FOOD FOR THE SOUL

Power in Perspective

2011-07-12T13:41:00.003+08:00

It’s easy to get focused on what’s wrong in life, what we don’t have, and how big our obstacles are. If we’re not careful, we’ll lose sight of all the good things God has done. We’ll take for granted our family, friends, health and the opportunities God has blessed us with. We’ll get so busy and stressed out that we won’t appreciate the gift of today. What’s happened? Our perspective has gotten off.

Perspective is all about how we see a situation. There’s power in your perspective because you will draw into your life what you constantly meditate on. Business may be slow. The economy may be down. The wrong perspective is, “I’ll never make it. It’s just too much.” The right perspective is, “God is supplying all of my needs. He said He would prosper me even in a desert.”

Today, evaluate your perspective. Choose to lift your eyes to God the Father no matter what is happening in your circumstances. Remember, as you set your perspective in the right direction, your life will follow. When you keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, you open the door for His blessing in every area of your life!

Dads Blessings

2009-07-22T11:54:00.000+08:00

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. And as he did, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss Spirit's blessings and answers to our prayers because they do not arrive exactly as we have expected?

Mountain Story

2009-07-20T08:40:00.000+08:00

"A son and his father were walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"
He receives the answer: "Who are you?"
And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"
The voice answers: "I admire you!"
Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"
He receives the answer: "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."
Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE.
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.
If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it."
YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!"

EAGLES IN A STORM

2009-07-18T19:14:00.000+08:00

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?
The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.
The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.
God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.
Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.

Free Favor Abounds

2009-07-13T18:55:00.000+08:00

"The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me…to proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound]"
(Luke 4:18–19, AMP).

In the Old Testament, every 50 years the people would celebrate what they called Jubilee. It was a day of freedom and restoration–once–in–a–lifetime event! But now, because of what Jesus has done, we don´t have to wait 50 years to experience Jubilee. We can live in Jubilee every single day.

I believe this is your year of freedom. It´s your year to be released from every bondage, every debt, and anything that would hold you back. It´s your season to be released from sickness, depression, addictions, and worry. It is your year to see the free favor of God profusely abound! It’s your time of restoration.
Let that sink deep down into your heart today. Dare to believe that He wants to see you free. Surrender every area of your heart to Him and watch the bondages of the past break off of you so you can live in Jubilee in every area of your life!

Get into Agreement with God

2009-07-13T18:53:00.000+08:00

"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them"
(Matthew 18:19-20, NKJ)

There´s a spiritual principle in the Bible that tells us when two or more agree on something, that thing shall be established. There is great power in agreement. In another verse it says, "How can two walk together unless they agree?" In other words, if we want to walk with God, if we want to see His promises established in our lives, if we want to live in His power, we have to get into agreement with Him. We have to know what He says and make our thoughts and actions line up with His.
For example, God wants His children to live in victory, but in order to experience that victory we have to think it, believe it, and speak it. We can´t go around thinking, "Oh my breakthrough is never going to happen. Nothing works out for me. It´s been too long." No, that attitude will stop the power of agreement. Instead of complaining, get into agreement with God and declare, "I know my breakthrough is coming. I know God hears my prayers. I am in agreement with Him and all things work out for my good!" Choose His words, thoughts, and actions and watch His promises come to pass in every area of your life!

Expect God to Act

2009-07-08T21:46:00.000+08:00

Did you know that God loves to hear you call upon His name? He has ways to meet your needs that you´ve never imagined, and He´s just waiting for you to ask expectantly. Are you expecting God to act on your behalf today?
So many people pray with an attitude as if they are trying to hit a dartboard blindfolded! They know the target is there, they have an idea of the general direction; they just hope they´ll just get somewhere close. But understand, when you get into God´s Word and declare His promises over your life, it´s like taking the blindfold off and walking straight up to the bull´s eye! When you pray with expectancy according to God´s Word, you´ll hit the target every single time.
What are your needs today? Find the promise in God´s Word that addresses those needs. Then, expect God to act! He is faithful to His Word, and He´s just waiting to show Himself strong on your behalf.

Set the Standard

2009-07-08T21:29:00.000+08:00

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men"(Colossians 3:23, NIV)

In today’s society, many people have accepted mediocrity as the norm. They do as little as they can to get by, always looking for the easy way out. If the boss isn’t watching, they’re playing on the computer. They simply go to work to pick up a paycheck, and then wonder why they’re not promoted and don’t see increase. It’s because God doesn’t bless mediocrity, He blesses excellence.
Whatever we do, we should do it to the best of our ability. We should set the standard. Remember, we are ultimately working for the Lord. He’s the one who put those talents and abilities in us. We are stewards of the gifts He’s given. Other people may show up late. They may complain. They may cut corners. But don’t sink down to their level—you are working for Almighty God. You are called to excellence.
I encourage you today, stay determined. Stay focused. Whether you’re a waitress, a truck driver, an architect, a police officer, or a CEO, do it to the best of your ability. God is the one who brings promotion. When you set the standard, He’ll raise you up and pour out His blessing in every area of your life!

Honor Him in All That You Do

2009-07-07T12:53:00.002+08:00

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"Remind people to be submissive to [their] magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be prepared and willing to do any upright and honorable work"
(Titus 3:1, AMP)

In what ways do you honor God? A lot of times, people think “I go to church to honor God. I read my Bible to honor God. I sing and clap to honor God.” And yes, those are ways to honor God, but did you know that you honor God just as much when you get to work on time? You honor God when you are productive each day and honor the people in authority over you. You honor God when you excel in your career.
Actions speak louder than words. When you give your very best in the workplace, your whole life is giving praise to God—it’s one of the best witnesses you could ever have. Just showing up with a good attitude, friendly, organized, being your best—people will notice there’s something different about you. They’ll want what you have.
As believers, we should set the standard in all areas of life. People should see the depth of your character and your spirit of excellence and know that you are a child of the Most High God. Make the decision to honor Him in all that you do because you are His representative in the earth today!

Live Excellently

2009-07-07T12:48:00.000+08:00

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10a, NAS)

David was a man of excellence. The Bible tells us that David played his harp “skillfully.” He didn’t just play it, he played it with excellence. When he slung the stone that defeated Goliath, it wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t just a lucky break. David had practiced the slingshot year after year out in the shepherd’s fields. He was extremely talented with that slingshot. Some experts say he could hit a small bull’s eye more than 100 feet away!
In the same way, if we want to see God’s hand of promotion, we need to live excellently. In this day and age, if you’re not growing, then you’re at a disadvantage. If you’re at the same skill level this year as you were five years ago, then you are falling behind. It’s time to step it up a notch. Whatever you are doing, do it with all your might! Don’t get complacent. Keep growing; keep learning; keep improving. As you do your best to live excellently, God will bless the fruit of your labor. He’ll pour out His “super” on your natural and cause you to rise up higher into the life of victory He has in store for you!

Be Faithful with Little

2009-07-02T17:01:00.001+08:00

"He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much"
(Luke 16:10, AMP)

Many people today are not experiencing God’s favor like they should simply because they’re not passing what I call, the small test. We have to be faithful with the little things in our lives before God will entrust us with bigger things. For example, being excellent in the workplace for you may not mean some huge adjustment. It may just mean leaving ten minutes earlier so you can get to work on time. It may mean not complaining when your supervisor asks you to do something. It may mean not making personal phone calls on company time. You might think, “It’s just a small thing. Nobody knows. It’s not hurting anything.” But the Scripture says, “It’s the little foxes that spoil the vines.” Don’t let the seemingly small things keep you from the big things God has in store. No, it’s time to come up higher. It’s time to be faithful, even when nobody’s looking

I encourage you today to make the decision to come up higher. Choose to be faithful with the little things so that God can bless you and make you ruler over much!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I choose to be faithful in all things. I repent right now for anything that I’ve done that has been displeasing to You. Help me by Your Holy Spirit to rise up higher so that I can be ready to embrace all You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Let Your Light Shine

2009-07-02T16:57:00.001+08:00

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16, AMP)

Do the people around you see your light shining? Do they know you are a believer by your actions? Are you setting the bar in your office? Can people see your good works?

I know people who can quote half the Bible and pray two hours a day, but they have no influence or credibility because they’re sloppy in the workplace. They’re always late or wasting time. They’re not productive. They’re not efficient. No one will even listen to them.

I heard somebody say, “Your performance gives you a platform.” When you excel in what you do, that gets people’s attention. The way to gain respect, the way to gain influence is to develop your character and skills in such a way that people want what you have. They may not agree with what you believe, but when you are the best in your company, they can’t argue with that. You’ve earned their respect, not by your words, but by your spirit of excellence.

I encourage you today, don’t settle for mediocrity. You are a child of the Most High God. Make the decision today to let your light shine and bring Him glory in everything you do!

Ask For Wisdom

2009-06-29T20:32:00.000+08:00

Do you need wisdom for something today? Ask God. He loves it when you call upon Him, and He longs to give generously to you. Do you need wisdom to lead your family? Do you need wisdom on your job? Do you need wisdom for a decision you have to make in life? Ask God! The next verse goes on to say that when you ask, you must ask in faith without wavering. That means you have to be absolutely determined to get your answer from Him. You can’t just ask and then decide to do things your own way, or doubt that He will give you the answer. That’s being double-minded. When you’re double-minded, the Bible says you won’t be able to receive anything from the Lord. Don’t let that be you! Have a one-track mind that’s focused on God and His promises. Believe that He is going to generously bless you with His wisdom. As you keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, He’ll cause you to rise higher and higher, and you’ll live the abundant life He has in store for you!

Sweet Fragrance

2009-06-29T20:21:00.003+08:00

“For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ which exhales unto God…” (Psalm 42:1).

Did you know that your life is a sweet fragrance to God? Think about how a wonderful aroma affects you personally. When it’s springtime and the flowers are blossoming, everything feels new again. The sweet aroma in the air is a sign that the flowers are fresh and alive. It catches your attention! It makes you want to take a deep breath and partake of the wonderful sweet fragrance. God feels the same way about you! He loves wonderful aromas and when you are living your life to please Him, it’s a beautiful fragrance that captures His attention! Just like the aroma in springtime is a sign that the flowers are alive, the aroma of your life is a sign that Christ is alive in you. It is pleasing to the Father! The next time you experience a fresh fragrance, remember that your life is a fragrance unto God. You can rest in knowing that He is pleased with a heart that seeks after Him. As you continue to seek Him, you’ll be that sweet fragrance and you’ll experience His wonderful hand of blessing in every area of your life.

