Introduction

God wants you to enjoy your life. Jesus said, I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) (John 1 !1 ). "our days can be filled with an overflowin# joy that will s$ill into the lives of others. "ou can e%$erience this joy all day if you learn to start your day ri#ht& by s$endin# time with God, readin# 'is (ord, $rayin#, and listenin# for 'is direction. )istenin# to God each mornin# fills you with e%$ectancy and favor for a better day, and those days add u$ to a better life. *he )ord wants you to have 'im clearly in si#ht in order to follow 'im. 'e is willin# to wa+e you in the mornin# and ma+e your ear alert to 'is instruction. If you will see+ 'im with all your heart, 'e will renew your stren#th and ma+e clear your $ath (see Isaiah , !-1. /roverbs -!0). I have written this boo+ to remind you of the benefits of startin# your day with God. It is not written to re$lace your $ersonal time with 'im, but sim$ly to enhance it and to $oint you to your own daily encounter with 'im so that you will enjoy every day of your life. 'e will teach you to balance out your e%tremes, #ain self1control, and live in a way that has a $ositive im$act on others. I encoura#e you to see+ God early each mornin# and to wait on 'im to write in your s$irit direction for the day. God will fill your heart with +nowled#e that will enli#hten you at the

ri#ht time. 2nce you e%$erience the em$owerment of be#innin# your day with God, you will never want to start your day without 'im.

J34536" 1
7tart "our 8ay 6i#ht
When I said, My foot is slipping, Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, held me up. P !LM "#$%&

7ome $eo$le seem to start their day on the wron# foot. *hey feel all ri#ht when they wa+e u$, but as soon as somethin# #oes wron#, they lose their footin# and wal+ with a loser9s lim$ the rest of the day. 2nce they are off to a bad start, it seems they never catch u$. If someone offends us early in the mornin#, our an#er can +ee$ us defensive all day. If we start the day rushin#, it seems we never slow down. :ut today our feet can be firmly $lanted in God9s (ord. *here will be no bad day when God9s (ord su$$orts, stren#thens, and directs us.

J34536" ; Get 5$ 3nd Get Goin#

I am 'eary 'ith my groaning( all night I soak my pillo' 'ith tears, I drench my couch 'ith my 'eeping . . . )epart from me, all you 'orkers of ini*uity, for the Lord has heard the voice of my 'eeping +emphasis mine,. P !LM -$-, &

<ven before we are totally awa+e, 7atan is biddin# to deceive us and is ready to $lant defeatin# thou#hts in our mind. 'e wants us to be ho$eless, faithless, and ne#ative. 'e definitely doesn9t want us to be $ositive when we #et u$. 'e wants us to have a bad attitude and be selfish and self1centered, full of hatred, bitterness, resentment, doubt, unbelief, and fear&to be mad at everybody. :ut than+ God, throu#h Jesus =hrist, we have been redeemed from all of those ne#ative $atterns. (e can resist the devil and trust God9s $ower in order to live victoriously today.

J34536" >ee$ In *ouch (ith God

.lessed +happy, fortunate, prosperous, and envia/le, is the man 'ho 'alks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly 0follo'ing their advice, their plans and purposes1 . . . .ut his delight and desire are in the la' of the Lord, and on 2is la' +the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of 3od, he ha/itually meditates +ponders and studies, /y day and /y night. P !LM %$%- 4 >ee$ in touch with God today. stay tuned to 'is voice. "ou may have a $lan for the day, but God may lead you in a totally different direction if you are sensitive to the 'oly Ghost. :e brave enou#h to flow with what you feel in your heart God wants you to do. *oday is #oin# to be a #ood day. )isten for the voice of God to lead you. :e determined to wal+ in the 7$irit and stay in the flow of God9s leadin# today.

J34536" , 3void *he 7lin#ers

O 3od, You are my 3od, earnestly 'ill I seek You( my inner self thirsts for You . . . in a dry and 'eary land 'here no 'ater is . . . I have looked upon You in the sanctuary to see Your po'er and Your glory. .ecause Your loving-kindness is /etter than life, my lips shall praise You. P !LM -5$%- 5

*here were $eo$le in the :ible called slin#ers who defeated their enemies by slin#in# stones and throwin# dirt into their wells, contaminatin# their life source of water (see ; >in#s -!;?). (e all +now $eo$le who slin# accusation, jud#ment, criticism, and faultfindin# at others. (e certainly don9t want slin#ers in our life, and we don9t want to become slin#ers either. 8on9t be a slin#er who contaminates your own faith or the faith of those around you. 7$endin# time with God will fill you with livin# water (see John @!-A). "ou will be edified and become a source of encoura#ement for others all day lon#.

J34536" ? Get In *he Blow

You cause them to drink of the stream of Your pleasures. 6or 'ith You is the fountain of life( in Your light do 'e see light. O continue Your lovingkindness to those 'ho kno' You, Your righteousness +salvation, to the upright in heart. P !LM 5-$&- %7

I have never been much of a swimmer. I may not be the best at fi#htin# the current, but I can float. It is wonderful just to trust the water to +ee$ us u$ and #o with the flow. (e can trust God to +ee$ us afloat throu#h the ra$ids and lead us to still waters. *he :ible says God9s mercy and lovin#1+indness are new every mornin# (see )amentations -!;;1 ;-). 'is mercy isn9t just there waitin# for us. it is new, fresh, flowin#, and $owerful every new day. (e need to #et in the flow of God9s river of life early each day and learn to float on the $ower of 'is $resence.

J34536" 0 Get 6est

!s for me, I 'ill continue /eholding Your face in righteousness +rightness, 8ustice, and right standing 'ith You,( I shall /e fully satisfied, 'hen I a'ake 0to find myself1 /eholding Your form 0and having s'eet communion 'ith You1. P !LM %9$%:

<ach evenin# the sun sets on all of our $roblems and on all of the mista+es we made that day. :ut somethin# marvelous ha$$ens to us as we slee$&the )ord #ives us rest $hysically, mentally, and emotionally. (e are renewed and rejuvenated to face the ne%t day. *oday we may wa+e u$ with the same $roblems we had when we went to bed, $roblems that yesterday we felt we just couldn9t ta+e anymore. :ut somehow today, after $ro$er rest and slee$, we thin+, I can do it. I can face it a#ain. God $romises to renew our stren#th when we rest in 'im.

J34536" @ 6ejoice *oday

Let the hearts of those re8oice 'ho seek the Lord; eek the Lord and 2is strength( yearn for and seek 2is face and to /e in 2is presence continually; 0<arnestly1 remem/er the marvelous deeds 'hich 2e has done, 2is miracles, and the 8udgments 2e uttered. % =2>O?I=L< %-$%7- %4 Cany $eo$le don9t realiDe how im$ortant the mornin# is, es$ecially those first moments of time that we are awa+e. God calls the sun to rise for us. 'e is ea#er for us to wa+e u$ and tal+ to 'im a#ain. 8avid the $salmist tal+ed a lot about mornin#s, sayin# *his is the day that the )ord has made. I will rejoice and be #lad in it (see /salm 11A!;,). 8avid didn9t always feel li+e rejoicin#, but he decided to rejoice in God9s new day. 3s soon as you #et u$, loo+ at yourself in the mirror, smile, and say, I am #oin# to have a #ood day because Jesus loves me.

J34536" A 7tart 2ut Joyfully

You try the heart and delight in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things. !nd no' I have seen 'ith 8oy Your people 'ho are present here offer voluntarily and freely to You. O Lord . . . keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the minds of Your people, and direct and esta/lish their hearts to'ard You. % =2>O?I=L< 4"$%9- %& Cy husband always seems ha$$y. (ithin five minutes of wa+in#, 8ave is hummin#, sin#in#, or listenin# to music as he #ets ready for the day. "ears a#o I didn9t want music on in the mornin#. I didn9t want sin#in# or hummin# or noise of any +ind. I wanted silence so I could thin+. *oday I still need a little more Euiet than 8ave does in the mornin#. :ut we have both found the way to start our day out ri#ht. (e set our hearts and minds to follow God. 3nd it wor+s.

J34536" F )isten Bor 'is /ur$ose

Who is the man 'ho reverently fears and 'orships the Lord@ 2im shall 2e teach in the 'ay that he should choose. 2e himself shall d'ell at ease . . . Ahe secret 0of the s'eet, satisfying companionship1 of the Lord have they 'ho fear +revere and 'orship, 2im. P !LM 4:$%4- %# It is God who wa+es us each mornin#. If 'e didn9t +ee$ us alive overni#ht, it wouldn9t matter what +ind of an alarm cloc+ we hadG *he $ro$het said, God wa+ens me mornin# by mornin#, and 'e wa+ens me for a $ur$ose so that I can hear. I am li+e a disci$le who is tau#ht (see Isaiah ? !,). :efore you even #et out bed, listen to hear what God has to say to you. It will be a #ood day if you start it with a ready ear, ta+in# time to listen to 'im. God is ea#er to reveal today9s $lan to you.

J34536" 1 <%$ect 7omethin# 4ew

In the morning, O LO>), you hear my voice( in the morning I lay my re*uests /efore you and 'ait in eBpectation. P !LM :$5 ?IC If you #et u$ and do the e%act same thin# every mornin#, you may #et $retty bored after a month or so. :ut see+in# God when you first wa+e u$ is never borin#. 'e will always have a new revelation ready for you to hear. >ee$ your e%$ectation fresh by chan#in# what you do in your time with God. "ou mi#ht worshi$ the )ord with sin#in# one mornin#, listen to =hristian music another mornin#, read God9s (ord the third mornin#, sit in 'is $resence or confess 'is (ord the followin# mornin#. )et the 'oly 7$irit lead you as you learn to enjoy startin# your day with God.

J34536" 11 Borm Godly 'abits

6iB these 'ords of mine in your hearts and minds . . . talking a/out them 'hen you sit at home and 'hen you 'alk along the road, 'hen you lie do'n and 'hen you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days . . . may /e . . . as many as the days that the heavens are a/ove the earth. )<DA<>O?OMY %%$%&- 4% ?IC (aitin# for God9s direction each day is somethin# you may have to ma+e yourself do at first, but throu#h $ractice, it will become natural to be#in your day this way. 4ew habits are formed by bein# consistent. 7ee+in# God first in the mornin# will soon be somethin# you can9t do without. (hen God wanted 'is $eo$le to remember somethin#, 'e told them to write it down. "ou may have to $ost reminders to see+ the )ord around your house in order to follow throu#h with your new intention. :ut be consistent to see+ God first every day, and 'e will ma+e your ways successful (see Joshua 1!@1 F).

J34536" 1; =rave God9s /resence

My soul yearns for You 0O Lord1 in the night, yes, my spirit 'ithin me seeks You earnestly( for 0only1 'hen Your 8udgments are in the earth 'ill the inha/itants of the 'orld learn righteousness +uprightness and right standing 'ith 3od,. I !I!2 4-$" If we are hun#ry enou#h, we will #et somethin# to eat. 3nd if we can9t eat before we leave home, we will #o to a drive1thru at a fast1food restaurant. 2r we will call a $lace that delivers food to brin# us somethin# to eat. If we are hun#ry enou#h for God, we will find a way into 'is $resence. (e should be so hun#ry for the $resence of God that we absolutely will not #o out of our house or tac+le any +ind of $roject until we have s$ent some time with 'im.

J34536" 18on9t :e *oo :usy

It is /ecause of the LordEs mercy and lovingkindness that 'e are not consumed, /ecause 2is 0tender1 compassions fail not. Ahey are ne' every morning( great and a/undant is Your sta/ility and faithfulness. L!M<?A!AIO? 5$44- 45 If we are too busy to s$end time with God, then we are just too busy, and we are as+in# for a disaster in our life. (e need to as+ God to show us thin#s we can #et rid of in our life that aren9t bearin# any fruit. In 'is (ord God says, 3wa+e, 2 slee$er, and arise from the dead, and =hrist shall shine (ma+e day dawn) u$on you and #ive you li#ht . . . )ive $ur$osefully . . . ma+in# the very most of the time Hbuyin# u$ each o$$ortunityI, because the days are evil (<$hesians ?!1,1 10). God wants us to be stron# in the $ower of 'is mi#ht and to be ever filled with the 'oly 7$irit.

J34536" 1, /ray 3nd )isten

=ause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. =ause me to kno' the 'ay 'herein I should 'alk, for I lift up my inner self to You. P !LM %#5$& (e need to $ray and then sto$ and listen. 7ometimes we can hear God as a still, small voice from dee$ within our heart. Cany times God will s$ea+ throu#h our inner witness so that we just +now the truth and it sets us free. 7uddenly we +now what we should or shouldn9t do. >in# 8avid had a lot to say about see+in# God in the mornin#. 'e $rayed in the mornin# and then watched and waited for God to s$ea+ to his heart. I li+e +nowin# that God is listenin# for our $rayers. 'e li+es it when we listen to 'is answers too.

J34536" 1? Go (ith (hat "ou >now

atisfy us in the morning 'ith your unfailing love, that 'e may sing for 8oy and /e glad all our days. P !LM "7$%# ?IC *his mornin# $ray, )ord, I am waitin# for "ou to direct me. (hile you honor the )ord by listenin# for 'is res$onse, you may hear 'im s$ea+ somethin# s$ecific to you ri#ht away. It may seem as thou#h 'e inscribes direction in your s$irit for the day. *he devil may tell you that it wasn9t really God who s$o+e to you. 2r while you are waitin# to hear from God, 7atan may tell you that you are wastin# your time. It is im$ortant to +now the truth of God9s (ord so that the direction God sows in your heart will not be snatched away from you throu#h doubt. God may not lay out a blue$rint for your day, but 'e will direct your $ath, if you ac+nowled#e 'im in all of your ways (see /roverbs -!0).

J34536" 10 :e 'a$$y
Ahe Lord is my trength and ong( and 2e has /ecome my alvation. Ahe voice of re8oicing and salvation is in the tents and private d'ellings of the 0uncompromisingly1 righteous$ the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength; P !LM %%&$%#- %: 'a$$iness is the result of a radical, outra#eous relationshi$ with God. If we want to wal+ in victory, we have to $ut some time into our relationshi$ with the )ord. *here is much to discover about 'is $lans for us. 2ur contentment won9t last if we are not obeyin# God by see+in# 'im with our whole heart. God wants us to really tal+ to 'im and $ay attention to 'is answers. 7$end enou#h time with 'im this mornin# to wal+ in victory all day.

J34536" 1@ Give /ersonal *ime

.ut I say, 'alk and live 0ha/itually1 in the 02oly1 pirit 0responsive to and controlled and guided /y the pirit1( then you 'ill certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh +of human nature 'ithout 3od,. 3!L!AI!? :$%Cany believers serve God with their time, but still miss s$endin# $ersonal time in 'is $resence. God wants us to abide in 'im, not just visit 'im occasionally. Jesus said, If you abide in Cy word Hhold fast to Cy teachin#s and live in accordance with themI, you are truly Cy disci$les (John A!-1). Jesus will actually dwell, settle down, abide, and ma+e 'is $ermanent home in your heartG 'is $resence will cause you to be rooted dee$ in love so that you may e%$erience 'is love and be filled throu#h all your bein# with the fullness of God (see <$hesians -!1@1 1F).

J34536" 1A 6eceive :y Baith

I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, sho' me no' Your 'ay, that I may kno' You 0progressively /ecome more deeply and intimately ac*uainted 'ith You, perceiving and recogniFing and understanding more strongly and clearly1 and that I may find favor in Your sight . . . !nd the Lord said, My Presence shall go 'ith you, and I 'ill give you rest. <GO)D 55$%5- %#

<verythin# that we receive from God comes by faith. (hen you are waitin# for 'im to s$ea+ to your heart, just believe that 'e will s$ea+ to you, even if you don9t hear anythin# ri#ht that minute. :elieve that because you have ac+nowled#ed 'im, you can e%$ect to see 'is hand movin# in your life all day lon#. *hen ste$ forward, +nowin# that 'e will +ee$ you on the ri#ht $ath because you have as+ed 'im to do so. (atchin# God9s hand of favor move on our behalf is one of life9s #reatest deli#hts.

J34536" 1F 8on9t =hase :lessin#s

.lessed +happy, fortunate, to /e envied, is the man 'hom You choose and cause to come near, that he may d'ell in Your courts; We shall /e satisfied 'ith the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple. P !LM -:$# Instead of chasin# after blessin#s, we need to chase after God. If we chase God, 'e will chase us with blessin#s. *hat is why the +in#dom of God is sometimes called the u$side1down +in#dom. God9s economy doesn9t wor+ the way we thin+ it would. Birst is last, and last is first. If we want more, we are to #ive away some of what we have. *o be #reat in God9s +in#dom, we must serve the needs of others. 3nd if we want blessin#s, we must #et our mind off of them. God +nows what we want and what we need. 'e wants to #ive us blessin#s that we haven9t even verbally as+ed for.

J34536" ; 8on9t Ball 3$art

.ut 2e said to me, My grace +My favor and lovingkindness and mercy, is enough for you 0sufficient against any danger and ena/les you to /ear the trou/le manfully1( for My strength and po'er are made perfect +fulfilled and completed, and sho' themselves most effective in 0your1 'eakness. 4 =O>I?A2I!? %4$" =ome a$art and s$end some time with God before you come a$art. 4o matter how stron# and healthy you are, no matter what your a#e is, no matter what you thin+ you +now, without God, you are #oin# to #et weary and tired. God doesn9t #et tired, and the (ord says 'e #ives $ower to the faint and weary, and increases stren#th to those who have no mi#ht. :ut those who wait for the )ord, who e%$ect, loo+ for, and ho$e in 'im, will be renewed (see Isaiah , !;F1 -1). God is willin# to increase your stren#th. Get alone with 'im anytime you need to be stren#thened.

J34536" ;1 (ait Bor *he )ord

Heep the charge of the Lord your 3od, 'alk in 2is 'ays, keep 2is statutes, 2is commandments, 2is precepts, and 2is testimonies, as it is 'ritten in the La' of Moses, that you may do 'isely and prosper in all that you do and 'herever you turn. % HI?3 4$5 (hen you $ray, wait for the )ord. *his means to loo+ for, to e%$ect, and to ho$e in God. *his isn9t a $assive state of mind, but one of e%$ectancy. *ell 'im, God, I have my ho$e in "ou. I believe that "ou are wor+in# on my $roblems. I believe that "ou are ma+in# arran#ements for my day. "ou are $ostin# an#els all throu#hout my wal+, everywhere alon# my $ath where "ou already +now I am #oin# to wal+ today. *han+ you, )ord, that "ou are a $ioneer who has already #one before me and made a way for me to have a blessed day.

J34536" ;; )ord, (hat9s 4e%tJ

ho' me Your 'ays, O Lord( teach me Your paths. 3uide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the 3od of my salvation( for You 0You only and altogether1 do I 'ait 0eBpectantly1 all the day long. P !LM 4:$#- : 7tart your day sayin#, I am e%cited about this day, God. I can hardly wait to see what "ou are #oin# to do. I believe "ou are #oin# to +ee$ me, hel$ me, bless me, and #ive me favor. I love "ou, Bather. I am waitin# on "ou, )ord, and I am listenin# to "ou. 3s+ God to $ut into your s$irit everythin# 'e wants you to +now. 3s+ 'im to show you thin#s to come and what you are su$$osed to do (see John 10!1-). 'e will #ive you direction, and you will have much to $raise 'im for today.

J34536" ;:e 6enewed

3od selected . . . 'hat the 'orld calls 'eak to put the strong to shame. !nd 3od also selected +deli/erately chose, 'hat in the 'orld is lo'/orn and insignificant and /randed and treated 'ith contempt, even the things that are nothing, that 2e might depose and /ring to nothing the things that are, so that no mortal man should 0have pretense for glorying and1 /oast in the presence of 3od. % =O>I?A2I!? %$49- 4" If you are wea+ in faith, in mind, in body, in disci$line, in self1control, or in determination, sim$ly wait on God. 'e will be stron# throu#h your wea+ness. Isaiah , !-1 teaches that if you e%$ect God, loo+ for 'im, and ho$e in 'im, you will chan#e and renew your stren#th and $ower. you will run, and not faint or become tired. *he :ible doesn9t say ho$e so, it could be, or it may be. it declares that you will be renewed.

J34536" ;, 'e (ill 6eward "ou

o repent +change your mind and purpose,( turn around and return 0to 3od1, that your sins may /e erased +/lotted out, 'iped clean,, that times of refreshing +of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving 'ith fresh air, may come from the presence of the Lord. !=A 5$%"

7uccess $rinci$les alone will not wor+ in your life if you don9t s$end time with God, allowin# 'is 'oly 7$irit to be your =ounselor and to #ive you revelation and understandin# of what to do each day. :ut if you flow in God9s $lan, you will learn to sto$ tryin# to fi#ure out how everythin# will wor+ to#ether for your #ood. )earn to see+ God9s face and not 'is hand all the time. *hen +ee$ your hands o$en and be ready to receive from 'im. God is #ood. you can trust what 'e s$ea+s to your heart to do.

J34536" ;? Invest In 7omeone

Ahe 'icked /orro' and pay not again 0for they may /e una/le1, /ut the 0uncompromisingly1 righteous deal kindly and give 0for they are a/le1. P !LM 59$4% *a+e chances today and invest in someone else9s life, es$ecially if God tells you to do so. "ou may #ive them somethin# of value only to learn they waste it as they have always done in the $ast. :ut remember that God made an investment in you, and 'e wants you to be willin# to ma+e an investment in somebody else. Jesus died to #ive everybody a chance. 4ot everyone ta+es advanta#e of 'is $rovision, but we all have an eEual o$$ortunity to enjoy the abundant life. If you hel$ someone, and they end u$ not doin# what is ri#ht with it, that is between them and God. Give than+s that you are able to #ive, and then do whatever God tells you to do.

J34536" ;0 God (ill >ee$ "ou 0!s for me1 I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my 2elp and my )eliverer. O my 3od, do not tarry; P !LM #7$%9

God has a $lan for each of us, and the #ood thin#s that ha$$en to us are not just a coincidence. 3ll #ood and $erfect #ifts come from God (see James 1!1@). It is e%citin# to have a relationshi$ with God when we are aware that 'e is carefully leadin# and #uidin# us to 'is blessin#s. If you don9t understand somethin# the first time God s$ea+s to you, 'e will #ive you another chance and will continue to teach you until you +now clearly the way you should #o. Jesus came to see+ and to save those who are lost (see )u+e 1F!1 ). *his means that 'e will find you if you #o astray.

J34536" ;@ )ove God Birst

=ome and see 'hat 3od has done, ho' a'esome his 'orks in manEs /ehalf; P !LM --$: ?IC (e #ive attention to whatever we love the most. God wants to be first in our life (see <%odus ; !-). Jesus said, K)ove the )ord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.9 *his is the first and #reatest commandment (Catthew ;;!-@1 -A 4IL). (hat mi#ht ha$$en in your life if you became so intent on see+in# God that you hired a babysitter to watch your children, or used a vacation day, in order to s$end time with the )ordJ "ou can9t afford not to s$end time with God. Give 'im your full attention, and ma+e a $oint to observe all 'e is doin# for you.

J34536" ;A =onfess God9s /rovision

In conclusion, /e strong in the Lord 0/e empo'ered through your union 'ith 2im1( dra' your strength from 2im 0that strength 'hich 2is /oundless might provides1. <P2< I!? -$%7 (hen your faith feels wea+, as+ God to show you how to $ray. *he :ible says $lainly in Jude 1!; 1 ;1 and 1 =orinthians 1,!;1 , that when you $ray in the 'oly 7$irit, you edify yourself, which means you build yourself u$ on your most holy faith. /rayin# in the 'oly 7$irit causes you to ma+e $ro#ress, and 'is leadin# will #uard and +ee$ you full of e%$ectancy and $atience for God9s mercy to bless your day. *here is no e%cuse for anybody to drown in doubt and unbelief, when God has #iven us 'is 7$irit to fill us with faith throu#h $rayer and time s$ent in 'is $resence. *oday, start confessin# what you have in God. 8eclare that your needs are met because the (ord says so (see /hili$$ians ,!1F).

