Stick With It

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

(Jeremiah 29:11)

The Scripture tells us that without vision, people perish. 

If you don't have a dream or vision for your life, then you're not really going to reach your fullest potential. 

Maybe at one time you had a dream, but you went through some disappointments or setbacks. 

Things didn't turn out the way you planned. 

But here's a key: when one dream dies, dream another dream. 

Just because it didn't work out the way you had it planned doesn't mean that God doesn't have another plan.

You cannot allow one disappointment or even a series of disappointments to convince you that your dream is over. 

It's time to dig your heels in and hold on to the promises in your heart. 

Stir up those God-given dreams today and watch Him pour out His favor and blessing upon you and fulfill every desire in your heart!

A Prayer for Today

"Father in heaven, I come humbly to You. I give You my past, my disappointments, my brokenness. Fill me with Your hope and expectation and give me the dreams and desires that You have in store for my life in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

Stay STRONG!

From Today's Word

Trust the Timing!!

My times are in your hands…"

   

    (Psalm 31:15, NIV)

In life, oftentimes we are waiting for something; waiting for a dream to come to pass, waiting to meet the right person, waiting for a problem to turn around. 

When things aren't happening as fast as we would like, it's easy to get frustrated. 

But you have to realize that the moment you prayed, God established a set time to bring the promise to pass.

God has a set time for your opportunity. 

There is a set time for that problem to turn around, a set time for your healing, your promotion, your breakthrough. 

It may be tomorrow, or next week, or five years from now. 

But when you understand the time has already been set, it takes all the pressure off. 

You won't live worried, wondering when this is ever going to happen! 

You'll relax and enjoy your life knowing that the promise has already been scheduled, and your answer is on the way!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, I choose to trust in Your timing. I trust that You have my best in mind. I believe that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Thank You for ordering my steps and leading me in the life of blessing You have in store for me in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong and God Bless!!!

It is Coming

"For we who have believed do enter that rest…"

(Hebrews 4:3, NKJV)

God promises that there are set times in our future, but He doesn't tell us when they will be. 

Your set time may be tomorrow morning at 9:47. 

You'll get the phone call you've been waiting for. 

Your set time may be two years from now. 

You'll get a good break, and that will thrust you to a new level. 

My question is, 

"Do you trust God enough to believe that your set times are coming?" 

Are you willing to wait with a good attitude? 

Are you willing to get a new perspective?

Remember, that set time is already in your future. 

Don't let the negative thoughts talk you out of it. 

The way you know that you're really believing is that you have rest on the inside. 

You're at peace. You know the answer is on the way. You trust that God is working things out.

Today put your FAITH and TRUST in Him and enter into rest. 

Know that He is good and He is for you! 

Your set time of favor is on the way!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, today I choose to enter into rest. I choose to trust You, I choose to put my faith and hope in You knowing that You are good and that You have good things in store for my future in Jesus' name! 

Amen."

Don't Quit

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."

(Matthew 7:7, NLT)

Sometimes, people get discouraged in life because things didn't turn out the way they hoped on the first try. 

Maybe they put energy into a relationship, but it didn't work out. 

They tried that new business venture, but they are still struggling with their finances. 

Now they think it's never going to happen. 

But one thing we have to learn is that God honors PERSEVERANCE. 

On the way to your "yes" you may encounter many "no's." 

You may encounter many closed doors, but that doesn't mean it's the final answer. 

It just means "keep going."

Remember, if God promised it, He's going to bring it to pass. 

Scripture tells us that through faith and patience we inherit God's promises. 

This is where PATIENCE comes in; this is where PERSEVERANCE comes in. 

This is where TRUST comes in. 

Just because you don't see things happen right away doesn't mean you should quit. 

No, instead, rise up and press forward!!

Keep believing, keep hoping, keep enduring and keep asking because our God is ALWAYS faithful to His word!

A Prayer for Today"

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. I choose today to believe Your Word. I choose to trust Your promises. I choose to keep standing, keep believing and keep asking because I will receive in Jesus' name! Amen!"

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!!!!

In All Circumstances

'Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

   (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)

Are you giving thanks in every circumstance? 

This might seem like a stretch at first, especially when you are going through a season of difficulty. 

