WHO CONTROLS US?

As Christians, we are no longer controlled by our old sinful
human natures. This is the part of us that seems to gravitate
to things forbidden, things that feel good, things that bring
pleasure. God never intended for His children to live lives
devoid of good feelings and pleasure. He does intend for us
to hand over our own control of our human nature and to
take on His nature. It is a much different life than living by
human desires and pleasure. Living in the nature of God
brings such life, treasures and riches, the things of this world
grow very pale and unattractive in comparison.


Heavenly Father, we ask that You help us to take on Your
nature so that we will not fall into the selfish ways of the
world. We thank You that You have given us access to Your
nature and praise You for the blessings we receive as we
take Your nature as our own. In Jesus' name.


Read Romans 7:5


"For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful
passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so
that we bore fruit for death." (NIV)


"For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which
were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit
unto death." (KJV)


     

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COMPROMISE

Living in an immoral world is difficult. Living in a world
that is full of seemingly harmless departures from the
truth is dangerous. We cannot compromise with the
values and beliefs of the world. Compromising with
the world may keep us from being ridiculed and
persecuted, but it will cause us to lose our testimony
and to be unfaithful to the Lord.


Heavenly Father, oh how we know that this world is
full of things that would make it appear all right for
us to follow. We pray that you would give us that
spirit of discernment so that we can keep from
compromising with this world and stay pure as your
children. In Jesus' name.


Read Revelation 2: 20


"Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate
that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess..."
 (NIV)


"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which
calleth herself a prophetess..." (KJV)


     

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DON'T GET TRICKED

Deception is something we feel happens to other people.
The truth is, deceit is so subtle and inconspicuous, that
even the most learned and spiritual of men can fall into
deception. We are commanded to watch out! Be alert!
Wake up! Deception can come through people or situations
we would never have imagined. There is no place in this
life where deceit does not lie waiting to catch some
unsuspecting soul in its' trap. So let's pray that we are
alert and watchful so we do not get deceived.


Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us all we need to
keep ourselves from being deceived. We know You have made
it our responsibility to put on the whole armor and to be alert
to the trickery of Satan. Help us by Your Spirit, to be aware
of deception and to expose it for what it is. In Jesus' name.


Read Matthew 24:4


"Jesus answered, 'Watch out that no one deceives you." (NIV)


"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no
man deceive you." (KJV)


     

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CURE FOR ANXIETY

We have most likely all experienced anxiety at some level
during our walk on this earth. Some people suffer terribly
from this very uncomfortable state of being. Whether it is
something that is a current situation or whether it is a
persistent condition from which we suffer, there is a
sure and guaranteed remedy for anxiety. The remedy is
allowing God to comfort, support, and encourage us. He
will do this in many ways, often times unique to each of us.
God always stands by with compassion to console us and
give us peace and hope. We can reach out to Him now and
let His loving Spirit take away the anxiety and worry and
replace it with His peace and joy.


Heavenly Father, so often we get tangled up in our worries
and anxieties and we forget to just call on You. Please help
us to always turn to You in these times of anxiety. We praise
You for your comfort, peace, and perfect joy. In Jesus' name.


Read Psalm 94:19


"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought
joy to my soul." (NIV)


"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts
delight my soul." KJV)


     

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PRAY

No matter how well we have put on the armor, we will be
defeated without prayer. Praying without ceasing is like
leaving your phone off the hook, the connection is always
there. Our prayers should include praise, thanksgiving,
praying for others, seeking guidance, and for our needs.
We pray to the Father, through the Son, and in the Holy
Spirit (from our heart, not mindless repetition). Prayer
enables us to stay alert because the evil one finds the
tiniest opportunity to get to us. Never stop praying.


Heavenly Father, we ask forgiveness for being too busy in
our lives to keep the line of communication open to you.
Help us we pray, to always remain in the spirit of prayer
so that we can hear your voice and we will be always
ready to let you work through us. In Jesus' name.


Read Ephesians 6:18


"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of
prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and
always keep on praying for all the saints." (NIV)


"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance
and supplication for all saints." (KJV)


     

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A WAY OUT

None of us are are exempt from temptation. The good
news is: We will never be in a situation of temptation
where we have no alternative but to give in to the sin.
God has guaranteed us a way out so that we don't have
to sin. We still have the free will to go ahead and let the
temptation overtake us. That makes us totally responsible
for our decision. We can't blame anyone but ourselves if we
sin.