J34536" ;F >ee$ "our /eace

Only fear the Lord and serve 2im faithfully 'ith all your heart( for consider ho' great are the things 2e has done for you. % !MD<L %4$4#

*o have $eace, +ee$ your eyes on God. Get alone to fellowshi$ with 'im. If you have to #et in a closet and sit in the middle of all your shoes and han# clothes over your head to hide in order to find solitude, do itG *hen focus on all that God has done for you. Jesus said to #o to your most $rivate room when you $ray to the Bather, and 'e will reward you o$enly for the time you s$end with 'im (see Catthew 0!0). 8on9t miss out on God9s abundant blessin#s for your life.

J34536" /re$are to )ove 2thers

Ahe night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop +fling a'ay, the 'orks and deeds of darkness and put on the 0full1 armor of light. >OM!? %5$%4 :efore your feet touch the floor in the mornin#, $ut on the full armor of God with which you can Euench all the fiery darts of the enemy (see <$hesians 0!1-1 1@). /ut on the belt of truth, the breast$late of ri#hteousness, and the readiness of the #os$el of $eace. 8on9t let the devil steal your $eace in the mornin#. 7tart tal+in# to God before you even #et out of bed. *ell 'im, I love "ou, )ord, and I need "our hel$ today. /lease stren#then me to wal+ in the fruit of the 7$irit. 'el$ me wal+ in love all day lon#. 'el$ me to +ee$ my thou#hts on "ou, )ord.

J34536" -1 <njoy =onfident *rust

In peace I 'ill /oth lie do'n and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me d'ell in safety and confident trust. P !LM #$&

7ome $eo$le feel their lives are an emotional mess, but they have a ri#ht to stability. *here is stability, $eace, and $ower in the $resence of God. /eo$le don9t have to let their emotions control them. they can learn to dwell in the secret $lace of the Cost 'i#h. *he (ord says, '< ('2 dwells in the secret $lace of the Cost 'i#h shall remain stable and fi%ed under the shadow of the 3lmi#hty H(hose $ower no foe can withstandI. I will say of the )ord, 'e is my 6efu#e and my Bortress, my God. on 'im I lean and rely, and in 'im I HconfidentlyI trustG (/salm F1!11 ;). *hat is why we should dwell in that $lace where we e%$erience the $resence of the 3lmi#hty.

B<:6536" 1 (ait (ith /ur$ose

My 0inner1 self 0as 'ell as my /ody1 is also eBceedingly distur/ed and trou/led. .ut You, O Lord, ho' long 0until You return and speak peace to me1@ >eturn 0to my relief1, O Lord, deliver my life( save me for the sake of Your steadfast love and mercy. P !LM -$5- # 3void #ettin# ne#ative when you loo+ at your circumstances. 3ctively wait on God to #ive you stren#th to wal+ in the fruit of the 7$irit (Galatians ?!;;1 ;-). (ait with $ur$ose, silently listenin# for 'im to s$ea+, ea#erly watchin# for 'im to act. *ell 'im, )ord, I receive stren#th to be "our ambassador and witness. "our (ord tells me to love $eo$le who mistreat me. *hou#h it is hard to do in the natural, I receive stren#th from "ou to be lovin# today. *hen watch for the o$$ortunity to act #odly as 'e #ives you stren#th to do so.

B<:6536" ; :e /roactive
2ave mercy and /e gracious to me( grant strength +might and infleBi/ility to temptation, to Your servant. P !LM &-$%Jesus warned 'is disci$les about all that 'e was to #o throu#h, because 'e +new it would be difficult for them too. 'e said, /ray that you won9t be tem$ted (see Catthew 0!1-. ;0!,1). 'e didn9t say, (ait to $ray until you have been tem$ted, or until you have #iven in to tem$tation, or until you are u$ to your nec+ in sin and $erversionG Jesus teaches us to be $roactive, which (ebster defines as actin# in antici$ation of future $roblems, needs, or chan#es. Cany Israelites had already died from sna+e bites before the rest of them finally said, /ray for us, Coses, for we have sinned (see 4umbers ;1!,1 F). *hey should have reco#niDed their need for God9s hel$ much sooner than they didG 8on9t wait until you are in trouble to see+ God. 3s+ 'im to +ee$ you from bein# tem$ted to sin today.

B<:6536" )et God 7tren#then "ou

My life dissolves and 'eeps itself a'ay for heaviness( raise me up and strengthen me according to 0the promises of1 Your 'ord. >emove from me the 'ay of falsehood and unfaithfulness 0to You1, and graciously impart Your la' to me. P !LM %%"$4&- 4" (e need to be stren#thened and renewed on a daily basis. (e need to be stren#thened $hysically, mentally, and emotionally. (e need to be stron# so we do not fall a$art every time we have to face some situation we had not $lanned on. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and 'e e%$ects us to develo$ stability in our lives. (e can be stren#thened and renewed by drawin# stren#th from God, by e%ercisin# our faith, and by doin# what 'e tells us to do.

B<:6536" , :e 7ecure
I love You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my trength. Ahe Lord is my >ock, my 6ortress, and my )eliverer( my 3od, my keen and firm trength in Whom I 'ill trust and take refuge, my hield, and the 2orn of my salvation, my 2igh Ao'er. P !LM %&$%- 4 God can stren#then us to the $oint that we can ma+e $ro#ress even durin# trouble. *he $salmist said of God, 'e ma+es my feet li+e hinds9 feet Hable to stand firmly or ma+e $ro#ress on the dan#erous hei#hts of testin# and troubleI . . . "ou have #irded me with stren#th for the battle (/salm 1A!--, -F em$hasis mine). *rials and testin# do not come to cause us to lose stability. *hey are o$$ortunities to $rove the stren#th of God. (e don9t have to waver in our confidence. 4othin# will +ee$ us from ma+in# $ro#ress today because God is our stren#th.

B<:6536" ? :e 7tron#
Ahe Lord is my trength and my 0impenetra/le1 hield( my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on 2im, and I am helped( therefore my heart greatly re8oices, and 'ith my song 'ill I praise 2im. Ahe Lord is their 0unyielding1 trength, and 2e is the tronghold of salvation to 0me1 2is anointed. P !LM 4&$9- & (e can $lan to be worn out before we ever feel tired. I used to e%$ect to be totally wi$ed out $hysically and emotionally after my conferences. *hen I $rayed that as I $oured ener#y and stren#th into obeyin# God, 'e would $our ener#y and stren#th bac+ into me. *he :ible says that #ivin# is sowin# a seed that will rea$ a harvest (Galatians 0!@1 1 ). If we #ive our stren#th, we will rea$ God9s stren#th. (e should e%$ect a harvest of stren#th in our life, as we serve the )ord. 'e will anoint us with stren#th today, if we call on 'im to do so.

B<:6536" 0 Ca+e 3djustments

!dding your diligence 0to the divine promises1, employ every effort in eBercising your faith to develop virtue +eBcellence, resolution, =hristian energy,, and in 0eBercising1 virtue 0develop1 kno'ledge +intelligence,. 4 P<A<> %$:

7ometimes we have to ma+e a few adjustments in our lifestyle to follow wisdom. (e may have to say no to too much activity. 'ebrews 11!1 teaches that faith is the assurance of thin#s we do not see now. :ut, li+e God, we can call those thin#s that be not, as thou#h they are (see 6omans ,!1@). *his s$iritual $rinci$le a$$lies in the ne#ative realm as well as in the $ositive realm. 7o we may need to ma+e some adjustments to the thin#s we say. If you feel that it is hard to #et u$ in the mornin#, don9t say, I am too tired. Get all of that wea+, tired, wim$y, Euitter, #ive1u$ tal+ out of your vocabulary. Instead, say, :ecause the )ord is my stren#th, I can do whatever I need to do today.

B<:6536" @ God (ill 'el$ "ou

Ahe Lord 'ill give 0unyielding and impenetra/le1 strength to 2is people( the Lord 'ill /less 2is people 'ith peace. P !LM 4"$%%

God has been showin# me that we need to be aware of 'is $resent $rovisions now, and not in the future. In /salm ;A!@ 8avid said of God, I am hel$ed. therefore my heart #reatly rejoices, and with my son# will I $raise 'im. 'e did not say, I will be hel$ed. (ait on God, because God9s hel$ will stren#then you to behave in a #odly way all day lon#, if you trust in 'im. <ven while you wait on God to manifest 'is $lan, your heart can #reatly rejoice in 'is $resence. *ell someone somethin# #ood that God has done for you, and then watch 'im move in the $resence of your $raise.

B<:6536" A 2ffer "ourself Breely

We are the s'eet fragrance of =hrist 0'hich eBhales1 unto 3od. 4 =O>I?A2I!? 4$%:

*he :ible says that every mornin# God9s $eo$le brou#ht freewill offerin#s to 'im. *hey all had various sacrifices such as animals, #rains, and cereals (see <%odus -?). God wants us to offer our lives in dedicated service to him. *he :ible says that God is $leased with our sacrifice of $raise (see 'ebrews 1-!1?), and that our $rayers #o u$ before God as a sweet1smellin# sacrifice. 'e wants us to brin# ourselves to 'im every mornin# and say, God, here I am. I want to be a livin# sacrifice.

B<:6536" F 7acrifice "ourself to 7erve

I3ive, and it 'ill /e given to you. ! good measure, pressed do'n, shaken together and running over, 'ill /e poured into your lap. 6or 'ith the measure you use, it 'ill /e measured to you.J LDH< -$5& ?IC 8o you +now what 6omans 1;!1 means when it says that we are to offer ourselves as a livin# sacrificeJ It means that we are to be alive with the $ower, Deal, and enthusiasm that any born1a#ain $erson ou#ht to have. It means we are to be e%cited about Jesus. (e are to offer our mouths, our thou#hts, our words, our attitudes, our bodies, our hands, and our feet to 'im to use to continue 'is ministry. *his may mean that we do not #et everythin# we want in life, but anythin# we #ive u$ for the sa+e of the Gos$el, Jesus has said we will receive bac+ a hundred times in this lifetime (see Car+ 1 !;F1 - ). <njoy God9s blessin#s now. 2ffer yourself for service and watch the blessin#s return.

B<:6536" 1 7acrifice /raise

Hno', recogniFe, and understand therefore this day and turn your 0mind and1 heart to it that the Lord is 3od in the heavens a/ove and upon the earth /eneath( there is no other. )<DA<>O?OMY #$5" /raisin# God starts your day ri#ht. 7tart than+in# God as soon as you #et out of bed in the mornin#. 'ebrews 1-!1? says, )et us constantly and at all times offer u$ to God a sacrifice of $raise, which is the fruit of li$s that than+fully ac+nowled#e and confess and #lorify 'is name. Jesus said, (hoever believes in me, as the 7cri$ture has said, streams of livin# water will flow from within him (John @!-A 4IL). 3c+nowled#e the )ord, and drin+ that livin# water.

B<:6536" 11 <nter 'is Gates

You shall 0reverently1 fear the Lord your 3od( you shall serve 2im and cling to 2im, and /y 2is name and presence you shall s'ear. 2e is your praise( 2e is your 3od, Who has done for you these great and terri/le things 'hich your eyes have seen. )<DA<>O?OMY %7$47- 4% It is not #ood to feel #rum$y when we wa+e u$. =om$lainin# won9t brin# us into the $resence of God. /salm 1 !, says that we are to enter 'is #ates with than+s#ivin# and 'is courts with $raise. (ithout than+s#ivin# we won9t even #et into the #ateG If we want to enter into God9s $resence, we must lay aside all murmurin# and com$lainin#. 3n irritable attitude may be +ee$in# you from enjoyin# God9s $resence. <ach mornin# loo+ at all you have to than+ God for, and then enter into your day with $raise for all 'e has done for you.

B<:6536" 1; Give 7omethin# 3way

Yes, the Lord 'ill give 'hat is good, and our land 'ill yield its increase. >ighteousness shall go /efore 2im and shall make 2is footsteps a 'ay in 'hich to 'alk. P !LM &:$%4- %5 God is the ultimate Giver. 'e e%$ects nothin# less than for us to follow 'is e%am$le. I challen#e you to #ive away somethin# every day of your life. "ou may thin+ you won9t have anythin# left if you do that, but if you #ive as the )ord leads you to do, soon you will receive so much that you will have to fi#ure out where to $ut it all. God #ives you bread to eat and seed to sow (see ; =orinthians F!1 ). 7ome thin#s that God sends your way are #iven as seed for you to sow into the lives of others. 3s+ God to show you what 'e wants you to #ive away.

B<:6536" 1)ive 5nselfishly

Ahe people curse him 'ho holds /ack grain 0'hen the pu/lic needs it1, /ut a /lessing 0from 3od and man1 is upon the head of him 'ho sells it. 2e 'ho diligently seeks good seeks 03odEs1 favor. P>OC<>. %%$4--49 I believe stron#ly in livin# a #ivin# lifestyle. I was selfish for years before I finally realiDed that joy comes in #ivin# and reachin# out to other $eo$le. (e don9t need to be afraid of losin# our #oods or endin# u$ with nothin#, because the (ord of God is true. "ou will #et joyful when you be#in to thin+ about how you can bless somebody else. =onsecrate your #ift to God, sayin#, )ord, I #ive myself to "ou. I renew my vow, and my commitment to obey "ou. I want to stay stron# in "ou, so I see+ "our face. :less me, and ma+e me to be a blessin# to others.

B<:6536" 1, :less 7omebody

!nd let us not lose heart and gro' 'eary and faint in acting no/ly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season 'e shall reap, if 'e do not loosen and relaB our courage and faint. 3!L!AI!? -$" *he (ord says, )et each one of us ma+e it a $ractice to $lease (ma+e ha$$y) his nei#hbor for his #ood and for his true welfare, to edify him Hto stren#then him and build him u$ s$irituallyI (6omans 1?!;). *his tells me that we need to have our mind full of ways to bless $eo$le. <arly in the day, thin+ u$ somethin# you want to do to bless someone. *hin+ u$ somethin# you can do to sur$rise somebody or to ma+e somebody ha$$y. "ou will be amaDed at how Euic+ly the )ord leads you to somethin# #ood you can do for someone. Joy comes from #ivin# on 'is behalf.

B<:6536" 1? :e 'onest (ith God

I 'ill 'ash my hands in innocence, and go a/out Your altar, O Lord, that I may make the voice of thanksgiving heard and may tell of all Your 'ondrous 'orks. P !LM 4-$-- 9 <ach mornin# we need to come clean with God. If there is anythin# between us and God, when we try to $ray and #et into 'is $resence, it will bother us until we deal honestly with it. God wants us to confess our faults. I have found over the years in a ministry of dealin# with other $eo$le, and also in dealin# with my own flesh, that we don9t really li+e to confront wron#doin# as we should. Cost of us li+e to ma+e e%cuses, but e%cuses +ee$ us deceived. 3n e%cuse is a reason stuffed with a lie. *he :ible says that the truth will set us free (John A!-;). 'onesty with God will free us to enjoy our whole day.

B<:6536" 10 6eceive Cercy

!ll the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those 'ho keep 2is covenant and 2is testimonies. P !LM 4:$%7 *he Israelites were lost in the wilderness because they didn9t believe that their $roblems were their own fault. *hey blamed Coses, God, and everybody else for their sorrows. *hey refused to ta+e res$onsibility for their sins, and their unwillin#ness to re$ent +e$t them from enterin# the $romised land. (hen you tal+ with God, be sure to as+ for for#iveness. If we HfreelyI admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, 'e is faithful and just (true to 'is own nature and $romises) and will for#ive our sins Hdismiss our lawlessnessI and HcontinuouslyI cleanse us from all unri#hteousness Heverythin# not in conformity to 'is will in $ur$ose, thou#ht, and actionI (1 John 1!F). 6e$ent in the mornin# to enjoy God9s mercy, for#iveness, and love all day.

B<:6536" 1@ 6eceive God9s Gifts

If you are 'illing and o/edient, you shall eat the good of the land. I !I!2 %$%" (hat #ood is it to have a #lass of water, if we won9t drin+ itJ 2ur thirst will not be Euenched until we do. Jesus said, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Ce and drin+G (John @!-@). 'e said that if we have any +ind of need, we are to as+ 'im for what we want, and then receive it. *he #ood thin#s of God are available to those who sim$ly surrender themselves to 'im and acce$t 'is blessin#s and mercy. /eo$le be# God for for#iveness but for#et to say, I receive that for#iveness ri#ht now. I believe I am for#iven. Cercy is a free #ift. "ou can9t earn it, you can9t deserve it, and you can9t buy it. *he only thin# you can do is receive it. Just humble yourself, and acce$t God9s for#iveness.

B<:6536" 1A 3bound in Grace

!nd 3od is a/le to make all grace a/ound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you 'ill a/ound in every good 'ork. 4 =O>I?A2I!? "$& ?IC Cy definition of #et is to obtain by stru##le and effort, and receive is to act li+e a rece$tacle and sim$ly ta+e in what is offered. (e can receive mercy, #race, stren#th, for#iveness, and love from the )ord. It is a new day&and God9s mercy is new every mornin# (see )amentations -!;;1 ;-). "ou can have a brand new start today. 3llow God9s mercy to stren#then and heal you before startin# your routine activities. 6eceive 'is healin# $ower, and let its #race wor+ in you. *oday can be effortless as you de$end on God9s #race to do what 'e has called you to do.

B<:6536" 1F 3$$roach God9s *hrone

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and /oldly dra' near to the throne of grace +the throne of 3odEs unmerited favor to us sinners,, that 'e may receive mercy 0for our failures1 and find grace to help in good time for every need 0appropriate help and 'ell-timed help, coming 8ust 'hen 'e need it1. 2<.><W #$%(hat a #reat 'i#h /riest we have in Jesus. 'e understands our e%$eriences, and 'e +nows what it is li+e to live in a human body. 'e $ositioned 'imself to #o throu#h the same +ind of tem$tations we do, but 'e didn9t #ive in to them. 'e +nows that the tem$ter lies in wait for us, and 'e +nows we need 'is mercy and stren#th. (e still fall short even when we have the best intentions to do #ood. God tells us to receive, not strive to #et, but just to receive new mercy for each day.

B<:6536" ; :e *ransformed
.ut no' put a'ay and rid yourselves 0completely1 of all these things$ anger, rage, /ad feeling to'ard others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed a/use and shameful utterances from your lips; . . . !nd . . . clothe . . . yourselves 'ith the ne' 0spiritual self1, 'hich is 0ever in the process of /eing1 rene'ed and remolded into 0fuller and more perfect kno'ledge upon1 kno'ledge after the image +the likeness, of 2im Who created it. =OLO I!? 5$&,%7

If you want your life to be different, $ray to receive God9s transformin# $ower. 7im$ly say! God, $lease for#ive my sins and chan#e me into the $erson "ou want me to be. I +now "ou are wor+in# in me, ri#ht now, because I have come to "ou. "ou have said that if I abide in "our (ord and come into "our $resence, I will be chan#ed from #lory to #lory into "our ima#e. *han+ "ou, )ord, for chan#in# me today. :elievin# that God is at wor+ to chan#e you will brin# its manifestation.

B<:6536" ;1 7im$ly :elieve

We 'ho first hoped in =hrist 0'ho first put our confidence in 2im have /een destined and appointed to1 live for the praise of 2is glory; <P2< I!? %$%4 In the world, you don9t believe anythin# until you see it. (hen you $ray, believe that you receive, and you will #et the manifestation of it. In God9s +in#dom, you have to believe it first, and then you see it. Jesus said, If you believe, you will receive whatever you as+ for in $rayer (Catthew ;1!;; 4IL). God9s ear is turned toward those who $ray to 'im in faith. /eter was the only one who wal+ed on water besides Jesus, but he was also the only one who #ot out of the boat. 5ntil you ma+e a decision to believe, and then act on it, nothin# will ha$$en.

B<:6536" ;; *hrow 3way <%cuses

I 'ill call upon the Lord, Who is to /e praised( so shall I /e saved from my enemies. P !LM %&$5 In 8euteronomy @!11 ;, God instructed 'is $eo$le to utterly destroy their enemies. *hey were to show no mercy. (hen God tells us it is time to deal with our ne#ative, faithless attitudes, it is time to throw away our e%cuses. 4o more rationaliDin#, (ell, everybody else is ne#ative. why should I be any differentJ Get some thin#s over with in your life today. Get rid of bad habits and ne#ative attitudes and move on with the future God has for you. /ray! )ord, $lease hel$ me to chan#e. 7how me the root of my $roblem and how to #et over it. I want $ositive chan#es in my life.

B<:6536" ;<njoy Bor#iveness

.lessed +happy, fortunate, to /e envied, is the man to 'hom the Lord imputes no ini*uity and in 'hose spirit there is no deceit. P !LM 54$4 If we aren9t livin# the way God has instructed us to live, we will be miserable until we confess our sins. 2nce we thorou#hly #et everythin# out in the o$en before the )ord, 'e #ives us the $ower to be set free from our sins! :)<77<8 ('3//", fortunate, to be envied) is he who has for#iveness of his trans#ression continually e%ercised u$on him, whose sin is covered (/salm -;!1). *he (ord says that God desires truth in our inner bein# (see /salm ?1!0). 7o we need to be honest with ourselves and with God, if we want to enjoy the blessin# of God9s for#iveness. 3s+ God to show you what needs to be chan#ed in your life, and trust 'is for#ivin# $ower to continually brin# about those chan#es in you.

B<:6536" ;, 7ee+ God <arly

!nd in the morning, long /efore daylight, 2e got up and 'ent out to a deserted place, and there 2e prayed. M!>H %$5:

(hen Jesus told us to abide in 'im and in 'is (ord, 'e used the Gree+ word meno, which is translated in 7tron#9s concordance as continue, dwell, endure, be $resent, remain, stand, tarry. (e are to s$end time with God&continually. (hen we do, we #et in the flow of 'is $lan for our day. (e are not told just to wish for everythin# to wor+ to#ether. we are told to see+ God for a fresh word each day. If we see+ 'im early in the day, we will have a word in due season to share with others (see /roverbs 1?!;-). (e can succeed at what God calls us to do, if we listen for 'is instructions. 'e has said, If you see+ Ce early and dili#ently, you will find Ce (see /roverbs A!1@).

B<:6536" ;? Get 3lone (ith God

.ut 'hen you pray, go into your 0most1 private room, and, closing the door, pray to your 6ather, Who is in secret( and your 6ather, Who sees in secret, 'ill re'ard you in the open. M!AA2<W -$-

Jesus rose early to be alone with God, but /eter $ursued 'im to let 'im +now that everyone was loo+in# for 'im (see Car+ 1!-?1 -0). (hen you #et alone to $ray, it may seem that everybody tries to hunt you down. :ut Jesus sou#ht time alone with God so 'e could focus on 'is $ur$ose. (e see the scenario of Jesus $rayin# alone and then meetin# the needs of others a#ain and a#ain. Jesus went throu#hout Galilee $reachin# and drivin# out demons. (hen a le$er be##ed to be clean, Jesus touched him, and the le$rosy com$letely left him (see Car+ 1!-F1 ,;). If Jesus needed to be alone with the Bather before 'e ministered to others, so do we.

B<:6536" ;0 7$ea+ God9s Cind

2ear, for I 'ill speak eBcellent and princely things( and the opening of my lips shall /e for right things. P>OC<>. &$-

2ne of our bi##est mista+es we ma+e is that we sometimes answer $eo$le too Euic+ly, just #ivin# them somethin# off the to$ of our head. 2nly a fool utters his whole mind (see /roverbs ;F!11 >JL). *hose who s$ea+ freEuently and hastily are always in trouble, as the :ible says, *here are those who s$ea+ rashly, li+e the $iercin# of a sword, but the ton#ue of the wise brin#s healin# (/roverbs 1;!1A). Jesus o$erated in wisdom. 'e always +new just the ri#ht thin# to say, at just the ri#ht moment, to astound everybody. If we don9t s$end enou#h time with God, we will say the wron# thin# at the wron# time. 8ecide to wait on God before s$ea+in# your mind today.

