power in the name of Jesus,

...in My name....they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.
—Mark 16:17,18


There is abundant power in the name of Jesus, and we have been given the right to use that name.

We should speak the name of Jesus in faith against every kind of sickness, disease, and infirmity that arises. We should remember that the Lord gave it to us so we could walk in victory.

We are to pray in the name of Jesus. Prayer is our request—our petition—and the name of Jesus is what gets God's attention. When we pray in Jesus' name, we are presenting to the Father all that Jesus is and has done.

Sometimes we fall into the trap of just putting up with some physical problem, especially if it has been around a long time. We need to be reminded occasionally that there is healing available for us.

If you are sick, fighting any kind of an illness or disease, I encourage you to exercise your blood-bought right to use the name of Jesus against it. Each time you speak that name in faith, power is released.

Start exercising your right to use the name of Jesus against your problems, and believe they lose a little more of their power against you each time you speak that name.

Pray This:

"Father, I thank You for giving me power for any situation in life through the precious name of Jesus. Amen."



Have a Faithful Friday

Dreams and Visions

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Where there is no vision, the people perish....
—Proverbs 29:18 KJV


It is important to have dreams and visions for our lives. We atrophy without something to reach for. God has created us to have goals. We need to look beyond where we are.

Our dreams and visions are simply hope for a better tomorrow. When God plants a seed of something in our heart, at that point it is a possibility, but not a "positively". That seed must be cared for properly.

Quite often the Lord attempts to place something in our heart, and we fail to conceive that He really means what He is saying. We must remember that we cannot get pregnant with a dream or a vision unless we are able to conceive. Practically speaking, that refers to our thoughts.

We must believe a thing to be possible. We must be able to conceive it in our thoughts. If we do get past the conception, there is still the pregnancy to go through. There is much planning and preparation before the birth. Satan does everything he can to get us to abort our dreams and visions.

God has a vision for your life, and He desires to plant it in your heart. Don't have a "spiritual abortion." Give birth to all that God has placed within you.

Say This:

"I will not give up the dreams and visions God has placed within my heart. I am determined to see them through to the end."

Have a Terrific Tuesday

Come clean with God

I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may make the voice of thanksgiving heard and may tell of all Your wondrous works.
—Psalm 26:6-7

Each morning we need to come clean with God. If there is anything between us and God, when we try to pray and get into His presence, it will bother us until we deal honestly with it. God wants us to confess our faults. I have found over the years in a ministry of dealing with other people, and also in dealing with my own flesh, that we don’t really like to confront wrongdoing as we should.

Most of us like to make excuses, but excuses keep us deceived. An excuse is a reason stuffed with a lie. The Bible says that the truth will set us free (John 8:32). Honesty with God will free us to enjoy our whole day.

Have a Magnificient Monday

God is the ultimate Giver

Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness shall go before Him and shall make His footsteps a way in which to walk.
—Psalm 85:12-13

God is the ultimate Giver. He expects nothing less than for us to follow His example. I challenge you to give away something every day of your life. You may think you won’t have anything left if you do that, but if you give as the Lord leads you to do, soon you will receive so much that you will have to figure out where to put it all.

God gives you bread to eat and seed to sow (See 2 Corinthians 9:10). Some things that God sends your way are given as seed for you to sow into the lives of others. Ask God to show you what He wants you to give away.

Reading God's Mind


For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is
written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness," and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." 1 Corinthians 3:19-20

Have you ever said to yourself, "if only I knew God's thoughts?"
Some people seem presumptuous to think that they do know God's thoughts. They're full of advice and act as if they understand exactly what God thinks and what he would do in every situation. Too often such people fail to recognize that God's thoughts and ways are far beyond our ability to understand. His ways are typically not our ways.

On the other hand, God's Word does give a glimpse into his thoughts and desires. He calls you to forsake your worldly thought patterns and learn his principles for life because conventional, worldly wisdom is often the exact opposite of God's ways. By saturating your mind with God's Word you begin to see both God's message and His method. You'll see how He worked in history. If you pause and reflect on your own life you'll see how he has worked in your life. And you'll see that it wasn't how you would have designed it in either case.

God's words to the prophet Isaiah give great hope. "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Get to know God, but don't try to be His mind-reader.

"A glimpse of God will save you. To gaze at Him will sanctify you." - Manley Beasley

God Bless....
by Steve Arterburn

Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance
I kept seeing 'dance' at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw 'G: I thought of God, followed by 'u' and 'i'.
'God, 'u' and 'i' dance'
God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God as God
abides in you.

Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for
you in your life, please share this message with someone else,
for prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.

There is no cost but a lot of rewards;
so let's continue to pray for one another !
And I Hope You Dance

He Is Attentive to Your Prayers

Today's Scripture
“For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer…” (I Peter 3:12 AMP).

Today's Word
Do you ever wonder if the Lord hears your prayers? There is Good News today—this verse promises that He is attentive to the prayers of the righteous! If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and have asked Him to cleanse you of your past sins, then you are righteous by the blood of Jesus. God longs to show Himself strong on your behalf. Your prayers open the door for Him to move in your life. You can be sure that He is attentive and listening for your prayers. Keep standing, keep believing, and keep praying knowing that God is on your side. He hears you. He’s working behind the scenes and orchestrating things in your favor. Thank Him today for listening. Thank Him for making you righteous. As you stand in faith, you will see God move in your life. Don’t shrink back—move forward in confidence knowing that the eyes of the Lord are upon you, and He is attentive to your prayers!

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for making me righteous. Thank You for making me clean and new. Thank You for hearing my prayers today. I cast my cares and burdens on You knowing that You are working in my life today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

When fear knocks at the door, let faith answer

...The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
—James 5:16


Fear attacks everyone. It is Satan's way of tormenting us and preventing us from going forward so we cannot enjoy the life Jesus died to give us.

Fears are not realities, they are False Evidence Appearing Real. But if we accept the fears that Satan offers and give voice to them, we open the door for the enemy and close the door to God.

Faith is released through prayer, which makes tremendous power available, dynamic in its working.

Satan seeks to weaken us through fear, but God strengthens us as we fellowship with Him in prayer. The Bible teaches us to watch and pray. (Matthew 26:41.) I believe the major reference in this passage is to watching ourselves and the attacks that the enemy launches against our minds and emotions. When these attacks are detected, we should pray immediately. We may think the attack will go away but we must remember that it is when we pray that power is released against the enemy—not when we think about praying later.

Pray about everything and fear nothing. I believe you will find this decision to be one that will produce more joy and peace for your everyday living.

When fear knocks at the door, let faith answer.

Do This:

Remember that fear is just False Evidence Appearing Real. When fear knocks on your door, let faith answer.


Have a Thankful Thursday

A SERVANT of God

His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys. (MATTHEW 25:21)

AS A SERVANT of God, you have been given gifts and talents from Him to use for His kingdom and glory.While others may have far greater talents than yours, you have at least one gift for which you are responsible to give an account to God. It is a principle within God's kingdom that as you are faithful and responsible to what God has given you He will advance you to a higher service. Being faithful where you are and with what God has given you to do now has nothing to do with whether you are particularly fond of what that responsibility entails.

Two aspects of your responsibility stand out in Matthew 25. First, there is a day coming when you shall give an account for your faithfulness to what God gave you to do. And, second, if you are faithful your divine Master offers that you may enter His joy is beyond description."Enter in," Jesus says, "and share the joy!"

Have a Magnificient Monday

A patient man is a powerful man

For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.
—Hebrews 10:36

The Word of God promises that the patient man will be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. (James 1:4 KJV.) A patient man is a powerful man. He can remain calm in the storm. He has control over his mouth. His thoughts remain loving in times when people's behavior becomes challenging. Without patience we cannot endure to see the fulfillment of our faith. Everything does not come to us immediately upon believing. There is a waiting period involved in receiving from God. It is during that period that our faith is tested and purified. Only if we endure and wait patiently will we experience the joy of seeing what we have believed for. Patience is not only the ability to wait, but also the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Waiting is a part of life that cannot be avoided. We will spend a great deal of our lives waiting; if we don't learn to do it well (patiently), we will be quite miserable. God is so patient with us. And we are to imitate Him. Be encouraged to actively pursue patience it will lead you into God's power Pray This: "Lord, help me to exercise every kind of endurance and patience, perseverance, and forbearance with joy (Colossians 1:11). In Jesus' name, amen."

Have a Fabulous Friday

He Restores Your Soul

Today's Scripture

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul…” (Psalm 23:1-3).