Heavenly Father, we are so aware of the subtlety of sin and
how easy it is to fall into its' trap. We ask that you help us
to stay alert and stand firm so that we will take the way out
you provide for us, so that we won't sin against you. In Jesus'
name.


Read 1 Corinthians 10:13


"No temptation has seized you except what is common to
man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he
will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
(NIV)


"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common
to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be
tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
(KJV)


     

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WHO IS OUR ENEMY

A spiritual battle is raging. Whether we choose to believe
it or not, we are a part of this battle. It is a battle for our
souls and destruction of the Church. The enemy in this battle
is Satan, whose most dangerous and cunning feature is that
he is unseen. He works without rest to direct his legions of
fallen angels to assist in his mission. His mode of operation
is to appeal to our senses, distort our thoughts, and use
circumstances to deceive us. He will ceaselessly get us to
doubt God and His Word. God has given us everything we
need to fight this battle to victory. It is His armor, and we
must wear it at all times.


Heavenly Father, our flesh and our natural senses cause us to
be weak and vulnerable to the tricks of Satan. Forgive us for
not being equipped with your armor because we are
complacent or we aren't aware of the seriousness of our
situation. Help us to put on your full armor so that we can
stand ready to fight this enemy every moment. In Jesus'
name.


Read Ephesians 6:12,13


"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against
the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this
dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to
stand your ground, and after you have done everything,
to stand." (NIV)


"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole
Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all, to stand." (KJV)


     

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NARROW GATE WIDE ROAD

My human nature draws me to the wide road where it is
easier, more popular--where it's wide enough to allow me
to be spiritually comfortable. It gives me space to believe
what seems right to me and decide for myself where I want
God to be in my life, if at all. With God's Nature in me, I chase
after the narrow road where it's lonely, difficult, and costly.
Very few are attracted to this road and even fewer choose to
seek it, even though it is the Way, the only Way to eternal
life with God.


Heavenly Father, we have travelled on the wide road and it is
easy. But this road leads to death. We thank you and praise
you that you provided the way for us to become new creatures
with your nature so that we can travel the narrow road, the
difficult road, that leads us to eternal life with you. In Jesus'
name.


Read Matthew 7:13,14


"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and
broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter
through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life, and only a few find it." (NIV)


"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many
there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it." (KJV)


     

©2010

LOOKING FOR GOD

Often pray and then start looking for the answer immediately.
Are we disappointed and lose the solid trust we had, because
it's been enough time for Him to answer and He has not? It
could be that we make the mistake of praying for answers and
looking for answers, instead of communing with God and
looking for Him in our daily lives. When we get our eyes off
Him and begin to look for evidence that He is doing what we
want Him to do, we have lost the purpose of prayer: seeking
and finding God.


Heavenly Father, so often we seek answers from You instead
of seeking You. We know that You will take care of our needs
and our situations if we put our trust in You, giving you the
worship and praise only You deserve. Forgive us we pray, in
Jesus' name.


Read Luke 24:21


"...but we had hoped that he was the one who was going
to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day
since all this took place." (NIV)


"But we trusted that it had been he which should have
redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third
day since these things were done." (NIV)


     

©2010

DOGS AND PIGS

We are cautioned as Christians about sharing the deeper,
more precious truths of the Kingdom of God to those who
are incapable of respecting and appreciating it's priceless
value. They will mock it, twist it, and use it in a profane
manner in an attempt to tear down our testimony. We are
to share the powerful, but simple Gospel of Jesus Christ
with them, that their hearts will be be convicted and changed.
Then they will grow in Christ and begin to understand the
deeper things of God.


Read Matthew 7:6
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to
pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and
then turn and tear you to pieces."


"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye
your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their
feet, and turn again and rend you." (KJV)


     

©2010

WE GROW GOD PROVIDES

Most of us are familiar with the scripture about the lilies
of the field and the birds of the air not worrying. We can
argue by saying that they are surviving by instinct, that
natural inclination to follow the laws of survival and
continuation of the life cycle. Actually, when we put our
total faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, all we have to do is
follow the Holy Spirit that always leads us toward life,
growth, and contentment. Like the lilies of the field, all
we need to do is take root in Christ and grow where we
are planted.


Heavenly Father, we confess that we worry about the
things of this world that affect our lives. We fail to put
our total faith and trust in You. Help us, Lord, to look at
the birds and the flowers and remember that You are
taking care of us as we put our faith in You. Help us to
grow where You have planted us. In Jesus' name.