B<:6536" ;@ :e Billed (ith *ruth

.ecause he has set his love upon Me, therefore 'ill I deliver him( I 'ill set him on high, /ecause he kno's and understands My name 0has a personal kno'ledge of My mercy, love, and kindnessKtrusts and relies on Me, kno'ing I 'ill never forsake him, no, never1. P !LM "%$%# 8on9t let the devil have your thou#hts first thin# in the mornin#. :e#in early to #et your day started ri#ht. 3s soon as you wa+e u$, tell the )ord you love 'im. *ell 'im you need 'im and are de$endin# on 'im. 6ead 'is (ord and confess 'is $romises as you $re$are for the day. )isten to teachin# ta$es while you are drivin# to wor+. Bill yourself with +nowled#e of God9s truth. 8on9t tal+ yourself into a disaster before the day even be#ins. Instead say, I am the ri#hteousness of God in =hrist. because 'e is with me today, I will rejoice in all thin#s.

B<:6536" ;A 7tay In 3#reement

Hno' the 3od of your father 0have personal kno'ledge of 2im, /e ac*uainted 'ith, and understand 2im( appreciate, heed, and cherish 2im1 and serve 2im 'ith a /lameless heart and a 'illing mind. 6or the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the 'anderings of the thoughts. If you seek 2im 0in*uiring for and of 2im and re*uiring 2im as your first and vital necessity1 you 'ill find 2im. % =2>O?I=L< 4&$"

God9s (ord reveals a wonderful $lan for your life. It shows how God sees you, and what 'e has for you throu#h Jesus =hrist. >ee$ your thou#hts and words in a#reement with God9s (ord. 7ay, <verythin# I lay my hand to $ros$ers and succeeds. I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. I am blessed #oin# in and #oin# out. *he blessin#s of God chase me down and overta+e me. God is on my side. I am blessed to be a blessin# to everyone I meet today.

B<:6536" ;F 2bey Muic+ly

Lesus then said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Moses did not give you the .read from heaven 0'hat Moses gave you 'as not the .read from heaven1, /ut it is My 6ather Who gives you the true heavenly .read. LO2? -$54 Jesus said to as+ God for daily bread (see Catthew 0!11). 'e also called 'imself the :read of )ife (see John 0!-?). 7ee+ God9s direction in the mornin# to #ather 'is daily words for you. "ou will feel well nourished all day lon#. 2bey Euic+ly if God tells you to do somethin#. <ven if God #ives you a difficult tas+, don9t $ut it off and dread it all day. 3braham rose early to offer Isaac on the altar. God blessed his obedience and $rovided an acce$table sacrifice in $lace of Isaac (see Genesis ;;!11 1,). 8avid rose u$ early on the mornin# that he was to +ill Goliath, and throu#h him, God delivered the Israelites from their enemies (see 1 7amuel 1@!; 1 ?-). 'e will bless and deliver you too.

C36=' 1 :rea+ Bree Brom :onda#es

Ahe hum/le shall see it and /e glad( you 'ho seek 3od, in*uiring for and re*uiring 2im 0as your first need1, let your hearts revive and live; P !LM -"$54 If it is still hard to start your day ri#ht, $ray this $rayer! )ord, I stru##le in ta+in# time to fellowshi$ with "ou and read "our (ord. I +now that s$endin# time with "ou is not a law, it is a $rivile#e. It is somethin# that benefits my life. I $ray that the bonda#es, the lies of 7atan that +ee$ me out of the $rayer closet and away from time with "ou, will be bro+en off of me. 'el$ me to see clearly that this is somethin# I must do to live in victory. I $ray for an anointin# that will draw me into "our $resence and cause me to run after "ou. 'el$ me to #et every mornin# started ri#ht.

C36=' ; (a+e 5$ (ith /raise

My mouth shall praise You 'ith 8oyful lips 'hen I remem/er You upon my /ed and meditate on You in the night 'atches. 6or You have /een my help. P !LM -5$:- 9 Cany $eo$le never have a decent finish to their day because they let the enemy +ee$ them from startin# it ri#ht. 7atan tries to ca$ture our thou#hts early in the mornin#. 'e wants to #et us thin+in# about all the wron# thin#s as soon as we wa+e u$. 'is intent is to steal our $eace by u$settin# us as soon as our alarm #oes off. 'e is always wor+in# to set us u$ to #et us u$set. *hat is why it is im$ortant to learn how to defeat the devil early each day. <very mornin# is a new o$$ortunity to start your day ri#ht. /raise God as soon as your eyes o$en to a new day.

C36=' =lin# *o God

My 'hole /eing follo's hard after You and clings closely to You( Your right hand upholds me. P !LM -5$& *he (ord of God has much to say about mornin#. 8avid started his day $rayin# and listenin# to God. 'e instructed the $riests to stand every mornin# to than+ and $raise the )ord, and li+ewise at evenin#. 'e said *he )ord has #iven $eace and rest to 'is $eo$le (see 1 =hronicles ;-!;?1 - ). Cany times we $ray and $ray, but, li+e )ot, we don9t listen. Bor e%am$le, an#els $rom$ted )ot early in the mornin# to flee from 7odom and avoid its comin# destruction (see Genesis 1F!1?). (e can avoid disasters when we wait on God9s instructions before actin#. 3 #reat be#innin# leads to a #reat finish. :e#in your day with than+s#ivin# and $raise, and in the evenin# before you rest, than+ the )ord a#ain for a #reat day.

C36=' , 3nswers (ill =ome

Wait and hope for and eBpect the Lord( /e /rave and of good courage and let your heart /e stout and enduring. P !LM 49$%#

I used to wa+e u$ wishin# it was ni#ht, and at ni#ht I wished it was mornin#. I was not enjoyin# my life. 4ow I loo+ forward to each day. God arran#ed life in twenty1four1hour $eriods. we slee$ for a while, and then wa+e u$ refreshed to start all over a#ain. God intended every mornin# to be a brand new start, a fresh o$$ortunity. (e can #o to bed feelin# ho$eless and worn out, thin+in#, I just don9t believe I can #o on. :ut somehow a #ood ni#ht9s rest renews us, and we wa+e u$ with faith a#ain, thin+in#, Caybe today my brea+throu#h will come, and I will #et an answer. I can ma+e it one more day. 7o than+ God for mornin#s.

C36=' ? 7$ea+ )ife

)eath and life are in the po'er of the tongue, and they 'ho indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it 0for death or life1. P>OC<>. %&$4%

If we ride to wor+ with somebody and #ossi$ about our boss and tal+ about how we hate our job and what a stu$id $lace it is, we will have a bad day. *he :ible says, 3 man9s HmoralI self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. and with the conseEuence of his words he must be satisfied Hwhether #ood or evilI (/roverbs 1A!; ). =learly, we will have to eat our words, so we need to tal+ about the ri#ht thin#s to be ha$$y. If we murmur and #ossi$, we will eat the fruit of death. :ut if we s$ea+ life, we will eat the fruit of the 7$irit (see Catthew 1;!-@). =hoose to eat #ood fruit today.

C36=' 0 :e /re$ared
What does the Lord your 3od re*uire of you /ut 0reverently1 to fear the Lord your 3od, 0that is1 to 'alk in all 2is 'ays, and to love 2im, and to serve the Lord your 3od 'ith all your 0mind and1 heart and 'ith your entire /eing. )<DA<>O?OMY %7$%4 =om$lainin# is death, and than+s#ivin# is life. "et there are $eo$le who com$lain on their way to church while ho$in# to receive blessin#s. *hey don9t understand that com$lainin# +ee$s them from #ettin# what they want. *hey don9t come $re$ared to receive blessin#s in the )ord9s $resence. /re$are yourself for blessin#s by offerin# than+s#ivin# for what God has already done for you. *he (ord says, Bor by your words you will be justified and acEuitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced (Catthew 1;!-@). =hoose your words wisely today, and $re$are yourself for God9s blessin#s.

C36=' @ (orshi$ (ith "our (hole 'eart

I 'ill cry to 3od Most 2igh, Who performs on my /ehalf and re'ards me 0Who /rings to pass 2is purposes for me and surely completes them1; P !LM :9$4 Great worshi$ leaders +now to come into the $resence of God with their entire bein#, $re$ared to #ive than+s and $raise (see 8euteronomy 1 !1;). *hey don9t just roll out of bed, throw water on their face, and run a comb throu#h their hair before church. *hey +now that the anointin# comes from a sincere $ursuit of lovin# God with their whole heart. )i+ewise, as you a$$roach God in the mornin#, come to 'im with a heart full of worshi$, e%$ressin# your awe of 'im for 'is faithfulness toward you. 'e $romises that 'e will never forsa+e you, but will be with you all day lon# (see Joshua 1!?).

C36=' A Bind Muiet *ime

Ahe 0reverent1 fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever( the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to /e desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold( they are s'eeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycom/. P !LM %"$"- %7

7ometimes I set aside the entire day just to be with God. I sto$ everythin# and see+ 'im. I +now I am not #oin# to hear from God if I don9t #et Euiet on $ur$ose by that time set aside for 'im. It is so im$ortant to have some down time to be alone and just sit Euietly. "ou may thin+ you don9t have time, but if somebody was #ivin# out thousand1 dollar bills at the mall, you would find time to #et there. 8on9t use the time to try to fi#ure out somethin#. just be still and available to the )ord9s attention.

C36=' F Increase "our 8ays

.ehold, the LordEs eye is upon those 'ho fear 2im 0'ho revere and 'orship 2im 'ith a'e1, 'ho 'ait for 2im and hope in 2is mercy and lovingkindness, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. P !LM 55$%&- %"

(hen I tal+ about see+in# God early, many $eo$le thin+ they will have to #et u$ at three o9cloc+ in the mornin#GI am not tryin# to tell you how to do it. I am not even su##estin# that you $ray for an hour. I am just sayin# that some way, somehow, if you want to start your whole day ri#ht, you must find time to see+ God9s wisdom in the mornin#. *ime with God adds years to your lifeG God is ea#er to #ive us insi#ht and understandin#. 'is (ord says, Bor by me H(isdom from GodI your days shall be multi$lied, and the years of your life shall be increased (/roverbs F!11).

C36=' 1 6efill "our /eace

It is the Lord Who goes /efore you( 2e 'ill 0march1 'ith you( 2e 'ill not fail you or let you go or forsake you( 0let there /e no co'ardice or flinching, /ut1 fear not, neither /ecome /roken 0in spirit1 +depressed, dismayed, and unnerved 'ith alarm,. )<DA<>O?OMY 5%$&

Cany times, believers with =hristian bum$er stic+ers on their cars are seen drivin# around li+e craDy $eo$le, yellin# at their +ids, throwin# their hands in the air, and loo+in# mad at the world. If there isn9t any $eace in our heart when we leave home, our bum$er stic+ers are not #oin# to im$ress anybody. (e need to #et ourselves strai#htened out before we #o out. /ray, Cy HinnerI self Has well as my bodyI is also e%ceedin#ly disturbed and troubled. :ut "ou, 2 )ord, how lon# Huntil "ou return and s$ea+ $eace to meIJ (/salm 0!-). )et God refill you with $eace.

C36=' 11 /ut God Birst

.ut seek +aim at and strive after, first of all 2is kingdom and 2is righteousness +2is 'ay of doing and /eing right,, and then all these things taken together 'ill /e given you /esides. M!AA2<W -$55 I have learned that s$endin# time with God is a vital necessity in my life. I cannot do what I am called to do if I don9t see+ the $resence of God every day. If I don9t have time for God first, nothin# else in my life wor+s out. God isn9t ha$$y with second $lace or third $lace in our lives. (hen we are des$erate enou#h, we find time to see+ God. (e turn the tele$hone off, we say no to our friends, and we turn our face away from all distractions and see+ 'im. *hat is when we #et our brea+throu#h.

C36=' 1; Go *o "our 6oomG

!nd I have filled him 'ith the pirit of 3od, in 'isdom and a/ility, in understanding and intelligence, and in kno'ledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship. <GO)D 5%$5

Cy children didn9t li+e it when I started s$endin# time alone to see+ God. *hey said, "ou9re always in that room. 2ne day I told them, "ou9d better be #lad I am in that room, because it is ma+in# your life a whole lot better. If you were smart, you would be# me to #o to my room, instead of callin# me to come out. 4e%t time you find yourself screamin#, rantin#, ravin#, and carryin# on at your children (or anyone else), e%cuse yourself and say, I am #oin# to my room. *a+e time to as+ God what 'e thin+s of everythin# that is #oin# on. "ou will Euic+ly #et your day started over ri#ht.

C36=' 17low 8own

Peace I leave 'ith you( My 0o'n1 peace I no' give and /e*ueath to you. ?ot as the 'orld gives do I give to you. )o not let your hearts /e trou/led, neither let them /e afraid. 0 top allo'ing yourselves to /e agitated and distur/ed( and do not permit yourselves to /e fearful and intimidated and co'ardly and unsettled.1 LO2? %#$49 'urryin# affects our s$iritual life. Jesus wasn9t in a hurry. (e can9t even $icture 'im jum$in# u$ and sayin# to 'is disci$les, =ome on, boys, #et u$. 5$, u$, u$, u$G Get this cam$ meetin# cleaned u$. =ome on, we have to #et to the ne%t town. (e have some $reachin# to do. Get the camels $ac+ed u$, boys. )et9s #o, let9s #oG (hen we thin+ about Jesus, we $icture $eace. 'e went slow enou#h to hear from God all day lon#. (e should set our $ace with 'is today.

C36=' 1, *urn 8own *he 4oise

Aake My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle +meek, and hum/le +lo'ly, in heart, and you 'ill find rest +relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and /lessed *uiet, for your souls. M!AA2<W %%$4"

4oisy $eo$le don9t hear from God. 3nd we don9t hear from 'im when we are ma+in# noise, or when everythin# around us is noisy. *he only +ind of noise you should have in the mornin# is my television $ro#ram. that9s all (I am teasin#). :ut don9t turn on the radio or television just for noise. )earn how to #et comfortable bein# Euiet. *he :ible says, :ut whoso hear+ens to me H(isdomI shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be Euiet, without fear or dread of evil (/roverbs 1!--).

C36=' 1? )in#er In God9s /resence

.e still and rest in the Lord( 'ait for 2im and patiently lean yourself upon 2im. P !LM 59$9 7ometimes in our conferences, we just han# out in God9s $resence. (e sin# and worshi$ 'im, and soon we enjoy the freshness of 'is marvelous wonder. (hen we sense God is wor+in# in $eo$le9s hearts, we don9t worry about our meetin# schedule or a#enda. (e set everythin# aside to just enjoy 'is awesome $ower wor+in# amon# 'is $eo$le. Cany who came feelin# bad are refreshed, and the sic+ are healed durin# this time of worshi$ and waitin# on the )ord. It ha$$ens all the time&there is healin# in God9s $resence. If you feel discoura#ed, 'e will cheer you u$. If you feel tired, 'e will stren#then you. Just sit in 'is $resence and wait for 'im to move in your life.

C36=' 10 Bocus 2n God9s /romises

6or I the Lord your 3od hold your right hand( I am the Lord, Who says to you, 6ear not( I 'ill help you; I !I!2 #%$%5 *he )ord says to you this mornin# the same thin# 'e told Jacob in a dream! I am with you and will +ee$ (watch over you with care, ta+e notice of) you wherever you may #o, and I will brin# you bac+ to this land. for I will not leave you until I have done all of which I have told you. (Genesis ;A!1?). >ee$ your mind on this $romise in s$ite of any news you may hear that tem$ts you to be afraid today. God $romises to be with you, watch over you with care, ta+e notice of you wherever you may #o, and brin# you bac+ a#ain. 'e says 'e will not leave you, and 'e will com$lete all the $romises 'e has made to you. *his means that no wea$on formed a#ainst you will $ros$er (see Isaiah ?,!1@).

C36=' 1@ 6ededicate "ourself

O Lord, 0earnestly1 remem/er no' ho' I have 'alked /efore You in faithfulness and truth and 'ith a 'hole heart 0entirely devoted to You1 and have done 'hat is good in Your sight. 4 HI?3 47$5 3nd Jacob awo+e from his slee$ and he said, 7urely the )ord is in this $lace and I did not +now it (Genesis ;A!10). Cany times the )ord is with us, and we don9t even +now it. God is there with you even when circumstances seem out of control. 'e is already wor+in# everythin# to#ether for your #ood. 3nd Jacob rose early in the mornin# and too+ the stone he had $ut under his head, and he set it u$ for a $illar (a monument to the vision in his dream), and he $oured oil on its to$ Hin dedicationI (v. 1A). )i+ewise, we should rededicate ourselves to God every mornin#.

C36=' 1A Give "our 3ll *o God

.efore I formed you in the 'om/ I kne' 0and1 approved of you 0as My chosen instrument1, and /efore you 'ere /orn I separated and set you apart, consecrating you( 0and1 I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. L<><MI!2 %$: <very day you need to #ive yourself entirely to God. 7ay, )ord, I am "ours. I want to be a vessel fit for "our use. I dedicate myself to "ou! I #ive "ou my hands, my mouth, my mind, my body, my money, and my time. Bather, here I am. I am "ours. do with me whatever "ou want to do today. 2nce you dedicate yourself to God, then #o on about your business. :ut e%$ect 'is leadin# all day lon#. )isten for 'is voice to direct you in the way you should #o. 3cce$t the challen#e to be an instrument for the )ord9s use today.

C36=' 1F Gras$ <very =hance

I 'ill keep Your la' continually, forever and ever 0hearing, receiving, loving, and o/eying it1. P !LM %%"$## "ou can meet with God while lyin# in bed. "ou don9t have to be in a $rivate room, with the door closed, bowed down on your +nees to meet God. "ou can meet 'im in the shower, while drivin# to wor+, or when stuc+ in a traffic jam. I am not su##estin# that you shouldn9t set a$art time for God. :ut you should also ta+e advanta#e of any time you do have that you could be tal+in# and listenin# to the )ord. 8on9t wait to tal+ to 'im until you have a full hour to s$end with 'im. Gras$ every minute you can find to o$en your ears to 'is voice. *a+e advanta#e of the idle moments already available to you and s$end them with God.

C36=' ; Ca+e 3 Bresh =ommitment

2onor the Lord 'ith your capital and sufficiency 0from righteous la/ors1 and 'ith the firstfruits of all your income( so shall your storage places /e filled 'ith plenty, and your vats shall /e overflo'ing 'ith ne' 'ine. P>OC<>. 5$"- %7 *he $arable of the talents (see Catthew ;?!1,1 - ) instructs us to use what God #ives to us to e%$and the Caster9s +in#dom. Invest yourself, your time, and your money in the )ord9s wor+. 6ededicate your finances to God today. Ca+e a fresh commitment to be a #iver. 8on9t let the devil tal+ you out of #ivin# just because you have bills to $ay and obli#ations that cause you to worry. In Catthew 0!;?1 -, Jesus said not to be an%ious about anythin#, for God +nows your needs and $romises to care for you.

C36=' ;1 =onsecrate "our Coney

!nd 3od is a/le to make all grace +every favor and earthly /lessing, come to you in a/undance, so that you may al'ays and under all circumstances and 'hatever the need /e self-sufficient 0possessing enough to re*uire no aid or support and furnished in a/undance for every good 'ork and charita/le donation1. 4 =O>I?A2I!? "$&

*he a$ostle /aul said that the believers in Cacedonia not only #ave their money to God, but they also #ave themselves to the )ord9s service (see ; =orinthians A!11 ?). /aul too #ave his life in service to God9s $eo$le. Cany $eo$le want to receive all they can from God, but they are not willin# to #ive all of themselves to 'im. If you have never dedicated yourself to the )ord9s service, you are missin# a #reat adventure. 8edicate this day to 'im. 'e will lead you on a $ath to victory.

C36=' ;; =onsecrate "our )ife

2e 'ho /rings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me( and he 'ho orders his 'ay aright 0'ho prepares the 'ay that I may sho' him1, to him I 'ill demonstrate the salvation of 3od. P !LM :7$45

(hen I minister to $eo$le, I share with them my life and my family. (e tell about our victories and our failures. (e tell about our mista+es, the stu$id thin#s we do, and the wise thin#s we do. (e #ive the testimony of our lives to hel$ others live victoriously too. 7omeone needs your life today. Give your life to God, and let 'im show you who needs ministry on 'is behalf. Give 'im everythin# that you are, everythin# you ho$e to be, all your dreams, all your visions, all your ho$es, and desires. Ca+e everythin# 'is, and 'e will demonstrate 'is $ower throu#h your life.

C36=' ;=onsecrate "our Couth

I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assem/ly 0tidings of uprightness and right standing 'ith 3od1. .ehold, I have not restrained my lips, as You kno', O Lord. P !LM #7$" (hat would ha$$en if every mornin# we #ave our mouth to God so that only #odly thin#s came out of our li$sJ /salm -,!1- says, >ee$ your ton#ue from evil and your li$s from s$ea+in# deceit. 8edicate your mouth to God and use it only for what $leases 'im! $raise and worshi$ and edification and e%hortation and #ivin# than+s. /ut your li$s on the altar each mornin#. Give your mouth to God throu#h $rayin# 'is (ord! 2 )ord, o$en my li$s, and my mouth shall show forth "our $raise (/salm ?1!1?).

C36=' ;, >now God Intimately

>e8oice in the Lord al'ays 0delight, gladden yourselves in 2im1( again I say, >e8oice; P2ILIPPI!? #$# In /hili$$ians -!1 the a$ostle /aul wrote, HBor my determined $ur$ose isI that I may +now 'im Hthat I may $ro#ressively become more dee$ly and intimately acEuainted with 'im, $erceivin# and reco#niDin# and understandin# the wonders of 'is /erson more stron#ly and more clearlyI, and that I may in that same way come to +now the $ower outflowin# from 'is resurrection Hwhich it e%erts over believersI. 3s you #row in the +nowled#e of God, you will #et so ha$$y you will run the devil ri#ht out of your life. 8ecide that today will be dedicated to reco#niDin# God9s $ower at wor+ in your life. >ee$ your mind on whatever is ri#ht and true and lovely and $ure and of a #ood re$ort (see /hili$$ians ,!A).

C36=' ;? 7tart (ith /raise

Ahrough 2im, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to 3od a sacrifice of praise, 'hich is the fruit of lips that thankfully ackno'ledge and confess and glorify 2is name. 2<.><W %5$%:

Coses rose early in the mornin#, built an altar, and offered burnt offerin#s and $eace offerin#s to God. *hen he $rayed and read the :oo+ of the =ovenant (see <%odus ;,!11@). *han+fully, God no lon#er as+s us to build an altar out of roc+s, slau#hter a bull, drain its blood, and build a fire in order to honor 'im with a burnt sacrifice. God doesn9t want a dead sacrifice anymore. 'e wants us, livin# sacrifices, full of Deal to serve 'im each day. 3ll we have to do is wa+e u$ and say, *han+ "ou, )ord. I #ive "ou the sacrifice of $raise. I #ive "ou myself, a livin# sacrifice, ready to live for "ou today.

C36=' ;0 :e God9s 3mbassador

!nd 0pray1 also for me, that 0freedom of1 utterance may /e given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim /oldly the mystery of the good ne's +the 3ospel,, for 'hich I am an am/assador in a coupling chain 0in prison. Pray1 that I may declare it /oldly and courageously, as I ought to do. <P2< I!? -$%"- 47

If you start your day ri#ht, you will have a better day, and you will be a better witness for the )ord. 8edicate yourself to God afresh each mornin#. *ell 'im, )ord, I #ive "ou the #ifts and talents that "ou $ut in me. I want to use them for "our #lory. I want to lead somebody to "ou. /ut in my $ath someone to whom I can minister, someone I can encoura#e. 'el$ me to be a blessin# to someone today. )ord, I want to be "our ambassador and re$resent "ou today.