He Meets Your Needs

2008-07-10T15:21:00.000+08:00

Aren't you glad we serve a God who promises to supply all our needs! When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and follow His commands, you have access to God and everything He is; peace, provision, protection and more. That means no matter what is happening in the world today, as you obey God's Word, your needs will be met. No matter what is going on with the economy, gas prices, or housing market, God is still your Source; and if your Source is okay, then you are okay, too. Rest assured there is no lack in heaven.

Not only is God able to meet your needs, He wants to meet your needs. It gives Him great pleasure to bless and prosper you. Begin to expect that God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Look for His hand of provision in your life and praise Him for His faithfulness. As you do your part, God will do His part. He will open the windows of heaven and pour out His abundant blessing on every area of your life

Tuning in to the Voice of Victory

2008-07-07T17:38:00.000+08:00

There are all kinds of voices and thoughts we can tune in to each day. Just like a radio station, there are hundreds of different frequencies that are available. There is the negative frequency that says, "You'll never accomplish your dreams", "You'll never get well", "You'll never get married." Then, there is the "Voice of Victory" frequency.

The "Voice of Victory" is found in God's Word. It says, "You are blessed." "You are prosperous", "You can do all things", "Your best days are still ahead". Despite the many voices you hear today, the key is to keep the negative voices from getting deposited into your spirit. The scripture says in Philippians 4:8 to "Think on things that are pure, things that are wholesome, things that are of a good report." When you latch on to the "Voice of Victory" and let these faith-filled thoughts take deep root in your heart, your faith will produce a positive harvest, and you will live that victorious life!

He Gives Strength

2008-07-07T17:37:00.002+08:00

Have you ever felt backed into a corner about a particular situation, and you couldn’t see a way out? We’ve all felt overwhelmed by the circumstances of life at one time or another. Be encouraged today because the Bible says in Isaiah that when you cry to God for help, as soon as He hears, He will answer you! He will give you strength when you are weary and increase your power when you feel weak. No matter what is going on in your life today, God is greater than any obstacle or difficulty you may be facing. Do you need strength today to overcome a challenge in your life? Do you need power to stand strong in the midst of a storm? Call on Him and He will hear you. The answer is on the way while the words are still on your lips! Open your heart and by faith receive His strength and might, and let Him empower you to live in victory all the days of your life!

Thriving not Surviving

2008-07-07T17:36:00.001+08:00

You're not a survivor. You are more than a conqueror.

It's easy to get into a survival mode. When times get tough and things aren't going our way, it's tempting to just settle where we are, not believe for increase and not believe to go any further. It's tempting to think, "If I can just hold on. If I can just make it through another year." If we're not careful, we'll develop a survival mentality to where we're not releasing our faith. We're not believing to rise any higher. We're just hoping to maintain. We'd be satisfied if we could just break even. But we're not supposed to break even. We're supposed to break through to a new level, to more of God's favor, increase and promotion.

God says in the book of Jeremiah that if we'll keep the Lord as our trust and confidence, God will prosper us even in the desert. He'll prosper us even in difficult times. That means when others are going under God says you'll go over!

God can prosper us even in the desert if we'll just be bold enough to believe. You were created to thrive in life! Won't you believe that for your life today?

Victory is On the Way

2008-05-10T11:26:00.000+08:00

Everyone goes through seasons of difficulty and challenge in life. One of the enemy’s traps is to isolate you and convince you that you won’t make it. But God promises that He will deliver the righteous out of all of their afflictions. You are righteous because of your relationship with God through Christ Jesus. You are righteous simply by having faith in Him, His goodness, and the promises in His Word. If you’re going through a tough time today, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Declare His promises over your life. You are more than a conqueror through Him! The joy of the Lord is your strength! As you continue to stand, even during the difficult times, you can be assured that victory is on the way. It might be today…it might be next week…next month, or next year, but God is faithful! Through faith and patience, you will inherit the promise. You will get beyond your difficulty, and you’ll increase in wisdom and strength and live the abundant life He has for you!

Keep Sowing

2008-05-10T11:25:00.002+08:00

God loves you so much, and He wants you to live in abundance in every area of your life. In the book of Genesis, in the very beginning, He established a system for increase. Everything in life operates off of seedtime and harvest. As long as you have seed, you have increase in your hand. But a seed will lay dormant until it is placed in the right conditions. You have to plant that seed and water it in order for it to grow. What are the seeds you have in your hand? It can be as simple as the seed of a smile that will produce happiness in your life. It can be a financial seed that will produce provision in your life. Give and it shall be given back to you in greater measure. The Bible says that God’s Word is water and when you speak the Word, you are watering your seeds. Ask the Lord today to show you what seeds you have in your hand. He’ll show you where to plant them, and He’ll watch over those seeds to produce an abundant harvest in every area of your life!

Faith and Honor

2008-05-10T11:25:00.001+08:00

Did you know that honor and faith work together? When Jesus walked the earth, the people in His own hometown couldn’t believe that He was the Son of God because they were too familiar with Him. They didn’t honor Him, which affected their ability to have faith in Him. When you honor the Lord, when you respect and make room for Him in your life by following the Word of God, it impacts your faith in Him. Part of honoring the Lord is honoring the people He’s placed in your life. God works through people, and the Bible says that the way you treat others is the way you treat Him. Choose to honor people and make room for the Lord to work in your life, today. Look for the greatness in the people around you: your spouse, your children, your friends and family. Treat others with respect, knowing that God is building His character in you. As you choose honor, you open the door for faith to grow. You’ll see God’s hand working in your life, and you will see His hand of blessing on everything you do!

Take Refuge in Him

2008-05-09T12:53:00.001+08:00

Where do you take refuge when the storms of life come? Where do you go for comfort and safety? Some people find it easy to turn to their friends, their job, or even a bowl of ice-cream! There’s nothing wrong with any of those things, but God the Father wants us to turn to Him first. He wants us to take refuge in Him. He longs to protect us and defend us and give us His strength. We serve a good God, and when we take refuge in Him, He will pour out His abundant blessing in our lives. Taste and see that the Lord is good today. Taste and see that His promises are good. When you turn to God, the Bible promises that you will find rest and refuge for your soul. No matter what you may be facing today, come to the Father. He will give you His peace and strength, and you’ll live the blessed life He has prepared for you!

Persevere Until You See the Promise

2008-05-09T12:52:00.000+08:00

What are you believing God for today? Promotion? Healing? Stronger relationships? Deliverance? God has promised all these things to you in His Word because it’s His heart for you to live in blessing and wholeness all the days of your life. When you do the will of God by obeying His Word and precepts, it opens the door for His promises to be fulfilled in your life. You may be doing all the right things today—don’t give up! Perseverance will carry you to the promise. Perseverance means that you are focused and believing in what God says about your situation. It’s looking away from distractions and any negative, defeating thoughts. Perseverance looks away from discouragement and looks to the Word of God. Perseverance has a voice, and it says things like, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper…if God is for me, who can be against me! I am more than a conqueror through Jesus!” Whatever you are believing for today, keep believing! Stand strong and fight the good fight of faith. Ask God to give you endurance, perseverance, and patience so that you can see His promises fulfilled in every area of your life!

Seeing Adversity The Right Way

2008-05-03T13:20:00.000+08:00

Anytime God is about to take you to a new level you’re going to face opposition. There will be new battles to fight and new obstacles to overcome. It’s easy to get discouraged and think, “Why is this happening?” But we have to change our thinking and focus on the fact that on the other side of those challenges is a new level of victory—a new level of success. David would only be known as a shepherd boy if it weren’t for Goliath. David’s enemy became the tool that God used to promote him. And God will do the same in your life today. He’ll use those challenges and difficulties in your life to catapult you towards success! If you are going through a hard time today, if things look impossible, don’t give up now. Change your perspective and believe that God is working behind the scenes. Put a smile on your face and stand in confidence knowing that you are a child of the Most High God. When all is said and done, you’re not just going to come out of that difficulty, but you’re coming out stronger, wiser, and better than you were before! That problem is going to be the catalyst for God to open supernatural doors of opportunity for you! Stand strong in the Lord today and trust that what the enemy meant for your harm, God will turn around and use to your advantage. He’ll take you places you never dreamed and cause you to rise higher and higher in every area of your life!

He Delivers You From All

2008-05-03T13:18:00.000+08:00

Aren’t you glad we serve a Deliverer today? An affliction is defined as the cause of persistent pain or distress. You might feel afflicted today, but God is working to bring you out of that difficult situation. It may not be in the way you thought, but you have to trust that God has your best interest at heart. I know that afflictions can take on many forms—a sickness or hardship, a temptation, a coworker or family member. There are so many things that can come against us, but God promises in His Word that no weapon formed against us shall prosper! Those afflictions are only temporary. Stand in faith believing that God is on your side. Remember, you and God are a majority. It doesn’t matter what your circumstances look like, get up every morning and say, “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” As you stand and trust the Lord, He will deliver you out of all your afflictions, and you’ll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life.

A Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for making me righteous through the blood of Jesus. I trust that You have a good plan for me, and that You will deliver me out of all affliction. Thank You for Your strength and peace in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Blessings on the Other Side

2008-05-02T10:36:00.001+08:00

Do you feel like you are walking through a tough place in your life today? When you walk through the “valley of weeping”, God is walking with you. He wants to strengthen and empower you to keep moving forward. He is leading you to a place of blessing and refreshing! Be encouraged today, it’s not over until God says it’s over, and He always causes us to triumph! The Bible says that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning! It also says that the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn shining brighter until the full day. No matter how dark your circumstance may seem, you are on a path that is shining brighter and brighter. Know today that there is a place of victory on the other side of your challenge. Keep believing and keep expecting. As you continue to meditate on the goodness of God and declare His favor in your life, you will be strengthened and refreshed in your inner man. You will rise higher and higher, and you will live the life of victory the Lord has in store for you!

New Garments

2008-05-02T10:35:00.000+08:00

Do you need a new garment today? I’m not talking about a physical garment. I’m talking about what’s covering your mind and emotions. Are you clothed with despair and disappointment? Are you wearing “heaviness”? If you’ve gone through a hurtful situation, the Bible says there is a time to grieve, and it’s important to release that hurt to the Lord. But the Bible also tells us that God wants to give you a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. You can put on a garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened spirit. What’s holding you back today? Are the garments of yesterday weighing you down and holding you back? The garment of praise is light and filled with peace and joy. Don’t carry those heavy burdens around anymore! Today is the day for new garments! Forgive those who have hurt you and begin to praise Him! Thank God for life today. Thank Him for the beautiful sunrise. Thank him for restoring you, even if you don’t see it yet. And this verse says, you will be called an oak of righteousness, strong and secure, and you will display the splendor of the Lord all the days of your life!