Read Matthew 6:30


"If that is how God clothed the grass of the field, which is
here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not
much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (NIV)


"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which
to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not
much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (KJV)


     

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HE KNOWS

Walking by faith can be a very perplexing thing. There
are many times we find that we can't quite figure out
what God is doing and why we are in a particular place
or circumstance. Our first response is to ask Him what
He is doing. God knows what He is doing and as long as
we know that He does, it doesn't matter that we know.
Most often He does not tell us what he is doing. He
desires more that we seek who He is.


Heavenly Father, forgive us when we lack faith to just
keep walking and we stop and insist You give us the
plan You have made. Help us to just trust that You know
what You are doing and find contentment in knowing
who You are. In Jesus' name.


Read Hebrews 11:8


"By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he
would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and
went, even though he did not know where he was
going." (NIV)


"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a
place which he should after receive for an inheritance,
obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."
(KJV)

     

©2010

OUR RIGHTS

How many times have we heard or said, "It isn't fair!" To
be unjustly treated is one of the most difficult times to let
the life of Christ show through us. Our first thought is to give
and eye for an eye, seek justice, or get even. If we think that
turning the other cheek is a weak cop out from having to
stand up for ourselves, we need to think again. Jesus told
us not to fight evil with evil, but to fight evil with good. We
are in for a great disappointment if we expect fairness and
justice from this world and the people in it. But we have the
true heart of Christ if we constantly seek to be fair and just.
When we turn the other cheek, we, like Christ, are saying,
"I don't expect fairness from this world, but I will never
be unfair, I will be like Christ."


Heavenly Father, you know our human hearts and how it
is natural for us to seek fairness and even the score. We
ask that you forgive us for these times and give us strength
and courage to be like Christ, not seeking fairness, but
always showing it to others. In Jesus' name.


Read Matthew 5:39


"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone
strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
(NIV)


"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever
shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other
also." (KJV)


     

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HEART SIN

We would never commit a terrible and unforbidden act in the
open where others could see, would we? But are we just as
concerned about committing those same acts in the privacy
of our mind and heart, where God sees? If we continue to
feed those thoughts and desires, we are as guilty as if we
outwardly did them. Jesus says to get as far away as we
can from anything that feeds or stimulates those desires.


Read Matthew 5:27,28


"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully
has already committed adultery with her in his heart."


"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou
shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That
whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath
committed adultery with her already in his heart." (KJV)


     

©2010

SALT OF THE EARTH

We are all aware that salt is a primary ingredient used
to enhance the flavor of food. Actually, the principle use
of salt is to prevent rotting and decay. Historically, salt
is a symbol of purity. Impure salt lacks flavor and is
basically useless. Salt that is pure has been touched by
the hand of God, the Creator of the Universe. Pure salt must
have contact with a source before it is effective. It works,
gradually, quietly, and unnoticed. We are to live like pure
salt in a rotting world so that its decay is delayed and the
Gospel of Jesus Christ can continue to reach every living
person on the earth.


Read Matthew 5:13


"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its
saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything, except to be
thrown out and trampled by men." (NIV)


"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost
his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth
good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden
under foot of men." (KJV)


     

©2010

WRITTEN LAW VS LIVING LAW

Jesus introduced His ministry by telling us the reason
He came. He did not come to destroy anything but Satan's
work. He came to complete the written Law in living form.
The written Law and the Prophets speak of the outward
man's obedience to God. Jesus Christ came to speak and
demonstrate how the Law must first live in the inner heart.
We can practice the rules successfully on the outside and
be nothing more than whitewashed tombs. But we cannot
have the Living Law of Jesus Christ dwelling in our hearts
without our behavior matching it, where it will be seen by
those around us.


Read Matthew 5:17


"Do you think that I have come to abolish the Law or the
Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill
them." (NIV)


"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the
prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (KJV)


     

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HUNGER AND THIRST

Do we have a deep, urgent craving to be right with
God? Do we realize that we need daily, fresh supplies
from Him, much like we need food and water on a regular
basis in order to live? If we understand this daily spiritual
need, we will not only have what we so deeply desire and
long to possess, but we will have it in abundance and
fullness.


Read Matthew 5:6


"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled." (NIV)


"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled." (KJV)




     

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POOR IN SPIRIT

Being poor in spirit is the attitude toward ourselves that
keeps us aware of our total need of God's grace and mercy.
Without this attitude, we have no access to the riches of
Christ. With it, we have the fullness of the kingdom of heaven
right now.


Heavenly Father, this world has so many things that keep
us from having the right attitude about who we are. Help
us to keep the mind and attitude of Jesus Christ so that
our lives will be examples of your love and mercy. In Jesus'
name.