C36=' ;@ /etition (ith *han+s#ivin#

!nd 3odEs peace 0shall /e yours, that tran*uil state of a soul assured of its salvation through =hrist, and so fearing nothing from 3od and /eing content 'ith its earthly lot of 'hatever sort that is, that peace1 'hich transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in =hrist Lesus. P2ILIPPI!? #$9 (e can $etition the )ord for thin#s we need every mornin#. God9s (ord tells us to lay our reEuests before 'im! 8o not fret or have any an%iety about anythin#, but in every circumstance and in everythin#, by $rayer and $etition (definite reEuests), with than+s#ivin#, continue to ma+e your wants +nown to God (/hili$$ians ,!0). :ut don9t s$end all your time with God $etitionin# for thin#s. "ou are out of balance if your $etitions outwei#h your $raise and than+s#ivin#. 3 heart full of than+fulness will ma+e any day better.

C36=' ;A God (ill :ri#hten "our 8ay

2e set himself to seek 3od . . . and as long as he sought +in*uired of, yearned for, the Lord, 3od made him prosper. 4 =2>O?I=L< 4-$: Jesus #ot u$ early in the mornin#, lon# before dayli#ht, and went out to a deserted $lace, and $rayed&'e #ot alone (see Car+ 1!-?). *here were so many $eo$le who followed Jesus everywhere 'e went that 'e $robably wouldn9t have had any time alone if 'e hadn9t #otten u$ really early. If you aren9t a mornin# $erson, the thou#ht of #ettin# u$ early may ma+e you nervous. :ut you can deci$her for yourself what early means for you. 4ine o9cloc+ is early if you are used to stayin# in bed until noon. <ven if you only #et u$ fifteen minutes earlier than usual to have some time alone with God, you will still honor 'im, and that time with 'im, will ma+e your whole day bri#hter.

C36=' ;F <njoy *he /ursuit

.lessed +happy, fortunate, to /e envied, is he 'ho considers the 'eak and the poor( the Lord 'ill deliver him in the time of evil and trou/le. P !LM #%$% 8o you ever feel that no matter where you #o, somebody $ursues you and hunts you downJ 8oes someone seem to need somethin# every time you start doin# what you set out to doJ 7omeone needs a ride to school, or somebody for#ets their lunch, and before you +now it, half your day is wasted. Jesus +nows what it is li+e to be $ursued, but 'e was never u$set by it. 3s soon as 'e ministered to everyone in one $lace, 'e went to the ne%t town to find more $eo$le who needed 'im. 'e never said, )eave Ce alone. 3s+ God to show you the needs of $eo$le throu#h the eyes of Jesus today, and your days will never be wasted.

C36=' /re$are Bor Cinistry

You prepare a ta/le /efore me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head 'ith oil( my 0/rimming1 cup runs over. urely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follo' me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord 0and 2is presence1 shall /e my d'elling place. P !LM 45$:- <very day offers o$$ortunities to be in ministry. 7omeone will always need a hel$in# hand, but you won9t minister well if you don9t $re$are yourself by s$endin# time with God. /eo$le can tell when you have had intimate moments with God recently, and also when you haven9t. *he )ord anoints us to meet the needs of others, but if we are not bein# filled by 'im, we will hinder the flow of 'is healin# oil in our lives. 7ee+ God early, before someone calls and needs your hel$.

C36=' -1 2$erate In (isdom

Oh, the depth of the riches and 'isdom and kno'ledge of 3od; 2o' unfathoma/le +inscruta/le, unsearcha/le, are 2is 8udgments +2is decisions,; !nd ho' untracea/le +mysterious, undiscovera/le, are 2is 'ays +2is methods, 2is paths,; >OM!? %%$55 (ithout wisdom we can ma+e $oor decisions and later wonder why we didn9t $ray first. It is wise to see+ God early each day before we start ma+in# decisions in order to +now ahead of time what we ou#ht to do, and then to receive the #race to do it. (isdom +ee$s us from a life of re#ret. Jesus o$erated in wisdom. (hen others went home to rest, Jesus went to the Count of 2lives to s$end time with God. 3nd early in the mornin# (at dawn), 'e came bac+ into the tem$le and tau#ht $eo$le (see John @!?-1 A!;). Jesus always s$ent time with the Bather before facin# the crowds. If Jesus needed time with God, we need even more time with 'im. (al+ in wisdom today.

3/6I) 1 6ealiDe God9s =ontinual /resence

Ahough a sinner does evil a hundred times and his days 0seemingly1 are prolonged 0in his 'ickedness1, yet surely I kno' that it 'ill /e 'ell 'ith those 'ho 0reverently1 fear 3od, 'ho revere and 'orship 2im, realiFing 2is continual presence. <==L< I! A< &$%4 "ou can form such a habit of $rayer that you will wa+e u$ in the mornin# tal+in# to God. "ou can fall aslee$ at ni#ht tal+in# to God, and wa+e u$ in the middle of the ni#ht still tal+in# to 'im. *he (ord calls it $rayer without ceasin# (see ; *imothy 1!-). I have learned to start my day with $rayer and just +ee$ $rayin# all day. I $ray when I see somebody hurtin#. I $ray if I don9t feel #ood. I $ray when I feel hurried. /rayer is conversation with God. It is sim$ly bein# aware of 'is continual $resence and ac+nowled#in# 'im in all of our ways. If we do, 'e $romises to direct our $ath to a $lace of $eace and victory (see /roverbs -!0).

3/6I) ; Muit =om$lainin#

Whoso is 'ise 0if there /e any truly 'ise1 'ill o/serve and heed these things( and they 'ill diligently consider the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord. P !LM %79$#5 *oday than+ God and decide not to com$lain about anythin#. 3s+ 'im to show you anytime you are #ettin# ready to com$lain, and to hel$ you hold your ton#ue. *oday, #ive than+s for what you have without loo+in# at what you don9t have. 7ome $eo$le have the same $roblems you have, but they don9t +now God. 3t least you can #ive than+s that God is in your life. *he (ord says, )et there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corru$t) tal+, nor coarse jestin#, which are not fittin# or becomin#. but instead voice your than+fulness Hto GodI (<$hesians ?!,). Guard your ton#ue today.

3/6I) /ray :efore 3nswerin#

6or 0of course1 I 'ill not venture +presume, to speak thus of any 'ork eBcept 'hat =hrist has actually done through me 0as an instrument in 2is hands1 to 'in o/edience from the 3entiles, /y 'ord and deed. >OM!? %:$%& *he Bather has sent to us a =ounselor&the 7$irit of *ruth&who teaches us all thin#s (see John 1,!10,1@,;0). 3s we stay sensitive to God9s leadin#, 'e will direct us. If we $ray before s$ea+in#, the )ord will +ee$ us from overcommittin# our time, and from misleadin# $eo$le. Jesus too+ time to listen to the Bather before s$ea+in#. God will also #ive us a word in due season for somebody (see /roverbs 1?!;-), if we listen for 'is in$ut before we #ive what we may thin+ is a ri#ht answer. God will #ive us the ri#ht words to say if we e%$ectantly listen for 'is direction before we s$ea+.

3/6I) , 3im 'i#herG

Aherefore I do not run uncertainly +'ithout definite aim,. I do not /oB like one /eating the air and striking 'ithout an adversary. .ut 0like a /oBer1 I /uffet my /ody 0handle it roughly, discipline it /y hardships1 and su/due it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the 3ospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should /ecome unfit 0not stand the test, /e unapproved and re8ected as a counterfeit1. % =O>I?A2I!? "$4-- 49 <%cessive slee$ causes the downfall of many #ood $lans. "ou can set the cloc+ to #et u$ early and $ray, but your flesh is not #oin# to hel$ you #et u$ in the mornin#. "our body will nearly always be# for more slee$. 8on9t let your flesh rob you of time with God. 3im for the hi#her #oal, and wa+e u$ with your alarm to enjoy the best minutes of your day.

3/6I) ? 7tart Covin#

.less +affectionately, gratefully praise, the Lord . . . 'ho satisfies your mouth 0your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation1 'ith good so that your youth, rene'ed, is like the eagleEs 0strong, overcoming, soaring1; P !LM %75$%, : /roverbs 0!, says, Give not HunnecessaryI slee$ to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. *he :ible is sayin#, Get the slee$ you need, but then wa+e u$G *oo much slee$ brin#s $overty. It is li+e a robber who steals from you and ma+es you hel$less (see /roverbs 0!11). *oo little slee$ will ruin your day too. :ein# tired and cran+y doesn9t hel$ you hear from God. Ca+e rest a $riority, but then #et u$. 7tart movin# first thin# in the mornin#, sayin#, *han+ "ou, )ord, that I am alive for another day with "ou. I believe I am anointed to do what "ou as+ me to do today. Cy youth is renewed li+e the ea#le9s, just as "ou $romised.

3/6I) 0 )ove 4ot 7lee$

My eyes anticipate the night 'atches and I am a'ake /efore the cry of the 'atchman, that I may meditate on Your 'ord. P !LM %%"$%#& It is interestin# that our $o$ular #reetin# is Good mornin#. 7omewhere alon# the way, someone realiDed that if we #et started off ri#ht in the mornin#, we will have a #ood day. /roverbs ; !1- says, )ove not slee$, lest you come to $overty. o$en your eyes and you will be satisfied with bread. 3nd /salm ?@!A1 F encoura#es us to wa+e u$ ready to sin# $raises! 3wa+e, my #lory (my inner self). awa+e, har$ and lyreG I will awa+e ri#ht early HI will awa+en the dawnIG I will $raise and #ive than+s to "ou, 2 )ord, amon# the $eo$les. I will sin# $raises to "ou amon# the nations.

3/6I) @ Ca+e It 3 'abit

.esides this you kno' 'hat 0a critical1 hour this is, ho' it is high time no' for you to 'ake up out of your sleep +rouse to reality,. 6or salvation +final deliverance, is nearer to us no' than 'hen 'e first /elieved +adhered to, trusted in, and relied on =hrist, the Messiah,. >OM!? %5$%% *he (ord says that Jesus had a habit of #oin# u$ the mountain to s$end time with God. )u+e ;;!-F says, 3nd 'e came out and went, as was 'is habit, to the Count of 2lives, and the disci$les also followed 'im. Jesus formed a habit of communicatin# with God every mornin#. It has been said that if you do somethin# consistently for thirty days, it will become a habit. "ou can either ma+e or brea+ a habit by consistently doin# the same thin#. Bollow Jesus, and form a habit of startin# your day with $rayer.

3/6I) A 6eEuire God9s /resence

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that 'ill I seek, in*uire for, and 0insistently1 re*uire$ that I may d'ell in the house of the Lord 0in 2is presence1 all the days of my life, to /ehold and gaFe upon the /eauty 0the s'eet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness1 of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and in*uire in 2is temple. P !LM 49$# (hen I first became a =hristian, I didn9t desire to $ray as much as I do now. 3lthou#h I do s$end time with God every mornin#, I also s$end time with 'im all day. It seems that I wal+ in $rayer. In her $owerful boo+, <%$eriencin# God throu#h /rayer, Cadame Guyon says there is a difference between $rayin# to God and e%$eriencin# 'im. 3t first you must disci$line yourself to $ray, but eventually you will #ive yourself to the ocean of God9s love, and e%$erience 'is continual $resence.

3/6I) F /ray 3nywhere

.lessed +happy, fortunate, to /e envied, are those 'ho d'ell in Your house and Your presence( they 'ill /e singing Your praises all the day long. elah 0pause, and calmly think of that1; P !LM &#$# 2nce in the habit of s$endin# time with God, you will miss these encounters if you start your day without tal+in# and listenin# to 'im. "ou can s$end time with God anywhere, while doin# anythin#&in the #rocery store, or while cleanin# house, for e%am$le. I have had #reat encounters with God while drivin# my car. God is always listenin# for the sound of your voice callin# out to 'im. 8evelo$ a ready ear for 'is voice too. (hatever you have to do today, do it with the )ord. 3c+nowled#e 'im and tal+ to 'im about everythin#. "ou will #reatly enjoy 'is com$any.

3/6I) 1 *oday Cay :e 2ne of *hose 8ays

.e alert and on your guard( stand firm in your faith +your conviction respecting manEs relationship to 3od and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor /orn of faith and a part of it,. !ct like men and /e courageous( gro' in strength; % =O>I?A2I!? %-$%5 'ave you ever had one of those days where nothin# went ri#ht, yet you were hesitant to $ray because you didn9t +now where God mi#ht lead youJ God won9t always as+ you to do somethin#. sometimes 'e just wants to tal+ to you. If 'e does as+ you to do somethin#, 'e will anoint you to do it. "ou will enjoy the $resence of 'is $ower, and someone will be blessed by your obedience. *hose are the best days of your life. *a+e time to $ray this mornin#. *oday may be one of those days that God has a s$ecial assi#nment for you.

3/6I) 11 /raise God

<nter into 2is gates 'ith thanksgiving and a thank offering and into 2is courts 'ith praise; .e thankful and say so to 2im, /less and affectionately praise 2is name; P !LM %77$# *here are many o$$ortunities to $raise God throu#hout the day. If than+fulness for your many blessin#s suddenly rises in your heart, sto$ ri#ht then and tell the )ord how #rateful you are for all 'e has #iven you. 7ay, I worshi$ "ou, )ord, for "ou are worthy to be $raised. I need "ou, and I just want to tell "ou that I love "ou. *han+ "ou, Bather, for everythin#. *hen #o on with what you are doin# as if it is for 'im. "ou will be amaDed at how much fun everyday life becomes in the $resence of the )ord.

3/6I) 1; :e Bully 7atisfied

Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our 3od. 03ro'ing in grace1 they shall still /ring forth fruit in old age( they shall /e full of sap 0of spiritual vitality1 and 0rich in the1 verdure 0of trust, love, and contentment1. P !LM "4$%5- %# Cany $eo$le $ursue $ossessions and awards to satisfy their inner need for contentment. :ut we can be fully satisfied in lean times and in times of abundance, whether we abase or abound (see /hili$$ians ,!1;), when we learn to enjoy fellowshi$ with the )ord as soon as we wa+e u$. :efore you are fully awa+e, you can start tal+in# to God. Just than+ 'im for seein# you throu#h yesterday, and for bein# with you today. /raise 'im for $rovidin# for you, and for wor+in# out all the situations in your life for your #ood. 3s+ 'im to ma+e you aware of 'is $resence all day lon#. /eace fills your heart when your mind is on the )ord. 4othin# is more satisfyin# than wal+in# with God.

3/6I) 1'ave 3 Glad 'eart

6rom the fruit of his 'ords a man shall /e satisfied 'ith good, and the 'ork of a manEs hands shall come /ack to him 0as a harvest1. P>OC<>. %4$%# I used to live with an on#oin# sense of dread until I as+ed God to show me what was wron#. 'e s$o+e the words evil forebodin#s, and then showed me 'is (ord concernin# this subject! 3ll the days of the des$ondin# and afflicted are made evil Hby an%ious thou#hts and forebodin#sI, but he who has a #lad heart has a continual feast Hre#ardless of circumstancesI (/roverbs 1?!1?). 3n%ious thou#hts ma+e the day evil. If you e%$ect to have a dismal day, you will be un$leasant yourself. <vil forebodin#s ruin the day, but faith ma+es the heart #lad and brin#s miraculous results. If you want to have a #ood day, raise your e%$ectations to be in line with God9s (ord.

3/6I) 1, 8on9t 8read It

Ahe hand of the diligent 'ill rule, /ut the slothful 'ill /e put to forced la/or. P>OC<>. %4$4#

8on9t s$end your day loo+in# for somethin# easy to do instead of tac+lin# the hard thin#s that need to be done. 8o the hard thin#s first, the ones you disli+e the most, and #et them out of the way. Bor e%am$le, don9t loo+ at your distasteful jobs and thin+, I will do those later. *he hard tas+s will na# at you all day lon# and drain your ener#y for doin# the thin#s you want to do. *he s$irit of $assivity will rob you of $roductive ener#y, but you have the $ower of God in you to overcome $rocrastination. /ray and as+ God to hel$ you finish the tas+s you have been dreadin#. (or+ on what is im$ortant first, and soon they will no lon#er be rulin# or ruinin# your day.

3/6I) 1? 'ave =onfidence In God

?o un/elief or distrust made him 'aver +dou/tingly *uestion, concerning the promise of 3od, /ut he gre' strong and 'as empo'ered /y faith as he gave praise and glory to 3od, fully satisfied and assured that 3od 'as a/le and mighty to keep 2is 'ord and to do 'hat 2e had promised. >OM!? #$47- 4% 4o one believed 8avid could defeat the #iant, but 8avid wasn9t discoura#ed. 8avid had sou#ht the )ord early, which #ave him confidence in God to do what he was su$$osed to do that day. (hen 8avid +illed Goliath, he ran Euic+ly to the battlefield and $roclaimed victory in the name of the livin# God (see 1 7amuel 1@!; 1 ?,). /eo$le who rise early and see+ God #o forth to do what they must do with coura#e. 3s+ God for confidence to slay any #iants in your life that have set themselves a#ainst God9s $lan for you.

3/6I) 10 :e 3 :lessin#
You 'ill guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace 'hose mind 0/oth its inclination and its character1 is stayed on You, /ecause he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. I !I!2 4-$5 Galatians 0!1 says, :e mindful to be a blessin#, es$ecially to those of the household of faith. 7econd =orinthians 1 !? s$ea+s of castin# down ima#inations and every hi#h and lofty thin# that e%alts itself a#ainst the +nowled#e of God. In other words, +ee$ (set) your mind on God9s $romises and on what is relevant to 'is $lan for your life. 8on9t let your mind be ta+en ca$tive by the enemy. Instead, lead every thou#ht and $ur$ose away ca$tive into the obedience of =hrist. 8ecide to be a blessin# to everyone you meet today. Bor#ive anyone who has hurt you, and leave unresolved circumstances in God9s hands. 8on9t use today to relive yesterday. 7ay, I am movin# forward today, in Jesus9 name.

3/6I) 1@ God Gives 5s 3ll (e 4eed

!nd they 'ho kno' Your name 0'ho have eBperience and ac*uaintance 'ith Your mercy1 'ill lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those 'ho seek +in*uire of and for, You 0on the authority of 3odEs Word and the right of their necessity1. P !LM "$%7 In 'is (ord God has #iven us the tools we need to hel$ us throu#h each new day. 'e has #iven us the #arment of $raise for the s$irit of heaviness (Isaiah 01!- >JL). 7o, when you wa+e u$ in the mornin#, decide that no matter what ha$$ens, you will not be de$ressed today. /ut on the #arment of $raise first thin# in the mornin#. )isten to worshi$ful music, read the (ord, and renew your thou#hts to brin# them into line with what God says you are&ri#hteous and blessed. "ou can thin+ ri#ht, tal+ ri#ht, and act ri#ht all day, if you s$end time with God before trials come your way.

3/6I) 1A 7ome *hin#s 4ever 'a$$en

You 'ill sho' me the path of life( in Your presence is fullness of 8oy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. P !LM %-$%% Cany times we #et u$set about thin#s that never ha$$en. 7atan li+es to #et us an%ious about thin#s that are not even real $roblems. Jesus said, *he thief comes only in order to steal and +ill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) (John 1 !1 ). *he :ible says that the +in#dom of God is internal ri#hteousness, $eace, and joy in the 'oly Ghost (see 6omans 1,!1@). (hen we ma+e Jesus )ord of our heart, we have joy in our lives. 7atan has no ri#ht to steal from you today, so enjoy the #ood life that Jesus $aid for you to have.

3/6I) 1F )ove "ourself

Heep out of de/t and o'e no man anything, eBcept to love one another( for he 'ho loves his neigh/or 0'ho practices loving others1 has fulfilled the La' 0relating to oneEs fello'men, meeting all its re*uirements1. >OM!? %5$&

Jesus said, )ove your nei#hbor as yourself (see Catthew 1A!1F). 7o we need a healthy res$ect for ourself if we want to enjoy our relationshi$s with other $eo$le. If we don9t have a balanced love for ourselves, it is difficult to love others. )ife is no fun if we can9t enjoy other $eo$le, because they are everywhere we #oG 7ometimes it is difficult to #et alon# with $eo$le because they seem so different from us, but it is our differences that ma+e us need one another. God desi#ned us to need each other9s friendshi$s and talents. 8o somethin# nice for someone today. )et someone +now that you a$$reciate him or her.

3/6I) ; Get 3lon# (ith 2thers

.ut the meek 0in the end1 shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the a/undance of peace. P !LM 59$%% (e can learn to #et alon# with $eo$le. It is es$ecially im$ortant to learn to #et alon# with our immediate family members and cowor+ers. *here are many informative boo+s about $ersonality differences to hel$ us understand why $eo$le feel and act the way they do. 5nderstandin# hel$s to smooth over strained relationshi$s. /eo$le ma+e decisions differently. 7ome #ive an immediate answer, while others want time to thin+ about thin#s first. *ry to understand the $eo$le you will see today. 3s+ God to show you ways to #et alon# with them. 'e will #ive you favor as you trust in 'im.

3/6I) ;1 /ositive =han#e

.ear +endure, carry, one anotherEs /urdens and trou/lesome moral faults, and in this 'ay fulfill and o/serve perfectly the la' of =hrist +the Messiah, and complete 'hat is lacking 0in your o/edience to it1. 3!L!AI!? -$4 2ur ha$$iness and joy are not de$endent on whether or not other $eo$le do what we want them to do. (e may never be able to influence anyone else to do what we thin+ is ri#ht. :ut with God9s hel$, we can chan#e ourselves to brin# about the results we want in life. I have discovered that if I chan#e in a $ositive way, and if it is a $ermanent and stable chan#e, it almost always $rovo+es chan#e in the $eo$le around me. If you want your life to be different, as+ God to show you how you need to chan#e. 3cce$t others for who they are, and see how God wor+s in you to com$lete your joy.

3/6I) ;; )ive *o Bull /otential

6or you are /ecoming progressively ac*uainted 'ith and recogniFing more strongly and clearly the grace of our Lord Lesus =hrist +2is kindness, 2is gracious generosity, 2is undeserved favor and spiritual /lessing,, 0in1 that though 2e 'as 0so very1 rich, yet for your sakes 2e /ecame 0so very1 poor, in order that /y 2is poverty you might /ecome enriched +a/undantly supplied,. 4 =O>I?A2I!? &$" I used to wa+e u$ feelin# #uilty and condemned. I was full of jud#ment and criticism for every little mista+e I made. :ut that outloo+ creates $ressure inside of us that is a$t to e%$lode in the face of the first $erson who comes around. If you stru##le this way, be#in your day by readin# the (ord. >nowled#e of God9s mercy and for#iveness is vital in learnin# to love yourself so that you can love others. )ive today to its fullest $otential.

3/6I) ;3 5seful Lessel

o 'hoever cleanses himself 0from 'hat is igno/le and unclean, 'ho separates himself from contact 'ith contaminating and corrupting influences1 'ill 0then himself1 /e a vessel set apart and useful for honora/le and no/le purposes, consecrated and profita/le to the Master, fit and ready for any good 'ork. 4 AIMOA2Y 4$4% *he :ible refers to us as earthen vessels (see ; =orinthians ,!@). we are made of clay (see Isaiah 0,!A). God formed 3dam out of the dirt (see Genesis ;!@), and >in# 8avid said, 6emember )ord, that I am but dust (see /salm 1 -!1,). (hen we fill ourselves with God9s (ord, we become containers of 'is blessin#, ready to be $oured out for 'is use. God can even use crac+ed $otsG (e are all valuable to the )ord. (e can offer 'is truth to $eo$le everywhere we #o. 6ead God9s (ord before you #o about your routine today, and see how many $eo$le you can bless with the truth of 'is love.

