get better for you! That's right! So rejoice and refill your tank of joy! The best way to do that is to spend time in the presence of God-pray constantly, read His Word daily and get to know Him intimately! The level of your joy determines the level of your strength! The Bible is full of verses about joy. Psalms 20:5 says, "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests." I believe the more we're with Him, the more we learn to be like Him. The Holy Spirit will guide us and teach us to be more like Him in every way. The joy of the Lord is our strength. When we get more of Him, we will have less of us-and that's a formula for success! Further Reading 1 Peter 1:8 Job 33:26 Psalms 5:11 God Bless,

God’s Will by David H. Roper

We’re often looking for God’s will—especially when we’re in a difficult situation. We wonder, What will happen to me here? Should I stay or does God want me somewhere else? The only way to know for sure is to do what He asks you to do right now—the duty of the present moment—and wait for God to reveal the next step. As you obey what you know, you will be strengthened to take the next step and the next. Step by step, one step at a time. That’s how we learn to walk with God. But you say, “Suppose I take the first step. What will happen next?” That’s God’s business. Your task and mine is to obey this day and leave the future to Him. The psalmist says our steps are “ordered by the Lord” (37:23). This day’s direction is all we need. Tomorrow’s instruction is of no use to us at all. George MacDonald said, “We do not understand the next page of God’s lesson book; we see only the one before us. Nor shall we be allowed to turn the leaf until we have learned its lesson.” If we concern ourselves with God’s will and obey each day the directions and warnings He gives, if we walk by faith and step out in the path of obedience, we will find that God will lead us through this day. As Jesus put it, “Tomorrow will worry about its own things” (Matt. 6:34). God knows each winding way I take, And every sorrow, pain, and ache; His children He will not forsake— He knows and loves His own. —Bosch Blessed is the person who finds out which way God is moving and then goes in that direction.

Transforming the Task List by Joe Stowell

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 What got you out of bed this morning (besides the lure of a hot cup of coffee)? If you’re like me, you finally pulled yourself out of bed because you’ve got stuff to do. In fact, your obligations for the day will probably end up being itemized on a list. My to-do list is unapologetically low-tech. Just a small pad of lined paper with the date on the top and a handwritten itemization of things I need to get done before I hit the sack at the end of the day. I know that a Palm Pilot, a Blackberry, or even my trusted laptop could make my list look much trendier, but in the end a list is a list—a long series of items that keep my feet to the fire. What’s troubling is that as I get to the bottom of one page of tasks, there’s often a note that says, “See next page.” And the scariest page is the one from yesterday that reminds me that I didn’t get it all done after all. It’s easy to begin to feel that life is only about “living for the list”! But if all of life is just about the stuff to do, it becomes little more than an accumulation of random, disconnected events in life. You climb in bed at the end of each day exhausted, thinking to yourself: There really has to be more to life than this. The good news is that God has an overriding purpose for your life that encompasses everything on your list. When we put that purpose at the top of our priorities, even a day with an incomplete task list can be a smashingly significant, successful day. Are you ready to find out what it is? God’s purpose for you is that you live to glorify Him. Not that you stop doing the list thing, but that everything on your list can be done to His glory. It’s just that simple. Glorifying God in all we do takes us beyond the routine of “just getting things done.” It fills the stuff on the list with a new sense of significance and in the end leaves us feeling that even the smallest task is significant. Getting the right degree, finding the right job, making lots of money, or landing a meaningful relationship is no longer the end game. Thankfully so, those kinds of pursuits left to themselves soon run out of gas. But getting a degree (or doing any of those things) so that you can use the degree to glorify God instead of yourself fills your life with a new and lasting sense of significance. This is exactly what Paul had in mind when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether you eat or drink, do it all for the glory of God.” There is nothing in your life that can’t be done to glorify God. Living to bring glory to Him is the all-consuming, driving, defining purpose that God has intended for our lives. Glorifying God simply means to do all we do in a way that communicates the attitudes and actions of God. It is filling life with His presence. When others see His mercy, justice, grace, love, tolerance, generosity, and humility in everything we do, they are seeing the glory of God through our lives. And tactfully giving Him the credit for all our accomplishments focuses the spotlight and applause on the right person. Let’s face it—our lists are here to stay! Let’s make something of them. Do it all to show your world what God is like! YOUR JOURNEY… Look over your tasks and plans for the day ahead. What priorities are reflected in your list? What are the dangers of being ruled by your task list? Have any of these dangers crept into your day-to-day activities? Consider one of the more mundane items on the list. What are some ways God could use that task for His glory if submitted to Him? Think of some practical ways you can submit your plans and lists to God each day. You can start right now. Take some time to ask the Lord to show you how to bring glory to Him in all your activities. Categories: Basics Of Faith, Character, Choices, Christian life, Decisions, God, Guidance, His Will, Leading, Priorities, Relating To God, Relationships Tags: choices, decisions, Guidance, His Will, Leading, Priorities

The Sun Will Shine by Rod Parsley

The Sun Will Shine Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalms 30:5 You're about to forget you ever had a sad day or a bad night. God's about to show up in the middle of your mess! God's about to give hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless. Hope that God gives is beyond the scope of human limitation because God is a good, good God! Psalms 31:24 says, "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Through your tears, remember that the sun must shine, tomorrow must come and you will have victory! I prophesy to you that in the days that lie straight ahead you're about to see, you're about to hear the rumbling in the mulberry bushes. You're about to see the wind of God moving in the situations of your life. You're about to know God is real. You may be going through the worst situation of your life, but stay steadfast in your faith and believe that God is about to deliver your miracle! Job remained faithful to God even when he had lost everything-his family, his fortune, even his health. God rewarded Job for his faithfulness ( Job 42:10-11). Your miracle is coming-just hold on with hope. Today is your day for breakthrough! Further Reading Psalms 60:12 Deuteronomy 3:22-24 2 Samuel 22:49 God Bless,