Extend Forgiveness

2008-04-18T09:21:00.001+08:00

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

When you’ve been hurt or offended, sometimes it’s tempting to hold on to unforgiveness. But we have to remember, when people wrong us, our battle is not against flesh and blood. In other words, that person who hurt you is not the real enemy. The Bible says that your adversary is the devil, and he knows that if you don’t forgive, then your prayers won’t be effective. Unforgiveness puts up a barrier in your life to the power of God. In fact, if we don’t forgive others, we can’t be forgiven by God. But when you choose forgiveness, you open the door for God’s healing power to flow through your life. Disarm the enemy in your life today by choosing forgiveness. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who wrong you. Look at what Jesus did—when He was betrayed, beaten, mocked, and disrespected, He chose forgiveness. As you follow His example, you will open the door for God to move in your life, and you’ll live in victory in every area of your life!

A Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving me and giving me new life. I choose today to extend the gift of forgiveness to others. I bless those who have wronged me and ask You to heal every broken place in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Keep Walking Through

2008-04-16T09:34:00.000+08:00

Everyone faces challenges and difficulties in life. If you are going through a valley today, know that you are not alone. God is with you! He is working behind the scenes on your behalf, and He will carry you through. Remember, your challenges didn’t come to stay, they came to pass. Don’t get stuck in the valley by allowing your setbacks to become the focus of your life. Jesus endured the pain of the cross for the joy that was set before Him, and when you focus on your victory, you will be able to keep walking through that valley! Shake off bitterness and self-pity today and be determined to press forward. With God on your side, no weapon formed against you shall prosper. As you keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, your challenges will become easier, and you will move forward and live the life of victory the Lord has in store for you.

By His Spirit

2008-04-14T10:44:00.000+08:00

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6).

In this day and age, we are equipped with so many wonderful resources in the natural: technology, education, abilities. It’s easy to rely on our own natural strength for so many things. We have to remember that this natural world is only temporary, but the spiritual realm is eternal. We aren’t limited to the earth’s resources; we have unlimited spiritual resources by the Spirit of God. There are things in life that can’t happen by human thinking and reasoning. There are things that won’t be solved by natural power and might. But God is not limited by the resources of this world. When you open the door of faith in your heart, God will move through you in powerful ways by His Spirit. By His Spirit, you can overcome temptation. By His Spirit, you can receive healing. By His Spirit, you can fulfill every dream and desire in your heart. No matter what challenges or obstacles you may be facing today, know that you can live in complete victory by His Spirit!

Mustard Seed Faith

2008-04-14T10:42:00.000+08:00

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it will obey you” (Luke 17:6).

A mustard seed is a very small thing. But when it’s planted, it grows into a huge tree. In the same way, Jesus is saying that a little bit of faith can bring tremendous results! As a believer in Him, you already have enough faith on the inside of you to overcome any obstacle. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead actually dwells in you! It doesn’t matter if you grew up in church or not; it doesn’t matter what you know or don’t know; God wants to work in your life today. And you may not see how, but all you have to do is believe God. With God, all things are possible. Do you have mustard seed faith today? The Bible says that faith without works is dead. When you have faith, your words and actions reflect it. Take a step of faith today and declare your trust in Him. Even if you don’t see how, declare that God is working behind the scenes in your life. As you act on your mustard seed faith, you’ll see it grow stronger and stronger, and you will live in victory all the days of your life!

Hope Comes from Him

2008-04-14T10:40:00.001+08:00

“Find rest, o my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him” (Psalm 62:5).

God is constantly planting seeds of hope and victory in your life. He’s constantly trying to deposit His faith on the inside of you. Often times, when we’re anxious and worried, it’s difficult to hear His voice of hope and confidence. But when we stop and quiet ourselves, when we find rest in Him, we will recognize His voice of hope. You’ll hear Him saying to your heart, “Your best days are still in front of you, you are more than a conqueror, you’re the head and not the tail.” As you receive His hope, it creates a foundation for faith to rise inside your heart. The Bible says that faith gives substance to things hoped for. In other words, your hope gives your faith something to work toward. If the cares of this world have left you frustrated and empty today, make the decision right now to open your heart and allow the Lord to deposit His hope on the inside of you. It doesn’t matter what you are facing today or what’s happened in your past, God wants to give you hope today. He wants to pour out His blessing in every area of your life so that you will live the abundant life He has for you!

Your Sun and Shield

2008-04-12T10:07:00.002+08:00

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11).

God has a heart to pour out His favor and goodness in your life. He longs to be your sun and shield. What does the sun do for us? It lights our way, it keeps us warm, it nourishes the plants of the earth so that we can have food. The earth is sustained by its relationship to the sun, and God wants to sustain you through your relationship with Him. He wants to be your shield of protection against all the fiery darts of the enemy. He wants to light and direct your path. Are you ready to receive Him as your sun and shield today? Have you been relying on something or someone else to be your protection or give you direction? If you have, decide today to put down whatever you’ve been putting your trust in and choose to lean on your heavenly Father. Open your heart and receive all He has for you. Receive His favor, blessing and protection today. As you do, you’ll see your path shine brighter and brighter, and you’ll move forward in the life of victory the Lord has prepared for you!

The God Kind of Faith

2008-04-12T10:07:00.001+08:00

Faith is all around us. People have faith in so many different things: faith that a friend will be true, faith that your job is taking you on a certain career path, faith that the chair you are sitting on is going to hold you up! Faith is simply believing in something. But there are different kinds, or levels, of faith. There’s a difference between having faith in God and having the faith of God. When you open your heart to the God kind of faith, you’re actually allowing Him to believe through you. The God kind of faith will cause you to believe for things when you don’t even know how they’ll happen. And it probably won’t make sense in your mind, but you have to allow your spirit to rise higher than your thinking. Don’t talk yourself out of believing. Don’t focus on all the reasons why not, instead allow God’s faith to rise up within you. Meditate on His Word that says, you can do all things through Christ and you are strong in the Lord and the power of His might. As you allow God’s faith to flow through you, He’ll take you places you’ve never dreamed. You will rise higher and higher and live the abundant life the Lord has for you!

Walk Uprightly

2008-04-12T10:06:00.001+08:00

Our God is a god of justice! He loves truth, and He loves what is right. The Bible promises that if we follow His plan and walk uprightly before Him, we will see His face. And God wants you to see His face. He wants to reveal Himself to you in ways you never imagined. Walking uprightly simply means following the Word of God with a humble heart. It means you have a heart to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. In this day and age, people have so many different ideas of what they think is right, but God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and His standard, the Word of God, will never change. The Bible also says in Psalm 84, that no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. God longs to pour His blessing and goodness on your life. Choose to follow His Word and allow Him to work His purposes on the inside of you. As you do, you will walk uprightly and see His face and experience His hand of blessing in every area of your life!

Having the Right Image on the Inside

2008-04-09T13:59:00.000+08:00

Did you know that how you see yourself determines what kind of life you going to live? Too many people go around with low self-esteem and a poor self-image. Society has a way of conditioning people to lose through failures, rejection, and past mistakes. Don’t let society distort the true image of who you really are, you were born to win! You were created for more than just average. You were created for more than just barely getting by. God created you in His own image! You have the blood of a champion on the inside! You didn’t come from ordinary stock. You came from the best of the best. God breathed His life into you and you have His royal blood flowing through your veins. He has equipped you with everything you need to succeed. You can overcome any obstacle and accomplish every goal in your heart because you have the DNA of Almighty God! No matter where you are, no matter what you’ve done, nothing can change your DNA. If you’ll develop the right image on the inside and see yourself as a champion, God says you will become what you believe and you will live the life of victory He has in store for you!

Forget Not His Benefits

2008-04-09T13:58:00.000+08:00

God has given us many benefits today! He’s given us so much to be thankful for. When you meditate on His goodness, faithfulness and blessings in your life, it will change you on the inside. When you focus on the fact that He saved you and set you free, the challenges and obstacles in your life will begin to fade away. Psalm 103 goes on to say that, “He crowns you with love and compassion and satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed.” No matter what you may be facing today, forget not His benefits! God wants to satisfy you with good things. If you need healing today, healing is a benefit. If you’ve made mistakes in your life, forgiveness is a benefit. If you feel tired and overwhelmed, strength is a benefit. As you turn your thoughts toward the Father today, He will strengthen and empower you to live as an over comer in every area of your life.

Enlarge Your Territory

2008-04-08T09:59:00.001+08:00

God wants to bless you and enlarge your territory. Your territory can be your sphere of influence or your realm of responsibility or authority. Are you ready for increase in your life today? You may desire God’s increase, but the Bible says we have not because we ask not. Are you asking for God’s blessing? Are you asking Him to enlarge your territory? When you ask God to bless you, your faith is activated which opens the door for Him to work in your life. Open your heart today and ask for God’s blessing, ask for His discernment and wisdom. Ask Him to make you more effective on your job; ask Him to increase the quality of your relationships; ask for more people to love and encourage. Ask Him to enlarge your territory so that you can be a greater blessing to those around you. As you take a step of faith in prayer today, God will hear you. He’ll open doors that no man can close and pour out His abundance in every area of your life!

The Apple of His Eye

2008-04-08T09:58:00.000+08:00

God cherishes and values you so much today. You are the apple of His eye; the center of His world! In this day and age, people are considered to be important for so many different reasons—titles, position, possessions, where you go, what you drive. But God’s value system is very different from the value system of the world. If you’ve ever thought that God has too many other important things on His plate to be concerned with you and your life, know this today—you are God’s number one priority. And there’s nothing you can do to be more important or less important. God values you today simply because He made you, and your value will never change. You are significant. Your life is significant. The things that concern you, concern God. He carefully watches over every detail of your life, and there is nothing too big or too small for His attention. Take your concerns and cares to the Father today. He loves to hear you call upon Him, and He is waiting to show Himself strong on your behalf. Because you are important to Him, He is ready to bless and empower you to live in victory all the days of your life.

According to Your Faith

2008-04-04T10:44:00.000+08:00

“According to Your faith, be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29).

A lot of time people think that when they have a need, that if God wanted to, He could just automatically meet it. But Jesus didn’t say, according to your need be it unto you; He said, according to your faith. That’s why it’s so important to have an attitude of expectancy every single day. If we want God to move in our lives, we have to approach every day filled with faith and hope. The scripture tells us in Romans that “faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” The more you have the Word of God in your life, the more your faith will grow and the more you will see Him working in your life. God longs to bless you, and He’s given you everything you need to be successful in life. Remember, all things are possible to those who believe! Believe in His goodness today and take a step of faith toward the life of blessing God has prepared for you!