3/6I) ;, 7how Jesus

!nd /ecome useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted +compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted,, forgiving one another 0readily and freely1, as 3od in =hrist forgave you. <P2< I!? #$54 I ho$e to show to everyone I meet the character of Jesus throu#h my words and actions. I $ray that everyone who contacts our ministry team will say! *hose $eo$le are full of Jesus. *hey are $atient, +ind, and sweet. (e are containers ca$able of bein# filled to overflowin# with the 7$irit of Jesus, who dwells in our hearts. If we understand that everywhere we #o we can demonstrate 'is character and virtue, we will be as the (ord says&li#hts in a dar+ world (see /hili$$ians ;!1?). Jesus called us the salt of the earth (see Catthew ?!1-). 7alt #ives flavor to what is otherwise bland or tasteless. :e salt today&at home, at your job, wherever you #o.

3/6I) ;? 7tay /lu##ed In

Let your light so shine /efore men that they may see your moral eBcellence and your praise'orthy, no/le, and good deeds and recogniFe and honor and praise and glorify your 6ather Who is in heaven. M!AA2<W :$%Jesus is the )i#ht of the world and 'e li#hts u$ those who come into relationshi$ with 'im. (hen Coses s$ent time in God9s $resence, his face became so bri#ht that he wore a veil because $eo$le feared to come near him (see <%odus -,!;F1 - ). 3s a lam$ must be $lu##ed into the electrical outlet to illuminate the dar+ness around it, so we must stay $lu##ed into God if we want our li#ht to shine before others. *he only way we can wal+ in love and behave the way we should is to $ray, read the (ord, and e%$erience fellowshi$ with God. 7tay $lu##ed in, and be a li#ht wherever you #o.

3/6I) ;0 8on9t Get 5$set

May 2e grant you out of the rich treasury of 2is glory to /e strengthened and reinforced 'ith mighty po'er in the inner man /y the 02oly1 pirit 02imself ind'elling your innermost /eing and personality1. <P2< I!? 5$%*he devil sets us u$ to #et u$set so that we act u#ly, throw fits, and ruin our witness of what God has done in our lives. (ithout God9s love flowin# throu#h us, it is hard to be nice to nice $eo$le, let alone to treat difficult $eo$le nicely. (e need God9s hel$ to live well. *he 'oly 7$irit will #ive you the $ower to wal+ in love everywhere you #o. 8on9t leave home without invitin# 'im to fill you with the #race to demonstrate God9s love and com$assion toward everyone you meet.

3/6I) ;@ 6eally =ome *o >now God

0I pray1 that you may /e filled 0through all your /eing1 unto all the fullness of 3od 0may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and /ecome a /ody 'holly filled and flooded 'ith 3od 2imself1; <P2< I!? 5$%" /aul was $rayin# for us (the church) when he said, I $ray that you mi#ht really come to +now, $ractically and e%$erientially for yourselves, the love of =hrist, which far sur$asses mere +nowled#e without e%$erience (see <$hesians -!1F). 'e +new that we needed to e%$erience the love of God $ersonally. 2ur faith is not de$endent on e%$eriences, but our relationshi$ with God is real, and we can e%$ect visitations from God. (e need times of God9s out$ourin# in which we +now, without a doubt, that 'e is movin# in our lives. :e#in the journey of #ettin# to +now God better and better. :e aware of 'is love for you all day.

3/6I) ;A 8esire Core 2f God

I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, sho' me no' Your 'ay, that I may kno' You 0progressively /ecome more deeply and intimately ac*uainted 'ith You, perceiving and recogniFing and understanding more strongly and clearly1 and that I may find favor in Your sight. !nd 0Lord, do1 consider that this nation is Your people. <GO)D 55$%5 3s you #et to +now God better, you will under#o a transition from just $rayin# durin# times of trouble to wantin# to serve 'im with everythin# you are, every breath you ta+e, and every talent you $ossess. (hen you fall in love with Jesus, you will crave more and more time with 'im. 2nce you offer your time, your money, and your #ifts to the )ord, you will want to s$end every day #ettin# to +now 'im more intimately. 3s+ God to fill your entire bein# with 'is fullness as you see+ 'im with all of your heart.

3/6I) ;F :e Billed (ith God

My mouth shall /e filled 'ith Your praise and 'ith Your honor all the day. P !LM 9%$& =onsider a#ain the verse from <$hesians -!1F! *hat you may be . . . a body wholly filled and flooded with God 'imselfG Ima#ine what your day will be li+e if your body is wholly filled with God. "ou will be a container, carryin# God everywhere you #o. It will affect your thou#hts, emotions, and actions. :ein# filled with the divine $resence of God will chan#e what you say, the entertainment you choose, and the $eo$le with whom you elect to s$end time. (hen we are born a#ain, Jesus comes to live in us as a seed. =arin# for that seed of new life by waterin# it with the (ord, nurturin# it throu#h direction, and weedin# out the sins in our lives ma+es the seed of 'is $resence #row bi##er and bi##er until it fills our entire bein#.

3/6I) :earin# Bruit

You have not chosen Me, /ut I have chosen you and I have appointed you 0I have planted you1, that you might go and /ear fruit and keep on /earing, and that your fruit may /e lasting 0that it may remain, a/ide1, so that 'hatever you ask the 6ather in My ?ame 0as presenting all that I !M1, 2e may give it to you. LO2? %:$%-

*he :ible says that we are blessed if our confidence is in the )ord. (e will be li+e trees $lanted by the waters that continue to bear fruit (see Jeremiah 1@!@1 A). I admit that sometimes, at the end of a day, we may feel that all of our fruit has been $ic+edG :ut God will re$lenish us if we abide in 'im. If we $ut our trust in God, we will bear all +inds of fruit, and will have new fruit to share with others every mornin#.

C3" 1 5se *he >eys

Ahey 'ho seek +in*uire of and re*uire, the Lord 0/y right of their need and on the authority of 2is Word1, none of them shall lack any /eneficial thing. P !LM 5#$%7 Jesus said, I will #ive you the +eys of the +in#dom of heaven. and whatever you bind (declare to be im$ro$er and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven. and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven (Catthew 10!1F). 3s a believer, you have authority to live a life of victory and to forbid the devil to torment you. It is not lawful for him to destroy you in heaven, so it is not lawful for him to destroy you durin# your days on earth. 5se the +eys of the +in#dom of heaven that Jesus has $assed to you. )oose God9s blessin#s u$on your efforts and bind the evil wor+s that come a#ainst the fruit of your labors today.

C3" ; :ro+enness Is Good

ho' Your marvelous loving-kindness, O You Who save /y Your right hand those 'ho trust and take refuge in You from those 'ho rise up against them. Heep and guard me as the pupil of Your eye( hide me in the shado' of Your 'ings. P !LM %9$9- & 8avid said, )ord, I am li+e a bro+en vessel (see /salm -1!1;). :ro+enness seems bad, but throu#h bro+enness we rid ourselves of the outer shell, the fleshly $arts of us, that need to be thrown off in order to brin# forth the #ood thin#s that are in us. 3ll of us need to be bro+en as 8avid was. we need to be totally de$endent on God to deliver us from evil. /ray today as 8avid did! :ut I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in "ou, 2 )ord. I said, "ou are my God (/salm -1!1,).

C3" :ro+en 3nd /oured 2ut

6or the on of Man is going to come in the glory +ma8esty, splendor, of 2is 6ather 'ith 2is angels, and then 2e 'ill render account and re'ard every man in accordance 'ith 'hat he has done. M!AA2<W %-$49 :e willin# to #ive your best to the )ord, and 'e will use your #ifts in ways beyond your ima#ination. *he lady with the alabaster jar of $erfume that was worth a year9s wa#es wanted to do somethin# for Jesus because she loved 'im. 7o she $oured out the e%$ensive $erfume on 'im, not realiDin# at the time that she was anointin# 'im for 'is burial (see Car+ 1,!11 F). God led her to #ive what she had, no matter how costly. 3s you $our out the #ifts God has #iven you, 'e will use them to $re$are the world for the second comin# of 'is son. "our obedience today will rea$ rewards in heaven that you are not aware of now.

C3" , :less /eo$le

6or you, /rethren, 'ere 0indeed1 called to freedom( only 0do not let your1 freedom /e an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or eBcuse 0for selfishness1, /ut through love you should serve one another. 3!L!AI!? :$%5 3s a believer in Jesus =hrist, you have wonderful, wonderful #ifts on the inside of you. "ou have the ability to ma+e others ha$$y today. "ou can encoura#e. "ou can edify. "ou can e%hort and u$lift. "ou can believe. "ou can $ray. "ou can lead somebody else to =hrist. /eo$le don9t have to have des$erate needs before we bless them. *he 'oly 7$irit will lead us to be #ood to $eo$le every day, if we will be sensitive to 'is voice. 2ffer your #ifts and talents to the )ord, and see what ha$$ens.

C3" ? 8o Good
Ahis message is most trust'orthy . . . so that those 'ho have /elieved in +trusted in, relied on, 3od may /e careful to apply themselves to honora/le occupations and to doing good, for such things are 0not only1 eBcellent and right 0in themselves1, /ut 0they are1 good and profita/le for the people. AIAD 5$& (hat an awesome thin# it is to be #ood to $eo$le. *he :ible says that God anointed Jesus with the 'oly 7$irit and with stren#th, ability, and $ower. and that 'e went about doin# #ood, for God was with 'im (see 3cts 1 !-A). Jesus s$ent 'is days bein# #ood to $eo$le&all $eo$le. 'e hel$ed and encoura#ed $eo$le everywhere 'e went. (e are anointed to bless $eo$le as Jesus did. God has #iven us the stren#th, ability, and $ower to do awesome wor+s in 'is name. 8o #ood all day&today.

C3" 0 'umble "ourself

Let this same attitude and purpose and 0hum/le1 mind /e in you 'hich 'as in =hrist Lesus$ 0Let 2im /e your eBample in humility1. P2ILIPPI!? 4$: 'umility comes from bro+enness. bro+enness hurts so bad, but it hurts #ood. :ro+enness comes when we learn that we are not hotshots after all. :ro+enness comes when we jud#e others, and then realiDe that we do the same thin#s they do. :ro+enness comes when we thin+ we are #oin# to ste$ out and do somethin# #reat, and then fall flat on our face because we for#ot to stay $lu##ed in to God. :ro+enness comes when we #ive our o$inion, +nowin# that we are absolutely ri#ht to the $oint of ar#uin# about it, and then find that we are wron#. :ro+enness is #ood for us. :ro+enness leads to humility, and humility $recedes honor (see /roverbs 1?!--).

C3" @ )et God :e <%alted

Ahe proud looks of man shall /e /rought lo', and the haughtiness of men shall /e hum/led( and the Lord alone shall /e eBalted in that day. I !I!2 4$%% 4one of us are where we need to be, but, than+ God, we are not where we used to be. 8on9t loo+ at what you are #oin# throu#h ri#ht now. loo+ at the $erson you are becomin#. (e are always in the $rocess of becomin# li+e =hrist (see ; =orinthians -!1A). :ro+enness hurts, but the alternative is much worse. *he (ord says, 'au#htiness comes before disaster, but humility before honor (/roverbs 1A!1;). /ray to be bendable, $liable, and moldable so that you will be more li+e =hrist in all that you do today. /ray to be bro+en so that the )ord may be e%alted in your life.

C3" A 3 /recious *reasure

!ll these 0gifts, achievements, a/ilities1 are inspired and /rought to pass /y one and the same 02oly1 pirit, Who apportions to each person individually 0eBactly1 as 2e chooses. % =O>I?A2I!? %4$%% In ; =orinthians ,!@, /aul says, (e $ossess this $recious treasure Hthe divine )i#ht of the Gos$elI in Hfrail, humanI vessels of earth, that the #randeur and e%ceedin# #reatness of the $ower may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. God uses frail $eo$le (crac+ed $otsG) to $roclaim the $ower of 'is #os$el. 'e could send an#els to $reach the #os$el, but 'e uses $lain, ordinary, everyday $eo$le to demonstrate 'is $ower. 'e fills us with divine #ifts, ins$ired and brou#ht to $ass by the 'oly 7$irit, and distributes them throu#hout 'is body of believers. )et us networ+ with God9s $eo$le today for the #reater #ood, as we wor+ to#ether to accom$lish 'is $ur$ose.

C3" F It Cust :e God

6or You cause my lamp to /e lighted and to shine( the Lord my 3od illumines my darkness. P !LM %&$4& *he :ible says that God wor+s throu#h our wea+ness so that the #randeur and e%ceedin# #reatness of the $ower in our lives may be shown to be from 'im and not from ourselves (see ; =orinthians ,!@). God uses ordinary $eo$le li+e us with flaws and crac+s in our $ots (our earthen vessels), so that $eo$le will +now that it has to be God wor+in# in us if we are doin# #ood wor+s. If $eo$le +new us before we trusted in Jesus, they es$ecially notice the difference that a few years of wal+in# with the )ord has made in our lives. (e become totally different creatures when we allow 'is love to shine throu#h our wea+nesses. (e may loo+ the same, but we don9t act the same. (e just ooDe with love when we are filled with God9s e%ceedin# #reatness. )et 'is #lorious li#ht shine throu#h you all day.

C3" 1 )i#ht 7hines *hrou#h =rac+ed /ots

Let not those 'ho 'ait and hope and look for You, O Lord of hosts, /e put to shame through me( let not those 'ho seek and in*uire for and re*uire You 0as their vital necessity1 /e /rought to confusion and dishonor through me, O 3od of Israel. P !LM -"$-

<veryone is li+e a $ot that carries life. :ut not everyone carries a $resence that blesses others. 6eli#ion tries to force $eo$le to follow laws to ma+e them $erfect, li+e $ots without crac+s. :ut if a li#ht is $ut within a flawless $ot and then covered, no one is able to see the li#ht inside the $ot. /erfect $ots are not able to reveal internal li#ht to illumine the way for others. God chooses to shine throu#h im$erfect, crac+ed $ots. /eo$le are blessed when our crac+ed $ots let the li#ht of Jesus shine throu#h. =hoose to be a #lory1 filled, crac+ed $ot rather than an em$ty, $retty vessel.

C3" 11 8ie *o 7in

!nd Peter ans'ered them, >epent +change your vie's and purpose to accept the 'ill of 3od in your inner selves instead of re8ecting it, and /e /aptiFed, every one of you, in the name of Lesus =hrist for the forgiveness of and release from your sins( and you shall receive the gift of the 2oly pirit. !=A 4$5& 8yin# to sin reEuires a daily commitment. (e all have wea+nesses, but that is why we need Jesus. 'e would have died for us in vain if we didn9t need 'im. <ach day we must as+ 'im to hel$ us with our $roblems and our flaws. 'e will save us from our sins, tem$ers, selfishness, jealousy, and #reed. (hen we become =hristians, our fleshly desire to sin doesn9t die in us, but Jesus will save us from our sins if we as+ 'im for stren#th to die to selfish desires and follow 'im.

C3" 1; Identify (ho "ou 3re

Let him turn a'ay from 'ickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace +harmony( undistur/edness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts, and seek it eagerly. 0)o not merely desire peaceful relations 'ith 3od, 'ith your fello'men, and 'ith yourself, /ut pursue, go after them;1 % P<A<> 5$%% /aul said, I want to do what is ri#ht, but I can9t (see 6omans @!1?1 ;?). 'e was a new $erson on the inside because he was born a#ain, but he still had to resist the tem$tation to sin. /aul e%$lained that the sin H$rinci$leI (v. ; ) continues to dwell in us. (e want to do ri#ht, but we don9t have the $ower to $erform it, because evil is ever $resent to tem$t us to do wron#. 2nly God can deliver us from this tendency to sin. that is why we must as+ 'im to deliver us from evil each day.

C3" 1<nlar#e "our =ircle 2f )ove

.ehold, ho' good and ho' pleasant it is for /rethren to d'ell together in unity; P !LM %55$%

(e can dress u$ and loo+ $retty on the outside, but God is more concerned about what is #oin# on inside us. (hen we jud#e others by the way they loo+, we fall into the devil9s tra$ of rejectin# everyone who does not a$$ear to be li+e us. /ur$osely enlar#e your circle of love today. 7ee+ ways to include others you may have $reviously overloo+ed. 3s+ God to hel$ you enlar#e your circle of love by ta+in# in $eo$le of all ty$es, colors, and bac+#rounds. /ray for eyes to see into $eo$le9s heart, and e%$ect to enjoy a #reat day.

C3" 1, (e 4eed <ach 2ther

!gain I tell you, if t'o of you on earth agree +harmoniFe together, make a symphony together, a/out 'hatever 0anything and everything1 they may ask, it 'ill come to pass and /e done for them /y My 6ather in heaven. M!AA2<W %&$%" (e need each other in the body of =hrist. Cen and women need each other&denominations need each other. I believe that when we #et to heaven, we will learn the truth about our differences. (e will learn that all of us were ri#ht about some thin#s and wron# about others. :ut even the thin#s we were ri#ht about won9t matter. God wants us to #et alon#, to sto$ fi#htin# with everyone over $etty thin#s we disa#ree about, and to be#in to find the thin#s we can a#ree about so that we may #et alon# with one another. /ractice loo+in# for ways to a#ree with other believers, and then watch what God does throu#h the unity of faith.

C3" 1? =hrist Is the /ower

!nd 3od also selected +deli/erately chose, 'hat in the 'orld is lo'/orn and insignificant and /randed and treated 'ith contempt, . . . so that no mortal man should 0have pretense for glorying and1 /oast in the presence of 3od. % =O>I?A2I!? %$4&- 4" :ut to those who are called, . . . =hrist HisI the /ower of God and the (isdom of God (1 =orinthians 1!;,). (hen God calls us to do somethin#, 'e enables us to do it. 6emember, God uses inadeEuate $eo$le to do im$ortant thin#s because that way 'e #ets the #lory. 7o if God calls you to do somethin# today that seems too bi# for you to handle, =hrist will #ive you the $ower and the wisdom that you need to do it. God has said to each of us, Cy stren#th and $ower are made $erfect (fulfilled and com$leted) and show themselves most effective in HyourI wea+ness (; =orinthians 1;!F).

C3" 10 God 5ses (hat 2thers *hrow 3way

!nd the Lord said to him, Who has made manEs mouth@ Or 'ho makes the dum/, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the /lind@ Is it not I, the Lord@ ?o' therefore go, and I 'ill /e 'ith your mouth and 'ill teach you 'hat you shall say. <GO)D #$%%- %4 God $ur$osely calls $eo$le to serve 'im who don9t +now how to do what 'e tells them to do. 'is tool chest is full of wea+ individuals who can9t seem to do thin#s ri#ht, crac+ed $ots whom the world treats with contem$t (1 =orinthians 1!;A). :ut God +nows that these individuals will de$end on 'im and will $ray, )ord, hel$ me, so that no mortal man should Hhave $retense for #loryin# andI boast in the $resence of God (1 =orinthians 1!;F). Mualify yourself for God9s tool chest today by tellin# someone what you have seen God do in your life.

C3" 1@ God <nables 5s

It is through 2im that 'e have received grace +3odEs unmerited favor, and 0our1 apostleship to promote o/edience to the faith and make disciples for 2is nameEs sake among all the nations, and this includes you, called of Lesus =hrist and invited 0as you are1 to /elong to 2im. >OM!? %$:- God #ives us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mournin#, and the #arment of $raise for the s$irit of heaviness (see Isaiah 01!-). God #ives us whatever we need to be victorious. :ecause 'e enables us, we credit 'im for all the #ood thin#s in our lives. Get u$ today and do the best you can, and then let God do the rest. 8on9t try to ma+e mista+es, don9t try to fail. but when you do, re$ent and #et thin#s strai#ht with God. If you need to a$olo#iDe to somebody, #o and a$olo#iDe. 6eceive your for#iveness, and #o on.

C3" 1A Grow =ontinually

6or this reason, since the day 'e heard a/out you, 'e have not stopped praying for you and asking 3od to fill you 'ith the kno'ledge of his 'ill through all spiritual 'isdom and understanding. !nd 'e pray this in order that you may live a life 'orthy of the Lord and may please him in every 'ay$ /earing fruit in every good 'ork, gro'ing in the kno'ledge of 3od. =OLO I!? %$"- %7 ?IC

God9s (ord encoura#es us to strive for $erfection by #rowin# into com$lete maturity of #odliness in mind and character, havin# inte#rity, as our heavenly Bather is $erfect (see Catthew ?!,A). /aul said that even thou#h he had not attained the ideal of $erfection, he $ressed on to #ras$ and ma+e his own that for which =hrist had laid hold of him (see /hili$$ians -!1;). (e, too, should $ress toward maturity and inte#rity today.

C3" 1F 6e$ent, 3nd Cove 2n

If 'e 0freely1 admit that 'e have sinned and confess our sins, 2e is faithful and 8ust +true to 2is o'n nature and promises, and 'ill forgive our sins 0dismiss our la'lessness1 and 0continuously1 cleanse us from all unrighteousness 0everything not in conformity to 2is 'ill in purpose, thought, and action1. % LO2? %$" It is im$ortant to be sincerely sorry if we do somethin# wron#, but it doesn9t hel$ anybody for us to o$enly mourn over everythin# that is wron# with us. (e will never mature in our faith if we stay an#ry at ourselves. (e are to re$ent of our sin, receive for#iveness of it, and then for#et it. (e must not dra# memories of our old behavior around with us all the time. 7ooner or later we have to let #o and say, (ell, I made a mista+e because I am just an old crac+ed $ot. *hen we must let God9s li#ht shine throu#h the holes in our surface.

C3" ; God (ants "our 'eart

.ut the Lord said to amuel, Look not on his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have re8ected him. 6or the Lord sees not as man sees( for man looks on the out'ard appearance, /ut the Lord looks on the heart. % !MD<L %-$9 6eli#ious teachin# turns our attention to our outward a$$earance, but it doesn9t em$ower us to clean u$ our inside thou#hts and intentions. Jesus called the reli#ious /harisees whitewashed tombs full of dead man9s bones (see Catthew ;-!;@), because they boasted of their $erfect obedience to the 'ebrew laws. :ut God didn9t see them as $erfect, because their hearts were not merciful as is 'is. God would rather have someone with a sweet, wonderful heart toward 'im, who ma+es mista+es, than somebody with a slic+ $erformance, who is rotten inside. (hen God loo+s at your heart today, let 'im find it wholly see+in# 'im.

C3" ;1 God )i+es *he (ay 'e Cade "ou

My frame 'as not hidden from You 'hen I 'as /eing formed in secret 0and1 intricately and curiously 'rought 0as if em/roidered 'ith various colors1 in the depths of the earth 0a region of darkness and mystery1. P !LM %5"$%: 'ave you ever as+ed God, (hy did "ou ma+e me this wayJ 7ometimes the thin#s that we thin+ are our worst faults, God will use to 'is #reatest #lory! :ut who are you, a mere man, to criticiDe and contradict and answer bac+ to GodJ (ill what is formed say to him that formed it, (hy have you made me thusJ (6omans F!; ). Jesus died so that we mi#ht enjoy our life in abundance and to the fullest until it overflows. "ou are not #oin# to enjoy your life if you don9t enjoy yourself. :e satisfied with yourself, and celebrate the uniEue way God made you.

C3" ;; )ive *o 7erve God

6or even the on of Man came not to have service rendered to 2im, /ut to serve, and to give 2is life as a ransom for +instead of, many. M!>H %7$#:

3s the $otter forms clay into vessels, some for honorable use and some for menial use, so God forms us to serve 'is $ur$ose. 6e#ardless of how our $osition in life may loo+ to others, we are all formed to serve the )ord in some way. If God made you to be a hel$er, then hel$ with all your heart. If you enjoy cleanin# houses for $eo$le, then do so as if you are cleanin# the )ord9s house. If you want to stay home with your children instead of earnin# e%tra income, don9t worry that God has called others to $ayin# $ositions outside the home. 8o whatever the )ord $uts in your heart to do&and enjoy fulfillin# your God1#iven $ur$ose.

