“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
How can we have love, peace, joy, and victory in our lives? Well, God’s Word tells us to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). And when we are filled with the Spirit, we not only have love, peace, and joy, we have the beautiful qualities of patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We can be filled with the Spirit, and continue to be so by following these Scriptural instructions:
Repent: Of anything–actions, attitudes, words, bad habits–anything that might stand between you and the peace and joy of the Lord. True acknowledgment of sin and sorrow over it releases its hold over you and your life. (See James 4:8-10)
Surrender To God: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in views of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and please to God—which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2).
Ask God’s Forgiveness Whenever You Err: To keep Christ’s peace and joy, don’t ever let anything come between you and Him. (See 1 John 1:9)
Forgive: God, Yourself, Others: Ask the Lord to reveal to you if there is anyone who has ever done you ill whom you need to forgive; and with His help, forgive that person. Do this to exorcise the ghosts in your past that may rise up periodically to haunt you and hurt your life and relationships. Do this to have peace with God, yourself, and others. (See Luke 11:4, Mark 11:25-26, Ephesians 4:32.)
Trust In The Lord In Everything:
Be anxious about nothing (Philippians 4:4-8).
Begin Your Day By Rejoicing In The Lord praising and thanking Him (Psalm 34:1). Enjoy life to the fullest! Report to the Lord for duty each morning, willing to serve Him however He may wish, in whatever He may want to do through you, in ministering to others, in being His light to your world.
Whenever Something Gets You Down, Praise The Lord (even and especially when you don’t feel like it). This will lift you out of the dungeon of despair (Acts 16:25-26). It worked for Paul and Silas; and it works for me every time!
Control Your Thoughts: Bring every thought into obedience to Christ (1 Corinthians 10:5). Be on guard against our enemy Satan and his devious devices. Study Ephesians 4:26-5:11, Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8.
Serve The Lord: He has given you a gift or gifts–and talents–with which to serve Him, His people, and others for His glory. Seek His guidance.
Read: Psalms 23, 34, 37, 51; Matthew 5 to 7; John 14 to 17; Romans 6, 7, 8, and 12; Galatians 5; Book of Ephesians; Philippians 4–until you fully understand what it is to die to self and walk in
the Spirit.
Memorize: Psalms 23 and 34; Proverbs 3:5-8; Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 6:9-15, 31-33; Luke 10:17; John 10:27-28; Romans 5:8, 6:11; 8:18, 28; 10:9-13; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 10:13, 31; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 12:9-10; Galatians 2:20, 4:7, 6:2; Ephesians 2:8-10, 4:32, 6:10-18; Philippians 1:6, 3:13-14, 4:4-8, 11, 13; Colossians 3:2-3; 2 Timothy 1:7, 12; Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 John 1:9, 4:4, 18-21.
Lord, give me your incredible joy, peace, and victory! Amen
Questions: We’re only human. How can we consistently have Christ’s joy, peace, and victory? How can we find time to do all the things we need to do to have Christ’s joy and peace?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Life Declarations
Life Declarations
1. This Year I’m Going Higher, Seeing Clearer and Hearing Better Both In My
Personal Life and In My Walk with God.
Revelation 4:1 After These Things I Looked, and Behold, A Door Standing Open In
Heaven. And The First Voice Which I Heard Was Like A Trumpet Speaking With
Me, Saying, “Come Up Here, And I Will Show You Things Which Must Take Place
After This.”
Read: Matthew 13:16-18
2. I Am Anointed To Bring Forth...... No Matter What.
Genesis 9:7 And As For You, Be Fruitful And Multiply; Bring Forth Abundantly In
The Earth And Multiply In It.”
Read: Matthew 1:20-21
3. Since The Enemy Could Not Stop Me From Conceiving, Could Not
Convince Me To Abort And Could Not Prevent Me From Bringing Forth, This
Year I Declare That In My Life: The Devil Is A Liar.
1 Peter 5:8: Be Sober, Be Vigilant; Because Your Adversary The Devil Walks About
Like A Roaring Lion, Seeking Whom He May Devour.
Read: Revelation 12:1-4
4. I Am Allowing God To Place Me In Proper Alignment, Plant Me In My
Divine Assignment And Position Me For Kingdom Advancement.
Psalm 1:3 He Shall Be Like A Tree Planted By The Rivers Of Water, That Brings
Forth Its Fruit In Its Season, Whose Leaf Also Shall Not Wither; And Whatever He
Does Shall Prosper.
Jeremiah 17:8 For He Shall Be Like A Tree Planted By The Waters, Which
Spreads Out Its Roots By The River, And Will Not Fear When Heat Comes; But Its
Leaf Will Be Green, And Will Not Be Anxious In The Year Of Drought, Nor Will
Cease From Yielding Fruit.