Ask

2008-04-04T10:42:00.000+08:00

Is there an area of your life that you need God’s help in? A lot of times, it’s easy to think that we’re not supposed to ask for too much, but the scripture encourages us to go to God with all of our needs. He longs to give you the desires of your heart and pour out His favor and blessing on you. In fact, Jesus said, “You have not, because you ask not.” When you step out and ask for God’s favor, His blessings and His increase, you are activating your faith. And when you pray, make sure there isn’t anything in your heart that would block your faith. Begin your prayers by surrendering every thought and attitude to the Lord. Ask Him to purify your motives and show you if there is any unforgiveness in your life. When you release those things to the Lord, it opens the door for Him to move mightily on your behalf, and you will move forward into the life of blessing He has in store for you!

Higher Thoughts

2008-04-03T09:37:00.000+08:00

God’s dream for your life is so much bigger than your own! He wants to bless you indeed and enlarge your territory. His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours, and His plan is so much bigger than we can imagine. Choose today to focus on the good things God has in store for you. Don’t allow the circumstances of life to drag your thoughts down. Choose to think God’s thoughts by meditating on His Word. The scripture says to “set your mind on things above.” Those “things above” are God’s thoughts and ways which are, “I am blessed and highly favored. I am above only and not beneath. I am the head and not the tail. I am a victor, not a victim. I am righteous, and my path shines brighter and brighter to the full day. I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.” When you allow those higher thoughts to fill your mind, they will direct your steps, and you will rise higher in life! You will see yourself as an overcomer and live the abundant life the Lord has for you.

Your Time Is Coming

2008-04-03T09:36:00.000+08:00

God has placed dreams and desires in each of our hearts. Are you believing for something that seems to be taking a long time? Are you tempted to quit? Maybe you’ve already given up on that dream. Today is a new day—it’s time for you to get your fire back! It may be taking a long time, but God is faithful! He promises to complete the work He began in your life. Don’t fall into the temptation to get complacent and think it’s never going to happen. Right now, whether you see it or not, God is working behind the scenes and arranging things in your favor. When you develop an attitude of expectancy, you open the door to His miracle-working power in your life. Decide today to declare His Word and speak words of victory. Start declaring today, “My time is coming...God is working behind the scenes on my behalf…I will fulfill my destiny…I will fulfill the plan God has for my life!” As you declare and expect God to move, your faith will grow. Your hope will grow. Keep expecting and waiting for the appointed time. As you do, you’ll step into the victorious destiny God has planned for you!

Confess and Believe

2008-04-02T09:31:00.001+08:00

“If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Salvation comes when you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that He was raised from the dead. In the same way, God’s Word becomes alive in our hearts when we confess and believe it. What are you confessing today? What are you saying about your situation? Are you confessing the Word and believing that God is at work behind the scenes? Or do you talk about your problems and always believe the worst. What ever you confess and put your faith in will come to pass in your life. If you’ve been saying the wrong things, simply repent today which literally means to turn around. You can turn around and start confessing and believing the Word. Don’t just let your mind and mouth wander any longer. Write down some scripture verses and take them with you. Be determined to speak the Word. As you allow His truth to sink down into your heart, you’ll find His salvation and victory in every area of your life.

Crowned with Goodness

2008-04-02T09:30:00.000+08:00

The Lord has crowned your year with bounty and goodness! That means there is an abundant supply for whatever you may need in life—spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially. And God has set up a system so that you can access His blessings. It’s the system of seedtime and harvest. If you have a need in your life, sow a seed. If you need friends, sow a seed by being a friend to someone. If you have a financial need, pray and ask the Lord where you should sow a financial seed. The Bible says to give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. That’s God crowning your year with bounty and goodness. Do you need mercy? Sow seeds of mercy. The more you sow, the more you will reap a harvest from God’s abundant bounty. Remember, He’s already crowned your year with His goodness. Take a step of faith today and believe that God is ready to pour out His abundant blessing on you all the days of your life.

He Delights in Your Prosperity

2008-03-31T10:16:00.002+08:00

Today's Scripture

Let the Lord be magnified Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant (Psalm 35:27).

Our God is a running-over God! He doesn’t want you to just have barely enough to meet your own needs, God wants you to be so blessed that when other people get around you, it overflows onto them! He wants you to be so blessed in your finances that not only can you pay your bills and accomplish your own dreams, but you can be a blessing to others. In the same way that a parent loves to see their children doing well and excelling, God wants you to do well and excel in every area. He takes pleasure in prospering you. But the key is that you have to make room for it in your thinking. You have to expect that He wants to bless you. Take a step of faith today toward the dreams that are in your heart. Begin to thank Him for His abundance in every area of your life. Declare that because you walk in obedience, God’s blessings are going to chase you down and overtake you! Don’t just settle for a “good enough” mentality, develop an overflow mentality, and you’ll see God’s hand of blessing in every area of your life!

Don’t Be Limited by the System

2008-03-29T16:28:00.002+08:00

Do you ever feel like you are limited by the system of this world? You go to work, get a paycheck, and that determines your limits. Maybe you have dreams and desires, but you don’t feel like you have the right connections. Or maybe you don’t have the right education. It’s tempting to think, “I’ll never rise any higher. I’m limited to the system that I’m in.” But you have to remember, God likes to go outside the system! He likes to do unusual, extraordinary things. You may have a dream in your heart that’s bigger than your finances. It’s bigger than your education, bigger than anything that your family has ever done. And it’s easy to think, “Well, I don’t have the expertise. I don’t have the connections. I don’t have the right people behind me.” It may be bigger than your system but be encouraged today. You may not have the right connections but you have God—you and God are a majority! Your dream is not dependent on other people. God loves to take ordinary people and use them to do extraordinary things. You have not seen your best days yet. No matter where you are in life, no matter what environment you’re in, no matter how impossible your dreams may seem. You need to know God already has a plan. He already has a way. If you will stay in faith God will go outside the system and take you places that you never thought possible! He’ll take you way beyond your system and you live the life of victory He has in store!

Confidence in Him

2008-03-22T14:07:00.002+08:00

Confidence is strength in knowing that God has chosen you and equipped you for everything in life today. It doesn’t matter what you may be facing, you can find confidence in God. When you understand how much God loves you and that He desires to empower you, every obstacle will become smaller and smaller. Know this, for every challenge, God has a solution. He wants to turn your obstacle into opportunity. He wants to bring you out stronger than before. He wants to take you to higher places. Your soul can find refuge and shelter in Him. That means, you can rest, even in the midst of the storms of life. Take a step of faith today and begin to thank Him for working your life. Thank Him for the confidence that He has promised you. Remember, God is at work on your behalf. He will fill your heart with His peace, confidence, and power to move forward into the abundant life He has for you!

MOMENTARY REMINDER

2008-03-18T09:24:00.003+08:00

Imagine there is a bank, which credits your account each morning with P86,400, carries over no balance from day to day, allows you to keep no cash balance, and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you had failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!
Well, everyone has such a bank. Its name is TIME.

Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you.

Each night it burns the records of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the “tomorrow."

You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR – Ask a student who has failed his exam.

To realize the value of ONE MONTH – Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of ONE WEEK – Ask an editor of a weekly.

To realize the value of ONE DAY – Ask a daily wage laborer who has ten kids to feed.

To realize the value of ONE HOUR – Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE – Ask a person who has missed the train.

To realize the value of ONE SECOND – Ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND – Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have.

Choose Peace

2008-03-17T16:25:00.001+08:00

Holiness is so important to God. The Bible says that holiness is the key to seeing the Lord. When you obey the Word of God and allow Him to work in your life, you are pursuing holiness. You will see the Lord working in your life. Notice this verse starts by saying that we should live at peace with the people around us. When we have peace in our lives, in our homes, and in our relationships, it opens the door for God to work. But when we have strife, bitterness, anger or resentment in our relationships, it blocks God’s blessing. Remember, when it comes to disagreements in relationships, it doesn’t always matter who is right, it matters what is right. And choosing peace is right. Is there someone in your life today that you need to restore peace with? A simple act of kindness, a note or small gift, can open the door for restoration in your relationships. Step out today and let the peace create a foundation for the blessing God has in store for you!

Keep The Truth

2008-03-15T08:48:00.001+08:00

The Truth of God’s Word is a precious treasure entrusted to us. It empowers us to overcome every obstacle. It’s important to keep this Truth in your heart and establish it in your life. How do you establish the Word in your life? When you make a habit of praying and reading God’s Word it becomes more and more alive to you. When you choose to obey it, you are guarding and keeping the Truth. For example, the Bible says that love covers an offense. When you choose to walk in love even when someone has offended you, you are guarding the Truth. When you choose God’s way, instead of the world’s way, you are guarding the truth. Society has so many different ideas of what is right and acceptable. We have to always choose God’s way. And when you choose God’s way, you get God’s results! God’s results include a blessed and happy life. Start today by asking the Lord to show you His Truth by the power of His Spirit. As you keep the precious Truth of God’s Word, you will be empowered to live the life of victory the Lord has in store for you!

Separate Yourself

2008-03-07T12:26:00.001+08:00

Are there people or activities in your life that you know you need to separate yourself from? The Bible says that bad company will corrupt good morals. God wants you to constantly be growing and rising higher in life. That’s why this verse encourages us to separate ourselves from corrupting influences. And those influences are more than just the people in your everyday life. The influences are anything that influence your thinking. Be careful about what you are allowing into your mind. Be careful about what you read and what you watch. Don’t give your attention to things that are going to drag you down. Choose to separate yourself today. Remember. God wants you to live an abundant life. He wants you be separate so that He can work through you and fulfill his purposes in you life. As you cleanse yourself God will work in and through you so that you can live as an over comer the way God intends!

Be Strong in the Lord

2008-03-04T09:42:00.000+08:00

Everyone has times when they feel weak or discouraged in life. But you don’t have to live that way! You can be strong in the Lord and in His power. You don’t have to walk around defeated and depressed. You can have joy today! In fact, the Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. God’s joy isn’t based on circumstances. It isn’t based on the news, the stock market or the housing economy. God’s joy is based on Him. When you think about what He’s done for you—that He’s given you life, that He’s cast your sins as far as the east is from the west—you can’t help but get happy! You can’t help but have joy inside of you. That supernatural joy on the inside of you is supernatural strength. The enemy can’t take away what God has given you deep on the inside. So put a smile on your face today and rejoice in the Lord no matter what battles you may be facing. The joy of the Lord will give you strength, and you’ll live the life of victory God has promised you!