Call Me Crazy by Rod Parsley

Call Me Crazy I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 The world is in turmoil-it always has been and always will be. How does one stay happy and calm in the midst of a global recession, a global pandemic and a global collapse of moral and rational thinking in our societies? You serve the risen Christ. The Bible says "Take heart" and "Be of good cheer" (Matthew 9:2). Don't get influenced by what the stock market says, the news channels or what the papers print. It's time for you to give God praise! It does not matter how dark your night is, how vicious your enemy is or how difficult your battles are. Cast your worries on Him (1 Peter 5:7) and break out in a crazy praise! Go on-turn on some good Christian music, shut the door, let your hair down and praise Him like you have never praised Him before-I dare you! It's time for you to square your back, stick your jaw out just a little bit and walk with confidence-don't let anything or anyone rob you of your joy! Even in times of trouble, we can rejoice because we serve the God of the universe! Further Reading Psalms 37:4-5 John 10:10 Proverbs 17:22 God Bless,

Others First! by Joe Stowell

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 I’ll never forget the time my wife, Martie, and I were traveling on a rather extended ministry trip that involved several segments to our journey. We were in and out of planes, and every plane was packed with people. We felt like sardines in aluminum cans. To make matters worse, our seating assignments had been consistently terrible. But on the last leg of the journey, we noticed on our boarding passes that we had the best non-first-class seats on the plane—the front aisle seats in the coach section. We looked forward to stretching our legs and enjoying the flight home. As we checked in at the gate, however, the flight attendant looked at our seat assignments and promptly informed us that she needed to reassign our seats so that someone who needed the leg room could be in the bulkhead row. My first impulse was to make a scene and demand my rights. After all, we deserved to have good seats on the final leg of our journey! But I knew what we had to do. It doesn’t take long to figure it out when you start with the question, “What would Jesus do in a moment like this?” It was an opportunity to display an act of servanthood, to turn our focus from ourselves to the needs of others. While my demanding, self-serving impulses kicked and screamed, I knew that the Holy Spirit was pressing us to do what was good and right. It wasn’t a very comforting thought as I walked past the “good seats” and spent the flight with the back of the headrest in front of me pushed squarely in my face—but it was the right thing! I wish I could finish the story by saying that, as a result of our gracious response, God let me lead the person next to me to the Lord, or that some other phenomenal, unexpected outcome had proven the worth of my servant’s heart. But nothing of that magnitude happened. I don’t even know if the people who got the good seats realized the sacrifice we had made, or if they felt grateful for their good seats. But the issue is not in the outcomes but in the condition of our hearts. Maybe God knew that I needed another practice run at serving to get me ready for a really big serving moment in the near future. I don’t know. I just know that routine surrender is the distinguishing mark of His followers and that every opportunity to treat others as more important than ourselves makes us more like Christ. After all, He made the ultimate sacrifice for my place in His kingdom—to give me a seat that can never be taken away! YOUR JOURNEY… Read Philippians 2:1-11. In what ways did Jesus demonstrate the principles outlined in Philippians 2:3-4? According to Philippians 2:6, what rights did He have to make other choices? Think of a time when you were the beneficiary of someone else’s kindness. How did it make you feel? On a much larger scale, we are the beneficiaries of Jesus’ kindness. How can you express your gratitude to Him today? Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity today to display the heart of Jesus by looking out for the interests of someone else. Categories: Attitudes, Character, Christian life, Christlikeness, commitment, conscience, courtesy, Gratitude, Humility, Kindness, Meekness, Ministry And Outreach, Pride, serving, thankfulness Tags: Christlikeness, commitment, conscience, courtesy, Gratitude, Humility, Kindness, Meekness, Pride, thankfulness