Today's Word
God wants to restore your soul! Your soul is your mind, your will, and your emotions. You are a three-part being: you have a spirit—that’s the part of you that lives for eternity, you have a soul, and you have your body while you’re here on earth. Your soul is where the enemy tries to wound you and hold you back. Your soul is where you may have brokenness from the past, or hurts and disappointments. When God restores your soul, He brings His healing power to those broken places. He makes you whole again. And when God restores you, He makes you better off than you were before! I love the picture painted in this verse. Notice that He leads us beside quiet waters. He makes us lie down in green pastures. This is a picture of rest. When we are resting in Him, He is able to do a work in our lives. He is able to bring that restoration. Don’t let the busyness of life keep you going so fast that you don’t stop and rest. Take time to be still before the Lord and meditate on His Word. As you do, He will restore and heal your soul, and you will live the life of victory God has planned for you!

A Prayer for Today
Father God, thank You for another day to praise You. Thank You for Your plan to lead me into rest so that You can restore my soul. I surrender my brokenness to You and open my heart to receive Your healing in every area of my life today. In Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

Have a Magnificient Monday

The Morning

Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually!
[Earnestly] remember the marvelous deeds which He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He uttered.
—1 Chronicles 16:10–12

Many people don’t realize how important the morning is, especially those first moments of time that we are awake. God calls the sun to rise for us. He is eager for us to wake up and talk to Him again.

David the psalmist talked a lot about mornings, saying “This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it” (see Psalm 118:24). David didn’t always feel like rejoicing, but he decided to rejoice in God’s new day.

As soon as you get up, look at yourself in the mirror, smile, and say, “I am going to have a good day because Jesus loves me.”

Magnify the Lord

Today's Scripture
“Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3).

Today's Word
There is power when you magnify the Lord and exalt His name. When you magnify the Lord, you aren’t changing Him, you are changing the way you see Him. You are making Him bigger in your life than your problems and circumstances. So many people today waste time and energy talking about their problems and feeling sorry for themselves. In other words, they are magnifying their circumstances in their own mind and heart. But when you start magnifying the Lord by talking about Him and worshiping Him, you are making Him big in your life. You are opening the door for Him to move on your behalf. Decide today that no matter what’s going on in life around you, you are going to magnify your God. Talk about His goodness. Talk about His faithfulness. Declare that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Exalt His name today and lift Him up! As you magnify the Lord above your circumstances, He will become bigger in your life. You will see His hand of blessing and move forward into the life of victory He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I choose to magnify and exalt You. You are faithful and worthy of praise. I declare today that You are for me, so who can be against me! I trust You to work in my life today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Joy in His Presence

Today's Scripture

“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).

Do you need more joy in your life today? God promises that joy is found in His presence, and if you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then His presence lives inside of you! That joy manifests when you focus your mind and heart on the Father and begin to praise Him for what He’s done in your life. The Bible says that He inhabits the praises of His people. When you begin to praise and thank Him, you are in His presence where there is fullness of joy. It doesn’t matter where you are or what’s going on around you, you can access the joy that’s inside of you at anytime, day or night. And know this: God wants you to experience His supernatural joy and peace at all times. That’s why He chose to live inside of you and give you an endless supply. Don’t waste another minute feeling overburdened and discouraged. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength, and you will move forward in victory on the path of life He’s prepared for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for an endless supply of joy. Today, I choose to cast my cares on You and give You the praise, glory, and honor You deserve. Let joy flow through me today so that I can be a witness of Your goodness to those around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Live the higher life II

..Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink....
—Matthew 20:22


This was Jesus' response to the request of His disciples James and John to sit on His right and left hand.

Many people want God to bless them with a high position, but they are not ready to stop living a self-centered life. God considers selfishness to be a low level of living.

We can choose to spend our lives trying to get what we want when we want it, but it is a lower life. There is a higher life. If we will not give up the lower life, we will never have the higher life. But if we are willing to give up the lower (natural) life, then God will give us the higher (spiritual) life.

Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father. He had to lay down the lower life first before He got the higher life.

In order to be promoted as Jesus was, we must crucify the flesh. We must forget about ourselves—stop thinking about ourselves, talking about ourselves, and trying to get our own way. We must first make an investment, then God will give us a mighty return.

If you want the higher life, be willing to drink the cup that Jesus drank—the cup of unselfishness.

Pray This:

"Father, in the name of Jesus, I break the bondage of selfishness off my life. Thank You that I am free."

Live the Higher Life

Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.
—Mark 4:19


In order to live the "higher life," we must be willing to die to the "lower life."

One of the major reasons people are not rooted in God's Word is their strong attachment to the world. They want the higher life, but they are not willing to give up the lower life.