Love Never Fails

2008-02-29T09:26:00.000+08:00

“Love never fails” (I Corinthians 13:8).

We all have people in our lives that are difficult at times. Maybe it’s someone you work with, a family member or even your spouse. Relationships can be complicated, but remember: love never fails. The Word of God clearly defines love in 1 Corinthians 13. It says that love is patient and kind. It doesn’t seek its own way. Love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. And most importantly, love never fails. Notice that this chapter doesn’t talk at all about how you feel. God’s love isn’t about feelings. It’s a choice. You can choose to be patient, even when you don’t feel like being patient. You can choose to be kind, even when you don’t feel like being kind. No matter what situation you find yourself in, you can choose love. You are never more like God than when you are walking in love. And when you are walking in love, you will never fail because love never fails. Open your heart to God’s love today. Ask Him to show you how to love others better. As you walk in love, you’ll find peace and live in victory all the days of your life!

Every Woman is Beautiful

2008-02-28T15:13:00.003+08:00

A little boy asked his mother "Why are you crying?"

"Because I'm a woman", she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His mum
just hugged him and said, "And you never will....... "

Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"
"All women cry for no reason" was all his dad could say.....

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.

Finally he put in a call to GOD; when GOD got on the phone, the man said "GOD, why do women cry so easily?"

GOD said.... "When I made women she had to be special.
I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world; yet, gentle enough to give comfort....

I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children......

I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.......

I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt them very badly......

This same sensitivity helps her make a child's boo-boo feel better and shares in their teenagers anxieties and fears.......

I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.......

I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.....

And finally, I gave her a tear to shed, This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

WHAT GOD WILL ASK OF YOU

2008-02-26T10:32:00.003+08:00

Every morning we wake up, thinking about not going to work… Maybe because of yesterday’s stress? But we have no choice but to do it.

So we brush our teeth (dentures included), go to the bathroom (and try to sleep some more – be honest!), have breakfast (usually leftovers of yesterday, recycled food, etc.), and prepare to go to work (and battle with bus and transit commuters).

In the office we work all day (sometimes blur all day), struggle with the terrible MS documents (congratulations when your PC hangs in the middle of a very important, urgently needed and unsaved file), until we drop dead (some even look dead without dropping).

Sometimes, we still need to do overtime (often would be more appropriate for some).

Before going to bed, we will always look at the calendar looking forward to Saturday and Sunday because they are days that are synonymous to sales, party, night out and dates.

That’s our life!!! Sad but true.

Life is how we make it, not how it happens. It is how we focus on God and not on ourselves. It is how you spend your life that describes “living”, on what God wants and not what we want. And in this cycle we call life, we are the ones who are next in line. What has life got to offer us when we grow old? How about when our life ends?

Do you know what questions God will ask you?

God won’t ask what kind of car you drove but will ask how many people you drove home who didn’t have transportation.

God won’t ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.

God won’t ask about the fancy clothes you have in your closet but will ask how many of these clothes helped the needy.

God won’t ask you your social status but will ask what kind of class you displayed.

God won’t ask how many material possessions you had but will ask if they dictated your life.

God won’t ask what your highest salary is but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary.

God won’t ask how many promotions you received but will ask how you promoted others.

God won’t ask what your job title was but will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

God won’t ask what you did to help yourself but will ask what you did to help others.

God won’t ask how many friends you had but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.

God won’t ask what you did to protect your rights but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.

God won’t ask in what neighborhood you lived but will ask how you treated your neighbors.

God won’t ask about the color of your skin but will ask about the content of your character.

God won’t ask how many times your deeds matched your words but will ask how many times they didn’t.

Observe to Do

2008-02-26T09:11:00.000+08:00

Did you know that when you speak the Word of God, it activates power in your life? In fact, this verse says do not let it depart from your mouth. In other words, keep speaking and confessing the Word of God—no matter what your circumstances seem like. When you keep God’s Word in your mind, heart and mouth, it empowers you to obey all the Lord commands. Do you need strength today to overcome temptation? Do you need to be empowered to walk in love? Get the Word of God in your heart and declare what the Word of God says about your situation. Declare that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Declare that you have God’s grace for all things. And notice what this verse says will happen when you are walking in obedience to God’s Word: The key to having abundance and success in every area of your life is found in the Word of God. As you continue to speak the Word of God, you will be empowered in every area of your life, and you will live the life of victory the Lord has in store!

All Things Are Possible

2008-02-21T11:32:00.000+08:00

Are you facing something today that seems impossible? With man it may be, but with God, ALL things are possible! If you seem to be in an impossible situation, get with God! Sometimes it’s so easy to focus on our problems and try to solve them in our own strength. But remember, the battle belongs to the Lord. He has a plan for your victory. He has a plan to give you a way out. He is making the things that seem impossible, possible. You can trust Him today. The Bible says that He has plans for your good, not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Start believing and confessing today, “I am with God, and with God all things are possible!” Are your bills piling up? With God, all things are possible. Do your relationships need healing? With God, all things are possible. Is there sickness in you body? With God, all things are possible! As you meditate on God’s power, He will work in your life, and you will step forward into that place of victory He has in store for you.

Free Indeed

2008-02-20T09:34:00.000+08:00

Are you free today? Are you free indeed? So many people today hear that God wants to set them free, but yet, they still walk around feeling defeated and carrying unnecessary burdens. Don’t let that be you! Embrace the freedom that Jesus paid for. You are set free from the bondage of sin, fear, lack, sickness, worry, and cares. Think about that for a minute. How would you feel if you never had to worry about money? God wants to set you free. How would you feel if you never had to be concerned about sickness? God wants to set you free. How would you feel if you never had fear? God wants to set you free! God has a plan for you to be “free indeed” in every area of your life. He wants to direct your steps on the path of life and give you pleasures forevermore. Accept His freedom and follow His path for you. You can trust that He is moving you into a place of victory and peace all the days of your life!

The Great Exchange

2008-02-17T13:58:00.001+08:00

If you’ve accepted Jesus today, you are the righteousness of God! That means you are an extension of His virtue. You are approved by Him. You are in right-standing with Him. Jesus not only paid the punishment for your sins, the Bible says He actually became sin. He took it upon Himself and into His being so that you could take God’s righteousness upon yourself and into your being. It’s the great exchange. Don’t let sin hold you back any longer. Don’t let the enemy lie to you and make you feel guilty and condemned. First John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If there is anything in your life that is holding you back today, confess it to God. Let Him cleanse you and make you new. Remember, He paid a precious price so that you could be His righteousness. Let that sink into your heart today. As you meditate on the truth that you are righteous, you’ll begin to change how you think and act. You’ll reflect more of God’s character, and you will move forward into the life of victory that He has in store!

Walk in the Ways of Your Heart

2008-02-16T09:08:00.000+08:00

Today's Scripture

“…Follow the ways of your heart…” (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

When you become born again, you receive a new spirit—God’s Spirit on the inside of you. The Bible often calls this your heart. If you look at the word “heart”, you’ll see the word “ear” in the middle. The ear that you hear with is in the center of your heart. Your heart is where the Lord speaks to you. It’s easy for the cares of this world to become like loud noise that drowns out the still, small inner voice. But if you’ll set aside time every day to be with the Lord and acknowledge Him in everything you do, you will hear Him more clearly, and you will have confidence to walk in the ways of your heart. God wants to give you the desires of your heart, but it’s only when you submit your heart fully to Him. Is there anything that you are holding back from the Lord today? Release it to Him. You can trust Him to lead your heart down a good path. You can trust Him to lead you down a path of victory in every area of your life.

Plan for Good

2008-02-15T20:42:00.000+08:00

Do you wake up every morning expecting favor and blessing on everything you do? Do you plan for what is good? When we plan for what is good, the scripture tells us that we find love. The scripture also tells us that God is love. When you plan for what is good, you will find God in the midst of your plans. What do you expect as you go throughout your day? Don’t let the negative voices of the world or other people in your life get you focused in the wrong direction. It doesn’t matter what is happening in the economy or the housing market, God’s plan is for your good. When you plan for good, you are in agreement with God. You and God are a majority. Do you need more of God in your life? Do you need more love, peace and faithfulness? Plan for what is good, and you will move forward into the life of victory the Lord has in store for you!

With God

2008-02-14T18:52:00.000+08:00

With God all things are possible! Now that’s a very broad statement. But, it doesn’t mean you can just do anything you want. You have to get with God first. In order to get with God, or align yourself with Him, you have to obey His Word. You have to submit yourself to Him and His plan for your life. You must turn your back on your old life and your old way of doing things. When you are in agreement with God and His Word, then all things will be possible. When you make your thoughts agreeable to His Word, than your plans will be established and you will succeed! Make whatever changes are necessary in your life today so that you can align yourself with God. Don’t hang around people that will try to drag you down. Guard what you watch on TV and what you listen to. Be determined everyday to spend time in prayer and studying the Word. The Bible promises that as you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. As you are in agreement with God, all things will be possible for you, and you will live the life of victory He has planned for you!

Treasures Within

2008-02-13T19:12:00.000+08:00

Did you know there are treasures deep on the inside of you? As a believer in Jesus, the greatest treasure within you is the Spirit of God. You carry the most precious treasure in the universe inside of you! Beyond that, He has deposited many other treasures on the inside of you. You may not even see these treasures yet, but God has given you gifts and abilities that are tied to your purpose. He has fully equipped you to succeed in this life. What do you need to move forward? What do you need to break out of your comfort zone? It’s on the inside of you. The Bible also says in Proverbs that understanding is like a well within and the wise person draws it out. Draw out those treasures inside of you by speaking words of faith today. Stir up the gift inside of you by praying in the Spirit and thanking Him in worship. As you seek the Lord and submit yourself to His leading, you will discover the treasures within, and you’ll live a life of purpose all your days!

New Places

2008-02-11T14:38:00.000+08:00

God desires to take you into new places in your life. He wants to take you to deeper places in your walk with Him, and He wants to take you into higher places of blessing in your life. Are you ready to go to places that you’ve never been before? So many people today get stuck in a rut because they don’t want to get out of their comfort zone. They want to stay with what they know because it’s comfortable. But in order for you to reach your full potential, you have to be willing to step out into the unknown. You won’t ever walk on water until you step out of the boat! We all have areas we can rise higher in. Open your heart today and be ready to step out into the unknown. Trust that the Lord will guide and order your every step. Begin to expect that the unexpected is on the way. Be ready to step out into new places. As you approach your day with faith and expectancy, you will move forward in the abundant life He has for you!

