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May 27 Fasting from negative thoughtsThought 1
Today we are fasting from the thought that says: I feel powerless.
Think It and Say It: God has not given me a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. I
have POWER in my life right now. Through the Holy Spirit in me, I have
the power to overcome sin; the power to change my life for the better,
the power to be healed; the power to forgive; the power to praise God
no matter what; the power to speak God’s Word and see His promises show
up in my life.
I will think big and ask big, and therefore the POWER OF GOD’S SPIRIT WITHIN ME, will bring it to pass in my life.
I choose to remember what God has already done which takes the limits off of my life and my expectations. I expect favor today, wisdom, understanding, and God’s blessing!
May 24 As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he
May 20 A Soldiers Prayer A Soldiers Prayer I asked God for strength, that I might achieve. I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health, that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy. I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life. I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for-but everything that I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoiled prayers were answered. I am among all men, most richly blessed. Author Unknown May we learn that Gods ways are higher than ours April 30 Give Life With Your Words Give Life with Your Words Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG) You have the power to kill or give life. Yes, you, gentle reader - a follower of Christ - are capable of murder, and so am I. We can speak death with our words, or we can speak life. Perhaps you've been on the other side of the killing kind of messages: "You're not smart enough. You're not thin enough. You're not fast enough. You're not good enough. A real Christian wouldn't think such a thing." In a world where people are beat up and put down, God gives you superhero power to punch through the negativity. You speak life to others when you say: "You matter to me. I like you just the way you are. You're human, anyone could think that. Your life counts. You were created for a purpose. God loves you, and you're incredibly valuable to him." Your words may be the only encouraging thing some people hear in a day, or a week, or a month. You - yes, you - can become the voice of God's grace in the lives of others, supporting, loving, helping, and encouraging with the words that flow from your mouth. (Romans 14:19b) In the New Testament, the word 'encouragement' often means "to come alongside." We're to come alongside one another, "building each other up," just as the Holy Encourager comes alongside us to teach us and remind us of the way of Jesus. (John 14:26) We become encouragers when we stop looking down and start looking up (Colossians 3:2) - the need and opportunity for encouragement is everywhere. "Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us," (Romans 15:2a MSG) and this "will build them up." (Romans 15:2b NLT) So, how about it? Will you become today a consistent source of encouragement to those around you? It's a choice on your part. You can lift a person's spirit, change the atmosphere of your office, or lighten the burden of someone in your small group. The Bible says we should "look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out." (1 Thessalonians 5:15b MSG) What does this mean? Commit to encouragement - Make a choice to build up the people around you. Fill your conversations with phrases like: "I believe in you," "I'm grateful for you," "I see God using you," "I appreciate you," and "I'm glad you're in my life." The Bible says we should "encourage one another and build each other up." (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV) Value others - An encourager works hard at bringing the best out in others. Value people by understanding they are valuable to God. He encourages you in spite of the failings in your past; he believes in you in spite of those annoying, little things you excuse in yourself but criticize in others. (Quite honestly, this thought compels me to give grace to others.) Be encouraged - Encourage yourself, for "there is good news of great joy for all people, and his name is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:8-10) Devotional by Jon Walker April 29 God is our refiner and purifier Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it." If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Pass this on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end. April 26 When your hut is on fire
April 24 Alphabets of Happiness...words to live byALPHABETS OF HAPPINESS
* A--Accept *
Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if
you
have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.
*B--Break Away *
Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to
accomplish with your life.
*C--Create *
Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams,
sorrows,
and happiness with.
*D--Decide *
Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good
things
will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.
*E--Explore *
Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much
to
give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about
yourself.
*F--Forgive *
Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness
and
grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.
*G--Grow *
Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand
in
your way.
*H--Hope *
Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as
you
remain dedicated to the task.
*I--Ignore *
Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals
and
remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling
of
what the future holds.
*J--Journey*
Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try
to
learn something new every day, and you'll grow.
*K--Know *
Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better.
The
warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.
*L--Love *
Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart,
there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's
room
for endless happiness.
*M--Manage *
Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress
and
worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.
*N--Notice *
Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer
your
assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.
*O--Open *
Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the
worst
of times, there's still much to be thankful for.
*P--Play *
Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without
happiness.
*Q--Question *
Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.
*R--Relax *
Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that
things
always have a way of working out in the end.
*S--Share *
Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything
that
you invest in others will return to you many times over.
*T--Try *
Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be
amazed
by what you can accomplish.
*U--Use *
Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no
value.
Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.
*V--Value *
Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged
you,
and be there for them as well.
*W--Work *
Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel
guilty
if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second
chance.
*X--X-Ray *
Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the
goodness
and beauty within.
*Y--Yield *
Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll
find
success at the end of the road.