Curiosity or Compassion? by Joe Stowell

"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" John 9:1 Let me introduce you to a friend of mine. Arloa Sutter grew up on a farm in Iowa. One of her fond memories from her time on the farm was spawned on a cold December day when she walked out into the pasture and noticed a little lamb that had just been born. Its body was frozen stiff. Thinking it was dead, Arloa picked it up and carefully took it back into the warmth of the barn. She wrapped the little lamb in towels and then went back to her house. A few hours later she returned to the barn to do a couple of chores only to hear the weak yet welcome sound of bleating from that little lamb. Rescuing that lamb had a huge impact on Arloa. It opened her heart to the call of God to rescue His lambs off the streets of Chicago. Arloa moved to Chicago and attended college at The Moody Bible Institute. She never went back to the sheep on the farm. In Chicago, she was struck by the needs of the destitute and poor—people whom, as she says, “are like that frozen lamb who need a touch of the compassion of Jesus to reclaim their souls.” After graduation, Arloa established Breakthrough Ministries, which is now a leader in ministering to the homeless street people of that city. I lived in Chicago for many years, and I can tell you how easy it is to become immune to the countless homeless people on the streets—to pass by and wonder what went wrong without reaching out to help. Why is it that we are far more interested in the details of what, why, when, and where, than we are about how we can help? When the disciples passed the blind beggar, their curiosity about why he was suffering outweighed any desire to reach out to him. I can’t help but wonder if they had seen him many times before and responded with the same kind of standoffish, theological curiosity. And when they finally got a chance to quiz Jesus about the man, it revealed that they were dreadfully out of step with their Master’s heart. In fact, they had more than just curiosity. Lurking beneath their question was a desire to know whom to blame for the problem. Thankfully, Jesus’ heart was into compassion, not curiosity. Rather than analyzing the situation to satisfy the judgmental attitudes of onlookers, He marshaled His divine resources to reach out and help. Which in this case meant that the blind man would see! And to answer the disciples’ question, He made it clear that the man’s blindness was intended to provide a moment when God could be magnified through Jesus’ compassionate touch. Jesus’ actions call us away from standoffish, curious, and often critical attitudes. Jesus teaches us that true followers never fail to be compassionate but rather constantly live by the motto: “What can I do to help?” YOUR JOURNEY… What is your first reaction when you encounter someone who is down-and-out? Is your response more like that of the disciples or of Jesus? Read the story of the blind man in John 9:1-41. How did the man’s physical healing eventually bring about spiritual restoration (John 9:35-39)? It’s easy to go through each day with merely a passing thought about the needs of those around us. Ask the Lord to open your eyes today to give you an opportunity to see beyond someone’s circumstances to their need, and to extend His touch of grace to that person. For more information about Breakthrough Ministries, take a look at their Web site: www.breakthroughministries.com. Find out if there is a ministry in your neighborhood that you can assist in bringing the hope and healing of Jesus to those around you. Categories: Attitudes, Basics Of Faith, burdens, Character, Christian life, Christlikeness, Comfort, commitment, Compassion, Criticism, Jesus Christ, Judging, Life Example, Love For, Ministry And Outreach, Personal Crisis, Relating To Others, Relationships, serving Tags: burdens, Christlikeness, comfort, commitment, compassion, criticism, Judging, Life Example, Love For

Master Orchestrator by Rod Parsley

Master Orchestrator For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the work of your hands. Psalms 92:4 There are moments in life when you think everything is finished. Your hope is gone, your trust is shaken and your faith is lost. You may wonder if God has abandoned you. The children of Israel felt that way when they followed Moses and then got stuck at the Red Sea. Pharoah was coming to drag them back to Egypt. There was no way out for them and they were ready to give up, give in and go down! The Israelites said to Moses, "'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?' Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today... .The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still'" (Exodus 14:11-14). Maybe you feel the same way today. The pressures of life have boxed you in and you can't seem to find a way out-until now. I tell you on the authority of God's Word that you are not going to lose this battle; you are not going down in defeat! He is the Master Orchestrator, the Creator and the Designer of life. Don't panic, don't fear and don't give up because Christ who lives in you cannot, shall not and will not fail you-ever! Further Reading 2 Chronicles 20:6-12 1 Peter 5:7 Jeremiah 29:11 God Bless,

God is Able by Rod Parsley

God is Able Now to Him who is able... Ephesians 3:20 God is speaking to you, today. He knew you would need encouragement; He knew you would be looking for that word to direct you, comfort you and deliver you! It's not by accident that you are reading this devotional today. God is specifically and clearly speaking to you. He wants you to know that He is able! You don't need another sign, another verse or another song-He is able. I know you feel like you're all alone sometimes-but He is always with you! I don't know what valley you are going through, what sickness is troubling you, what bills need to get paid today. I don't know, but God does and He has a miracle scheduled for you. Deuteronomy 1:21 says, "See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Trust Him, for He is able to turn your mess into a miracle, your confusion into comfort and your test into a testimony. He is able! So wipe your tears and flash your smile today-because God has spoken. He is able! Further Reading Psalms 27 Psalms 121 Jeremiah 17:7-8 God Bless,

Mercy to the Poor by Rod Parsley

Mercy to the Poor He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21 The woman lay on a dirty cot. The wall was bloodstained, mice ran across the floor, and the toilet in the corner was rusted. Anyone who saw her would have instinctively thought to take her to a hospital...but this was the hospital. Many went in with simple diseases that a few dollars worth of medicine would cure in America, and too many of them died because the facilities were filthy. I can't find the words to tell you how crude, how sad, and how scary it is to go into a hospital in Haiti. I saw poverty that is beyond what most Americans have ever dreamed could be possible. How can we not help this nation right on our doorstep when the Bible charges us "to do good, to be rich in good deeds and be generous and willing to share" (1 Timothy 6:18). Think of all we have in our prosperous nation, what we take for granted, and consider how little our Haitian neighbors have. The Lord commands us to give what we have to help those in need. You are incredibly rich and blessed, compared to the people in Haiti, Sudan and other desperate countries. Will you follow the Lord's command today and help those in need? Further Reading 1Timothy 6:17-19 Psalms 41:1-3 Ezekiel 34:15-16 God Bless,