Running Over

2008-02-08T09:07:00.000+08:00

Today's Scripture

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap” (Luke 6:38).

God is a god of abundance! He wants to pour out His abundance on you until you are so full that you are running over with God’s goodness. And notice how this verse starts. It says, “Give, and it will be given to you.” Your giving sets the blessing of God into motion in your life. Giving is like a seed. When you plant an apple seed, it doesn’t just grow a single fruit. That one seed grows a tree that grows an abundance of apples. That’s what happens when you obey God in your giving. You get an abundant harvest in return. And when the blessing is “running over”, you have so much that you have to give more, and the cycle just keeps repeating itself! Is there something the Lord is telling you to give today? It can be financial or material. What do you have in your hand that you can bless someone else with? Take a step today and set the blessing of God into motion in your life. Open the door for His blessing to be running over in your life today!

A Prayer for Today

Father in Heaven, I receive Your Word into my heart today. Thank You for choosing to bless me so that I can be a blessing to others. Show me ways to bless others and teach me to receive all You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

He Directs Your Steps

2008-02-07T17:51:00.000+08:00

What are you doing to bring your dreams to pass? Are you getting prepared? Do you have clear direction? Are you taking steps of faith?

Success is intentional. You may not know what steps to take right now, but God has a good plan for your life. If you’ll do your part to seek Him and begin to make plans to succeed, God will guide you. He will direct your steps. You don’t have to vaguely go through life. God wants to show you His plan. He wants to pour out His blessing on you and see you living a life of victory.

Decide today to make plans to succeed. Write down your goals. Make time to evaluate where you are in life. Evaluate your finances, your career, your relationships. Don’t go another week without having a plan for your future. Evaluate how you're spending your time and money. If you’ll go beyond dreaming and start making plans to succeed, God promises He’s going to direct your steps. He will lead you down the path of His favor. He’ll lead you into increase. He’ll lead you into promotion, and you’re going to see your dreams come to pass and walk in success in every area of your life!

Staying Alive Your Whole Life

2008-02-04T08:46:00.000+08:00

So many people today have simply lost their enthusiasm for life. At one time, they were excited about their future. They were pursuing their dream, but along the way, they hit some roadblocks. Things didn’t work out, and now they’re just going through the motions of life. They quit dreaming. They quit pursuing their goals. They lost their purpose. Don’t let that be you! Make the choice to stay alive your whole life by keeping your dreams in front of you. Remember, you have a purpose. You have a destiny. You didn’t just accidentally show up on planet Earth. God knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb, and He has an assignment for you. You were created to make a difference—to impact our society—to make this world a better place.

On the inside of you right now, there are dreams and desires put there by the Creator of the universe. Don’t let the pressures of life push those dreams down. Stir up those dreams. Stir up those gifts. Shake off every disappointment and press forward. This is a new day. Get a new vision. Make up your mind that no matter what comes your way, you’re going to keep pressing forward. You’re going to keep growing. You’re going to keep learning. You’re going to stay active. If you will stay passionate about life, knowing what your purpose is and being your best every day, God will pour out His blessings and favor on you, and you will live the life of victory He has in store!

He Will Save You

2008-02-02T19:34:00.000+08:00

Isn’t it good to know that you can trust God today? He is faithful, and He will save you! Save you from what? He’ll save you from anything that you need to be saved from! First and foremost, He’ll save you from the bondage of sin and death and give you eternal life. He’ll save you from fear. He’ll save you from the bondage of debt. He’ll save you from sickness and disease. When you open your heart to trust the Father by obeying His Word, the Bible says that He will save you from all the snares, or traps, of the enemy. If there’s something in your life that you need deliverance from, begin to declare that you trust God to save you. Sing a song of worship and declare His victory in your life today. As you step out and trust Him, He will bring His deliverance to you, and you will move forward into the life of freedom and victory the Lord has in store for you!

Is Hell Real? - What Will Hell Be Like?

2008-02-02T08:29:00.000+08:00

If hell is real, then what will it be like for those who go there? Several times in the Bible Jesus speaks of the reality of hell and its outer darkness. He describes it as a pit of fire. He also said that in hell there will be wailing, weeping, and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 8:12 says, "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." The Book of Revelation describes hell as a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

At the end of the age, the devil himself will be thrown into hell to receive punishment. Revelation 20:10 says that the torment will go on day and night forever and ever.

What Is Your Answer?
Every person on earth must consider the question, "Is there a hell?" It is an essential question to your life! Are you prepared to answer it? If so, do you believe in a literal hell where God sends those who do not accept His free gift of salvation? Have you accepted that free gift God is offering you, sparing you from an eternity in hell? God desires that you spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Is Hell Real? - Is Anyone Forced To Go There?

2008-02-01T18:03:00.000+08:00

Is hell real? Yes, hell is real and God does not want anyone to go there. It is His desire that we all join Him in heaven; however, God cannot allow everyone into heaven. Heaven is a perfect place, and God is a perfect God, so if He allowed sinners into heaven without a covering for their sins, they would be consumed by His perfection. A loving God does not allow anyone to be consumed; so He designed the perfect plan of redemption in that He, as a perfect and holy God, came to earth as a man, Jesus Christ, and He died as a covering for our sins. If we choose Jesus Christ as our covering, we can enter heaven without being consumed, but if we do not choose Jesus Christ as our covering, God in His infinite love and mercy will not allow us to enter heaven and be consumed. He instead has a place of separation from Him where sinners can go and not be consumed. That place is hell.

God loves us, so He has given us many gifts. By far, the two most important gifts He has given us are free will and salvation by grace through His Son, Jesus Christ. He gave us the free will to choose to love Him and to choose not to sin, and then He gave us His Son to redeem us when we made the wrong choice. If we choose not to love God, and we also reject His Son, who was sent to redeem us from the wrong choice, what else can God do? In His infinite love and justice, He must allow us the freedom to make and stick by those choices, and the consequence of those choices is eternal separation from Him in hell. Revelation 20:15 says, "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

No one has to go to hell. God has provided us with a guaranteed plan for staying out of hell - redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. All we have to do is follow that plan, and nothing can separate us from Him.

Is Hell Real? - Is It Punishment For The Wicked?

2008-01-31T09:23:00.001+08:00

continuation...

The question, "Is hell real?" is answered "no" by a lot of people. These people would like to believe that when we die, we don't go to a heaven or a hell, we simply cease to exist. However, wouldn't a God who sends us into nonexistence at death be just as "cruel" as one who allows us to freely choose our own destiny, which could be hell? Even atheist Friedrich Nietzsche said that he would rather choose eternally conscious suffering than nonexistence.

God's perfect justice also demands that there be a hell to punish the unrepentant and wicked among us. As Walter Martin said about the existence of hell and eternal punishment in his book, The Kingdom of the Cults, "They make much to-do about God being Love but forget that because He is Love, He is also Justice and must require infinite vengeance upon anyone who treads underfoot the precious blood of Christ, who is the Lamb slain for lost sinners from the foundation of the world."

What kind of a loving God would He be if the wicked were never punished? Why would He have sent His Son to die for our sins, if we could reject that redemption and not eventually pay the price? What incentive would we have to do good and love God if we knew we could reject His Son and choose to do evil all of our lives and never be punished? We would not want this lack of justice in the streets of our cities and towns, so why do we expect God to mete it out in the overall universe.

Is Hell Real? - Is Anyone Forced To Go There? --->>next topic

The Best Gift of All

2008-01-31T09:11:00.000+08:00

I asked for strength that I might achieve;
God made me weak that I might obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given grace 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.

Is Hell Real?

2008-01-29T21:22:00.000+08:00

I just want to discuss this topic for maybe about a week or less, maybe you might want to know the answers to common questions about hell and its existence.

Is Hell Real? - Why Was It Created?

The question of why hell exists has perplexed many people through the ages. Countless have asked, "If God is so good, why would He create a place like hell?" This is similar to asking, "If our government is so good, why would it create prisons?" The answer seems simple enough - places like hell and prisons exist because some people will choose to do the wrong thing, and because of that, they need to be punished. It is fairly easy to understand how this reasoning applies to the existence of prisons, but does it really pertain to hell as well?

In the biblical Creation account found in the book of Genesis, no mention is made of a place called hell. Everything that God made during the time of Creation was good. However, the Bible tells us in Matthew 25:41 that hell was later prepared for "the devil and his angels" (see also Isaiah 14:12). God did not create hell for man; it was never His intention that any man or woman should go to hell. In 2 Peter 3:9, we learn that God does not want "anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

What is hell? Hell is a real place. We know this from many verses in the Bible, several of them spoken by Jesus, Himself; and we know that the wicked and unrighteous will go there when they die. So once again, we are back to the main point that God is good, and life in hell is terrible, so why would God create such a place? Even though hell was initially created to hold Satan and the angels that fell with him, there will also be men and women in hell.

Why Does Anyone Go There?

Hell is a place of eternal separation from God, and people go there when they die because they chose to separate themselves from God while living on earth. God created us with the free will to make our own choices, and separating ourselves from God is one of the choices we are free to make. Our free will is a wonderful gift from God in that He does not force us to love Him or to follow Him. Without our free will, we would be nothing but puppets or robots, which does not please God, and certainly does nothing to better our lives.

While God desires that everyone would choose to love Him, some people will choose not to. These people will die in their sins and be separated from God forever in hell. Many would say that this is unfair, and that a loving God would never set up a system such as this; however, it is precisely God's love for us, and the fact that He is perfectly just, that tells us why hell exists, and why men and women will choose to go there. God loves us so much that He respects our freedom of choice. If we choose not to love Him, then why would He want to force us to live with Him eternally in heaven? Wouldn't living for eternity with someone we don't love be hell anyway? God wants to spare those people who don't love Him from having to live with Him and be under His rule for eternity.

To be continued...

Forget What Lies Behind

2008-01-29T17:52:00.000+08:00

“This one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind I press forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

Are you determined to forget what lies behind? I know many people don’t fully understand what it means to forget the past. They wonder, “How can I forget something that’s happened to me?” But one definition of the word forget means to disregard intentionally, or to overlook. You have to intentionally disregard your past so that it doesn’t keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as past failures. If we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in your history, it’s time to forget what lies behind. Make the choice today to press forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you. Trust that He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you forget what lies behind and press forward, you will see the abundant life the Lord has in store for you!

