Monthly Archives: June 2013
June 20, 2013
You Do Matter
June 20, 2013
Grace and Peace
Grace and peace are such powerful forces in your life.
Grace empowers us and peace directs us. It’s like this: grace is the gas and peace is the navigation system. You need both to reach your destination. The Bible tells us that we are saved by God’s grace through faith. We don’t deserve it and can’t earn His grace and forgiveness, but He gives it to us anyway. Grace opens the door to salvation, but it doesn’t stop there. His grace is supernatural empowerment to live the life God has called us to here on earth. Peace is every bit as powerful. It’s not just a feeling; it’s a state of being. Peace literally means “to set at one again.” Are you experiencing grace and peace today?
June 19, 2013
Forgiving
Forgiving does not mean you give someone who has hurt you power over you.
In order to move forward in life, we have to “let go of the past.” But have you ever wondered exactly how to do that? First, understand that we take hold of things in our minds with our thoughts. Our thoughts become words and actions that determine the direction of our lives. It’s that simple. If you want to choose a new direction for your life, you have to choose new thoughts. If you want to let go of the past, you have to quit thinking about it, quit talking about it, and quit reliving every negative experience. Oftentimes, when we see someone who has hurt us, that pain and offense is stirred up, and we start thinking about what happened again. But in that moment, you have a choice to make. One of the best things you can do, instead of rehearsing the hurt, is to pray for that person and speak blessing over them. Remember, forgiveness is for you. Letting go of bitterness is for you. Don’t let the past hold you back from what God has in store for your future any longer. Get past the past by choosing right thoughts because God has victory and blessing in store for your future. Are you letting go of the past and forgiving today?
June 18, 2013
Confidence
Trust can reduce mental clutter, give focus, and provide confidence.
One thing I’ve learned is that God doesn’t always work on our time table. In fact, He rarely does. But, in a single moment, God can change your life! All throughout the Bible, we see examples of how God was working behind the scenes and instantly turned things around for His people. The Bible tells us He is the same yesterday, today and forever which means if He did it for them, He can instantly turn things around for you, too! You may be going through some difficulty today, but be encouraged because your times are in God’s hands. Trust that He has your best interest at heart. He wants to pour out His favor. He wants to take you further than you dreamed possible and work in your life in ways beyond what you have ever imagined. Let this truth sink down into your heart today. Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing, keep hoping and keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. Have faith because your times are in His hands, and He will lead you in the life of victory He has for you! Are you confident today?
June 17, 2013
Waiting
When you judge something as too hard, such judgements stop miraculous things from happening.
God has put dreams and desires in every person’s heart. But most times, there’s a season of waiting involved. Maybe you’re waiting for a relationship to improve; waiting to get married; waiting for a promotion; or waiting to overcome an illness. Much of life is spent waiting. But there’s a right way to wait and there’s a wrong way to wait. Too often, when things don’t happen on our timetable, we get down and discouraged or anxious and fretful. That’s because we’re not waiting the right way. The fact is we’re all going to wait. It goes on to say that we should consider how the farmer waits — patiently and eagerly. We’re not supposed to sit around discouraged; we’re supposed to be hopeful, positive and full of expectancy! Today, no matter what you are praying for, expect things to change in your favor. Today could be the day that God turns it all around. As you wait with patience and expectancy, you’ll open the door for God to move. He’ll fight your battles, and you’ll see that He will do what He’s promised in every area of your life. Are you being patient during the hard times today?
June 16, 2013
Dream
Your self-worth does not change with others’ opinions of you.
Have the opinions of other people caused you to water down your dreams? There will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself. One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to happen. Other people don’t set the limits for your life — you do. It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams. When God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass, it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps. Remember, God sees the hidden treasures that you’ve had buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of old, defeated thoughts and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limits and live the abundant life God has in store for you! Are you taking the limits off your dreams today?
June 15, 2013
Peaceful
I’ve learned that some people are peace stealers.
They feel like it’s their calling in life to aggravate you, try to make you look bad, and tell you what you can’t do. They’ll try to bait you into an argument to get you upset, annoyed and frustrated. But don’t take the bait! Nothing is worth losing your peace over. They may think they’re getting the best of you, but in the end, God can use that to take you higher. When people come against you, choose to keep your peace. Choose to forgive. Pray for that person because that’s how you disarm the enemy against you. Scripture says your battle isn’t against flesh and blood. In others words, that person isn’t your enemy; the accuser—Satan—is your enemy. He’s trying to bring division and get you upset. But when you choose to keep peace, when you keep walking in love and keep a smile on your face, you are overcoming his tactics. That’s how you win. Today, choose peace, choose to walk in love, and choose the victory God has prepared for you. Is someone stealing your peace today?
June 14, 2013
Fear
If you hold onto fear, then that worrisome, awful vision is clearly and consistently established in your mind, and it will occur.
We all face situations in life that feel out of control. During times like these, it’s easy to get discouraged and allow fear to creep in; but instead, why don’t you focus on the fact that God loves you and has your best interests in mind. There is nothing too difficult for Him; nothing’s impossible; nothing is beyond His ability. When God holds you in His hand, you are safe; you are cared for. In His hand, there is victory. In His hand, there is strength. In His hand, there is provision. In His hand is everything you need. No matter what you may be going through today, you can trust that God is for you. Instead of getting down and depressed over your circumstances, look up and get a vision of God turning that situation around. Let faith arise in your heart and focus on His favor, promotion and blessing. As you keep your heart and mind focused on Him and choose to obey His Word, you’ll see those supernatural breaks that will launch you further ahead than you ever thought possible because He holds you with His hands. Are you looking toward the truth today?
June 13, 2013
Forgiveness
In life, we all have unfair things that happen to us.
We can choose to hold on to the hurt, become bitter and angry, and let it poison our future; or, we can choose to let it go and trust God to make it up to us. You not think that you are able to forgive because someone hurt you so badly. You might say, “Scott, you don’t know how I was raised.” “My ex-spouse caused me a lot of pain.” “This friend betrayed me.” “I just can’t let it go.” But realize, you don’t forgive for their sake; you forgive for your own sake. When you forgive, you are taking away their power to hurt you. But if you hold on to that offense and stay angry, you are only poisoning your own life and disconnecting yourself from God. Forgiveness is like a door on your heart. If you shut the door and refuse to forgive, then God cannot forgive you. But when you open the door and allow forgiveness to flow from you, then His forgiveness can flow into you. Choose to forgive and open the door to receive God’s life, peace and healing today. Are you forgiving today?
June 12, 2013