But notice today's verse doesn't say to give thanks "for" everything, it says give thanks "in" everything. 

In other words, no matter what's going on, find something to be thankful for. 

Don't just focus on what's wrong in your life; focus on what God will do in your life.

When you are thankful, it opens the door for God to move on your behalf. 

That's why it says "this is God's will for you." 

He wants you to be close to Him to receive His strength and power by giving thanks. 

That's why we should always have the attitude that says, "God, in spite of what's happened, I choose to be grateful." 

"I may be sick, but Father, thank You for being my healer."

"Thank You for giving me great friends and family." 

Or, 

"I may be struggling in my marriage, but God, thank You for being my restorer. Thank You for giving me another sunrise." 

As you give thanks in everything, you will see God's hand move mightily on your behalf, and you'll come out of that difficulty better, stronger and wiser than before.

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, today I choose to give You thanks in all things! I know that You are a good God, and You have good plans in store for my future. I bless You and thank You for another day to sing Your praise in Jesus' name! 

Amen."

Stay Strong and God Bless!!!

From Today's Word 

File it Away....

"Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me."

(Psalm 131:1, NKJV)

When things happen in your life that you don't plan, do you find yourself trying to reason it all out or look for a "file," so to speak, in your mind to put it in? 

What happens when you can't reason it out or make sense of it all?

Here's the answer: 

Every one of us needs to create a file in our thinking called the "I Don't Understand It" file. 

When things come up that don't make sense, things that you can't figure out, instead of getting frustrated or confused, put it in your 

"I Don't Understand It" file and leave it alone. 

If you go through life trying to figure out why something bad happened or why things didn't work out, it will cause you to become bitter and stuck in life. 

Part of trusting God means trusting Him when things don't make sense because we know that His plan is always for good. 

We have to know that He will reveal all things in His time—even if that means in eternity.

Is there something that didn't make sense in 2017 that you know you need to file away? 

Choose to trust God. 

Choose to keep moving forward. 

Know that He loves you, 

He is for you, and He has a great plan for your future!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, today I surrender my past. I surrender my need to have all the answers, and I choose to trust You. Fill me with Your peace. Fill me with Your grace and compassion as I press forward into the victory You have prepared for me in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

I Will Rise

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise…"

(Micah 7:8, NIV)

Anytime you set out to do something great in life, there will be critics. 

If you're going to be a great business person, coach, student, leader or employee, there will be opposition. 

The more success you have, the more opportunities there will be for distractions. 

The higher you go, the more haters will come out. 

When you start stretching to a new level and pursuing what God has placed in your heart, the jealous people, the critical people, and the small-minded people come out of the woodwork and start making negative comments, but you don't have to let that distract you.

If you are under pressure today, if the critical voices are coming against you, know that it's because you are making a difference. 

Don't let them throw you off course!! 

Instead, dig your heels in, set your face like a flint, and say, "I will not get distracted. 

I will not get drawn into battles that don't matter. 

It doesn't matter what others think; it matters what God thinks!"

Today, look beyond the critics!!

Stand STRONG in adversity. 

Press forward to what lies ahead and win the prize of life that He has prepared for you!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, today I choose to let go of the negative voices, offenses and hurts from critical voices. I choose to focus on You and the good plan You have for me. Give me Your peace and joy as I move forward in the victory You have prepared for me in Jesus' name! 

Amen."

From "Today's Word "

STAY STRONG!!!

Release

As a very wise man once said to me while I was worrying about something for a while: 

"You've tried to control and do it YOUR OWN way your entire life, how is that working out for you?  Perhaps it's time to let someone else worry about it a bit?" 

Sage advice! 

If things are not working out as well as you had hoped, and you are doing it your own way, perhaps we have little to lose by handing it over to the Lord and let Him take a shot at It? 

:)  

Stay Strong!!!

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him…"

(Psalm 37:7, NKJV)

Are you struggling with trying to make a dream come to pass? 

Are you frustrated in a relationship, trying to make someone else change or live right? 

You may mean well, you may have good goals, but if you are trying to orchestrate things to happen your way on your timetable, you are only going to frustrate yourself. 

At some point, you have to turn those circumstances over to God and TRUST that He has your best interest at heart.

How do you turn things over to God? 

Start by making the choice and declaring your resolve. 