A Very Nice Presentation

2008-01-29T09:39:00.000+08:00

Worship Brings Power

2008-01-28T15:30:00.000+08:00

The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people. When you worship the Lord, His presence will manifest wherever you are. It doesn’t matter if you are at home, in your car or at work, God will inhabit your praises. And where God is, there is tremendous power available! The enemy cannot stand in the presence of our Mighty God!

What do you need power for today? Do you need God’s healing power in you body? Worship Him. Do you need God’s restoration power in your relationships? Worship Him. Do you need His delivering power from a particular situation? Worship Him.

As you worship Him, you will see your perspective begin to change. The things that used to bother you will no longer bother you. Old habits and addictions will automatically break off of you. Things in your life will begin to change when you live a life of worship.

Start right now by worshiping the Lord out of your heart. All throughout the day, sing songs to Him and declare His goodness. As you do, you’ll experience the life of victory He has in store for you!

Do All That is in Your Heart

2008-01-28T15:27:00.000+08:00

What is in your heart today? What are the dreams and desires deep on the inside of you? Maybe you want to start a business, or ministry, or go back to school.

Whatever is in your heart, ask the Lord to confirm it to you. God leads us by desires, but we have to first submit our desires to Him. Sometimes we have to allow Him to change our desires, but know that He is always out for your good.

It says in the book of Psalms that God gives us the desires of our heart. That means He places desires within us then brings them to pass so that we can live a fulfilled life here on earth. I believe David did this very thing. He was known as a man after God’s own heart. He submitted His heart to the Lord, and then Nathan came along and said, “Yes. Do what is in your heart. God is with you.”

Whatever is in your heart today, submit it to the Lord. Trust that He is out for your good and working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you put your faith and trust in Him, He will guide you in the life of victory He has in store for you!

He Improves Those He Loves

2008-01-24T10:39:00.000+08:00

Aren’t you glad that the God of this universe loves us enough to discipline and shape our character? Webster’s Dictionary defines “discipline” as training that corrects, molds, or perfects mental faculties or moral character.

God improves our character through His training. While you are on this earth, you are constantly in spiritual training. Your faith is being trained, your character is being trained, and your heart is being trained to be more like Him. God is training us so that we can be holy, or set apart, in our mind, will, and emotions.

Holiness is important to God because the Bible says that without holiness, we won’t be able to see Him. God doesn’t want anything to come between you and Him. He wants to be with you. That’s why He chose to make your heart His home. When you allow Him to shape, train, and improve your character, you will be holy and you will see Him.
Receive His loving guidance today as He shapes and trains your character. Let Him work in your life and respond to His tender leading. As you do, you’ll rise higher in every area and live the life of victory the Lord has planned for you.

No Eye Has Seen

2008-01-23T09:45:00.000+08:00

Have you ever tried to imagine what God might have in store for your future?

No matter how great the dreams are that you may be able to come up with, God has more in store for you than you can even begin to imagine! It’s starts in this life and then carries over into the eternal life. God is a creative God and His thoughts and plans go way beyond our thoughts and plans.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what He has in store! Let that encourage you today to dream bigger. Get your expectancy up. There’s nothing that you can come up with that is beyond God. He wants to see you rise higher and it starts with your thinking. Think bigger. Think expansive. God wants you to excel and go beyond where you are. He wants to see you fulfill the desires of your heart!

Keep standing strong in faith, and dreaming big, and you will see the life of victory He has prepared for you.

Light Will Come

2008-01-21T09:31:00.000+08:00

“Light arises in the darkness for the upright…” (Psalm 112:4).

Is there any area of your life that needs light today? Maybe you’re in a seemingly dark situation or maybe you need some insight into a decision you have to make. Maybe you need the light of understanding into a particular situation.

Whatever is going on in your life right now, God’s Word promises that light will arise. He promises to illuminate every area of your life. The Bible tells us in the book of Psalms that God’s Word is a lamp to your feet and light to your path. You can turn the light on, so to speak, by studying and meditating on the Word of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart and shine the truth of God’s Word throughout your being.

As you meditate on the Word of God you will see that light arise in your life. Your path will be clear, and you will move forward into the abundant life the Lord has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, I ask that your light shine brightly in my life today. Help me, Holy Spirit, to walk in the light so that I can be pleasing to the Lord in every way. Thank you for your faithfulness to me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Your Love is Extravagant

2008-01-19T18:06:00.000+08:00

This is such a wonderful song, by Michael W. Smith. You might like to check it out.

Your Love is Extravagant

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place
Cause Your love is extravagant

Chorus:
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place
Your love is extravagant

Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate

FiX YouR EyeS

2008-01-19T18:02:00.000+08:00

Are your eyes fixed on Jesus today?

It’s so easy to let the distractions of the world and the cares of every day life to change your focus. And whatever you fix your eyes on, you open your spirit to. You can choose to fix your eyes on Jesus no matter what distractions of life are going on around you.

You see, when you fix your eyes on Jesus, you are opening yourself to the Healer. You are opening yourself to the Deliverer. You are opening yourself to the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Provider, the Redeemer, the Strong Tower of refuge.

What do you need in your life today? Peace? Fix your eyes on Jesus. Do you need healing? Fix your eyes on Jesus. Do you need a safe retreat? Fix your eyes on Jesus. And you may have to turn off other things that you’ve been watching so that you can fix your eyes on Him. But remember, He is your source of life and the Author and Perfecter of your faith. Fix your eyes on Him and allow Him to work in your life so that you can experience the victory He has in store for you!

mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee

2008-01-18T11:40:00.000+08:00

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee .

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students respon ded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, "I'm glad you asked."

The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Look Straight Ahead

2008-01-14T08:24:00.000+08:00

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you” (Proverbs 4:25).

What are you looking at today? I don’t mean in the natural, but in the spiritual. What is in the forefront of your mind and heart? Are you constantly dwelling on your problems, or things that have happened in your past?
In the natural, you will move in the direction that your eyes are looking. In the spiritual, it works the same way. Whatever you focus your mind and heart on, you will move towards.
That’s why this verse tells us to look straight ahead. If you are constantly dwelling on your problems, or things in your past, wondering “what if” then you will stay right where you are. But if you choose to forgive and release the past then you can focus on what is ahead of you and you’ll begin to move forward. God doesn’t want you to live in the past. He wants you to meditate on His goodness and believe His promises so that you can keep growing. God is a creative God and He has designed a wonderful future for you.
Look straight ahead so you can see it and move forward into the live of victory God has promised!

Focus on the Unseen

2008-01-11T09:45:00.000+08:00

Every obstacle in your life is subject to change. It doesn’t matter what you may be facing, there is an answer in the unseen. The unseen is the spiritual realm where the promises of God exist. Your faith brings those unseen things into this natural realm. When you are fixed on something, you can’t be moved. There’s a determination that fuels your focus. When you fix your eyes on the unseen—the promises of God—your faith will not be moved by your circumstances and you’ll eventually see those promises come to pass. Make the decision today to fix your eyes and mind on the promises of God. Meditate on His promises until they become more real to you than the air you breath. Declare that His promises will come to pass in your life. Declare that you have His
favor. Declare that you are more than a conqueror. Don’t allow fear and doubt to change what you are speaking over your life. As you continue to fix your spiritual eyes on the unseen promises of God, you will see those things come to pass in the natural and you will move forward into the abundant life the Lord has for you!

Father God, today I choose to fix my eyes on you. I choose to fix my mind and heart on your promises, no matter what it looks like in this natural world. I know that Your Word is true and that your promises will be fulfilled in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Whosoever

2008-01-11T09:40:00.000+08:00

When Jesus sent His Son to the earth, He opened the door of salvation to whosoever would believe. That means, anyone can become a child of His and have everlasting life! Aren’t you glad He didn’t just come to save certain kinds of people? Aren’t you glad He didn’t have a bunch of rules and conditions for salvation? Before Jesus came, people had to observe many laws in order to be holy enough to go into the temple. They were constantly performing sacrifices to pay for their sins just so they could be around the presence of God. And even then, their sins were only covered up. But when Jesus came, He was the final sacrifice. And His blood didn’t just cover our sins, it washed us clean. Now, instead of just going to the temple to be near God, the Bible says we are the temple, and He chooses to live inside of us. Thank Him today for His mercy and for extending the gift of salvation to whosoever. remember, that Jesus is the ultimate gift. Do you receive Him today? If you’ve never asked Him into your life, there’s no better time than right now.

Are you Good Person?

2008-01-10T09:22:00.000+08:00

Almost everyone thinks they are a good person...

But the question you should be asking is, "Am I good enough to go to Heaven?"

How would you know?

Wonderful Counselor

2008-01-10T08:44:00.000+08:00

What do you need today?

Do you need guidance or counsel about a particular situation? One of the reasons Jesus was sent to this earth was to be your Wonderful Counselor. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Counselor comes to live inside of you by the Holy Spirit.

Notice He’s not just any kind of counselor, He is the Wonderful Counselor. He is full of wonder and amazement. He’s extraordinary. He’s the very best counselor you could have—He knows all things! Do you need counsel today regarding your job? Do you need counsel regarding your relationships or an important decision? Do you need a counselor to act as your defender today? Call on the Wonderful Counselor. Open your heart and let Him show you His wisdom. Receive His counsel from the Word of God. Receive His counsel from the godly people in your life.

As you seek the Wonderful Counselor with an open heart, He promises to lead and guide you. He promises to show you paths of life so that you can live in victory the way God intends!

Have a good day!!!

Expect Good Things

2008-01-09T10:57:00.000+08:00

What are you expecting today? Are you expecting to rise higher in life? Are you expecting good breaks? Are you expecting goodness to follow you everywhere you go? If you are expecting to get the short end of the stick, your own wrong thinking will keep you in mediocrity. Remember, God will meet you at the level of your expectations. Pay attention to what you are thinking about and make the choice to believe God for good things. Every day, imagine there are blessings, favor, increase, and promotion in your path. They already have your name on it! It’s just a matter of time before you come across them. Start confessing everyday “Something good is going to happen to me today.” Stand strong when trouble comes, knowing that your best days are ahead. Believe that God's blessings will overtake you! Expect goodness and mercy to chase you down. If you learn to raise your level of expectancy, God will pour out His blessings and favor on you. You rise to new levels and live the life of victory He has in store.