C3" ;2nly God =an =han#e "ou

Ahe Lord 'ill sustain, refresh, and strengthen him on his /ed of languishing( all his /ed You 0O Lord1 'ill turn, change, and transform in his illness. I said, Lord, /e merciful and gracious to me( heal my inner self, for I have sinned against You. P !LM #%$5- # 8on9t obsess over your faults, or you will never enjoy the life that Jesus died to #ive you. 2nly God can chan#e you, so tal+ to 'im about your desires. *he (ord says that those who wait on the )ord will chan#e (see Isaiah , !-1). Ceanwhile, Euit ta+in# your flaws so seriously. 8on9t let discoura#ement or de$ression rob you of your ener#y and ma+e you an#ry. If you do, you may ta+e that an#er out on other $eo$le and miss the blessin#s God has in store for you today. <njoy yourself, and li#hten u$G *a+e the ri#ht ste$s today toward the chan#e you want to ma+e by as+in# God to hel$ you all day lon#.

C3" ;, (e 3re =arriers

Ahe Lord make 2is face to shine upon and enlighten you and /e gracious +kind, merciful, and giving favor, to you( the Lord lift up 2is 0approving1 countenance upon you and give you peace +tran*uility of heart and life continually,. ?DM.<> -$4:- 4)oo+in# at seemin#ly successful $eo$le and thin+in#, 2h, I wish I was li+e them, wastes much time. (e don9t +now their $roblems or their flaws. <veryone has trials, and we should than+ God for our own, because if we didn9t have $roblems, we wouldn9t need Jesus anymore. 6eveal to others the #lory of God9s $resence in your life by bein# #rateful for what 'e is doin# for you. 5nderstand that God $uts 'is treasures in earthen vessels, li+e us, so that those who don9t +now 'im will see 'is #randeur and #lory in us (see ; =orinthians ,!@). )et the li#ht of God shine throu#h your life today.

C3" ;? In 2ur (ea+ness 'e Is 7tron#

Yes, You are my >ock and my 6ortress( therefore for Your nameEs sake lead me and guide me. P !LM 5%$5 <ach of us has our own uniEue flaws, li+e crac+ed $ots. :ut if we will allow it, Jesus will use our flaws to #race 'is Bather9s table. In God9s #reat economy, nothin# #oes to waste. 7o as we see+ ways to minister to#ether and as God calls you to the tas+s 'e has a$$ointed for you, don9t be afraid of your flaws. 3c+nowled#e them and allow 'im to ta+e advanta#e of them so that you too can be a thin# of beauty in 'is $athway. Go out boldly, +nowin# that in our wea+nesses we will always find 'is stren#th. In =hrist the answer to every one of 'is $romises is "es, and for this reason we say, 3men, so be itG (see ; =orinthians 1!; ).

C3" ;0 'is 7tren#th Is /erfect

!nd 03od1 Who provides seed for the so'er and /read for eating 'ill also provide and multiply your 0resources for1 so'ing and increase the fruits of your righteousness 0'hich manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity1. 4 =O>I?A2I!? "$%7 *here are $eo$le who have a lot, but who do nothin# for others with what they have. 3nd there are $eo$le who have little, but who are able to do much with what they have. 5se what you have today, and don9t worry about what you don9t have. God will ma+e u$ the difference of what you lac+, if you will just #ive 'im what you can. God9s stren#th is always made $erfect in your wea+nesses. 8on9t a$olo#iDe for your shortcomin#s. instead, watch for God9s $resence to fill your void. :e the best that you can $ossibly be, and enjoy the #lory God receives throu#h your testimony every sin#le day.

C3" ;@ 8ecide *o :e /ositive

6or the rest, /rethren, 'hatever is true, 'hatever is 'orthy of reverence and is honora/le and seemly, 'hatever is 8ust, 'hatever is pure, 'hatever is lovely and lova/le, 'hatever is kind and 'insome and gracious, if there is any virtue and eBcellence, if there is anything 'orthy of praise, think on and 'eigh and take account of these things 0fiB your minds on them1. P2ILIPPI!? #$& 4e#ative $eo$le don9t enjoy life. Liewin# each day with $ositive e%$ectations is one of the +ey $rinci$les to #odly ha$$iness. (e act on what we believe, so $ositive thou#hts cause $ositive actions. If you want a $ositive life, be#in thin+in# $ositive thou#hts. It is easy to do so if you read the (ord and meditate on all that God wants to do for you and throu#h you. Get alone today, and thin+ about all the #ood, $ositive thin#s God has done for you in the $ast, and all 'e has $lanned for you in the future.

C3" ;A :less 7omeone *oday

In everything I have pointed out to you 0/y eBample1 that, /y 'orking diligently in this manner, 'e ought to assist the 'eak, /eing mindful of the 'ords of the Lord Lesus, ho' 2e 2imself said, It is more /lessed +makes one happier and more to /e envied, to give than to receive. !=A 47$5: *o have a healthy love wal+ today, s$end time this mornin# thin+in# about what you can do for somebody else. 8on9t wait for God to as+ you to do somethin#. ta+e the initiative and say, 2+ay God, what can I do to be a blessin# on "our behalf todayJ *he best days you live are the ones you s$end lovin# other $eo$le. =hoose a $articular $erson, and thin+ about ways to bless him or her. If you don9t +now what to do, just listen to what he or she says, and before lon# you will hear of that individual9s needs.

C3" ;F God >nows 3nd 7ees

Ahe secret 0of the s'eet, satisfying companionship1 of the Lord have they 'ho fear +revere and 'orship, 2im, and 2e 'ill sho' them 2is covenant and reveal to them its 0deep, inner1 meaning. P !LM 4:$%#

4obody else may see the thin#s you do, but God sees them all. <very time you $ray, God sees it. <very time you do an act of +indness secretly, God sees it and $lans a reward to #ive you o$enly (see Catthew 0!11 0). 7erve the )ord in all that you do today. *he (ord says, In the mornin# sow your seed, and in the evenin# withhold not your hands, for you +now not which shall $ros$er, whether this or that, or whether both ali+e will be #ood (<cclesiastes 11!0). God will $ros$er what you do for 'im.

C3" "ou =an =han#e

We 'ere /uried therefore 'ith 2im /y the /aptism into death, so that 8ust as =hrist 'as raised from the dead /y the glorious 0po'er1 of the 6ather, so 'e too might 0ha/itually1 live and /ehave in ne'ness of life. >OM!? -$#

"ou will never reach your destiny by thin+in# ne#ative thou#hts. (hen you first wa+e u$ in the mornin#, start sayin#, I love my life. It is wonderful. I than+ God for everythin# 'e has #iven me. "ou will do yourself a favor if you start thin+in# ri#ht thou#hts so that you will also choose ri#ht actions. 7owin# the ri#ht actions into your day will form new habits. 3s you be#in to o$erate in those new habits, you will chan#e in your character. 3nd as your character chan#es, you will move into the destiny that God has for you. :y God9s $ower you can live in newness of life.

C3" -1 <njoy =hallen#es

.ut it is good for me to dra' near to 3od( I have put my trust in the Lord 3od and made 2im my refuge, that I may tell of all Your 'orks. P !LM 95$4& 3nother +ey to startin# your day ri#ht is not to dread thin#s. 8on9t lie in bed dreadin# the whole day before you even #et u$. 8read is a close relative of the s$irit of fear. (hen dread enters, joy leaves. 8read sets you u$ for misery, because by choosin# to dread you decide that you cannot enjoy what you must do today. :e e%cited when you face new tests. =lose the door to the mindset of dread. 8ecide early to enjoy every challen#e that faces you today, +nowin# that God will be with you to ma+e your $ath strai#ht and to $ros$er in everythin# you set out to do.

J54< 1 'ave 3 4ew Cindset

=reate in me a clean heart, O 3od, and rene' a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit 'ithin me. P !LM :%$%7 (e set ourselves u$ either for misery or for joy by the mindset that we have toward the thin#s in our life. Cindsets are the $atterns in which our mind normally o$erates toward a certain determination. Bor e%am$le, when we loo+ at our schedule today, it may seem that there is far too much to do. :ut if we choose the mindset that God will hel$ us throu#h it, we will enjoy watchin# how everythin# falls into $lace. 6efuse to dread what must be done. Greet the day with a ri#ht attitude and a than+ful heart that you have a 7avior who is ready to rescue you from more than you can handle. <njoy yourself and say, I refuse to live in dread. I am #oin# to enjoy my life today.

J54< ; /erfect )ove =asts 2ut Bear

I have strength for all things in =hrist Who empo'ers me 0I am ready for anything and e*ual to anything through 2im Who infuses inner strength into me( I am self-sufficient in =hristEs sufficiency1. P2ILIPPI!? #$%5

8read is a relative of fear. *he devil tem$ts us with dread to #et us to confess fear instead of faith. :ut 1 John ,!1A says, *here is no fear in love Hdread does not e%istI, but full1#rown (com$lete, $erfect) love turns fear out of doors and e%$els every trace of terrorG Bor fear brin#s with it the thou#ht of $unishment, and HsoI he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love His not yet #rown into love9s com$lete $erfectionI. <njoy your day, +nowin# that God loves you $erfectly. 8on9t dread the hard thin#s that you must do today, because God is on your side and is ready to hel$ you.

J54< God Is 2n "our 7ide

6or the Lord takes pleasure in 2is people( 2e 'ill /eautify the hum/le 'ith salvation and adorn the 'retched 'ith victory. P !LM %#"$# If you never face trials, you will never have to e%ercise your faith. :ut even when facin# hard times, you shouldn9t dread life. Isaiah A!1- says, *he )ord of hosts&re#ard 'im as holy and honor 'is holy name Hby re#ardin# 'im as your only ho$e of safetyI, and let 'im be your fear and let 'im be your dread Hlest you offend 'im by your fear of man and distrust of 'imI. If you dread life and fear $eo$le, you are not trustin# the )ord to save you. >ee$ your reverential fear and awe of God. dread dis$leasin# 'im, but don9t fear anythin# else. If God is for you, who can be a#ainst youJ 4o, in all these thin#s we are more than conEuerors throu#h him who loved us (6omans A!-@ 4IL).

J54< , :e 6eady
6orsake not 0Wisdom1, and she 'ill keep, defend, and protect you( love her, and she 'ill guard you. P>OC<>. #$-

/hili$$ians ,!1- $romises that =hrist will em$ower you for anythin# you must face. *his means that 'e will ma+e you ready for anythin# and eEual to all challen#es by infusin# you with inner stren#th. God will never $ut you in a $osition to do somethin# without #ivin# you the stren#th and the ability to do it. "ou can rela% and enjoy your life, for God will stren#then (com$lete, $erfect) and ma+e you what you ou#ht to be and eEui$ you with everythin# #ood that you may carry out 'is will. Hwhile 'e 'imselfI wor+s in you and accom$lishes that which is $leasin# in 'is si#ht, throu#h Jesus =hrist ('ebrews 1-!;1).

J54< ? 6enew "our Joy

2onor and ma8esty are 0found1 in 2is presence( strength and 8oy are 0found1 in 2is sanctuary. % =2>O?I=L< %-$49

<motional trauma drains $eo$le of their ener#y. :ut the (ord says, :e not #rieved and de$ressed, for the joy of the )ord is your stren#th and stron#hold (4ehemiah A!1 ). *he devil wants to steal your joy because he +nows that joy is your stren#th. 'e wants you to be wea+ so that you won9t resist the turmoil he sets a#ainst you. *hat is why sometimes we need each other. 7ome days God will send messen#ers to build you u$ in faith and renew your joy. 7ome days 'e will send you to someone else who is in a wea+ened condition because 7atan has been $oundin# on them. :e someone9s friend today. *hey may need a friend to stand beside them and encoura#e them and to lift them u$ and $ray for them.

J54< 0 *hin+ 3head

.ut rather 'hat 'e are setting forth is a 'isdom of 3od once hidden 0from the human understanding1 and no' revealed to us /y 3odK 0that 'isdom1 'hich 3od devised and decreed /efore the ages for our glorification 0to lift us into the glory of 2is presence1. % =O>I?A2I!? 4$9

)oo+ ahead to the reward God has for you in heaven. God has already written the end of the :oo+ which says that #ood news is in store for those who $ut their faith in Jesus. <ven if you live to be a hundred years old, and have trials every day of your life, /aul said that our momentary troubles are achievin# for us an eternal #lory that far outwei#hs all the trials we face now (see ; =orinthians ,!1@1 1A 4IL). >ee$ your eyes on the finish line and not on the turmoil around you.

J54< @ :e 7atisfied
Ahe poor and afflicted shall eat and /e satisfied( they shall praise the LordKthey 'ho 0diligently1 seek for, in*uire of and for 2im, and re*uire 2im 0as their greatest need1. May your hearts /e *uickened no' and forever; P !LM 44$4Cany $eo$le constantly see+ the thrill of a new e%$erience, but every new thin# eventually becomes an old thin#. 7ooner or later, $eo$le have to be ha$$y with old thin#s too, or they will never reach God9s hi#her #oal of contentment (see 1 *imothy 0!0). In /hili$$ians ,!111 1;, /aul said that he had learned how to be content and satisfied to the $oint where he wasn9t disturbed or disEuieted, no matter what state he was in. 'e could live in humble circumstances or enjoy $lenty. 'e had learned that the secret of facin# every situation, whether well1fed or hun#ry, was to be content. 7ee+ contentment in God today, and you will be satisfied.

J54< A <njoy "our )ife

Whatever may /e your task, 'ork at it heartily +from the soul,, as 0something done1 for the Lord and not for men, kno'ing 0'ith all certainty1 that it is from the Lord 0and not from men1 that you 'ill receive the inheritance 'hich is your 0real1 re'ard. =OLO I!? 5$45

Jesus died so that you can enjoy abundant life, not just the days you are off wor+ or on vacation or when you #et to #o sho$$in# or #olfin#&but every day of your life. 'e wants you to enjoy #oin# to the #rocery store. 'e wants you to enjoy drivin# the +ids to school. 'e wants you to enjoy $ayin# the bills. 'e wants you to enjoy cleanin# the house or mowin# the yard. "ou can enjoy life if you determine to do so. 7ay, I am #oin# to enjoy every as$ect of my life, because Jesus died so that I could have joy uns$ea+able and full of #lory.

J54< F Bollow God9s 7$irit

!nd 2e Who searches the hearts of men kno's 'hat is in the mind of the 02oly1 pirit 0'hat 2is intent is1, /ecause the pirit intercedes and pleads 0/efore 3od1 in /ehalf of the saints according to and in harmony 'ith 3odEs 'ill. >OM!? &$49 Cany $eo$le follow their own desires or other $eo$le9s advice instead of followin# the 7$irit of God. *he 'oly 7$irit is #iven to each one of us to lead us into the fullness of our destiny, and into the fullness of what Jesus died to #ive us. "our faith in Jesus #ives you the $romise of heaven, but God wants to wor+ all thin#s to#ether for your #ood in this life too (see 6omans A!;A). 8on9t be satisfied with receivin# half of what Jesus died to #ive you. Bollow the 7$irit9s leadin# so that you will #et all that God has for you. 7ee+ God for clear #uidance to remain ri#ht in the center of 'is $erfect will for every sin#le day.

J54< 1 Go (here God 7ends "ou

Let us all come for'ard and dra' near 'ith true +honest and sincere, hearts in un*ualified assurance and a/solute conviction engendered /y faith +/y that leaning of the entire human personality on 3od in a/solute trust and confidence in 2is po'er, 'isdom, and goodness,. 2<.><W %7$44 2ne of the main reasons $eo$le don9t enjoy their lives is that they don9t follow the leadin# of the 'oly 7$irit. :ecause Jesus fulfilled the law, we have full freedom to enter into the 'oly of 'olies and fellowshi$ with the Bather. 'ebrews calls this a fresh (new) and livin# way to enjoy our relationshi$ with God (see 'ebrews 1 !; ). 7$end time with God today, and #o wherever the 7$irit of God leads you. 'e will always #ive you the #race to do what 'e calls you to do.

J54< 11 3 4ew 8esire

6or I endorse and delight in the La' of 3od in my inmost self 0'ith my ne' nature1. >OM!? 9$44 (hen we are born a#ain, we #et a new want to. *he law says we have to, should, and ou#ht to, but we want to do the ri#ht thin# because God has $ut a new heart in us to re$lace the hard stony one that used to be indifferent to 'im and 'is will (see <De+iel -0!;0). )earn to reco#niDe the difference between the desires of your flesh and the desires $laced in you by the 'oly 7$irit. /salm 1!11 ; says, :)<77<8 ('3//", fortunate, $ros$erous, and enviable) is the man who wal+s and lives not in the counsel of the un#odly . . . :ut his deli#ht and desire are in the law of the )ord, and on 'is law (the $rece$ts, the instructions, the teachin#s of God) he habitually meditates ($onders and studies) by day and by ni#ht.

J54< 1; <veryone Is 8ifferent

2aving gifts +faculties, talents, *ualities, that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them. >OM!? %4$8on9t feel bad about yourself if you are not able to do what someone else is anointed to do. God anoints each of us to contribute to the body of =hrist in some uniEue way. (hat God enables you to do is no more or less im$ortant than what 'e has called someone else to do. God made you different from everyone else to fulfill the desire of 'is heart, and 'e $romises to fulfill the desires of your heart too (see /salm -@!,). 'e will anoint whatever 'e9s #iven you, so $lace your #ifts in 'is $ower today, and enjoy yourself.

J54< 1=han#e Cust to (ant

Aherefore, 0there is1 no' no condemnation +no ad8udging guilty of 'rong, for those 'ho are in =hrist Lesus, 'ho live 0and1 'alk not after the dictates of the flesh, /ut after the dictates of the pirit. >OM!? &$% Cany of us com$are ourselves and our achievements to others and what they accom$lish for the )ord, thin+in# we have to do certain thin#s to $lease God. :ut God didn9t send Jesus into the world to condemn us (see John -!1@). (hat $leases God most is our dee$ cravin# to +now 'im better, which is achieved by s$endin# time with 'im throu#h study and $rayer. (e are called to enjoy fellowshi$ with God. 8on9t let condemnation rob you of your joy today. /ray! )ord, I want to follow the law of my new bein#. :y "our #race, hel$ me follow Jesus, because 'e has done what the law could not do and has saved me from my sins.

J54< 1, Bollow /eace

?o' the mind of the flesh 0'hich is sense and reason 'ithout the 2oly pirit1 is death 0death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, /oth here and hereafter1. .ut the mind of the 02oly1 pirit is life and 0soul1 peace 0/oth no' and forever1. >OM!? &$/eo$le hesitate to follow their desires, because they don9t +now how to divide their soul from their s$irit. If they can9t discern the difference between the desires of their flesh and 7$irit1led desires, then they don9t +now when God is truly leadin# them to do somethin#. :ut you can learn to +now if God is leadin# you or not. (hen God #ives you a desire for somethin#, 'e will #ive you $eace alon# with it. "ou may not be e%cited, but you will have $eace, if the thin# you desire is from God. (ait for $eace today.

J54< 1? 6eco#niDe "our =allin#

Ahat is 'hy I 'ould remind you to stir up +rekindle the em/ers of, fan the flame of, and keep /urning, the 0gracious1 gift of 3od, 0the inner fire1 that is in you. 4 AIMOA2Y %$-

:efore I +new I was called to $reach, I would $rivately re$reach entire sermons I had just heard, thin+in#, I would have said this, and, I would have done that. *hen, I would thin+, (omen don9t $reachG :ut my s$irit was stirred by the $reacher9s anointin# because I had the same anointin#. If you are called to do somethin#, you will #et stirred u$ in the $resence of someone o$eratin# in that same anointin#. Bor e%am$le, if you have an anointin# to lead worshi$, or to do s$ecial music, you will $robably #et more e%cited about the music than the sermon bein# $reached. (hen in doubt, as+ God to ma+e clear your callin#.

J54< 10 Iron 7har$ens Iron

Iron sharpens iron( so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend 0to sho' rage or 'orthy purpose1. P>OC<>. 49$%9 If you want to do somethin# for God, then don9t associate with $eo$le who do nothin#. "ou may have to drastically chan#e your life if you want to move on with what God has called you to do. 7$end time with $eo$le who +now how to use their days well. Just as iron shar$ens iron, $ositive $eo$le will ins$ire you to be $ositive. Godly $eo$le will ins$ire you to use your faith to do for the )ord what is in your heart to do. 7$end time with $eo$le who are doin# somethin# for the )ord. <lisha #ot a double $ortion of <lijah9s anointin#, but he had to associate with <lijah for a lon# time to #et it (see ; >in#s ;!11 1,).

J54< 1@ Bollow "our 'eart9s 8esires

Who is the man 'ho reverently fears and 'orships the Lord@ 2im shall 2e teach in the 'ay that he should choose. 2e himself shall d'ell at ease, and his offspring shall inherit the land. P !LM 4:$%4- %5 *o enjoy your life, start followin# the God1#iven desires of your heart instead of the desires of your flesh. "ou may need to mature in faith before you can tell the difference between your flesh and 7$irit1 led desires. 2ne way to tell if you are followin# a desire of your flesh is that when you ste$ out to do it, you will lose your $eace and face a stru##le. If it is not of God, you will feel li+e you are $ushin# a dead horse u$hill. If it is a God1#iven desire of the 7$irit, it will wor+ li+e a well1oiled machine. It will flow, with what I call a 'oly ease. 7tart your day ri#ht, and follow your heart.

J54< 1A Get /eace Brom God

If any of you is deficient in 'isdom, let him ask of the giving 3od 0Who gives1 to everyone li/erally and ungrudgingly, 'ithout reproaching or faultfinding, and it 'ill /e given him. L!M< %$: :e careful when somebody ma+es a su##estion that sounds #ood. not every #ood idea is a God1idea. 8on9t rush into ma+in# a decision or acce$tin# a new res$onsibility without $rayin# about it first. 7low down lon# enou#h to as+ God for wisdom, and listen for 'is #uidance. *a+e a little bit of time to see if you have $eace about the idea. If you don9t have $eace, you don9t even have to understand why you don9t have $eace. Just don9t do itG

J54< 1F Muality Is :etter *han Muantity

I call to remem/rance my song in the night( 'ith my heart I meditate and my spirit searches diligently. P !LM 99$God cares more about the Euality of what you learn than the Euantity of teachin# to which you are e%$osed. 'e would rather you read one scri$ture verse and #et revelation out of it than to read two whole boo+s in the :ible and not have a clue about what you read. )isten for +ey messa#es that the )ord is s$ecifically s$ea+in# to you when you hear #ood teachin# throu#h television, radio, sermon ta$es, a church service, or wee+ly :ible study. 3s+ God to show you how to a$$ly what you hear to your own life. Ceditate on 'is (ord each day and loo+ for ways to use what you have learned. *hen you will +now that you are en#a#in# in and enjoyin# true Euality time with 'im.

J54< ; 7tudy 8aily

Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties( thro' yourself 'holly into them 0as your ministry1, so that your progress may /e evident to every/ody. % AIMOA2Y #$%: 7econd *imothy ;!1? says, 7tudy and be ea#er and do your utmost to $resent yourself to God a$$roved (tested by trial), a wor+man who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyDin# and accurately dividin# Hri#htly handlin# and s+illfully teachin#I the (ord of *ruth. It is difficult to #row if you don9t li+e to read the (ord. If 7atan has created obstacles to +ee$ you from readin# the (ord, ta+e authority over him. 8eclare your love for the (ord, and then read it& even if only a cou$le of $a#es a day. "our desire for more will Euic+ly increase. If you truly don9t li+e to read, then $ray that God will #ive you a brand new desire to do so ri#ht now.