Simply say, 

"Father, I choose to let You be God of this situation. 

I take my hands off.

 

I trust You." 

Then, choose to worship Him. 

Worship is one of the best ways to set your heart and mind in the right place. 

You can't worry and worship at the same time! 

Worship is a sign that you are trusting God; worry is a sign that you are trying to control things.

Today, take the pressure off of yourself and turn things over to God. 

Give Him control and let Him take your setbacks and turn them into comebacks. 

Remember, the God who holds the universe holds you in the palm of His hand. 

TRUST Him and let God be God in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, today I choose to release every care and concern into Your loving hands. I refuse to worry and choose to trust. Fill me with Your peace. Show me Your ways as I surrender every area of my heart and life to You in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From "Today's Word"

Stay Strong 

Release Total Control

"Those who Hope in me will not be disappointed."

(Isaiah 49:23, NIV)

Never Disappointed

》》》》》》》

What a powerful promise we have from Almighty God! 

When we put our hope in Him, we will NEVER be disappointed. 

Never!!!

Of course, that doesn't mean that things will always go our way. 

There may be "temporary" disappointments, but we will NEVER be permanently disappointed. 

Somewhere down the road, God will cause it to all work out for our good. 

With God on your side, you will  ALWAYS end in victory!

Are you carrying frustration, worry or aggravation about something? 

That's usually a clear sign that your hope is in the wrong place. 

If you hope in circumstances, it will deplete you of joy and peace. 

But when you turn those circumstances over to God, when you refuse to worry, when you refuse to allow the temporary things of this world to dictate your happiness, that's when God can do a work in your life. 

When you TRUST in Him, He will make your crooked places straight; 

He will cause you to mount up with wings like the eagle.

Today, choose to put your hope in the Father. 

You won't be disappointed. 

Trust Him because He is faithful. 

Find rest for your soul in knowing that He is good, and He has good things in store for your future!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, today I give You every frustration, every aggravation, every difficulty. I release total control into Your loving and able hands. Speak to my heart and give me Your peace. Show me Your love as I place my hope in You in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

Stay Strong!!!

From "Today's Word"

Who????

Happy Monday All!!  

Just another calendar day in the week - Do not let it get you down!  

"Monday" offers just as much promise and HOPE as any other day of the week!  

WE define it!  

WE choose what type of day today will be!!

Not the other way around! :)  

Stay Strong!

》》》》》》》》》

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

            (Romans 8:31, NIV)

On Your Side!

Joshua chapter six tells the story about how the odds were stacked against Joshua and the people of Israel. 

They were standing at the massive walls of Jericho that many thought were impenetrable.

I'm sure as he was standing before the well-fortified walls and gates of the city, many around him didn't think his future was too bright. 

But you see Joshua had something others overlooked; he had the promise of Almighty God. 

Joshua had faith because He knew God was on His side, and God had already determined the victory. 

Sure enough, just as God promised, the people marched around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, they shouted the victory and the walls came tumbling down!

Today, don't look at the walls in your life; look at the promise of God. 

He is for you, and if God is for you, NOTHING can stand against you. 

Get a vision of victory and don't let it go. 

Keep moving forward in faith and obedience knowing that when you do, the Most High God is on your side!

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, thank You for Your favor, grace and victory in my life. I choose to trust You. I choose to follow Your leading. I choose to be faithful to You because You are faithful to me. I love You and bless You in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!!

Drained? Rise up!!!

"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength."

(Isaiah 40:29, NKJV)

Everyone goes through seasons in life that seem overwhelming; times when you've felt drained of strength and power. 

But you haven't been left without hope. 

You haven't been left without an answer. 

The God of heaven and earth is near you, and He promises to give you strength and might to overcome.

Where does this strength and power come from? 

It comes directly from Him. 

When you connect with Him, you are connecting to your power source. 

It's like plugging a lamp into a light socket. 

You "plug in" through prayer, reading the Word and worshipping Him. 

You "turn on" the switch by the words of your mouth—by declaring what God says.

Remember, you don't have to let the difficult times overwhelm you. 

Rise up and connect with Him because He is your source of strength! 