The Missing Piece by Joe Stowell

"Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:11 ESV I’m not much for jigsaw puzzles, but I know that you need all the pieces to enjoy a satisfying outcome. In many ways, life is like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. We spend our days putting it together, hoping to create something meaningful out of all the scattered pieces. But when we can’t find the strategic pieces that complete the picture of some challenging situation in life, we face unsettling disappointment at best, and, at worst, despair. Honest philosophers have been telling us for centuries that life can be confusing, lonely, meaningless, and empty. Disappointment and despair are to be expected as normal by-products of our existence. The remedies proposed range from the passive resignation of a life stuck in the byword whatever to engagement in experiences that provide the adrenaline rush of temporary excitement. Even the writer of Ecclesiastes searched the depths of wisdom, pleasure, wealth, and work to find meaning and satisfaction but came up disillusioned. His conclusion is painstakingly honest: “Behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind” (Eccl. 2:11 ESV). Let’s face it; there have been times when we’ve wondered why life is not more rewarding. Even our best experiences rarely leave much of lasting value, and often the anticipation is more fulfilling than the experience itself. We “channel surf” life, looking—hoping—for something to catch our attention, only to end up bored, jaded, and flat. And when life gets in our face, we are shocked at how brutal and unconsoling it can be. In our quiet moments, we feel stalked by a sense of emptiness and fear. We wonder, “Why? What’s missing?” Has anyone noticed that the one thing the philosophers, the meaning-searcher in Ecclesiastes, and many of us have in common is that God has been removed as the preeminent center of our existence? He is the missing piece; the piece we so desperately need in order to complete the picture of life. Even those of us who are connected to God through redemption, often live our lives as though He isn’t particularly relevant to our everyday occasions and encounters. We are proficient at maintaining the level of religious activity we deem appropriate, but God is hardly the center of our lives. When God is banished from human experience or relegated to the religious margins of our lives, left only to serve us on an “on-call” basis, we become functionally alone. And in that aloneness, emptiness and vulnerability become more than philosophical theory—they are naked reality. The good news is, while we have life and breath, God will not cease to pursue a rewarding, deepening intimacy with us. He is not content to leave us alone. His unceasing, unconditional love for each of us compels Him. He wants to meet us at the intersection of every dream, every desire, every choice, and every thought, and He urges us to turn toward Him and actualize the finished work of His Son, the gift of the Spirit, and the resource of His Word. God welcomes us to begin a pilgrimage that puts our backs toward the aloneness in our souls and turns our faces toward the spectacular glow of intimacy with Him, toward life the way it was meant to be. Once we put Him in the right place, He begins to bring all the scattered pieces together to complete the picture of our lives—and it’s a good picture when He is the strategic piece! YOUR JOURNEY… Do you feel as if your life is missing something? If so, what? Have you ever considered that you might be lacking intimacy with God? Read Ecclesiastes 2:10-11. Can you identify with this experience? If so, think of some things you strive for that are nothing more than “vanity.” Confess the vain things that come to mind, and commit to strive after intimacy with God instead. Did you have an experience like this in the past? What happened? How do you feel when you realize that God pursues you for a deeper, richer relationship with Him? Think of a time when this was evident in your life. If you are interested in reclaiming that (or initiating it), read Revelation 3:14-20. Then take it personally! Categories: Blessings From, devotions, Fellowship With, Growth, Quiet Time, Relating To God, Relationships, Sanctification Tags: blessings from, devotions, Fellowship with, Growth, Quiet Time, sanctification

His Still Small Voice by Gloria Copeland

FROM FAITH TO FAITH -- DAILY DEVOTIONALSEARCH September 10, 2013 His Still Small Voice Gloria Copeland But the anointing which ye have received of [God] abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth. – 1 John 2:27 Have you ever noticed that you are sometimes aware of certain things even before you know what the Word says about them? That's because the Holy Spirit is inside you teaching you the truth. He speaks into your spirit. Then your spirit relays His promptings to your mind. Suddenly, you'll have a new thought. "I need to forgive that person," you'll think, or "I need to stop saying those unkind things." As you become more aware of the Spirit of God in your everyday affairs, you'll be quicker to hear and obey those promptings. You'll actually get in the habit of allowing the Spirit of Truth to reveal the will of God to you. And, believe me, that's one habit God wants you to have! One of the first things that the Spirit said to me when I began to listen to His promptings was "spend more time in prayer." As I obeyed, I began to be impressed to spend at least one hour a day in prayer. After I'd begun to do that, He revealed it to me in His Word (Matt. 26:40). Since then, I have talked with people from all over the world who are hearing the same thing. Believers everywhere are hearing the Spirit of God direct them to more prayer. God hasn't given the Holy Spirit to just a few special Christians. He's given Him to all of us. And if we'll just learn to be sensitive to His voice, He'll guide us into all truth! Think about how different your life would be if you knew the truth of God about every situation! Doesn't that just make you want to listen to your spirit? Doesn't it make you want to be on the keen edge of what God is saying? Start tuning your ear to His still small voice within you. Honor Him and welcome His guidance into your everyday affairs. Listen for His promptings and be quick to obey. He's ready to speak to you. Scripture Reading: John 15:1-15 © 1992 Eagle Mountain International Church aka Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

The Power Of Affirmation by Marvin Williams

During a recent study, 200,000 employees were interviewed to discover the missing ingredient in their productivity. The study concluded that appreciation and affirmation topped the list of what they wanted most from their superiors. This research implies that receiving affirmation is a basic human need. The apostle Paul seemed to realize this basic need in the Corinthian believers, so before he peppered them with firm words of discipline, he showered them with affirmation. As their spiritual leader, Paul began his letter with thanksgiving to God for the grace being displayed in their lives. Once far from God, these believers were now participating in His grace through the death and resurrection of Christ. United with Jesus, they were drawing their spiritual life from Him, and the fruit of this union was their spiritual growth in godliness (1 Cor. 1:4-7). Paul deliberately and continually thanked God for His work in the Corinthian believers’ lives. I imagine that they were better able to bear firm criticism from Paul because of his tender affirmation. When we see people who are obeying God, let’s take time to affirm them and to thank God for what He’s doing through them. Lord, You are at work in so many ways in my life and in the people around me. Help me to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ by telling them how I am blessed to see Your work in them. Praise loudly—correct softly.

