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!