He promises to equip and empower you for victory in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

"Heavenly Father, thank You for Your favor, strength and grace at work in my life. I turn my focus on You today. I turn my thoughts on You. I set my heart and love upon You because You are good. Thank You for filling me with strength, might and power to overcome in Jesus' name! 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!!

Release

"Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense."

(Proverbs 19:11, AMPC)

When Things Are Out of Control

Every day, we have opportunities to get upset, be frustrated or get offended. 

Maybe you had plans that didn't work out, or someone was rude to you at the office. 

Maybe you were doing something that should have taken one hour, and it ended up taking three. 

Life is full of inconveniences, but even though we can't always control our circumstances, we can control our reaction. 

I heard somebody say, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond."

We should always go out each day with a positive attitude, full of hope and expecting God's favor. 

But at the same time, we should recognize that most days are not going to go exactly as we plan. 

Remember, we were created to live in peace. 

Peace is our position of power. 

If you get stressed because you got off schedule, or upset because your child wouldn't eat his breakfast, or frustrated because somebody offended you, what you're doing is giving away your power. 

Instead, make the decision to release those offenses and disappointments so you can live in peace and enjoy the day as the blessing God prepared for you!

A Prayer for Today

"Father in heaven, today I release every care, concern, offense and disappointment to You. I choose to keep the peace that You have given me. I look forward to today knowing that You are with me, leading me in victory in Jesus' name! 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!!!!

Just Do It

"I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments."

(Psalm 119:60, NKJV)

Don't Delay

Isn't it interesting how easy it is to put things off? 

We plan on doing something. 

We have good intentions. 

We just plan to do it later.

 "One day, I'm going to start exercising.

 One day, I'm going to get my finances in order.

 One day, I'm going to forgive that person who hurt me." 

The problem with this kind of thinking is that "one day" never comes. 

There will always be some reason to keep delaying it.

Is there something in your heart that you know you need to do? 

Maybe God has been dealing with you, and you keep putting it off. 

You think:

"As soon as I get through this busy season, then I'll spend more time with my family." 

"As soon as the price of gas goes down, then I'll start tithing my income." 

"As soon as my child gets out of diapers, then I'm going to get my family back in church." 

But friend, good intentions don't equal obedience. 

The quicker you do what you feel down in your spirit, the happier you're going to be. 

Don't let unfinished business keep you from God's best. 

Step out. 

Obey His voice and walk in the blessing He has for you!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, thank You for Your patience and grace toward me. Search my heart. Show me the way to go. I choose to obey Your voice quickly and honor You in all that I do in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From "Today's Word" 

Stay Strong!!

Comforter

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you…"

(Isaiah 66:13, NIV)

The God of Comfort

Oftentimes when people face challenges, they seek comfort by surrounding themselves with things that are familiar. 

It may be work, a sport or hobby; it may be relationships; or of course, we all know about comfort food. 

But those things are only temporary, and they can only bring temporary comfort. 

True, lasting comfort is available, and it's only found in a personal relationship with God the Father through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

According to Webster's dictionary, comfort means:

"To give strength and hope; to ease grief or trouble."

 

No matter what difficulty you may be facing today, God wants to bring you comfort. 

Like a mother cares for her child, He longs to give you strength, hope and confidence. 

Make the decision to put Him first in every area of your life. 

Let go of those things you know are holding you back. 

Let Him be Lord over all! 

As you surrender to His grace, you will be filled with His peace and joy. 

You'll be empowered to overcome every obstacle, and you will live in victory all the days of your life.

A Prayer for Today

"Father in heaven, I come to You today and invite You to fill my whole being. Give me Your lasting comfort and strength. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to live in the victory You have established for me in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From "Today's Word "

Stay Strong!!!!

Trapped

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. 

At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose."

(Acts 16:25-26, NIV)

Your Midnight Hour

Paul and Silas were put in jail for spreading good news. 

It wasn't fair. 

They were beaten and accused without a trial. 

As they sat in the prison, bloodied, bruised and hopeless, it looked like things were over for them. 

When they had no hope, nowhere to turn, when they were literally trapped and bound in their circumstances, they began to sing praises to God. 

As they did, right at midnight—their darkest hour—there was suddenly a great earthquake. 

The prison doors flung open, their chains fell off, and they walked out as free men!

We've all had times when we felt completely trapped by circumstances. 