He Withholds No Good Thing

2008-01-07T10:53:00.000+08:00

What do you need from the Lord today? Do you need peace, provision, guidance? The Word of God promises that no good thing will He withhold from those who walk blamelessly before Him. Now you may be thinking, “Hey, I’m not perfect. How can I have a blameless walk?” The Good News is, when you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you automatically have a new walk. The past is erased in God’s eyes. And sure, you may make mistakes but I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When you repent of your sins and receive God’s forgiveness you are cleansed and your walk is blameless. You have to understand that God wants to pour His favor and honor on you. If you feel like there is anything in your life that you need to be cleansed from, go to the Father today and confess it to Him. Let Him make you new so that you can receive the good things He has in store for you! Let Him be pour His blessing on you so that you can walk in victory all the days of your life!

If God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving, would He really create a world like this...

2008-01-04T08:54:00.000+08:00

Why? Why is the world the way it is? Filled with oppression, suffering, death and cruelty? If God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving, would He really create a world like this?

What kind of world would you create........if you were God?

One without suffering.
One in which man treated others with kindness and justice.
One that is filled with love, cooperation and freedom.

1. GOD'S PLAN for you is so wonderful. HE loves you so much that He wants you to enjoy the following blessings.

1. ETERNAL LIFE - John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2. ABUNDANT LIFE - John 10:10. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.
3. PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS - Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a good future."

But why is man not enjoying all of these?

2. Blessing are hindered because of MAN'S PROBLEM - SIN.

SIN SEPARATES MAN FROM GOD - Isaiah 59:2. But your inequities have separated you from you God: your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
ALL HAVE SINNED - Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
THEREFORE MANKIND WILL SUFFER FROM:
DEATH - Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death.
JUDGMENT - Hebrews 9:27. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.

SECOND DEATH - Revelation 21:8. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the murderers, the sexually immoral those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars --their place will be on the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

What did man do to solve his greatest problem?

3. To be saved from his fallen state, MAN CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION to his greates problem.......

GOOD WORKS AND RELIGION
Are we good enough to satisfy God's qualification for goodness?
GOD'S STANDARD IS PERFECTION - Matthew 5:48. Be perfect therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.
OUR GOOD WORKS ARE LIKE FILTHY RAGS - Isaiah 64:6. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all out righteous acts are like filthy rags.
SALVATION IS NOT BY WORKS - Ephesians 2:8-9. For it is by faith you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.

Man cannot save himself so, God in His mercy gave the answer.

4. GOD'S SOLUTION to man's problem is Jesus Christ alone

JESUS IS GOD WHO CAME IN FLESH - Colosians 1:15-20
JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY - John 14:6. Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
JESUS IS THE ONLY NAME GIVEN - Acts 4:12. Salvation is found in no one else for there is no other name given by which we must be saved.

"He was born as a man so that man can be born of God, lived a sinless life so that sinful man can be set free from sin, rejected by men so that men can be accepted by God, died so that man will live, rose from the grave so the man will not lose hope and He is coming back to take us into His glory. What a Savior!"

Thank God we have found the answer!

5. MAN'S CHOICE now determines his future. To enjoy God's original intent, man needs to take these steps.

1. REPENT - Acts 3:19. Repent them and turn to God so that your sins...be wiped out. This calls for the willingness to turn away from the sin and to love God back.
2. BELIEVE - Romans 10:9. That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. This is not intellectual faith but, a transfer of trust and loyalty from self to the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
3. ACCEPT - John 1:12. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—This is to invite Christ to rule your life as Lord, Master and King for the rest of your days.

PRAYER: Dear God, I am a sinner and my sin separates me from You. I repent from all my sinful thoughts, words and deeds. I want to turn away from everything the Bible calls sin. I ask You to forgive and cleanse me. I thank You that You sent Your Son Jesus to pay the penalty for my disobedience. I believe that He died on the cross for me and rose from the dead on the third day. I accept Jesus as my only Savior, my only Lord and Master. Help me to love, serve and obey You for the rest of my life. Amen.

You are now part of God's big family. You are born into God's kingdom!!! Friend, You are no longer condemned...You have crossed over from death to life! SAVED!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

As a child, you need to grow and mature. Take time to hear & obey the Word of God, commune with Him in prayer & worship, fellowship with believers & pass on to others what you have received.

Would you like to know how to accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice for your sins?

2007-12-21T16:56:00.000+08:00

There are no particular words that you must say to become a child of God, no specific prayer. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us." But, if you would like to talk to God right now and are not sure what to say, here are some suggestions...

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I know I deserve eternal judgment, but I thank You for Your mercy and grace. I ask You to forgive my sins and give me eternal life. Wash me clean and give me a new heart. Right now, I place my faith and trust in Your Son Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I give You my life.

Lord Jesus, I believe that You are God's only Son, that You died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and rose again on the third day. Having trusted You as my Lord and Savior, I know that when I die, I will spend eternity with You in Heaven.

Thank You for dying on the cross to pay for my sins. Thank You for Your forgiveness and for the gift of eternal life. I humbly submit myself to Your will in every area of my life, and I ask You to make me into the person You want me to be. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and guide me through Your Word. Help me to trust You daily for all my needs and to rely on Your Holy Spirit to lead me as I seek to live in obedience to You.

I ask you to convict me of whatever sin is in my life, that I might confess it to You as it comes to mind each day, knowing that You have already forgiven me, and that You will never leave me or forsake me. From this day forward, I will live with the peace and assurance that I am Your child. I renounce the works of Satan, and I desire to walk in the light as You are in the light. Give me wisdom and discernment that I may know good from evil, and help me to follow after You with all my heart all the days of my life. I am Your servant, and I accept You are my Master. Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto You.

Right now, Lord, I pray that You will show me Your will. Help me to grow in my faith. Lead me to others who can help me to grow, and lead me to a church where I can be taught in Your Word. Show me how my life can be a blessing to others, and give me the courage to tell others about Your saving grace. I ask You Lord that my entire family will come to know You as Lord and Savior. I pray that Your Holy Spirit will convict their hearts and draw them unto You, and that You will remove the blinders of Satan from their eyes. Give me the words to speak as I share with them how I came to know You and how they too can begin a personal relationship with You and spend forever in Your presence. Help me to live the life You have called me to, and to be a holy example for all the world to see, that they too may believe.

Heavenly Father, I love You! Thank You for saving me and receiving me as Your child. Lord Jesus, I love you! Thank You for dying on the cross to pay for my sins and for giving me eternal life. Holy Spirit, I love You! Thank You for showing me my need for a Savior and for Your indwelling presence in my life. Amen.”

Congatulations!!! Welcome to the Family...

What does God's gift mean to you?

2007-12-21T16:50:00.000+08:00

God, the Creator and Giver of Life does care about each of us.

But, God is Holy and must be approached on His terms. He wants you to worship Him as the only God in your life. Just as the first people, Adam and Eve failed to trust God, so all of us have sinned by trying to run our own lives without God.

The Bible says that even if you obey all of God's laws but one, you are a lawbreaker and a guilty sinner before Him. So, no matter how religious you might be, or how many good deeds you may have done, you can never measure up to God's holiness. You are lost and separated from God.

But God understands your helplessness. and He loves you so much that He arranged to have His Son take your punishment and die for your sins. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

SALVATION IS A GIFT. It can't be worked for, so no one can boast about earning it.

MakE iT HapPen

2007-11-16T11:50:00.000+08:00

We need to seek and obey God to have a good chance of being chosen. We need to believe in Jesus to be saved. Believing means sincerely following and doing what God commands, or at least honestly trying and seeking to do it.

Seeking and doing his will should be first priority. It is a life of self denial, where everything you do or receive should be for his purpose, and not for your own. If you are chosen and living for Jesus, the life to come will be Heaven. It will be Hell, a choice of eternal separation from God if you are not. You should not be part of the things that are highly esteemed among men in this world, such as keeping excess money for yourself to use on your pleasures.

There is a glorious future in Heaven but no happy future on Earth. Your focus should be on eternal things and not on earthly things.To be a Christian you must hate sin, not take pleasure in it, and ask for God's help not to do it. We have all sinned. Therefore we must confess and seek forgiveness with a desire to repent, which is turning from sin. Even as a Christian you are tempted by evil, and can fall down. Our priority should be to try to spread God's word to others either indirectly or directly.

Don't look to people who call themselves Christians today as examples, as probably only a very small percentage of them are true Christians.

Christian Oneliners (taken from another blog)

2007-11-12T18:12:00.000+08:00

"Don't let your worries get the best of you. Remember, Moses started out as a basket case"

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited - until you try to sit in their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes and sand gnats come close.

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

People are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has!

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Peace starts with a smile.

I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just
sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

He who angers you, controls you!

If God is your Copilot - swap seats!

Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

We don't change the message, the message changes us.

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to .......discourage him.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:

1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

"Dear Father: Bless the person reading this in whatever it is that You know they need." Amen!

2007-11-12T17:24:00.000+08:00

Pictcha Pafect

Focusing on Life's Purpose

2007-11-08T16:41:00.000+08:00

When I am aware of a purpose, it makes me more focused. Life isn’t just random. The little things I do fit into a bigger plan. Even if I’m not sure exactly what that plan is, I know God does and that adds more significance to everything.

And believing God loves me is probably the biggest thing of all. It’s hard, because I don’t think I always believe it myself. But when I realize God loves me unconditionally,it saves me from always trying to earn acceptance from other people. I think I can be more useful and less needy as a result.

If this is new to you, try it on. Try on the thought that God loves you—even the things about you that you hate. How would that change how you think about yourself? And if He made you with a purpose, wouldn’t you want to find out what that was? You owe it to yourself to at least go down this road and entertain the possibility. Because if it is true,it could be the greatest news in the whole world for you.

Why do you think people try to discover their life’s purpose without turning to God, their creator?

2007-11-07T15:19:00.000+08:00

I thought i have fulfilled the purpose of my life's existence, I thought I have planned my life so well cuz everything runs so smoothly. But being confused about purpose in life is not a bad thing. It is actually something that can awaken a desire to seek the truth about who we are and why we’re here.

It is hard—almost impossible—to explain the meaning of life without God, and that’s why everything starts with Him. God brings design and purpose to our existence. God has a plan that stretches beyond our history. God wants a relationship with us. That in itself gives us meaning.

Every human being who has ever lived has had questions about his or her existence. It makes a big difference where you look for answers. You can’t really know much about meaning in life without being willing to admit that “beyond the sun”—or outside our human experience—is a Being with a design and a reason for all that we see and experience “under the sun.”

Here’s something to think about: Do you think it’s possible that God created us hungry for the very thing He wants to give us? He created us to seek Him? If so, wondering about your purpose could very well be the most important thing you could do. If this is true, then wondering about your purpose is the first step in finding it.

Lee's Pics

2007-11-06T20:00:00.000+08:00

Lee Imprisoned

Lee Papogi Pose

Yanyan, Precious, Lee