Love Never Fails

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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?

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.