We've all felt lonely and hopeless. 

So many along the Gulf Coast are facing their darkest hours. 

Today, I encourage you to do what Paul and Silas did and begin to praise God! 

When you praise Him no matter what, that's when God enters your situation. 

That's when He can break your chains and set you free. 

Praise Him in your midnight hour and watch Him show up and set you free!!!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, right now I lift my heart to You. You are worthy to be praised! I will bless You in the midnight hour knowing that You are good, and You have victory and freedom in store for me in Jesus' name! Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!

Give them Up

Happy Weekend!!! 

Stay Strong!!

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

(1 Peter 5:7, NLT)

Give Him Your Cares

God desires to take care of whatever may be concerning you today. 

He invites you to give your worries and cares to Him simply because He loves you!

How do you give Him your cares? 

First of all, understand that cares show up in your mind. 

When negative, self-defeating thoughts of worry come, you have to recognize them as cares and replace them with the Word of God. 

For example, if you are concerned about a need today, say out loud, 

"My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory." 

If you have fear about something, say out loud, 

"God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind." 

If you have sickness in your body, declare, 

"By His stripes I am healed." 

As you meditate on the truth and focus your heart and mind on the Father, those cares and concerns will disappear.

Then, thank Him for giving you peace and joy. 

Thank Him for working in your life. 

As you keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, give Him your worries and cares and get ready for the blessing He has for your future!

A Prayer for Today

"Father in heaven, I come to You today casting my cares on You. I choose to believe Your Word and trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I give You all the praise and glory in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

Hang on!!!

Happy Weekend All!!  

Dawn is Near -  Stay Strong!! :)   

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded."

(Hebrews 10:35, NIV)

Closer Than You Think

Have you been praying and believing for something that seems like it's taking a lot longer than you thought? 

Many times, people can miss God's best simply because they give up before they see their "due season" come. 

Don't let that be you! 

Be encouraged today, your answer is closer than you think. 

If it seems like things are getting more difficult, remember, when the intensity heats up, that means you are closer to your victory!!

It's always darkest just before the dawn arrives.

You serve a faithful God, and He's working behind the scenes on your behalf. 

Don't cast away your confidence today because your reward is coming. 

And just like a new mother forgets about her labor pain when she is finally holding her newborn, you'll forget about your struggle when you are holding on to your promise.

While you are waiting, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. 

Wake up every morning and say out loud, 

"I've come too far to give up now. My due season is coming. I will reap my harvest." 

Stay in faith and look for His hand of blessing because He has promised you victory, and it's closer than you think!

A Prayer for Today

"Father in heaven, today I stand believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength to continue believing until I see Your promises fulfilled in my life in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!!

Waiting....the Right Way

"…faith without works is dead."

(James 2:20, NKJV)

Are you waiting for God to do something in your life? 

One thing I've learned is that waiting should not be a passive thing. 

When we're waiting the correct way, we're on the lookout. 

We talk like what we are believing for is going to happen. 

We act like it's going to happen. 

We're making preparations.

It's just like when you're expecting someone for dinner; you don't wait till they show up before you decide to start cooking. 

Most likely you start early in the day. 

You make sure the house is clean, you go to the grocery store, and maybe you buy some flowers for the table. 

You make preparations because you're expecting someone. 

Well, that's the attitude we need to have while we're waiting for God's promises to come to pass. 

Put your faith to work. 

Prepare for the answer to come. 

Keep standing, keep believing, and keep hoping because your answer is on the way!

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, I choose to put actions behind my faith today. I trust that You are at work in my life. I will wait the right way—with expectancy—knowing that my faith in You opens the door for Your hand to move in my life in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!!

Press Forward

"For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you…to give you hope in your final outcome."

(Jeremiah 29:11, AMPC)

Flourishing Finish

God desires to see you flourish in this life. 

He wants to see you come out of setbacks stronger, wiser, increased and promoted. 

He wants to give you hope in your final outcome and see you come to a flourishing finish.

When my father died unexpectedly, all in our family was not well. 

We didn't know how everything was going to turn out. 

We didn't have all the answers, but we understood the principle that God never ends on a negative. 

Instead of getting stuck on that page, we just kept moving forward little by little, doing our best, being faithful, being good to people. 