There is a life to be lived that is so superior to anything the world has to offer that no comparison can be made, but we must die to self and all its ways and demands in order to attain it. We must die to our own ways of being and doing - the fleshly ways of handling situations. We must also die to our own thoughts and our own idle, willful, and contrary talk. We must learn to live beyond our feelings.

The "bottom line" is that God relentlessly pursues the flesh and is intent on setting us free from its control. We must die to live, but it is a positive thing.

Dare to die in order to live.

Do This:

Choose to die to self and the things of the flesh so that you may live the higher life that God has prepared for you.




Have a Magnificent Monday

Open your heart

Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
1 PETER 5:6, 7

THERE ARE FEW people who are more miserable than those who have enough Christianity to save them but not enough to transform them. Those who have not received the fullness of the Holy Spirit are missing the joy of the Lord and His strength for daily living. It is like living on crumbs in poverty when the loaf of bread is on the table in front of them.

Paul once asked the Ephesians disciples of John, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed [on Jesus as the Christ]?" (Acts 19:2). Humble yourself before the Lord and ask yourself that question. Are you filled with the power of the Holy Spirit? Has He transformed your life by grace and is He ruling in your heart? If He is not, open your heart to Him and receive the Holy Spirit now. He only awaits your prayer.

The peace of the Lord

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] —John 14:27


The peace of the Lord is one of the most precious blessings in life.

From a spiritual position, it was Jesus' blood that bought our peace. But from a practical or natural position, the price we must pay for peace is a willingness to change our approach to life. We will never enjoy peace without a willingness to adjust and adapt ourselves.

You and I must be willing to sacrifice worry and reasoning if we are to know peace. We cannot have anxiety, frustration, or rigid, legalistic attitudes and enjoy the peace of God.

Keep your mind and conversation on Jesus—not the problem. Worry is useless, vain, and prideful.

One of the big adjustments I had to make was to slow down. It is impossible to remain peaceful and hurry. God is not in a hurry.

Be willing and obedient to make the changes the Holy Spirit leads you to make in order to walk in peace. Jesus has provided His peace—enjoy it!

Pray This:

"Lord, I receive Your peace today. I will seek peace, follow after peace, and let peace be the umpire in my life. In Jesus' name, amen."



Have a Magnificent Monday

The Prince of Peace

Today's Scripture
“…and His name shall be called…the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Today's Word
Aren’t you glad Jesus is our Prince of Peace? He rules our hearts with peace. He gives us peace that passes understanding—which means we can have peace when it doesn’t make sense. We can have peace in the midst of the storm. We can have peace in the midnight hour. We can have peace when gas prices go up and the housing market goes down. We can have constant peace because we are connected to the true source of peace! Do you need more peace in your life? Call on the Prince of Peace. Give Him your burdens and cares. The Bible says that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. When we are working and living the way God intends—full of peace and joy—we are carrying His “light” burden. We are working with His “easy” yoke. Don’t carry the worries and stresses of this life! Call on the Prince of Peace, and He’ll take you places that you’ve never dreamed. His peace will open doors for you that No one can shut! Walk in His peace, and you will walk in the life of victory the Lord has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for peace that guides and protects me. I choose Your Word today which says that I can walk and live in Your peace. Thank You for being the Prince of Peace in my life today. In Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

Have a Faithful Friday

He is holy

For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.
—1 Peter 1:16


Anyone who truly loves God wants to be holy. We desire to be like Him, and He is holy. Holiness signifies separation unto God. A state of holiness results in conduct befitting those so separated.

The Lord instructs us to do certain things, but He also provides us the ability to do what He requires. We struggle and labor when we try to do what He wants in our own strength, instead of calling upon His strength by faith.

The seed of holiness is planted in us at the New Birth. As we work with the Holy Spirit and water that seed with God's Word and our obedience, we begin to see positive changes in our behavior and in all other areas of life.

Many Christians spend most of their lives waiting to see themselves change before they will believe anything positive about themselves. But the good news is that God sees our hearts. We have a desire to do what is right because He has given us a new heart and put His Spirit within us.

When we start believing what the Word says about us more than what we see or do, then our behavior begins to radically and rapidly change.

Believe it: You are holy, because God says so!

Pray This:

"Father, thank You for making me holy by Your mercy and grace, and by the sacrifice and bloodshed of Your Son. In Jesus' name, amen."



Have a Terrific Thursday

Who is Lord Jesus ?

In chemistry, He turned water to wine.