J54< ;1 =hoose 'ow *o )ive

6or it is /y free grace +3odEs unmerited favor, that you are saved +delivered from 8udgment and made partakers of =hristEs salvation, through 0your1 faith. !nd this 0salvation1 is not of yourselves 0of your o'n doing, it came not through your o'n striving1, /ut it is the gift of 3od. <P2< I!? 4$& "ou can live under the law of sin and death, with its rules and re#ulations. or you can live under the law of the 7$irit of life in =hrist Jesus, which by #race sets you free from the law of sin and death (see 6omans A!;). Galatians ?!,1 ? e%$lains that the law brin#s us to nothin# and se$arates us from =hrist. :ut the 'oly 7$irit will hel$ us conform to God9s will in $ur$ose, thou#ht, and action. =hoose the law of life and say, *oday I will enjoy a #race1filled day.

J54< ;; )et God )ead 2thers

Yes, let none 'ho trust and 'ait hopefully and look for You /e put to shame or /e disappointed( let them /e ashamed 'ho forsake the right or deal treacherously 'ithout cause. P !LM 4:$5 2ur day mi#ht seem better if everyone would just do what we tell them to do. :ut God doesn9t override $eo$le9s will, and we are not to do so either. Instead of tryin# to control $eo$le, $ray that they will hear God leadin# them. If someone $ersists in doin# somethin# his or her own way today, show your confidence in God by ste$$in# aside. "ou may learn that you were wron#, or they may learn that you were ri#ht. God is bi# enou#h to #et both you and them out of any mess they may ma+e. <ither way, 'e will #et the #lory, if you $ut your trust in 'im.

J54< ;8on9t :e 3fraid *o 7to$

Ahe thoughts and purposes of the 0consistently1 righteous are honest and relia/le, /ut the counsels and designs of the 'icked are treacherous. P>OC<>. %4$: 8on9t be ashamed to bac+ off if you #et out in the middle of somethin# and find that God is not in it. Just be secure enou#h to sim$ly say, I thou#ht this was God, but it9s not, so I am not #oin# to do it anymore. "ou can a$olo#iDe to others if you caused them any trouble or confusion. :ut there is no shame in Euic+ly admittin# that you were wron#. It is more im$ortant not to $er$etuate a mista+e than it is to +ee$ $eo$le from thin+in# you were wron#. 8on9t be afraid to say, I didn9t hear from God. 'onesty will +ee$ your day #oin# ri#ht, all day lon#.

J54< ;, (ait Bor /eace

! manEs mind plans his 'ay, /ut the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. P>OC<>. %-$" "ou may have to ste$ out to find out the ri#ht thin# to do. If you don9t hear clearly from God, just ste$ in the direction you thin+ you should #o, and then wait for $eace. If you lose your $eace, bac+ out of wherever you were headed. 8ave and I almost bou#ht two different buildin#s to house our ministry. (e were in ne#otiations until, one mornin# after $rayin#, 8ave said, Joyce, I don9t have $eace about buyin# that buildin#. I feel li+e God is sayin#, KIf you buy that buildin#, you are #oin# to be sorry later.9 7o we waited for $eace, and now we have a buildin# that is com$letely $aid for with room to #row. /ray until you find $eace.

J54< ;? Bollow God9s )eadin#

>oll your 'orks upon the Lord 0commit and trust them 'holly to 2im( 2e 'ill cause your thoughts to /ecome agreea/le to 2is 'ill, and1 so shall your plans /e esta/lished and succeed. P>OC<>. %-$5 *ryin# to fi#ure everythin# out before you obey God will steal your joy. God doesn9t have to answer you when you as+, (hy God, whyJ *rust means that you won9t always have answers when you want them. 7ometimes you just have to #et to the other side of a situation to see the whole $icture of what God is doin# in your life. God may be tryin# to se$arate you from some influence in your life that is +ee$in# you from receivin# the better $lan 'e has for you. 'e may be $runin# you to encoura#e new, healthier #rowth (see John 1?!11 A). 5se uncertain times to demonstrate your faith by trustin# 'im.

J54< ;0 )et 8isa$$ointments Go

.ut he 'ho keeps +treasures, 2is Word 0'ho /ears in mind 2is precepts, 'ho o/serves 2is message in its entirety1, truly in him has the love of and for 3od /een perfected +completed, reached maturity,. % LO2? 4$:

It can be disa$$ointin# when $eo$le who are close to us don9t do what we would li+e for them to do. :ut if we really love them, we should encoura#e them to follow the 'oly 7$irit rather than try to +ee$ us ha$$y all the time. 'el$ others #row s$iritually by encoura#in# them to listen for God9s voice. 6emind them that God will hel$ them throu#h mista+es and lead them to a #ood life. 7oon they will be ma+in# 7$irit1led, rather than $eo$le1led, decisions. It is tremendously #ratifyin# to see loved ones mature s$iritually in =hrist.

J54< ;@ *he )aw 2f *he 7$irit

.ehold, 3od, my salvation; I 'ill trust and not /e afraid, for the Lord 3od is my strength and song( yes, 2e has /ecome my salvation. I !I!2 %4$4 )ife is not just one lon# $arty. there will always be hard thin#s and easy thin#s mi%ed to#ether in the events of your life. 6e#ardless of what today brin#s, you can still have joy in the )ord, and that joy will #ive you stren#th to handle whatever comes your way on any #iven day. (hen you follow Jesus, the law of the 7$irit of life +ee$s you free to enjoy yourself because you can cast any burdens on the )ord (see 6omans A!;). God will lead you to +now what to do, and 'e will ener#iDe you to do what needs to be done. "ou won9t feel drained by life, but will #row throu#h both the trials and the trium$hs as you wal+ with God today.

J54< ;A 8o (hatever God 7ays

o that the righteous and 8ust re*uirement of the La' might /e fully met in us 'ho live and move not in the 'ays of the flesh /ut in the 'ays of the pirit 0our lives governed not /y the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, /ut controlled /y the 2oly pirit1. >OM!? &$# In 'im we live and move and have our bein# (3cts 1@!;A). God is everythin#. *al+ to 'im all day lon#, every time you need to ma+e a decision or overcome anythin# ne#ative. (hatever 'e says to do, do it. If 'e says don9t do it, don9t do it. "ou don9t belon# to yourself. you belon# to God. 6eli#ious teachin# tries to $redetermine what God wants from you. :ut 'e will write on your heart what is #ood and what is bad for you to do. 'e will s$ea+ to your inner conscience and +ee$ you safe, as lon# as you $ay attention to 'is voice and do what 'e tells you. *hrou#hout the day today, occasionally sto$ what you are doin# and as+ 'im if there is anythin# 'e wants to say to you.

J54< ;F )ove Is *he 'i#her )aw

Love does no 'rong to oneEs neigh/or 0it never hurts any/ody1. Aherefore love meets all the re*uirements and is the fulfilling of the La'. >OM!? %5$%7

*here are thin#s that we shouldn9t do, sim$ly because we love God, and because we don9t want to hurt somebody else9s conscience. (e may have the freedom to do these thin#s, but our freedom could offend others, or cause them to do somethin# a#ainst their conscience, and thus sin a#ainst God. If you wal+ in love today, there may be thin#s that you have the ri#ht to do, but the 'oly 7$irit will $rom$t you not to e%ercise your ri#ht out of love for someone who is watchin# you. )ove never demands its own way (see 1 =orinthians 1-!?). )ove is always the hi#her law.

J54< (ear *he 6i#ht 3rmor

!nd all this assem/ly shall kno' that the Lord saves not 'ith s'ord and spear( for the /attle is the LordEs. % !MD<L %9$#9

(hen 8avid went out to face Goliath, everyone around him said, 8avid, you can9t do thisG :ut God $ut a sense of +nowin# within 8avid that he would succeed in the name of the )ord. (hen >in# 7aul decided to let 8avid fi#ht, he #ave 8avid his armor, but 8avid said, I cannot, because I am not used to this (see 1 7amuel 1@!-11 -F). 8avid +new he was to #o in the name of the )ord with only his slin#shot (see vv. , 1 ? ). If you have battles to face in life, don9t let others tell you how to fi#ht. God will $ersonally direct you in the way you should #o. 'is (ord is your wea$on. that is why it is a vital necessity to arm yourself with +nowled#e and to s$end time in God9s $resence before you have to face any #iants.

J5)" 1 God9s /lan Is Greater

6or the la' of the pirit of life 0'hich is1 in =hrist Lesus 0the la' of our ne' /eing1 has freed me from the la' of sin and of death. >OM!? &$4 *he law of the 7$irit of life in =hrist Jesus sets us free from the law of sin and death. (e are free from the law of sin and death only to the de#ree that we follow the law of the 7$irit. If we +now what is ri#ht but insist on doin# wron#, our actions may still lead us to miss out on the abundant life God has for us on earth. Bollow the law of the 7$irit, and you will remain com$letely free from the law of sin and death. *he 'oly 7$irit will lead you into holiness, into ri#hteousness, and into the com$lete destiny that God has for your life. God9s will for you is #reater than anythin# you can ima#ine for yourself. :e willin# to obey God even when you don9t understand what 'e is doin# with you.

J5)" ; Bollow God9s /riorities

Ahe sheep that are My o'n hear and are listening to My voice( and I kno' them, and they follo' Me. LO2? %7$49 Cany $eo$le try to feel s$iritual by obeyin# reli#ious laws. :ut they never #et around to feelin# #ood, because there is always one more law to follow. *hat is why God does not define our ri#hteousness by our wor+s, but by our faith in Jesus. (e feel inner $eace when we obey the voice of the 'oly 7$irit. God may tell you that it is more im$ortant to #ive away your favorite $ersonal $ossession, than to try to $lease 'im by readin# the :ible throu#h in a year. 'e may say that it is more im$ortant to just remain silent, if 'e tells you to, than to volunteer for every activity at church. 'is ways are not our ways (see Isaiah ??!A1 F), so learn to listen for 'is direction each day.

J5)" 'ave Bun

6or the kingdom of 3od is not a matter of eating and drinking, /ut of righteousness, peace and 8oy in the 2oly pirit, /ecause anyone 'ho serves =hrist in this 'ay is pleasing to 3od and approved /y men. Let us therefore make every effort to do 'hat leads to peace and to mutual edification. >OM!? %#$%9- %" ?IC <verythin# in your life doesn9t have to be serious in order to be s$iritual. If you are filled with God9s 7$irit, whatever you do has a s$iritual connotation to it. "ou can live a holy life, and still enjoy your day. God measures holiness by how Euic+ we are to obey 'is voice. 'e $romises that #oodness and mercy will follow us if we see+ 'is $resence (see /salm ;-!0). 'e may even encoura#e you just to have fun today.

J5)" , /am$er "ourself

Why are you cast do'n, O my inner self@ !nd 'hy should you moan over me and /e dis*uieted 'ithin me@ 2ope in 3od and 'ait eBpectantly for 2im, for I shall yet praise 2im, my 2elp and my 3od. P !LM #4$:

God #ave you your emotions, so it doesn9t wor+ to i#nore them com$letely. "ou ma+e a bi# mista+e if you refuse to meet any of your emotional needs. If you are tired, you need rest. If you are stressed, you need some fun. If you need encoura#ement, s$end time with someone who +nows how to build you u$. 8on9t i#nore your emotional needs in the name of =hristianity. "ou are a whole $erson&body, soul, and s$irit (see 1 *hessalonians ?!;-). God will show you how to be stron# in all areas of your life.

J5)" ? 7et /riorities

Your eyes sa' my unformed su/stance, and in Your /ook all the days 0of my life1 'ere 'ritten /efore ever they took shape, 'hen as yet there 'as none of them. P !LM %5"$%-

:e determined to enjoy the abundant life that Jesus =hrist desires for you to have. *he devil will always try to set you u$ to #et u$set. *he busy activities of today9s society can ma+e life seem li+e a blur. Cost $eo$le have a lot of stress, continuous $ressure, and really too much to do. 7et $riorities. 7tart your day with God. :e determined to follow 'is lead all day, and you will enjoy every day of your life&not just on wee+ends, vacations, or sunny days when the weather9s $erfect. (al+in# with God will #ive you $leasure and rela%ation even when thin#s aren9t #oin# your way.

J5)" 0 =lean 5$
Let us thro' off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run 'ith perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fiB our eyes on Lesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. 2<.><W %4$%- 4 ?IC

'ave you ever #one on a cleanin# ram$a#e to strai#hten u$ your home or officeJ 8id you enjoy $itchin# jun+, strai#htenin# objects, and or#aniDin# materials so that you could find them when you need themJ "ou may need to #et on a 'oly Ghost ram$a#e and do the same thin# with your life. 7ay, I9ve had enou#h bonda#e. I9ve had enou#h ne#ative thou#hts. I9ve had enou#h of the lies of the devil. I am not #oin# to have any more bad days. I am not #oin# to be discoura#ed, de$ressed, or des$ondent. I am #oin# to enjoy my lifeG Jesus is ready to hel$ you live life to the fullestG

J5)" @ Joy 5ns$ea+able

?o' to 2im Who is a/le to keep you 'ithout stum/ling or slipping or falling, and to present 0you1 un/lemished +/lameless and faultless, /efore the presence of 2is glory in triumphant 8oy and eBultation 0'ith unspeaka/le, ecstatic delight1. LD)< %$4# I used to be so miserable when I went to bed that I wished it was time to #et u$. 3nd when I #ot u$, I was still so miserable I wanted to #o bac+ to bed. I was under the curse of not obeyin# the voice of the )ord or servin# 'im with joyfulness (see 8euteronomy ;A!1?1 ,A). 2bedience to God fills our lives with so much joy that we don9t even +now how to tal+ about it. *he :ible calls it joy uns$ea+able and full of #lory (1 /eter 1!A >JL). <%$erience the joy of bein# in God9s awesome $resence. 7tart your day by $raisin# God for your blessin#s, and worshi$in# 'im with a heart ready to serve 'im.

J5)" A *he >ey *o Joy

!nd may the 3od of peace 2imself sanctify you through and through 0separate you from profane things, make you pure and 'holly consecrated to 3od1( and may your spirit and soul and /ody /e preserved sound and complete 0and found1 /lameless at the coming of our Lord Lesus =hrist +the Messiah,. % A2< !LO?I!? :$45

6i#hteousness is a +ey to enjoyin# every sin#le day of your life. :ein# in ri#ht relationshi$ with God is available to us sim$ly throu#h our faith in Jesus =hrist. *hat security #ives us $eace throu#h every situation, and havin# $eace brin#s joy. *he (ord says to listen with e%$ectancy to what God the )ord will say to you, for 'e will s$ea+ $eace to 'is saints (those who are in ri#ht standin# with 'im), and those who don9t turn a#ain to self1 confident folly (see /salm A?!A). :efore ma+in# $lans today, listen for God9s voice to ma+e sure you follow 'is $eace for your day.

J5)" F *he >ey *o )ovin# 2thers

?o' may the Lord of peace 2imself grant you 2is peace +the peace of 2is kingdom, at all times and in all 'ays 0under all circumstances and conditions, 'hatever comes1. 4 A2< !LO?I!? 5$%-

*he :ible says to love your nei#hbor as yourself ()u+e 1 !;@). the +ey is to love yourself. "ou won9t enjoy your day until you learn to acce$t and enjoy yourself, because you have to eat with yourself, slee$ with yourself, and be with yourself all day. 5ntil you are ha$$y with who you are and where you are in life, you will never learn to love others or #et to where you want to be. 8on9t #et down on yourself about everythin# you didn9t do ri#ht yesterday. *oday is a new day. )earn to love your life, ri#ht now, ri#ht where you are now. 7ay, I am #rateful to be a child of God, redeemed and made ri#hteous in 'is eyes. I am #oin# to enjoy myself all day lon#.

J5)" 1 4o Catter (hat

6or you shall go out 0from the spiritual eBile caused /y sin and evil into the homeland1 'ith 8oy and /e led forth 0/y your Leader, the Lord 2imself, and 2is 'ord1 'ith peace( the mountains and the hills shall /reak forth /efore you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. I !I!2 ::$%4 /eace is not de$endent on circumstances. 2ur $eace and joy are found in the 'oly Ghost. Jesus said! 'e who believes in Ce Hwho cleaves to and trusts in and relies on CeI as the 7cri$ture has said, Brom his innermost bein# shall flow HcontinuouslyI s$rin#s and rivers of livin# water. :ut 'e was s$ea+in# here of the 7$irit, (hom those who believed (trusted, had faith) in 'im were afterward to receive (John @!-A1 -F). 4o matter what is #oin# on today, you can drin+ from your own well of joy throu#h the indwellin# $resence of God9s 7$irit.

J5)" 11 <njoy (hatever "ou 3re 8oin#

!nd there you shall eat /efore the Lord your 3od, and you shall re8oice in all to 'hich you put your hand, you and your households, in 'hich the Lord your 3od has /lessed you. )<DA<>O?OMY %4$9 I used to hate waitin# in the air$ort, but 8ave always wanted to arrive early. I finally chan#ed my mind. It is amaDin# what ha$$ens when you decide to enjoy God every day. It is easy to #et so cau#ht u$ in all your res$onsibilities that you for#et to enjoy what you are doin#. "ou can #et so busy raisin# your children that you for#et to enjoy them. "ou can #et so cau#ht u$ in cleanin# your house, tryin# to $ay for it, and remodelin# it, that you for#et to enjoy it. :ut you can learn to enjoy God so much that no matter what you do today, you can truly say, I enjoyed it.

J5)" 1; 8on9t (orry

6or You make him to /e /lessed and a /lessing forever( You make him eBceedingly glad 'ith the 8oy of Your presence. P !LM 4%$It is a learnin# $rocess to +ee$ the devil from stealin# your joy, because he constantly tem$ts you in new ways to lose your $eace. If 7atan #ets your $eace, then he will #et your joy. :e stron# and resist his tem$tation to ma+e you worry. *he (ord says that God #ives riches and $ossessions, and the $ower to enjoy them. *o acce$t our a$$ointed lot and to rejoice in our wor+ is the #ift of God. (e won9t remember seriously the days of our life, because the tranEuility of God is mirrored in us (see <cclesiastes ?!1F1 ; ). 8etermine that from this day forward you will do everythin# you can to +ee$ your $eace and enjoy your life.

J5)" 1*rium$h 2ver *roubles

Moreover 0let us also /e full of 8oy no';1 let us eBult and triumph in our trou/les and re8oice in our sufferings, kno'ing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and uns'erving endurance. >OM!? :$5 7ome days it seems that everythin# #oes wron#, one thin# after another, after another. 8on9t just tal+ to yourself, sayin#, I just can9t ta+e anymore of this. 8on9t tal+ to your friends, sayin#, I just can9t $ut u$ with anymore of this. 8on9t stru##le with the same tests day after day. instead, tal+ bac+ to the devil as Jesus did (see )u+e ,!11 1-). If you feel your $eace and joy sli$$in# away, tal+ out loud to 7atan. If he is tryin# to steal from you, say, Bor#et it, devil. you are not #ettin# me u$set todayG

J5)" 1, Joy Ca+es "ou 7tron#

!s for 3od, 2is 'ay is perfect( the 'ord of the Lord is tried. 2e is a hield to all those 'ho trust and take refuge in 2im. 4 !MD<L 44$5%

4ehemiah A!1 says, :e not #rieved and de$ressed, for the joy of the )ord is your stren#th and stron#hold. :ein# ha$$y and joyful ma+es you stron#, and bein# mad or sad ma+es you wea+. :ut the )ord is a 7hield, and the )ifter of your head (see /salm -!-). 7atan isn9t after your joy. he is after your stren#th. *he devil wants you too wea+ to $ray. 'e wants you worn out and burned out. :ut the )ord will lift your head and shield you from the devil9s $lot a#ainst you, if you $ut your trust in 'im.

J5)" 1? 2ne 8ay 3t 3 *ime

My 3od, my >ock, in 2im 'ill I take refuge( my hield and the 2orn of my salvation( my tronghold and my >efuge, my aviorK You save me from violence. 4 !MD<L 44$5 *rials can come li+e a frei#ht train&one car after another, after another&but eventually the last car $asses. (hen $roblems seem unceasin#, remind yourself, *his too shall $ass. 8eal with one trial at a time in the $ower of the 'oly Ghost until each series of events is over. God will #ive you fresh anointin# daily to handle everythin# that comes into your life. <ach time you endure a tou#h day, you can slee$ it off and start a#ain the ne%t day. 7o you may as well enjoy the tou#h days too, because God9s favor is for a lifetime. wee$in# may endure for a ni#ht, but joy comes in the mornin# (see /salm - !?).

J5)" 10 <%$erience 'is Joy

Yet I 'ill re8oice in the LO>), I 'ill 8oy in the 3od of my salvation. 2!.!HHDH 5$%& HLC

God created us with the ability to lau#h, so we must need to lau#h. *he (ord says, 3 ha$$y heart is #ood medicine and a cheerful mind wor+s healin# (/roverbs 1@!;;). Jesus said that 'is joy would be in us so that we may e%$erience 'is deli#ht. 'e wants to fill our hearts with 'is #ladness (see John 1@!1-). Jesus wants us to e%$erience 'is joy, not just $reach about it, or read boo+s about it. 'e wants us to e%$erience 'is joy. Joy #reatly de$ends on how you view life, so if you need hel$ #ettin# your sense of humor bac+, as+ God to show you the li#hter side of life today. 8on9t hesitate to lau#h when you suddenly feel joyful. you will Euic+ly find that joy is very conta#ious.

J5)" 1@ Go (ith *he Blow

.rethren, for this reason, in 0spite of all1 our stress and crushing difficulties 'e have /een filled 'ith comfort and cheer a/out you 0/ecause of1 your faith +the leaning of your 'hole personality on 3od in complete trust and confidence,. % A2< !LO?I!? 5$9

Go with the flow, and sto$ bein# an%ious about thin#s that may never ha$$en. If you really trust God, you don9t need a bac+u$ $lan. Baith means that you have $eace even when you don9t have all the answers. )ife will always be stressful if you constantly try to rearran#e it. Bor e%am$le, #ettin# u$set in a traffic jam doesn9t #et you out of it any sooner. :ut $lannin# for obstacles will ins$ire you to leave a little earlier for your a$$ointments and +ee$ you from hurryin#. Grow in wisdom, and $lace hi#h $riority on +ee$in# your $eace in s$ite of any jams you #et into today.

J5)" 1A <njoy 2rdinary 8ays

Ahey 'ho so' in tears shall reap in 8oy and singing. P !LM %4-$: 2ur days in the +in#dom of God are li+e seeds scattered u$on the #round. (e must continue to slee$ and rise, ni#ht and day, while the seeds that we sow throu#h our words and deeds s$rout and #row and increase (see Car+ ,!;01 ;A). Cost days are not full of e%citement, and some days are more difficult to endure than others. :ut we can learn to enjoy the ordinary and the challen#in# days of our lives. 3s the earth $roduces first the blade, then the ear, and finally the full #rain in the ear, so will our lives $roduce a #reat harvest from our faithfulness in sowin# ri#hteousness. =ontinue to do what you +now is ri#ht to do, and enjoy this ordinary day. "ou are one day closer to a joyful harvest.

J5)" 1F 7tay 7table

Ahe 0uncompromisingly1 righteous shall flourish like the palm tree 0/e long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful1( they shall gro' like a cedar in Le/anon 0ma8estic, sta/le, dura/le, and incorrupti/le1. P !LM "4$%4 James 1!1; says, :lessed (ha$$y, to be envied) is the man who is $atient under trial and stands u$ under tem$tation, for when he has stood the test and been a$$roved, he will receive Hthe victor9sI crown of life which God has $romised to those who love 'im. 8on9t #et u$set if somebody #ives you a hard time today. 8on9t #et u$set if you don9t #et your way, or if somebody says or does somethin# you don9t li+e. If you are set u$ for an u$set, stay stable&it is only a test.