When I look out today, I can see the faithfulness of God. 

I can say like David, 

"Look what the Lord has done!"

Remember, when you encounter adversity, know that God isn't finished yet. 

He never ends on a negative. 

He has more in store for you if you will keep pressing forward. 

Don't let your thoughts get stuck on the circumstances. 

Instead, lift up your eyes to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. 

Trust that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf, and He will lead you into a flourishing finish!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, today I humbly come to You ready to receive Your favor, grace and mercy. 

I cast my cares on You. 

I cast my questions on You. 

I put my hope in You, knowing that You will bring me to a flourishing finish in Jesus' name! 

Amen.

From "Today's Word"

Stay Strong!

Patience in Faith!!

Happy Monday All!!

Stay Strong!!!

"Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

(James 1:3-4, NKJV)

Lacking Nothing

God wants you to be perfect and complete, living in His abundance, and lacking nothing on this earth. 

That may seem like a stretch from where you are today. 

It may seem far off; but in an instant, things can turn around. 

God has set up a system of blessing for you, and it starts with His Word. 

The Bible says that God has given each of us a measure of faith. 

We all have faith, and it's up to us to develop it. 

Romans 10:17 says that faith grows as we read and study His Word. 

Faith, in turn, produces patience, and when we allow patience to have its perfect work in us, we will lack no good thing.

Today, no matter where you are in the process, the key is to keep moving forward by reading and hearing His Word. 

His Word is alive. 

His Word will heal your heart and restore your soul. 

His Word will produce patience in your life so that you can move forward, being complete and lacking nothing all the days of your life!

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, thank You for Your Word which lights my path and directs my way. I choose to put You first place. I choose to meditate on Your Word, knowing that You are leading me in Your paths of life in Jesus' name. 

Amen!"

From "Today's Word" 

Stay Strong!!!

Shake it Off

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

(Romans 12:2, NKJV)

Retrain Your Brain

Living in victory means that sometimes you have to develop new habits. 

If you've been negative for a long time, you've got to retrain your thinking from "I can't" to "I can;" 

From "It won't happen" to "It will happen;"

From "I'll never get well" to "God is restoring health unto me;" 

From "I never get any good breaks" to "God's favor surrounds me like a shield;"

From "I've made too many mistakes. I'm all washed up" to "I'm redeemed and forgiven. My best days are still out in front of me." 

It's like reprogramming a computer. 

Sometimes you have to wipe off the old, outdated, dysfunctional software and load in something new.

If you've spent your days focused on how things won't work, it's time to focus on how things will work out! 

It doesn't matter how bad it looks, how many people have told you no, or how long it's been that way, God has the final say. 

It's not over till God says it's over. 

Shake off the self-pity. 

Shake off the disappointment. 

Let go of the old and choose to believe Him. 

Declare His promises over your life and see His blessing and victory as you align yourself with Him!

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, thank You for the transformation power in Your Word! Thank You for giving me hope for my future. I choose to trust You, I choose to believe Your Word, and I choose to declare Your truth and watch victory unfold in Jesus' name! 

Amen."

From "Today's Word" 

Stay Strong!!

Trust and Release

"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God…"

(Deuteronomy 29:29, AMPC)

The Secret Things

Are you going through a situation in your life that you don't quite understand? 

During these uncertain seasons, it's natural to question things in your mind. 

But in order to move forward, we have to look forward with our hearts. 

We have to look beyond the questions and continue to TRUST in Almighty God.

Serving God means we're going to have some unanswered questions. 

You may never understand why a relationship ended sooner than you would have liked. 

You may never understand why you lost a loved one. 

You may never understand why you went through something difficult or why your prayers didn't get answered. 

But at some point, you have to decide to put your questions aside and go on with God. 

We have to decide to trust His character even when our circumstances don't make sense. 

The Bible tells us that adversity will come, but God is the one who promises to lead us into victory. 

He has promised that He's going to turn that difficulty around and use it for your advantage. 

He is faithful to His Word, and you can be sure that He will fulfill every promise He's made to you.

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, I choose to TRUST You with my unanswered questions. I choose to RELEASE any doubt and confusion to You. Help me to focus on Your Word which is truth that sets me free. Thank You for Your goodness and for the blessings You have in store for me in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From "Today's Word"

Stay Strong!!!