Read Matthew 5:3


"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven." (NIV)


"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven." (KJV)


     

©2010

FIND HAPPINESS IN HIM

We are all looking for happiness and contentment. Most
of us look in the wrong places. What we seek cannot be
found from this world. If we want to know true happiness
and fulfillment, we need to seriously seek to know and
understand the guidelines and ethical code of living set
down by the life and teachings of Jesus.


Heavenly Father, we ask you to forgive us for seeking
happiness from this world. We know that true happiness
and joy comes from you alone. Thank you for supplying
these things in abundance to us as we seek you. In
Jesus' name.


Read Matthew 5:1,2
"Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside
and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to
teach them, saying......." (NIV)


"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and
when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened
his mouth, and taught them, saying," (KJV)


     

©2010

THE INTERNAL CONFLICT

Be aware that there is a conflict within us. This conflict is
between the desire to do those things that are good and
pleasing to our Lord and the desire to do those things that
are pleasing and satisfying to us, but are displeasing to our
Lord. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can exercise the
power of God within us to love and do what is good and
right while overthrowing the love of evil.


Read Romans 7:22,23


"For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see
another law at work in the members of my body, waging
war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner
of the law of sin at work within my members." (NIV)


"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against
the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the
law of sin which is in my members." (KJV)


     

©2010

HOW TO GET THERE

We may have an idea of where we want to go or what we need
to become. We will not get there by relying on our own plans
and reasoning. We will not get there seeking advice from
scholars and books. The only way we will get to the place we
need to be, is by fully trusting in the Lord. He is faithful to get
us to the right place, at the right time, in the right way.


Heavenly Father, we are guilty of taking matters of our lives
into our own hands. We ask that you would make us aware
when this happens so that we can trust in You to take us in
the right direction. In Jesus' name.


Read Proverbs 3:5,6


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your
own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and
he will make your paths straight." (NIV)


"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths." (KJV)


     

©2010

TEMPTATION

Watch that you don't become overly confident in your ability
to rise above temptation. We are never above the reach of
temptation and the possibility of a fall. It is human nature to
be faced with temptation and to look for ways to justify our
giving in to it. All of us are tempted in one way or another.
The Lord will never allow us to get to a place in the face of
temptation that we have no choice but to sin. There is no
excuse like, "I couldn't help it" "That's just the way I am."
He always provides a way out.


Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that we have an
advocate, Jesus Christ, who prays and intercedes for us
when we are tempted. Please help us to take the way out
You always provide for us so that we do not sin against
you. In Jesus' name.


Read 1 Corinthians 10:12,13


"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that
you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except
what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not
let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when
you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that
you can stand up under it." (NIV)


"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed
lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such
as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not
suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye
ay be able to bear it." (KJV)


     

©2010

CROWN OF LIFE

A crown symbolizes one who reigns in royalty. Jesus gives
His Word that He will give the crown of life to those who
sacrifice, show faithfulness to Him, and endure the conflict
and persecution of this world. He will place that crown on
the head of the overcomer and nothing will be able to remove
it. The overcomer will rule and reign with Christ for eternity.


Heavenly Father, we know we cannot be faithful to You in
this life. But we know we can succeed if we allow the Holy
Spirit to rule and reign in our lives. Please help us to do just
that, in Jesus' name we pray.


Read Revelation 2:10


"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you,
the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you
will suffer persecution for then days. Be faithful, even to
the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
(NIV)


"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold,
the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be
tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
(KJV)


     

©2010

LIVING SACRIFICE

What is a living sacrifice? It is total dedication of ourselves
to God. It is giving our physical body, which is the temple of
the Holy Spirit, as Jesus gave His body for us through death,
we willingly give our living bodies for His service. We give our
minds to Him so that He might transform our thinking
through prayer and study of His Word. We give Him our will
so that through obedience and faith, He changes us into
victorious Christians. That is true worship and being a living
sacrifice.


Heavenly Father, we cannot offer ourselves totally as living
sacrifices without the help of Your Holy Spirit. We ask that
You help us to be open, ready, and willing to give ourselves
totally to You, in Jesus name we pray.


Read Romans 12:1,2


"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy,
to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing
to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will
be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good,
pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)


"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (KJV)


     

©2010

OUR LOG, THEIR SPLINTER

If we are spiritually attuned to the Lord at all, it doesn't
take but a quick glance in the mirror to see that we have
need of drastic spiritual surgery to remove the huge "log"
out of our own eyes. When we get that taken care of, only
then are we able to humbly and lovingly help another get
that little splinter out of another's eye. We must always
see our own sins and shortcomings as greater than the
same sins and shortcomings in others. And, we need to
remember where we once were when a humble and loving
soul helped us with our splinter.