In biology, He was born without the normal conception;

In physics, He disapproved the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven;

In economics, He disapproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5000 men with two fishes & 5 loaves of bread;

In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs,

In history, He is the beginning and the end;

In government, He said that he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace;

In religion, He said no one comes to the Father except through him;

So... Who is He? He is Jesus!

Join me and let's celebrate him; He is worthy

The eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hand that will send this message to everybody shall not labor in vain, and the mouth saying amen to this prayer shall smile forever. Remain in God and seek his face always. Amen!

In God I've found everything!

The Greatest Man in History

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.

Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.

Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.

He had no army, yet kings feared Him.

He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.

He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!

Bring Out the Best

Today's Scripture
“Love is kind” (I Corinthians 13:4)

Today's Word
One translation of this simple verse says that, “Love looks for a way to be constructive.” In other words, love looks for ways to improve someone else’s life. Love brings out the best in other people. Don’t just get up in the morning thinking about yourself or how you can make your own life better. Think about how you can make someone else’s life better. Ask yourself, “Who can I encourage today?” “Who can I build up?” You have something to offer those around you that no one else can give. Someone in your life needs your encouragement. Someone in your life needs to know that you believe in them. I believe God will hold us responsible for the people He’s put in our lives. He’s counting on us to bring out the best in our family and friends. Are you improving the lives of those around you? Are you giving them confidence? Ask the Lord to give you creative ways to encourage those around you. As you sow seeds of encouragement and bring out the best in others, God will send people along your path that will build you up so that you can move forward into the blessing He has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today
Father God, thank You for loving me. Thank You for believing in me and always building me up. I ask that You show me creative ways to encourage and build up the people around me. Help me be an example Your love today and always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

He is the Healer

Today's Scripture

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

Aren’t you glad that God is a healer! It doesn’t matter what is “broken” in your life today, God’s nature is to bring you complete healing. Do you need healing in your body? Your mind? Heart? Finances? Relationships? God is your healer. Notice what the Psalmist says in this verse: He binds up their wounds. In the natural, if you have a broken arm, it doesn’t just heal over night. The doctor makes a cast to hold it in place and protect it. He binds up your wound. In the spiritual realm, God does the same thing. He wraps Himself around your brokenness and protects the wounded area until it is strong enough to function properly again. The Bible also says that He is a restorer. That means that when He does a work of healing in our lives, He makes us better than we were before. If you’re going through the healing process today, know this: it may take longer than you planned, but God is binding up your wound. He is protecting you and healing you. He will bring you out better and stronger than you were before. He will take you to a place of complete healing so that you can live the life of victory He has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for being my healer. Thank You for restoring every area of my life. I give You everything that I am today. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Victory is through Christ.

Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
—Romans 8:37


Are you hurting physically, emotionally, or mentally? Did you know that you can increase or decrease the intensity of your pain by the way you handle it?

I know from experience and the Word of God that it is possible to be the victor instead of the victim.

The key thing to see is that the victory is "through Christ." If you and I can learn how to lean on God and receive from Him whatever we need, we truly can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13.)

God is more than enough for any situation. He has promised to enable us and to be our helper. As we come into close fellowship with Him spending time with Him and talking with Him in a simple, familiar way we begin to draw strength from Him.

The number one thing I learned was that I had to lean on the Lord to strengthen me. The second thing I learned was not to talk about the problem or even to think about it unless absolutely necessary.

Whatever you may be going through right now, keep your eyes and your conversation on the Lord and off your situation.

Remember this too shall pass.

Do This:

Submit yourself to God in all things. Spend quality time with Him. Wait in His presence, and you will find He is more than enough.

Follow God's battle plan

...Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
—2 Chronicles 20:15


Are you struggling with issues in your life, and frustrated because you never get a breakthrough no matter what you do? You will never win if you are fighting your own battles.

God never loses a battle. He has a definite battle plan—and when we follow it, we always win.

Perhaps you are in a circumstance right now and you need to hear God say, "The battle is not yours, but Mine!"

Worship is a battle position! As we worship God for Who He is and for His attributes, those attributes are released in our lives.

Worship God for His ability and might, and you will see them released on your behalf.

Try bowing down a few times a day and giving thanks. Just be sure your heart is in what you are doing. Working formulas or entering into "dead works" never produces anything of value.

I am sure your heart frequently fills up with love and worship for God. If you are not already doing so, take an extra step and add some outward action to your heart attitude.

Follow God's battle plan. It is enjoyable, unique, and effective. Praise and worship confuse the enemy. Take your position, and you will see the enemy's defeat.