Trust

''Believe that you have received it.'' 

Clearly, what we are to believe is that we receive the very things we ask for.

The Savior does not even hint that because the Father knows what is best, 

He may give us something else. 

The very mountain that faith bids depart is cast into the sea. 

There is a prayer in which we make known our requests to God, and the reward is the sweet peace of His keeping our heart and mind at rest. 

This is the prayer of TRUST.  

It has reference to things in which we cannot know the will of God. 

As children we make known our desires in the countless areas of daily life and leave them to the Father to give or not to give as He sees best. 

But the prayer of faith that Jesus speaks of is something different, something higher. 

When in the Master's work or in our daily life the soul sees that nothing so honors the Father as the faith that He will do what He has said— grant us whatever we ask—and then takes its stand on that promise as brought home by the Spirit, it may know for certain that it will receive exactly what it asks. 

The Lord sets this clearly before us in verse 23: 

''If anyone . . . does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.'' 

This is the blessing of the prayer of faith that Jesus speaks of."

From "Teach me to Pray" by Andrew Murray

Stay Strong!

Our Shelter

"In the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock."

(Psalm 27:5, NIV)

Hiding in the Right Place

Have you ever watched children play hide and seek? 

They look for the best place to hide in the house or yard and wait quietly for their friend to try to find them. 

It's a fun game for kids, but even as adults, we need a good place to hide from time to time. 

Sometimes we need a place of refuge, we need a place of safety, and we need a place to rest when we feel overwhelmed by the circumstances of life—a place where the enemy of our soul can never find us.

The good news is that God has the perfect hiding place for you! 

You don't have to hide in your job. 

You don't have to hide in relationships.

You don't have to hide in food or addictions because God Himself promises to hide you! 

He freely offers you shelter from the storms of life any time you call upon His name.

Remember, there's only one place the enemy cannot find you. 

There's only one place where opposition cannot steal from you. 

There's only one true place of safety and rest for your soul, and that is in the arms of Jesus. 

Know that He loves you, and He is ready to receive you when you call upon His name!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, today I come humbly before You giving You all that I am. Thank You for hiding me in Your shelter and keeping me safe from the storms of life. My soul finds rest in You as I seek You and praise Your holy name in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!!

To Completion

"And David said to his son Solomon, 'Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God--my God--will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD'." 

(1 Chronicles 28:20, NK)

He Will Complete It

Is there something you've been believing for, something you've been hoping for that's taking longer than you expected? 

You might be tempted to just accept things the way they are.

 You might be tempted to think it's never going to happen. 

If that's you today, be encouraged because God is a finisher! 

He will complete what He's started in you!

Your part is to believe. 

Your part is to keep your eyes on Him. 

When you believe, you have the Creator of the universe fighting your battles, arranging things in your favor, going before you, moving the wrong people out of the way. 

Don't be intimidated by the size of a problem or the size of your dream! 

Don't let circumstances convince you to stop believing. "Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our Provider, is still on the throne. 

One touch of God's favor and you'll go from barely getting by to having more than enough! 

Begin to thank Him and declare that God is at work. 

Declare that He is perfecting what concerns you. 

Declare that He will complete everything He's started in your life!

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, I thank You for completing every good work that You have started in my life. I choose to believe Your Word, even when things look impossible. I choose to believe that You are working behind the scenes and that You will bring victory and breakthrough to every area of my life in Jesus' name!

Amen."

From Today's Word 

Stay Strong!!

Making A Way

...'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts."

(Zechariah 4:6,)

How Will You Accomplish Your Dreams?

Are you facing a situation that seems impossible?

 Have you been fighting a battle for a long time? 

The key is: don't go around talking about how big the problem is. 

Don't go around confessing that you're never going to make it. 

No, start declaring, "The gracious hand of God is upon my life!" 

When you realize God's hand of favor is upon you, you will accomplish your dreams faster than you thought!

When those thoughts of doubt come, declare the truth of God's Word!

 "How are you going to get out of debt?" 

"The gracious hand of God is upon my life." 

"How are you going to get well?" 

"The gracious hand of God is upon my life." 

"How are you going to break that addiction?" 

"The gracious hand of God." 

"How are you going to accomplish your dreams?" 