2 Samuel 7:10 Moreover I Will Appoint A Place For My People Israel, And Will
Plant Them, That They May Dwell In A Place Of Their Own And Move No More;
Nor Shall The Sons Of Wickedness Oppress Them Anymore, As Previously,
5. This Year I Will Not Measure My Possibilities Only According To What I See In Myself But According To What I See In God For Myself.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But As It Is Written: “Eye Has Not Seen, Nor Ear Heard, Nor
Have Entered Into The Heart Of Man The Things Which God Has Prepared For
Those Who Love Him
Read: Jeremiah 33:2-3
Read: Jeremiah 1:10-12
6. I Am Willing To Stretch And Be Stretched In And Thru My Prayer Life
And My Study Of The Word Of God.
Hebrews 4:12 For The Word Of God Is Living And Powerful, And Sharper Than
Any Two-Edged Sword, Piercing Even To The Division Of Soul And Spirit, And Of
Joints And Marrow, And Is A Discerner Of The Thoughts And Intents Of The Heart.
Deuteronomy 17:19 And It Shall Be With Him, And He Shall Read It All The Days
Of His Life, That He May Learn To Fear The Lord His God And Be Careful To
Observe All The Words Of This Law And These Statutes,
7. Since My Future Is As Bright As The Promises Of God, This Year I
Am Determined To Fight For My Future.
1 Samuel 30:8 So David Inquired Of The Lord, Saying, “Shall I Pursue This Troop?
Shall I Overtake Them?” And He Answered Him, “Pursue, For You Shall Surely
Overtake Them And Without Fail Recover All.”
Jeremiah 29:11 For I Know The Thoughts That I Think Toward You, Says The
Lord, Thoughts Of Peace And Not Of Evil, To Give You A Future And A Hope.
8. While I Understand That The Devil Has A Deliberate, Willful Plan Against My Life To Steal My Dream, Kill My Potential And Destroy My Destiny, This Year I
Will Expose The Enemy For Who He Is In My Life.
John 10:10 The Thief Does Not Come Except To Steal, And To Kill, And To
Destroy. I Have Come That They May Have Life, And That They May Have It More
Abundantly.
Revelation 2:9 “I Know Your Works, Tribulation, And Poverty (But You Are Rich);
And I Know The Blasphemy Of Those Who Say They Are Jews And Are Not, But
Are A Synagogue Of Satan.
Read: 2 Corinthians 2:10-12
9. Since I Accept That He Who Does Nothing Should Expect Nothing, Then This
Year I Shall Attempt Great Things For God And Expect Great Things From
God.
Deuteronomy 15:10 You Shall Surely Give To Him, And Your Heart Should Not Be
Grieved When You Give To Him, Because For This Thing The Lord Your God Will
Bless You In All Your Works And In All To Which You Put Your Hand.
Deuteronomy 10:21 He Is Your Praise, And He Is Your God, Who Has Done For
You These Great And Awesome Things Which Your Eyes Have Seen.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever Your Hand Finds To Do, Do It With Your Might; For
There Is No Work Or Device Or Knowledge Or Wisdom In The Grave Where You
Are Going.
10. I Am Stepping Out Of The Boat And Walking On The Water.
This Year, I Am Going After Greater Glory.
Haggai 2:9 ‘The Glory Of This Latter Temple Shall Be Greater Than The Former,’
Says The Lord Of Hosts. ‘And In This Place I Will Give Peace,’ Says The Lord Of
Hosts.”
2 Corinthians 3:1 But We All, With Unveiled Face, Beholding As In A Mirror The
Glory Of The Lord, Are Being Transformed Into The Same Image From Glory To
Glory, Just As By The Spirit Of The Lord.
Read: Matthew 14:28-30
1. This Year I’m Going Higher, Seeing Clearer and Hearing Better Both In My
Personal Life and In My Walk with God.
Revelation 4:1 After These Things I Looked, and Behold, A Door Standing Open In
Heaven. And The First Voice Which I Heard Was Like A Trumpet Speaking With
Me, Saying, “Come Up Here, And I Will Show You Things Which Must Take Place
After This.”
Read: Matthew 13:16-18
2. I Am Anointed To Bring Forth...... No Matter What.
Genesis 9:7 And As For You, Be Fruitful And Multiply; Bring Forth Abundantly In
The Earth And Multiply In It.”
Read: Matthew 1:20-21
3. Since The Enemy Could Not Stop Me From Conceiving, Could Not
Convince Me To Abort And Could Not Prevent Me From Bringing Forth, This
Year I Declare That In My Life: The Devil Is A Liar.