Top of the List by Joe Stowell

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19 When my wife Martie says, “Could you run to the grocery store for me?” I always want to know what it is she wants me to get. After asking the question, my mind is usually already off to something else as she tells me the list: “Bananas, bread, bacon, milk, and butter.” Inevitably, I get to the store and pick up the bananas, bread, and bacon, but end up forgetting the other two things. When I get home, I’ve got to go all the way back to the store because I forgot the milk and butter. Tell me I’m not alone! It’s easy to forget to pick up the clothes at the drycleaners, or even the kids at daycare. The point is, in our humanness we’re all prone to forget. And it gets worse with age! We get preoccupied and distracted. Unfortunately it’s not just the little, everyday things that we forget. It’s easy to overlook the big things, like the peace in the midst of stress and the power against great odds that are both available to us through prayer. When we’re not having a good day, it’s easy to forget the joy of our salvation. We even forget the death of Jesus for us—the very reason that we can live with undefeatable hope and assurance. Which means that forgetting about Jesus may open the door of your heart to the tormentors of hopelessness and insecurity. It’s hard to believe that Christians could ever forget Christ and Calvary. It’s at the heart of everything we have and believe. And yet, in the hours before the crucifixion at the Last Supper, Jesus warned the disciples that they might forget Him and His work on the cross for them. This seems remarkable to me, because the disciples watched Him do all sorts of miracles like restoring sight to the blind and even raising Lazarus from the dead! How could they ever forget Christ after seeing those events firsthand? Still, in Luke’s account of the Last Supper, he quotes Jesus as saying: “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19 ESV). In essence: Don’t forget Me! In Greek, the word remember means to deliberate—to keep it on your mind. And it is often used in the sense of remembering something for your good. So, why is it good for us to remember Jesus and His work on the cross? Jesus knew that if we were to forget, we might lose our love for Him and be seduced into loving lesser and even harmful things. Without the cross continually before us, we might become bitter or angry when He allows suffering to come into our lives. We might forget that He suffered for us to accomplish great things and that deep in our suffering the hand of God is busy doing great things through our pain. Forgetting the agony of His death, we might begin to take sin lightly and think more of ourselves than we should! There’s an old song that goes something like this: “The cross before me, the world behind me . . . No turning back, no turning back.” What are you doing to keep the cross of Christ on your mind? Make a list of the stuff you might forget, and check it twice. Are Jesus and His wonderful work for you on the top of the list? YOUR JOURNEY… Pray and thank Christ that He knows what it is to suffer. Ask Him for His supernatural strength and peace to see you through trials you currently face. Set aside time each day this week to journal about what the cross of Christ means to you. Share some of your thoughts with at least one person. Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. Why is it important for Christians to participate in Communion? Visualize how your life would be different if you lived with Calvary at the forefront of your mind. What is the connection between your sin and Christ’s work on the cross? Categories: Basics Of Faith, Cross, Death, Jesus Christ, Savior Tags: cross, death, Savior

Exercise Your Rights by Gloria Copeland

FROM FAITH TO FAITH -- DAILY DEVOTIONALSEARCH September 9, 2013 Exercise Your Rights Gloria Copeland He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. – Isaiah 53:5 Jesus came to earth and gave Himself as a sacrifice for sin in order to buy back for you everything that Adam lost. He came to destroy all the works of the devil...sickness and disease included. Once you receive Him as Lord of your life, all the rights and privileges God originally intended you to have (the right to things like fellowship with God, health and prosperity) are restored. But you are the one who has to exercise those rights! You see, the devil is an outlaw and even though Jesus has taken away his authority in the earth, even though he has no legal right to kill or steal from the children of God, he'll do it anyway...as long as you'll let him get away with it. You must enforce his defeat by speaking the Word of God in faith. Act on His Word now. Demand that sickness and disease leave you in the Name of Jesus. Then refuse to back off that demand. Resist the devil with all you've got. He might fight you for a while, but sooner or later, he will have to flee from you! Scripture Reading: Matthew 8:1-17 © 1992 Eagle Mountain International Church aka Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Live a Guilt-Free Life by Guideposts

Day 6: Live a Guilt-Free Life You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. John 15:3 The word of Jesus Christ can clean your spirit of all guilt. When you live by His example you will forego negative thoughts and actions and have a positive, faith-filled life. The ugliness of hate will be washed from your mind; all sins will be forgiven. You will feel free!

More than a History Book by Gloria Copeland

PURSUIT OF HIS PRESENCE -- DAILY DEVOTIONALSEARCH September 8, 2013 More Than a History Book Gloria Copeland You shall meditate on it [the Word] day and night. – Joshua 1:8, The Amplified Bible When you meditate on God’s Word, you’re going to do more than just read it. You’re going to take it into your heart in a very personal way and apply it to your situation. When you read a scripture about the blessing of prosperity, for example, you won’t think, Hey, that sounds nice, but I could never have it. Instead, you’ll apply it to yourself and say, “Hallelujah! That’s God’s Word to me. He says He’ll meet my needs liberally, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19), and I’m expecting Him to do that in my situation!” If you’ve been reading the Bible like a history book, make a change and begin to see it as though God is talking directly to you. Take time to meditate on it. Think about it. Digest it. Take it so personally that it moves from your head to your heart. Then it will become powerful and active in your life. Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:73-80 © 1999 Kenneth Copeland Ministries All rights reserved.