"The gracious hand of God!"

The more you brag on God's favor, the more you declare and believe His promises, the more you'll see His favor. 

As you keep standing in faith, as You keep hoping in Him, you'll see His promises manifest in your life. 

You'll experience His favor and victory and see every dream and desire come to pass!

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, thank You for placing Your dreams and desires within me and for creating a plan to bring them to pass. Even when I can't see a way, I TRUST that YOU are making a way. You are good, and today I declare that Your gracious hand is upon every area of my life in Jesus' name! 

Amen.

From "Today's Word"

Stay Strong!!!

--
Posted By CIM to Stay Strong at 7/11/2017 08:55:00 AM

Making A Way

...'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts."

(Zechariah 4:6,)

How Will You Accomplish Your Dreams?

Are you facing a situation that seems impossible?

 Have you been fighting a battle for a long time? 

The key is: don't go around talking about how big the problem is. 

Don't go around confessing that you're never going to make it. 

No, start declaring, "The gracious hand of God is upon my life!" 

When you realize God's hand of favor is upon you, you will accomplish your dreams faster than you thought!

When those thoughts of doubt come, declare the truth of God's Word!

 "How are you going to get out of debt?" 

"The gracious hand of God is upon my life." 

"How are you going to get well?" 

"The gracious hand of God is upon my life." 

"How are you going to break that addiction?" 

"The gracious hand of God." 

"How are you going to accomplish your dreams?" 

"The gracious hand of God!"

The more you brag on God's favor, the more you declare and believe His promises, the more you'll see His favor. 

As you keep standing in faith, as You keep hoping in Him, you'll see His promises manifest in your life. 

You'll experience His favor and victory and see every dream and desire come to pass!

A Prayer for Today

"Father God, thank You for placing Your dreams and desires within me and for creating a plan to bring them to pass. Even when I can't see a way, I TRUST that YOU are making a way. You are good, and today I declare that Your gracious hand is upon every area of my life in Jesus' name! 

Amen.

From "Today's Word"

Stay Strong!!!

Fully Equipped

Happy Weekend All!!!   

Stay Strong!! 

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…"

(Acts 1:8, NKJV)

God wants to empower you. 

He wants to strengthen you and equip you to rise higher in every area of your life. 

He wants to see you become all that He has created you to be and walk in victory each and every day.

Scripture tells us that when Jesus left the earth, He told the disciples that He was sending a comforter. 

He was talking about the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit is not only our comforter, He's our counselor, teacher and stand by. 

He searches our hearts and helps us understand scripture.

Today, if you desire to be filled with God's power, invite the Holy Spirit of God to do a work in you. 

When you read the Bible, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart and reveal God's plan to you. 

As you invite the Holy Spirit to operate in your life, today's scripture says that you'll receive God's power! 

You will be strengthened and equipped for everything God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

"Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit who is my helper in this life. I choose to open my heart to Your Word to receive power so that I can walk and live in the victory You have prepared for me in Jesus' name. 

Amen."

From "Today's Word " 

Stay Strong!

Keep on....

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."

(Matthew 7:7, NLT)

Keep Seeking

Is there something you are believing God for today? 

Does it seem like it's taking a long time to come to pass? 

Be encouraged because the Bible says that through faith and patience, you will inherit His promises! 

If you'll stay in faith, if you'll keep on seeking Him, it won't be long until you see that breakthrough!

The problem is that most people give up just before they get their miracle. 

They stop when things get hard or when they don't get the answer they want the first time. 

But today's verse encourages us to continually ask and continually seek. 

That doesn't mean that we seek Him one time and then stop. 

No, we seek Him until we have the promise!

Today, submit your prayers to the Lord and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. 

Keep on asking. 

Keep on seeking. 

Keep on knocking on the door, and it will be opened to you. 

Know that God is working behind the scenes. 

He is perfecting whatever concerns you. 

Don't give up! 

Instead, start thanking Him for His faithfulness in your life. 

Thank Him for His promise that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek after Him!

A Prayer for Today

"Father in heaven, thank You for giving me a diligent spirit. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Give me strength to stand and seek You until I see Your promises fulfilled in every area of my life in Jesus' name! 

Amen."

From "Today's Word "

STAY STRONG!!!