Do This:

Bow before God and thank Him for His goodness and mercy. Worship Him for Who He is, not just for what you need from Him.


Have a Faithful Friday
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The Law of the Garbage Truck

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee or friend ruin your day?

Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly one can get back their focus on what's important.


“Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you.

When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.”

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do it anymore."

I began to see garbage trucks. Like in the movie "The Sixth Sense," the little boy said, "I see Dead People."

Well, now "I see Garbage Trucks."
I see the load they're carrying.
I see them coming to drop it off.
I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

A famous football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled.

He never dwelled on a hit.
Payton was ready to make the next play his best.
Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting.
Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses.
Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.

What about you?
What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

Here's my bet. You'll be happier.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..
Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe that everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance , TAKE IT!
If it changes your life , LET IT!
Nobody said it would be easy...
They just promised it would be worth it!



Decide NOW to make Every Day a Garbage Truck Day, by sending them on their way!

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

Dear Children:

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking my name out of the season.

Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival . . . although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn.

If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a ?holiday tree? instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish:

I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in
relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them
personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and
they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary ?
especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember:

Love,

Jesus

God's mercy is new every morning

...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.
—Philippians 3:13


God's mercy is new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22,23 KJV.) Each day we can find a fresh place to begin.

I like the way God has divided up the days and nights. It seems to me that no matter how difficult or challenging a specific day may be, the breaking of dawn brings new hope. God wants us to regularly put the past behind and find a place of "new beginnings."

Perhaps you have been trapped in some sin, and although you have repented, you still feel guilty. You may be assured that sincere repentance brings a fresh, new start. First John 1:9 promises a thorough cleansing if you will freely admit that you have sinned.

Once you understand the great mercy of God and begin receiving it, you are more inclined to give mercy. You may be hurting from an emotional wound. The way to put the past behind is to forgive the person who hurt you. Forgiveness is always involved in putting the past behind.

God has new things on the horizon of your life, but you will never see them if you live in and relive the past. Thinking and talking about the past keeps you trapped in it.

Every day is a new day. Don't waste today by living in yesterday.

Say This:

"Today is a new day with new mercies. I put the past behind me. Yesterday is gone. I will begin afresh today."

Have a Magnificent Monday
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He Prepares Your Path

“I will go before you and make the crooked places straight…” (Isaiah 45:2 NKJV)

Do you ever feel like every time you try to move forward in something, you hit a roadblock? Something happens that throws you off course. Be encouraged today because right now in your life, God is going before you. He’s preparing a way. He’s making your crooked places straight. He’s making your rough places smooth. You may be going through a difficult time right now, but it’s not the end. It’s only the beginning. God has equipped you for this journey. You may feel like you’re in a dry season, but don’t look at your circumstances. Look at the promise of God today! If you’ll keep speaking words of faith, God promises that He’ll anoint your head with oil and your cup will run over. That means you’ll be refreshed and anointed to do what He’s called you to do. God is preparing your path and equipping you for the journey. What do you need today to keep moving forward? Start by checking your attitude. Don’t go around complaining and focused on the negative side of things. Put on an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Thank Him for making your crooked places straight! As you do, you’ll move forward in joy and gladness in the blessed future He has prepared for you!

A Prayer for Today

Lord in heaven, thank You for Your goodness in my life. Thank You for preparing the path for my life and making my crooked places straight. Thank You for restoring my soul and life and for guiding me in everything I do. I submit every area of my life to You today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Have a Faithful Friday

Lift Your Eyes

Today's Scripture
I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

Today's Word
What are you looking at today? Are there challenges in your life to overcome? Don’t just look at your problems day in and day out, lift up your eyes and look toward heaven. You will naturally move in the direction that your eyes are looking. If you are always looking at your problems—meditating on them, feeling sorry for yourself, telling everybody about them—you will become consumed by them. But when you look up, your life will start to move up. When you keep your eyes on Jesus, it is also a sign of your faith and expectancy. The Bible tells us that faith is what moves the hand of God. When you have an attitude of faith and expectancy, you open the door for His power in your life. Decide today to focus on the goodness of our God. Lift your eyes and heart to Him and begin to praise Him with your words. As you lift your eyes, your help will come, and you will live the victorious life He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I choose to lift my eyes to You. I will look to You for my help. Thank You for showing me Your salvation and deliverance. I bless You today in Jesus’ Name. Amen.