What are you expecting? Rod Parsley

What Are You expecting? [Jesus] asked him, "Do you want to get well?" John 5:6b Are you expecting God to work a miracle in your life? Do you live in constant and earnest expectation? Some people are satisfied with their condition and have stopped expecting anything better. Some have become okay with the idea of compromise and being sick. Some are willing to tolerate their condition of being poor, and working more than they should just to pay their bills. God is a God of miracles and you don't have to live that way anymore. I believe this is a year of unprecedented favor, unprecedented miracles, and unprecedented supernatural power. God is about to invade your life, your family, your city, your job and your neighborhood. John 10:38 says, "But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." I urge you to expect the supernatural, believe for the miraculous and allow God to reveal His power in your life today. I believe God is about to perform something special. Do something new and manifest something supernatural in your life. Get ready, for God is about to visit you! Further Reading John 5:1-8 John 11:40 1 Kings 17:7-24 God Bless,

Where's your miracle? by Rod Parsley

Where's Your Miracle? When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives. James 4:3 You may be going through a difficult time right now-perhaps you are facing some of the most incredible challenges in your life! Your prayers seem to be falling on deaf ears and you are frustrated and ready to give up. Don't stop believing for your miracle. Remember that we serve a prayer-answering God! God also wants you to take stock of your life and your prayer requests. The book of James tells us that there are times when we do not receive answers to our prayers because the motives of our hearts are wrong. First Corinthians 4:5 says, "He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." What's blocking your miracle? I urge you to get into the presence of God and allow the Holy Spirit to direct you so you can resolve whatever may be blocking your miracle today. When you get your heart in the right place, you will experience the miraculous power of Christ. God is positioning you for your miracle-today! Further Reading Matthew 6:21 Matthew 6:33 Psalms 119:1-2

Faith to Faith Under Pressure? Plant! Kenneth Copeland

FROM FAITH TO FAITH -- DAILY DEVOTIONALSEARCH September 6, 2013 Under Pressure? Plant! Kenneth Copeland Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. – Galatians 6:7 If you feel like you're under pressure these days, you're not alone. Satan is putting more pressure on more people right now than ever before. He's pressuring us mentally, financially, emotionally and every other way he can. The pressure has gotten so great everywhere that governments don't know what to do. Businesses don't know what to do. Families don't know. Churches don't know. But, praise God, Jesus does! He says we can give our way right out from under any pressure the devil brings to bear. Giving is always Jesus' way out. Whenever there's a need, He plants seed! In fact, in Mark 4, He compares the entire kingdom of God to a seed. Just think about the importance of seeds for a moment. Every living thing on this earth came from a seed. You came from a seed. Then you were born again from the seed of God's Word. Jesus Himself was The Seed planted by God. God sowed Him in sacrifice. He came forth and grew up into many brethren. So, when Satan puts you under pressure, go to Jesus and let Him tell you how and where to plant. If you'll do it, that seed will grow up until it breaks the powers of darkness and lack. It will release you from the pressure the devil's been putting on you. I've seen it happen. When Jerry Savelle first began to work for my ministry, he didn't have but one suit of clothes and one shirt with a pair of slacks to his name. He wore one, then the other, night after night to every service we held. He didn't have the money to even think about buying another suit. I'm telling you, he was under pressure where clothes were concerned! Then he found out about the principle of seed-faith and harvest. So, he went downtown in the city where we were in a meeting and found a fellow on the street who needed clothes and gave him some. Immediately people started giving Jerry clothes. It started in that meeting and they've been doing it ever since. Today, there are many preachers in Africa wearing Jerry Savelle suits! (Even if the sleeves and pant legs are way too short!) He's still sowing and reaping the greatest clothes harvest I've ever seen. If the devil's pressuring you, don't panic...plant! Plant your time. Plant your money. Plant the clothes off your back. When your harvest comes in, you can laugh and say, "Hey, Devil, who's feeling the pressure now?" Scripture Reading: Mark 4:1-20 © 1992 Eagle Mountain International Church aka Kenneth Copeland Publications All rights reserved.

Longing to Grow by David C. McCasland

The 2010 documentary film Babies followed four infants who were born into very different circumstances in Namibia, Mongolia, Tokyo, and San Francisco. There is no narration or dialogue from adults in the film, only the sounds babies make as they begin to discover the world into which they have been born. They coo and laugh when they’re happy; they cry when they are hurt or hungry. And all of them like milk! The fascination of the film lies in watching them grow. As a baby craves milk, followers of Christ are to crave the “pure milk of the Word” that leads to spiritual growth. The apostle Peter says, “Long to grow up into the fullness of your salvation; cry for this as a baby cries for his milk” (1 Peter 2:2 tlb). Peter wrote to encourage a group of Christ-followers who had been scattered by persecution. He urged them to set aside feelings of anger and jealousy toward each other, along with talking one way and living another (v.1), and “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby” (v.2). The Lord invites us to drink all that we need from His bountiful supply. He loves to watch His children grow! Lord, I want to be more like You. Please give me a fervent desire to drink of Your Word. Grow me into a person who resembles You in all I say and do. The more we dig into God’s Word, the more we grow.