1 Peter 5:8: Be Sober, Be Vigilant; Because Your Adversary The Devil Walks About
Like A Roaring Lion, Seeking Whom He May Devour.
Read: Revelation 12:1-4
4. I Am Allowing God To Place Me In Proper Alignment, Plant Me In My
Divine Assignment And Position Me For Kingdom Advancement.
Psalm 1:3 He Shall Be Like A Tree Planted By The Rivers Of Water, That Brings
Forth Its Fruit In Its Season, Whose Leaf Also Shall Not Wither; And Whatever He
Does Shall Prosper.
Jeremiah 17:8 For He Shall Be Like A Tree Planted By The Waters, Which
Spreads Out Its Roots By The River, And Will Not Fear When Heat Comes; But Its
Leaf Will Be Green, And Will Not Be Anxious In The Year Of Drought, Nor Will
Cease From Yielding Fruit.
2 Samuel 7:10 Moreover I Will Appoint A Place For My People Israel, And Will
Plant Them, That They May Dwell In A Place Of Their Own And Move No More;
Nor Shall The Sons Of Wickedness Oppress Them Anymore, As Previously,
5. This Year I Will Not Measure My Possibilities Only According To What I See In Myself But According To What I See In God For Myself.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But As It Is Written: “Eye Has Not Seen, Nor Ear Heard, Nor
Have Entered Into The Heart Of Man The Things Which God Has Prepared For
Those Who Love Him
Read: Jeremiah 33:2-3
Read: Jeremiah 1:10-12
6. I Am Willing To Stretch And Be Stretched In And Thru My Prayer Life
And My Study Of The Word Of God.
Hebrews 4:12 For The Word Of God Is Living And Powerful, And Sharper Than
Any Two-Edged Sword, Piercing Even To The Division Of Soul And Spirit, And Of
Joints And Marrow, And Is A Discerner Of The Thoughts And Intents Of The Heart.
Deuteronomy 17:19 And It Shall Be With Him, And He Shall Read It All The Days
Of His Life, That He May Learn To Fear The Lord His God And Be Careful To
Observe All The Words Of This Law And These Statutes,
7. Since My Future Is As Bright As The Promises Of God, This Year I
Am Determined To Fight For My Future.
1 Samuel 30:8 So David Inquired Of The Lord, Saying, “Shall I Pursue This Troop?
Shall I Overtake Them?” And He Answered Him, “Pursue, For You Shall Surely
Overtake Them And Without Fail Recover All.”
Jeremiah 29:11 For I Know The Thoughts That I Think Toward You, Says The
Lord, Thoughts Of Peace And Not Of Evil, To Give You A Future And A Hope.
8. While I Understand That The Devil Has A Deliberate, Willful Plan Against My Life To Steal My Dream, Kill My Potential And Destroy My Destiny, This Year I
Will Expose The Enemy For Who He Is In My Life.
John 10:10 The Thief Does Not Come Except To Steal, And To Kill, And To
Destroy. I Have Come That They May Have Life, And That They May Have It More
Abundantly.
Revelation 2:9 “I Know Your Works, Tribulation, And Poverty (But You Are Rich);
And I Know The Blasphemy Of Those Who Say They Are Jews And Are Not, But
Are A Synagogue Of Satan.
Read: 2 Corinthians 2:10-12
9. Since I Accept That He Who Does Nothing Should Expect Nothing, Then This
Year I Shall Attempt Great Things For God And Expect Great Things From
God.
Deuteronomy 15:10 You Shall Surely Give To Him, And Your Heart Should Not Be
Grieved When You Give To Him, Because For This Thing The Lord Your God Will
Bless You In All Your Works And In All To Which You Put Your Hand.
Deuteronomy 10:21 He Is Your Praise, And He Is Your God, Who Has Done For
You These Great And Awesome Things Which Your Eyes Have Seen.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever Your Hand Finds To Do, Do It With Your Might; For
There Is No Work Or Device Or Knowledge Or Wisdom In The Grave Where You
Are Going.
10. I Am Stepping Out Of The Boat And Walking On The Water.
This Year, I Am Going After Greater Glory.
Haggai 2:9 ‘The Glory Of This Latter Temple Shall Be Greater Than The Former,’
Says The Lord Of Hosts. ‘And In This Place I Will Give Peace,’ Says The Lord Of
Hosts.”
2 Corinthians 3:1 But We All, With Unveiled Face, Beholding As In A Mirror The
Glory Of The Lord, Are Being Transformed Into The Same Image From Glory To
Glory, Just As By The Spirit Of The Lord.
Read: Matthew 14:28-30
Friday, July 9, 2010
Two Wolves
Two Wolves
Author Unknown
Author Unknown
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson abouta battle that goes on inside
people. He said, "My son, The battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, Inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope,
serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Spiritual Pickpockets
"Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up” (1 Peter 5:8-9a, The Message).