*Z--Zoom *
Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rear a ugly head. November 14 Our True Identity in Jesus Christ In the midst of bringing down books from our upstairs library to switch rooms with our son, Mark....I found in the midst of my husbands mountain of books....a Thompson Chain reference bible....in which is my favorite type of study bible...my husband and I were conversing back and forth about it last night. I was telling him how much I love this type of bible...he told me about another that he had that I would just have to see it and then decide which I liked better. He brought me out the Life Application Bible, in which I never heard of, and I began looking through it...and I just love it...I see what he meant the minute I began turning the pages. I asked him what were his favorite books of the bible and I told him mine....and one of many of mine is the book of Proverbs. There is much wisdom to be gleaned from it...and I will be studying more intently in it the next few weeks or more. I found a very pertinent study this morning on our identity in Christ.... In Ephesians 2:11-13 it says: 11. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands. 12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Isreal, and strangers fromt he covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. In which our True Identity is this: Romans 3:24 We are declared "not guilty" of sin. Romans 8: 1 No condemnation awaits us Romans 8:2 We are free from the vicious circle of sin and death 1Corinthians 1:2 We are acceptable to Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 1:30 We are pure and holy 1 Corinthians 15:22 We will rise again 2 Corinthians 3:17 We are free from trying to be saved by being good enough 2 Corinthians5:17 We are brand new people inside 2 Corinthians 5:21 We are full of God's goodness Galatians 3:28 We are one in Christ with all other believers Ephesians 1:3 We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven Ephesians 1:4 We are holy, faultless, and covered with God's love Ephesians 1:5-6 We belong to God Ephesians 1:7 Our sins are taken away and we are forgiven Ephesians 1:10-11 We will live with Christ forever Ephesians 1:13 We are marked as belonging to God by His Spirit Ephesians 2:6 We will be lifted up from the grave to sit with Christ in glory Ephesians 2:10 We have been given new lives Ephesians 2:13 We have been brought near to God Ephesians 3:6 We will receive great blessings Ephesians 3:12 We can come fearlessly into God's presence Ephesians 5:29-30 We are part of Christ's body, the church Colossians 2:10 WE have everything because we have Christ, we are filled with His spirit Colossians 2:11 We are set free from our evil desires 2 Timothy 2:10 We will have eternal glory What promises we have....the problem is with most people I have encountered is that they cannot believe all these things...It is in the Word!!! It is hard for some to believe that God would love them so much....they cannot see what God sees in them....we look in the mirror and see all of our faults...inconsistencies...our past failures...sins.....where God may see this mighty warrior in prayer, a leader of thousands that He is raising up for His kingdom, a person with a meek and kind heart that will love the wounded and dying in which is a mighty force in reaching the lost. OR maybe you are bold as Peter, or Paul...that will reach thousands one day through the preaching of the Word...we must trust God and His love for us...don't worry what others may say or what they think of you....put your blinders on concerning those negative people...let God deal with that...it is His battle....not ours. To know when we fail that we get back up...shake it off and stay focused...stay on course with what we know to do...don't give up. True failure is not in making the mistake...it is in giving up and not going forth. That is when it becomes sin...we allow the cares of life to weigh us down...we start listening to the negative with in ourselves, the enemy, people....get into the Word...it is by the renewing of our minds that we will be able to fight the good fight....to overcome our battles. Our battles are not people....or more than likely not even the enemy...but our ownselves...we can be our own worse enemy. It is time to wake up...renew ourselves by taking hold of the word of God and believing it...walkling in it...using it and speaking it...believing Him! November 13 I am thankful! Everyday I think on the goodness of the Lord and where He has brought me...For I could not of made it without Him. This Thanksgiving is a very special time for me...As with Job...God blessed him after his trial. God has given me a new beginning. A wonderful husband, children, a real home, peace and contentment, a new church family that is very unigue and kind. I have learned that in life that we only have so much time given to us. And what is important is what we do with the time allotted to us. Finding our purpose and perfect Will of God in our life truly brings peace to your heart. The scripture is so very true in that weeping may endure for a night, but Joy cometh in the morning...I thought I understood this scripture but found out I truly didn't until I actually felt it in my own life. I even spoke it in my ignorance as if I understood it....but at point didn't actually come to the realization until it came to life in me. To have perfect joy in your spirit...God places it there when we are ready to let go of the grief...but I had to be willing to go forward....I had to allow God to take me into the deep waters of grief and dispair and pick me up when I couldn't. I was in a deep, dark tunnel with nothing or no one to grab onto....it was only God and I...He only had the power to help me. With His great mercy, and love He gathered up all my brokenness and put me back together. I am so thankful that He did....it is true...His goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life! Thank you Jesus for you love for me! |
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