Settling for Less by Rod Parsley

Settling for Less Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2 My visit to the garbage dump in Guatemala touched me deeply. As I watched children digging for food, I noticed a dead animal in their midst. The vultures had picked it clean, but the bones remained. The children tripped over the carcass as they ran to get the new garbage being thrown off the truck. A couple children fell and cried because they'd missed their chance at the "good stuff " because of the dead thing in the way. We also live with the bones of our past in the way. We trip over them, hurting ourselves over and over again because we can't get past them. The dead things in our lives are past sins, or sins committed against us that we can't or won't forgive. If we can't get past it, then the bones lie there for us to trip over every day. The bones of our past tell us we deserve nothing better than what we have... but that is not what God says. God wants to lift you out of your dump and into the good life He has planned for you. Let the promises of God's Word set you free. Don't settle for less... not for another day! Further Reading Romans 7:24 Colossians 1:12-13 Colossians 2:8 God Bless,

30 Days of Prayer: Live a Stress-Free Life Guideposts

Day 5: The Faith-Joy Connection A merry heart does good, like medicine. Proverbs 17:22 Joy has healing value. This is why Jesus so emphatically tells us to rejoice. Learn to live joyfully. Adopt a hopeful and optimistic attitude. Think happy thoughts, say happy things and put joy into people’s lives. The more you do this, the more surely you will keep your own spirits high.

Almost Content? by Bill Crowder

As I stepped into the restaurant parking lot after lunch, I saw a pickup truck speeding through the parked vehicles. While observing the driver’s reckless behavior, I noticed the words on the truck’s front license plate. It read, “Almost Content.” After thinking about that message and the sentiment it tried to communicate, I concluded that the concept “almost content” doesn’t exist. Either we are content or we are not. Admittedly, contentment is a tough needle to thread. We live in a world that feeds our desire for more and more—until we find it almost impossible to be content with anything. But this is nothing new. The book of Hebrews addressed this issue, saying, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (13:5). The only remedy for hearts that “want it all” is the contentment found in the presence of the living God. He is sufficient for our needs and longings, and He alone can bring us the peace and contentment we’ll never find in the pursuits of this life. Almost content? There is no such thing. In Christ we can know true contentment. I find contentment in His wondrous grace, No cloud or shadow can obscure His face; When great temptations I must bear, I find the secret place of prayer. —Dunlop Contentment is not getting what we want but being satisfied with what we have.

Start Speaking Faith Now by Kenneth Copeland

FROM FAITH TO FAITH -- DAILY DEVOTIONALSEARCH September 5, 2013 Start Speaking Faith Now Kenneth Copeland Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. – Matthew 12:34-35 Words won't work without faith any more than faith will work without words! It takes them both to put the law of faith in motion. Many believers don't realize that. They'll continually speak words of doubt and unbelief, then they'll jump up one day and say a couple of faith words and expect mountains to move-- and to their dismay, they don't. Why not? Because as Matthew 12:34-35 says, it's the words that come from the heart that produce results. The person who just throws in a couple of faith words now and then isn't speaking them from the abundance of his heart, so they're not effective. Does that mean you shouldn't start speaking words of faith until you're sure you have the faith to back them? No! Speaking words of faith is good spiritual exercise. If you want to receive healing by faith, for example, fasten your mind and your mouth on the Word of God where your health is concerned. Instead of talking about how miserable you feel, quote Isaiah 53:5. Say, "Jesus was wounded for my transgressions. He was bruised for my iniquities. The chastisement of my peace was upon Him; and with His stripes, praise God, I was healed!" If you'll continue to meditate on those words and continue to say them, the truth in them will begin to sink in. They'll take root in your heart and begin to grow. And eventually you really will be speaking from the abundance of your heart. When that happens, it won't matter what the circumstances look like. You'll know you have what you've been believing for and the devil himself won't be able to talk you out of it. You'll cross the line from hope to faith, and you'll start seeing those mountains move! Scripture Reading: Matthew 12:33-37

One Word by Rod Parsley

One Word At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Matthew 11:25 Put first things first! Your needs may be great, your trials may be fiery and your circumstances may be threatening. You have prayed and even begged God to come through for you. Yet you haven't seen the answer. I want you to know that God is ready to deliver you, save you and set you free, but God only responds to His Word-not your circumstances. So, calm down and put first things first! God's Word is immutable, forever settled in the heavens! Don't focus on your circumstances or on your need for a miracle. It may be incredibly tough for you right now, but you have to make the Word of God your number one priority. Spend time alone with God today, not talking, not crying, not praying and asking God to help you. Spend time in His presence doing nothing but singing and listening to the voice of the Lord. He will give you the instruction you need. He will give you the keys to your miracle! Further Reading Proverbs 3:6 Isaiah 30:21 Psalms 73:23 -25 God Bless,

The Good Life by Joe Stowell

"Beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Luke 12:15 Driving down the highway in Houston, I passed a billboard with large letters that announced “THE GOOD LIFE!” I couldn’t wait to get closer to read the small print, which explained that the “good life” was about buying a lakefront home starting at $300,000. Which made me wonder if some unhappy families might live in those homes, with kids who never see their parents, or couples who, though living on the lake, wish they weren’t even living together. Luke 12:15 came to mind as I remembered the story of the man who asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. That was the wrong thing to ask Jesus! He replied with a warning, “Beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” He then went on to tell the story of an extremely rich man who, from God’s point of view, was a fool—not because he was successfully wealthy but because he was not rich toward God. The sooner we get over the illusion that more stuff means more peace, happiness, and self-fulfillment, the better off we will be. And then the more able we will be to find the longed-for peace and happiness—the true “good life”—that only Jesus can provide. O Lord, help us to be content, Whatever we possess; Protect us from the foolish lie That “more” brings happiness. —Sper The “good life” is found in the richness of God. Categories: Christian life Tags: Money, Possessions

A Miracle Working God by Rod Parsley

A Miracle-Working God The Lord said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled." Jeremiah 1:12 Have you put your trust in God's Word? Ask God to guide you to some Scriptures to help you and give you hope. The Scriptures are full of stories of God's amazing miracles. Job 5:9 says, "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." If you are waiting for God to manifest His miraculous power, I stand with you in faith today and believe that your miracle is taking place even as you read this. In fact, I believe that you are about to enter into a season of miracles. I believe you are about to receive things that you never even prayed about. God is about to do something in your life that is completely and absolutely sovereign! You have an incredible advantage in this world-God is on your side! Ecclesiastes 7:12 says, "The advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor." God is about to take you from where you are to where you ought to be! Put your faith in His infallible Word. His Word can never return void. God's angels are currently on assignment making sure that His promises manifest in your life today! Further Reading Job 5:9 Psalms 77: 14 Matthew 24:35 God Bless, God helped me to find my wallet that I lost on 9/10/13. The wallet was found and everything was in tact including the cash. Praise God. There are some Christians in the world.