Ever been mugged? I hope not. Praise the Lord, I haven’t. Hmmm…or have I?
What exactly does “mug” mean? The dictionary defines it as to assault, menace or threaten a person with the intent to rob. In the Old Testament, God told His people not to consort with those enemies surrounding them (you know, all the -ites – the Amalekites, the Canaanites, the Amorites, and the others) because of their unholy ways. God separated His people to keep them holy. He knew that, if they mingled with the -ites, their holiness would be stolen.
As insatiable suitors, enemy -ites always prowl around in the back alleys of temptation, lurking under the shroud of seduction. Just waiting to jump out and mug us! Peter warns us of The Enemy -ite, “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.” (1 Peter 5:8-9a Message)
What did the disciple John say was the enemy’s purpose? “The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.” (John 10:10 TLB)
So, what areas of our lives does the enemy target? Our:
* joy
* peace
* health
* comfort
* finances
* holiness?
What are those sticky-fingered muggers, those spiritual pickpockets, that the enemy uses to assault us, menace us, and rob us?
How about doubt, worry, unbelief, strife, unforgiveness, bitterness, cheating, stealing, depression, murmuring, jealousy/envy, complaining, rebellion, hypocrisy, bitterness, lying, lust, pride, judging, gossip, addictions, marital affairs, porn, other impure thoughts, negative attitude, speaking against others, busy schedules, or anything else that grieves the Holy Spirit?
Any one of these -ites can be hazardous to the health of our bodies and our spirits. Guarding our hearts is so vital, in all we see, hear, and do.
So, what are the -ites, the petty thieves that entice you, desiring to invade your heart’s home and snatch away your treasures? Does their wooing prompt you to pack your bag of temptation, sneak out the window of your room of separation, climb down the ladder of immorality, and run off with these vendors of swill?
Unless a “No Solicitors” sign is posted, a heart that does not fully pursue God will be enticed by outsiders selling their wares and will run off with any swindler. Remember, where you are on Saturday night represents who and what you say you are on Sunday morning! What you do and who you are with will either draw you toward God or draw you away from Him.
Let me encourage you to hang onto what you have gained spiritually. Guard those treasures with all your might and all your faith, as Solomon said, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT).
Question: What picks your spiritual pockets?
Ever been mugged? I hope not. Praise the Lord, I haven’t. Hmmm…or have I?
What exactly does “mug” mean? The dictionary defines it as to assault, menace or threaten a person with the intent to rob. In the Old Testament, God told His people not to consort with those enemies surrounding them (you know, all the -ites – the Amalekites, the Canaanites, the Amorites, and the others) because of their unholy ways. God separated His people to keep them holy. He knew that, if they mingled with the -ites, their holiness would be stolen.
As insatiable suitors, enemy -ites always prowl around in the back alleys of temptation, lurking under the shroud of seduction. Just waiting to jump out and mug us! Peter warns us of The Enemy -ite, “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.” (1 Peter 5:8-9a Message)
What did the disciple John say was the enemy’s purpose? “The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.” (John 10:10 TLB)
So, what areas of our lives does the enemy target? Our:
* joy
* peace
* health
* comfort
* finances
* holiness?
What are those sticky-fingered muggers, those spiritual pickpockets, that the enemy uses to assault us, menace us, and rob us?
How about doubt, worry, unbelief, strife, unforgiveness, bitterness, cheating, stealing, depression, murmuring, jealousy/envy, complaining, rebellion, hypocrisy, bitterness, lying, lust, pride, judging, gossip, addictions, marital affairs, porn, other impure thoughts, negative attitude, speaking against others, busy schedules, or anything else that grieves the Holy Spirit?
Any one of these -ites can be hazardous to the health of our bodies and our spirits. Guarding our hearts is so vital, in all we see, hear, and do.
So, what are the -ites, the petty thieves that entice you, desiring to invade your heart’s home and snatch away your treasures? Does their wooing prompt you to pack your bag of temptation, sneak out the window of your room of separation, climb down the ladder of immorality, and run off with these vendors of swill?
Unless a “No Solicitors” sign is posted, a heart that does not fully pursue God will be enticed by outsiders selling their wares and will run off with any swindler. Remember, where you are on Saturday night represents who and what you say you are on Sunday morning! What you do and who you are with will either draw you toward God or draw you away from Him.
Let me encourage you to hang onto what you have gained spiritually. Guard those treasures with all your might and all your faith, as Solomon said, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT).
Question: What picks your spiritual pockets?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Heal Your Land - Part 1
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Sent from my iPhone
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