Heavenly Father, we ask for your grace and love when we
come across others that we feel need to be corrected and
set straight. Help us to examine ourselves so that we get
the log out of our own eye. We pray this in the name of
Jesus.


Read Matthew 7:3-5


"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's
eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How
can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck our of
your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and
then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your
brother's eye." (NIV)


"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's
eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the
mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own
eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine
own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the
mote out of thy brother's eye." (KJV)




     

©2010

POOR IN SPIRIT

Being poor in spirit is an attitude toward myself that keeps
me aware of my total need of God's grace and mercy. Without
this attitude, I have no access to the riches of Christ. With it,
I have the fullness of the kingdom of heaven right now.


Heavenly Father, forgive us when we become prideful and
forget that without humility, we take control of our lives
away from you. In Jesus' name.


Read Matthew 5:3


"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven." (NIV)


"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven." (KJV)


     

©2010

LOOK FORWARD

Looking back over all the great men and women of the
Bible, we see that they lived their lives looking forward
to what God promised them. They did not see the promise
in their lifetime. But they will see it with all of us who live
our lives looking ahead for the fulfillment of His promise.
We will enter into His promise together. So keep going
ahead in Christ looking forward for that great time.


Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your great and
precious promises. Even though we may not see them
come to pass now, we know they will come to pass
and we will see them. Help us to remember that.
In Jesus' name.


Read Hebrews 11:39,40


"These were commended for their faith, yet none of them
received what had been promised. God had planned
something better for us so that only together with us would
they be made perfect." (NIV)


"And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,
received not the promise: God having provided some better
thing for us, that they without us should not be made
perfect." (KJV)


     

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BEING AN ENCOURAGEMENT

We all need encouragement. Most of us want it and are
energized by it. Do we understand that we can be encouraged
by being an encouragement to others? Encouragement
is like a boomerang. We give it out and watch the effect
it has, which encourages us. Encourage someone today
and see what happens.


Heavenly Father, we know that it pleases you when we
show love and appreciation for each other. Help us to
recognize the opportunities each day to encourage
those around us. In Jesus' name.


Read Philemon 1:7


"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,
because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the
saints." (NIV)


"For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because
the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother." (KJV)


     

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GENTLENESS

There are undoubtedly times when this world creates in us
anything but a feeling of gentleness. Since our goal is to be
like Christ, it is up to us to maintain a spirit of gentleness.
When Jesus walked the earth his gentleness was such that
His normal movements would not put out the tiny flame of a
candle burned down to the end of the wick. We can strive
to show that kind of gentleness.


Heavenly Father, as we walk day to day and encounter
the world around us, we need Your grace to remain
gentle as Christ was gentle. We ask that You give us
the spirit of gentleness so that You will be glorified.
In Jesus' name.


Read Philippians 4:5


"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." (NIV)


"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at
hand." (KJV)


     

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LOVE COMPLETES ALL

Have you ever realized there is no law against loving
and doing good to others. If we love, we will never
wrong another. There will never be anything to condemn
us if we love. If we allow love to rule in our hearts, we
don't need laws, because love is above the laws and it
breaks none. Love shows others that we belong to Him.
It draws others to Him. Love is the ultimate law.


Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that You are Love,
and that You pour Your love on us every moment of every
day. We ask that You help us to let your love flow through
us so that we will be a blessing to those who so desperately
need Your love. In Jesus' name.


Read Romans 13:10


"Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the
fulfillment of the law." (NIV)


"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is
the fulfilling of the law." (KJV)


     

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SURRENDER

Until the Lord takes us from this earth, we will be in a
battle between our spirits and our human natures. Jesus
plainly tells us that we will not be fruitful for His kingdom
unless we surrender our human natures so that our spirit
will thrive and produce abundance for God and for others.
There is no other way to be productive for Him. Watch what
happens to one seed when you plant it, bury it in the ground.
Watch what happens to the seed when you just hold it in your
hand.


Heavenly Father, we humbly ask that you would give us
awareness of this battle between our spirits and our
humanity. Help us to die to our humanity so that our
spiritual life can produce fruit for your kingdom. We ask
this in Jesus' name.


Read John 12:24


"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the
ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it
dies, it produces many seeds." (NIV)


"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into
the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth
forth much fruit." (KJV)


     

©2010