Packed With Power by Joe Stowell

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 My wife, Martie, and I have some items of worth around our house that sit on mantles or behind glass doors. They are things we have collected over the years, things from special places we’ve been or from special friends we have known. Though these items may have a good deal of worth to us personally, in terms of function they’re not worth much. My guess is that you have a few of your own prized dust collectors as well. I wonder if you, though you might never admit it, feel that way about the Bible—It’s an important book with great value but with little usefulness for the realities you face every day. After all, how could an ancient book written by religious zealots even begin to connect with the challenges of your often-too-complex life? Here’s the good news: When it comes to your life, nothing could be more helpful! The Word of God has tremendous worth and plays an active role in our lives to effect change. Paul explained its power to Timothy when he said that the Bible is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). I think of my friend who told me of a time when he was away on a business trip. As he returned to his hotel one night and stepped on the elevator, two young, attractive women joined him. As he pressed the button to get off on his floor, they said, “Hey, mister, how about a little fun tonight?” He told me that Galatians 6:8 immediately came to mind: “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” He said that verse was like a shade drawn between him and what could have been a persuasive temptation. In that moment, the correcting power of the Word of God kept him safe and on course. Whether we realize it or not, throughout our lives we have been saturated with false values, and we need to be reprogrammed with truth. God’s ways and wisdom are without peer. His Word really is like a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119: 105). We need to know what to do with our time, energy, and money. We need to know what to do with our minds. We need to be taught what to do about friends and how to handle enemies. We need to be taught about family, work, and leisure. God’s Word is jam-packed with time-tested principles of success for every situation and issue of life. More importantly, God’s Word teaches us the wonderful truth that He cared enough to die for us when we were lost in our sin. In His Word we learn about His character and how we can cultivate a trusted relationship with Him. We learn things about Him through His Word that we cannot learn anywhere else. The Bible is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and packed with power. It’s not meant to be a collector’s item on your shelf. Go ahead—dust it off and discover for yourself how God can use His Word to guide, protect, encourage, and enrich your life! YOUR JOURNEY… What importance does the Bible have in your life? Would you describe it as “living and active”? If not, what steps can you take to change that? Think through some circumstances where you can experience the unique usefulness of God’s Word as it pertains to (1) teaching, (2) rebuking, (3) correcting, and (4) training in righteousness. Like my friend at the hotel, have you experienced a time when God’s Word came to mind at a critical moment? Share your story with someone who needs to be reminded of the living and active power of God’s Word. Choose a thought from Scripture to take with you today. And make it a daily habit! Categories: Basics Of Faith, Bible Scripture, Bible Study, Meditation, Memorization, reading, Reliability Of, Truth Vs. Error, Ways To Study Tags: Meditation, Memorization, reading, reliability of, truth vs. error

Listen to Him by Rod Parsley

Listen to Him My sheep listen to my voice...and they follow me. John 10:27 Are you listening to the Great Shepherd or are you following someone else's voice? Satan may have told you that miracles no longer happen. Maybe he has told you that healing is not for today or the doctor's report is final and your life is over. The devil is a liar! Say that out loud! If you have been listening to those lies, put a stop to it today. The solution is the Word of God! Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." You are reading this today because He wants you to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He has your best interests at heart! He has a miracle waiting for you today. Pay no attention to what the devil tells you. His words are lies and he only wants to destroy you. He doesn't want you to know the fulfillment of a life lived in Christ. Second Timothy 2:25-26 says, "...God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." Fill your heart with God's Word. It will produce faith and will activate the miracle you desire! This is our victory! Further Reading John 8:44 Deuteronomy 5:29 Proverbs 4 God Bless,

What is God saying? Rod Parsley

What is God Saying? Do whatever He tells you. John 2:5 Have you received your miracle yet? You might need to go back and obey the last instruction that the Lord gave you before you receive your miracle. You might have to release forgiveness or start acting like you have already received your miracle. Do whatever He tells you! God knows how to take you out of your mess to your miracle, from poverty to prosperity and from sorrow to joy. Sometimes the instructions God gives you may not make sense to anyone, but do whatever He tells you! I'm sure Noah wondered why God had him build an ark in the desert. Abraham probably wondered why God would have him pick up and leave his homeland. These men remained faithful and reaped His blessings! Faith causes you to ignore the realm of your five senses and believe what God tells you. God will always ask you to do something that requires your faith to be stretched, something that will make you trust in Him! Second Corinthians 5:7 says, "We live by faith, not by sight." What miracle do you need today? A miracle in your family or finances? A miracle in your body or in your marriage? Whatever you need today, God sent me to tell you that you are on the verge of your miracle. Remember, do whatever He tells you. Further Reading Exodus 14:27-30 Psalms 105:39-40 Matthew 19:26 God Bless,