J5)" ; 8o "our :est

.ut if anyone should sin, 'e have an !dvocate +One Who 'ill intercede for us, 'ith the 6atherK 0it is1 Lesus =hrist . . . !nd 2e 0that same Lesus 2imself1 is the propitiation +the atoning sacrifice, for our sins, and not for ours alone /ut also for 0the sins of1 the 'hole 'orld. % LO2? 4$%- 4

"ou are res$onsible to $eo$le, but God has not made you res$onsible for their joy. "ou may have children, or siblin#s, or a s$ouse God has #iven you to love and nurture who seem uninterested in your testimony. 7ome $eo$le just refuse to be ha$$y, so don9t let them steal your joy. "ou cannot fi% anyone, and you shouldn9t ta+e the blame for everythin# that #oes wron# in someone else9s life. 2bviously, you cannot ma+e everybody you +now believe in Jesus. :ut you can #et u$ every day and do your best, and then trust God for the rest.

J5)" ;1 God Is 3lways (or+in#

6urthermore, /rethren, 'e /eg and admonish you in 0virtue of our union 'ith1 the Lord Lesus, that 0you follo' the instructions 'hich1 you learned from us a/out ho' you ought to 'alk so as to please and gratify 3od, as indeed you are doing, 0and1 that you do so even more and more a/undantly 0attaining yet greater perfection in living this life1. % A2< !LO?I!? #$%

In 1 *hessalonians ;!1-, /aul wrote, (hen you received the messa#e of God Hwhich you heardI from us, you welcomed it not as the word of HmereI men, but as it truly is, the (ord of God, which is effectually at wor+ in you who believe He%ercisin# its su$erhuman $ower in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on itI (em$hasis mine). *he :ible says that God9s (ord wor+s in those who believe it. 7o no matter what you see today, believe that God is wor+in# on your brea+throu#h.

J5)" ;; )oo+ *o (hat Is 5nseen

=lothe yourselves therefore, as 3odEs o'n chosen ones +2is o'n picked representatives,, 0'ho are1 purified and holy and 'ell-/eloved 0/y 3od 2imself, /y putting on /ehavior marked /y1 tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lo'ly opinion of yourselves, gentle 'ays, 0and1 patience 0'hich is tireless and long-suffering, and has the po'er to endure 'hatever comes, 'ith good temper1. =OLO I!? 5$%4 (hen you $ray for other $eo$le, it may seem that they #et worse before they #et better. *he devil wants to discoura#e you from believin# that God is answerin# your $rayers. *he a$ostle /aul said that he learned not to be discoura#ed even when #oin# throu#h terrible trials. 'e said to loo+ to the thin#s that are unseen, not to the thin#s that are seen (see ; =orinthians ,!1A). >ee$ believin#, and the $ower of the 'oly 7$irit will fill you with joy and $eace until you are overflowin# with ho$e (see 6omans 1?!1-). 3lways trust God to answer your $rayers.

J5)" ;I#nore 8istractions

!nd 'hen they raised their eyes, they sa' no one /ut Lesus only. M!AA2<W %9$& 2ur own flaws can distract us from +ee$in# our eyes on Jesus. If we thin+ too much about what is wron# with us, we will for#et what God can do throu#h us. If we loo+ too much at what we lac+, we will for#et to be than+ful for what we have. *he :ible says to loo+ away from all that will distract us from focusin# on Jesus (see 'ebrews 1;!;). If your faith be#ins to waver, Euic+ly #et your eyes on Jesus, who is the 7ource of your faith and the Incentive for your belief. 6emember how 'e endured the cross, des$isin# and i#norin# the shame of it, for the joy of winnin# you to 'imself. 'e $romises to brin# your faith to maturity and $erfection.

J5)" ;, :e *han+ful
.e happy 0in your faith1 and re8oice and /e gladhearted continually +al'ays,( /e unceasing in prayer 0praying perseveringly1( thank 03od1 in everything 0no matter 'hat the circumstances may /e, /e thankful and give thanks1, for this is the 'ill of 3od for you 0'ho are1 in =hrist Lesus 0the >evealer and Mediator of that 'ill1. )o not *uench +suppress or su/due, the 02oly1 pirit. % A2< !LO?I!? :$%-- %"

:e than+ful for everythin#, and be careful not to Euench the 'oly 7$irit by com$lainin#, or you will lose your joy. "ou can be #lad1hearted no matter what your circumstances are. 6enew your mind to God9s ideals and attitude (see 6omans 1;!;). If you s$end time in God9s $resence, you will thin+ differently about yourself, and about the $eo$le around you. "ou will have the mind of =hrist, and be full of 'is love.

J5)" ;? 8isci$line :rin#s 7uccess

.ut if from there you 'ill seek +in*uire for and re*uire as necessity, the Lord your 3od, you 'ill find 2im if you 0truly1 seek 2im 'ith all your heart 0and mind1 and soul and life. )<DA<>O?OMY #$4" /roverbs ?!;- says that a $erson will die for lac+ of disci$line and instruction, and in the #reatness of his folly he will #o astray and be lost. *hat doesn9t necessarily mean that a $erson will die immediately, but a lac+ of disci$line leads toward deathly situations. In his boo+ 3 /ursuit of God, 3. (. *oDier said ($ara$hrased) that God $uts a desire in us to see+ 'im. :ut we have to disci$line ourselves to see+ 'im. (e can become too $assive waitin# for God to initiate a relationshi$ with us. If you want to have a successful life, disci$line yourself to see+ God every day.

J5)" ;0 :alance )ife

.lessed +happy, fortunate, to /e envied, is the man 'hom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your la', that You may give him po'er to keep himself calm in the days of adversity. P !LM "#$%4- %5 3 $erson who is laDy and $assive is not ha$$y. 3 $assive $erson is someone who wants somethin# #ood to ha$$en, but who just sits still and waits to see if it does. 7uccessful $eo$le live disci$lined lives. Birst /eter ?!A says, :e well balanced (tem$erate, sober of mind), be vi#ilant and cautious at all times. *he devil would li+e you to #o overboard in some area, but stay steady and God will 'imself com$lete and ma+e you what you ou#ht to be, establish and #round you securely, and stren#then, and settle you (v. 1 ).

J5)" ;@ God (or+s (hile "ou 6est

?o' to 2im Who, /y +in conse*uence of, the 0action of 2is1 po'er that is at 'ork 'ithin us, is a/le to 0carry out 2is purpose and1 do supera/undantly, far over and a/ove all that 'e 0dare1 ask or think 0infinitely /eyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams1. <P2< I!? 5$47 :ein# well1balanced means that you don9t do too much of one thin# and not enou#h of another. If you #o overboard to be disci$lined, you can become le#alistic, ri#id, and borin#G )earn to have fun too. 8on9t s$end the whole day wor+in#, but don9t be laDy either. 3s+ God to hel$ you balance hard wor+ and rest. 7to$ wor+in# lon# enou#h to be than+ful for all God #ives you to celebrate throu#hout the day. 3s you rest in God, 'e will continue wor+in# in you to hel$ you become all 'e $lans for you to be.

J5)" ;A Ca+e *ime (ith God 3 /riority

Ahen Lesus, kno'ing that they meant to come and seiFe 2im that they might make 2im king, 'ithdre' again to the hillside /y 2imself alone. LO2? -$%: If the devil can9t convince you to be idle and $assive, he will drive you to do too much. 3s soon as you are out of balance, he can devour you (see 1 /eter ?!A). *he word disci$le comes from the word disci$line. *o be a disci$le of Jesus, you must disci$line yourself to follow 'is ways. Jesus s$ent a #reat deal of time #oin# about doin# #ood for $eo$le, but 'e balanced 'is time by #ettin# alone to $ray and commune with the Bather. *ime with God renews your stren#th to do #ood thin#s that you want to do for others. )ive a balanced life by s$endin# time with 'im.

J5)" ;F (al+ In )ove

!nd 'alk in love, 0esteeming and delighting in one another1 as =hrist loved us and gave 2imself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to 3od 0for you, so that it /ecame1 a s'eet fragrance. <P2< I!? :$4

Jesus said, If anyone intends to come after Ce, let him deny himself Hfor#et, i#nore, disown, and lose si#ht of himself and his own interestsI and ta+e u$ his cross, and Hjoinin# Ce as a disci$le and sidin# with Cy $artyI follow with Ce Hcontinually, cleavin# steadfastly to CeI (Car+ A!-,, em$hasis mine). )ivin# a disci$lined life means layin# aside $ersonal feelin#s, deci$herin# which choice is most im$ortant in God9s eyes, and then allowin# that choice to ta+e $reeminence over the others. 3s Jesus laid down 'is life for you, 'e is as+in# you to lay down your interests for 'is #reater cause.

J5)" =rucify 7elfish 3ttitudes

!ll of you must keep a'ake +give strict attention, /e cautious and active, and 'atch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. Ahe spirit indeed is 'illing, /ut the flesh is 'eak. M!AA2<W 4-$#% *o live in victory, we can9t ma+e decisions accordin# to the way we feel, or by what we thin+ we want. *he (ord teaches that we are born with a$$etites sensitive to our human nature. 2ur natural flesh is carnal and uns$iritual. It will +ee$ us slaves to sin, unless we crucify it and follow what the 7$irit of God leads us to do. 7tudyin# God9s (ord will build your faith and +ee$ you on the ri#ht $ath! *he wise also will hear and increase in learnin#, and the $erson of understandin# will acEuire s+ill and attain to sound counsel Hso that he may be able to steer his course ri#htlyI (/roverbs 1!?).

J5)" -1 =hoose *he 4arrow /ath

<nter through the narro' gate( for 'ide is the gate and spacious and /road is the 'ay that leads a'ay to destruction, and many are those 'ho are entering through it. .ut the gate is narro' +contracted /y pressure, and the 'ay is straitened and compressed that leads a'ay to life, and fe' are those 'ho find it. M!AA2<W 9$%5- %# <ven when we +now the ri#ht thin# to do, it can be difficult to do if we don9t feel li+e it. (e may feel li+e lyin# in bed much lon#er than we should, even when we aren9t slee$y anymore. 7ometimes we +now we ou#ht to +ee$ our mouth shut, but we don9t feel li+e it. *he way to victory is a narrow $ath that reEuires disci$line re#ardless of our feelin#s. 7ometimes it may loo+ too narrow to even sEueeDe throu#h. :ut victory comes by obeyin# God9s (ord to us, in s$ite of our feelin#s. Bollow faith, not feelin#s, today.

35G57* 1 8on9t 3void 'ard (or+

6or the time /eing no discipline /rings 8oy, /ut seems grievous and painful( /ut after'ards it yields a peacea/le fruit of righteousness to those 'ho have /een trained /y it 0a harvest of fruit 'hich consists in righteousnessKin conformity to 3odEs 'ill in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing 'ith 3od1. 2<.><W %4$%% 3n undisci$lined $erson loo+s for ways to avoid hard wor+. /assivity $revails in our culture. everythin# is #eared toward ma+in# life easier! ride the escalator, ta+e the elevator, #et fast1food carryout. :ut the easy way is not always the best way. Just as we need to e%ercise our bodies, so we also need to e%ercise our faith by facin# difficult challen#es. 5se faith to for#ive those who offend you and to trust God when you can9t see how $roblems will be solved. 7oon you will enjoy a harvest of ri#hteousness from the disci$line you endure today.

35G57* ; Ca+e *he Cost 2f *ime

Where is the 'ise man +the philosopher,@ Where is the scri/e +the scholar,@ Where is the investigator +the logician, the de/ater, of this present time and age@ 2as not 3od sho'n up the nonsense and the folly of this 'orldEs 'isdom@ % =O>I?A2I!? %$47 In <$hesians ?!1?1 1@ God9s (ord says that we are to live $ur$osefully, usin# wisdom as sensible, intelli#ent $eo$le. *his means to ma+e the most of the time we are #iven. <Eual time is #iven to us all, but we don9t always use wisdom to +ee$ from wastin# it. (e are to buy u$ every o$$ortunity we can to fulfill our $ur$ose on earth, which is to love God and others. Lerse 1@ says, *herefore do not be va#ue and thou#htless and foolish, but understandin# and firmly #ras$in# what the will of the )ord is. Get alone with God to ma+e sure you +now how to use your time today.

35G57* (ords 3re /ower

<Bercise foresight and /e on the 'atch to look 0after one another1, to see that no one falls /ack from and fails to secure 3odEs grace +2is unmerited favor and spiritual /lessing,, in order that no root of resentment +rancor, /itterness, or hatred, shoots forth and causes trou/le and /itter torment, and the many /ecome contaminated and defiled /y it. 2<.><W %4$%:

Jesus said, If you have faith (a firm relyin# trust) and do not doubt . . . even if you say to this mountain, :e ta+en u$ and cast into the sea, it will be done. 3nd whatever you as+ for in $rayer, havin# faith and HreallyI believin#, you will receive (Catthew ;1!;11 ;;, em$hasis mine). 8on9t misuse the $ower of words by tal+in# too much without faith or tal+in# too little about your faith. =hoose +ind and #entle words that lift $eo$le and Euiet #ossi$ and strife. :elieve that God9s #race will $revail throu#h what you say.

35G57* , :alance 8isci$line

!nd I 'ill 'alk at li/erty and at ease, for I have sought and in*uired for 0and desperately re*uired1 Your precepts. P !LM %%"$#:

It ta+es disci$line to balance your life. "ou should be disci$lined to $ray, disci$lined to read and study the (ord, and disci$lined to s$end Euality time in fellowshi$ with the )ord. :ut you must also be disci$lined to s$end Euality time with your family, and to ta+e care of your health. "ou should even disci$line yourself to rest and have fun. <%amine your life today, and do what is needed to brin# balance to the way you use your time. God wants your life to be full of joy. /salm ;-!;1 - teaches that 'e will lead you beside still and restful waters. 'e will refresh and restore your life. 3nd 'e will lead you in the $aths of ri#hteousness for 'is name9s sa+e.

35G57* ? (rite *he Lision

Where there is no vision 0no redemptive revelation of 3od1, the people perish( /ut he 'ho keeps the la' 0of 3od, 'hich includes that of man1K/lessed +happy, fortunate, and envia/le, is he. P>OC<>. 4"$%&

*he )ord told 'aba++u+ to write the vision that God had #iven him, and to en#rave it so $lainly on tablets that everyone who $assed could read it easily. God $romised that 'is vision would be fulfilled on its a$$ointed day (see 'aba++u+ ;!;1 -). If you have been as+in# God to lead you in the way you should #o, you will have a sense of $ur$ose buildin# in you. "ou can as+ 'im to hel$ you $lan your day, your wee+, and your life. I encoura#e you to write down the thin#s that God im$rints on your heart to do. (ritin# the vision, and $lacin# it where you can routinely see it, will hel$ settle the $lan God $uts inside of you.

35G57* 0 )ive (ith /ur$ose

Aherefore, my /eloved /rethren, /e firm +steadfast,, immova/le, al'ays a/ounding in the 'ork of the Lord 0al'ays /eing superior, eBcelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord1, kno'ing and /eing continually a'are that your la/or in the Lord is not futile 0it is never 'asted or to no purpose1. % =O>I?A2I!? %:$:& )ife without $ur$ose is vanity. (ebster9s definition of $ur$ose is somethin# set u$ as an object or end to be attained. =hristians ou#ht to be $eo$le with $ur$ose. (e are all $ur$osed to see+ the +in#dom of God, which is 'is ri#hteousness, $eace, and joy in the 'oly 7$irit (see 6omans 1,!1@). *oday is an o$$ortunity to willfully and deliberately see+ God with the intent to +now 'im better than we +new 'im yesterday. *oday we can deliberately move forward with the intent to accom$lish #ood thin#s for the +in#dom.

35G57* @ 7tay 2n =ourse

Let your eyes look right on 0'ith fiBed purpose1, and let your gaFe /e straight /efore you. =onsider 'ell the path of your feet, and let all your 'ays /e esta/lished and ordered aright. Aurn not aside to the right hand or to the left( remove your foot from evil. P>OC<>. #$4:- 49

Jesus +new what 'is $ur$ose was. 'e disci$lined 'imself to stay on course, livin# 'is life to fulfill that $ur$ose for which 'e came. 3s =hristians, we need to follow in 'is ste$s and focus on our $ur$ose. (e were bou#ht with a $rice to live our lives in such a way that we become the salt of the earth, the li#ht of the world (see Catthew ?). (e are to lay down our selfish, self1centered lifestyles, and #ear our lives toward doin# somethin# for the betterment of someone else. *hen we will e%$erience that joy uns$ea+able, and full of #lory (1 /eter 1!A).

35G57* A >ee$ 3lert

.lessed +happy, fortunate, and to /e envied, are those servants 'hom the master finds a'ake and alert and 'atching 'hen he comes. Aruly I say to you, he 'ill gird himself and have them recline at ta/le and 'ill come and serve them; LDH< %4$59 In <$hesians 0!1 God9s word teaches, :e stron# in the )ord Hbe em$owered throu#h your union with 'imI. draw your stren#th from 'im Hthat stren#th which 'is boundless mi#ht $rovidesI. (e are to $ut on God9s armor so we won9t be deceived by the devil. Lerse 10 says, )ift u$ over all the Hcoverin#I shield of savin# faith, u$on which you can Euench all the flamin# missiles of the wic+ed HoneI. In verse 1A we are also told to $ray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the 7$irit, with all Hmanner ofI $rayer and entreaty. *o that end +ee$ alert and watch with stron# $ur$ose and $erseverance, intercedin# in behalf of all the saints (God9s consecrated $eo$le) (em$hasis mine).

35G57* F 3ct 4ow

Ahe pirit of the Lord 0is1 upon Me, /ecause 2e has anointed Me 0the !nointed One, the Messiah1 to preach the good ne's +the 3ospel, to the poor( 2e has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the /lind, to send forth as delivered those 'ho are oppressed 0'ho are do'ntrodden, /ruised, crushed, and /roken do'n /y calamity1. LDH< #$%& Good intentions are not acts of obedience, and $rocrastination devours o$$ortunities to live a $ur$oseful life. (hatever God has ins$ired you to do &do it today. Just do what needs to be done, even if the first thin# you tac+le is the dishes in the +itchen sin+ or a #ara#e that needs cleanin#. If God has s$ecifically told you to bless someone, and you have intended to do it, remember that now is the acce$table time, now is the day of salvation (see ; =orinthians 0!;).

35G57* 1 (in *he 6ace

.ut 0like a /oBer1 I /uffet my /ody 0handle it roughly, discipline it /y hardships1 and su/due it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the 3ospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should /ecome unfit 0not stand the test, /e unapproved and re8ected as a counterfeit1. % =O>I?A2I!? "$49 It is easy to leave un$leasant tas+s for later. :ut God wants 'is $eo$le to finish the race that 'e sets before them to run (see ; *imothy ,!@). 8on9t be afraid to do what seems to be hard. God will anoint you to do whatever 'e tells you to do. /aul s$o+e of this race for the sa+e of the #os$el in 1 =orinthians F!;-1 ;0! 7o run Hyour raceI that you may lay hold Hof the $riDeI and ma+e it yours. 'e said to run with definite aim, and to disci$line yourself to finish the race. Grace will ma+e winnin# easier than you ima#ined.

35G57* 11 :race "our Cind

I am a/le to do nothing from Myself 0independently, of My o'n accordK/ut only as I am taught /y 3od and as I get 2is orders1. LO2? :$57 2ne of the reasons $eo$le don9t #et thin#s done is that they mentally see their unfinished assi#nments as monstrous underta+in#s. If they would just ta+e care of those $rojects, they would find they aren9t that bi# of a deal. Birst /eter 1!1- says, :race u$ your minds. be sober (circums$ect, morally alert). set your ho$e wholly and unchan#eably on the #race (divine favor) that is comin# to you when Jesus =hrist (the Cessiah) is revealed. 8on9t let your mind rule you. (hen thou#hts of inadeEuacy fill your head, sto$ and remember that God9s #race is sufficient to meet all your needs. Just do thin#s one at a time, and +ee$ your mind on God9s ability, not your own.

35G57* 1; >ee$ 3 /ositive 3ttitude

Heep your foot 0give your mind to 'hat you are doing1 'hen you go 0as Laco/ to sacred .ethel1 to the house of 3od. 6or to dra' near to hear and o/ey is /etter than to give the sacrifice of fools 0carelessly, irreverently1 too ignorant to kno' that they are doing evil. <==L< I! A< :$% /eo$le who ta+e a $ositive attitude and say, I can do it. I am #oin# to do it ri#ht now. It is no $roblem. <verythin# will wor+ out fine, are wonderful to be around and wor+ with because they tac+le thin#s and #et them done. If you $ut off somethin# you should have done already, it will start to threaten you with fear. 8on9t allow an assi#nment to #et out of $ro$ortion in your mind. >ee$ your mind on what you set out to do today. If you #et interru$ted, ma+e yourself come bac+ to that tas+ and finish it u$. 4othin# is so hard that you can9t handle it, if you will +ee$ a $ositive attitude and do it God9s way.

35G57* 1'ave 3 /lan

Make me go in the path of Your commandments, for in them do I delight. P !LM %%"$5:

Go to slee$ at ni#ht with a $lan in mind for the ne%t day. 8on9t be va#ue about what you ho$e to accom$lish. 2ne mornin# I was lyin# in bed when the 7$irit of the )ord said to me, 7to$ bein# ambi#uous. *he dictionary defines ambi#uous as doubtful or uncertain, and ca$able of bein# understood in two or more $ossible senses or ways. 8on9t be double1minded. 8on9t just wait to see what ha$$ens. (a+e u$ with a $lan that $uts God first in all you do. God9s (ord is a lam$ to your feet, and a li#ht to your $ath (see /salm 11F!1 ?). *al+ to 'im before you even #et out of bed. as+ 'im to ma+e clear what you need to achieve today.

35G57* 1, 8evelo$ 7elf1control

2e 'ho has no rule over his o'n spirit is like a city that is /roken do'n and 'ithout 'alls. P>OC<>. 4:$4& 7elf1control is a fruit of the 7$irit (see Galatians ?!;;1 ;-). It develo$s as we s$end time fellowshi$$in# with God and $racticin# obedience to 'im. 7ometimes we would rather that God control us and ma+e us do the ri#ht thin#. :ut 'e wants us to rule over our s$irit. /roverbs 10!-; says, 'e who is slow to an#er is better than the mi#hty, he who rules his HownI s$irit than he who ta+es a city. It ta+es self1control not to #et offended, not to become an#ry every time somebody doesn9t do somethin# the way we want it done. 7elf1control is needed over our thou#hts, our words, and our a$$etites. :ut once we master our own s$irit, we are considered to be $owerful in the eyes of God&stron#er than one who ta+es a city.

35G57* 1? 8on9t :e )aDy

)o you see a man diligent and skillful in his /usiness@ 2e 'ill stand /efore kings( he 'ill not stand /efore o/scure men. P>OC<>. 44$4"

/roverbs ;,!- 1 -, #ives a clear warnin# about bein# laDy. )aDiness allows everythin# in our lives to #et over#rown or bro+en down. (e are to observe the fate of a laDy man and receive this instruction! "et a little slee$, a little slumber, a little foldin# of the hands to slee$&so shall your $overty come as a robber. God will hel$ you with anythin# in your life that has become over#rown or bro+en down. If you $ut your trust in 'im, 'e can turn your mess into your messa#e. 7et your way to follow God from this day forth. Guard a#ainst the s$irit of laDiness. Get rid of $rocrastination, and do whatever God has been tellin# you to do.

35G57* 10 3$$reciate =orrection

2appy +/lessed, fortunate, envia/le, is the man 'ho finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man 'ho gets understanding 0dra'ing it forth from 3odEs Word and lifeEs eBperiences1, for the gaining of it is /etter than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it /etter than fine gold. P>OC<>. 5$%5- %# 3s+ God to reveal areas in which you need to a$$ly self1control. "ou can even enjoy the journey to becomin# all that 'e has in mind for you to be, if you learn to a$$reciate #odly correction from others. 6emember, God loves you just the way you are, but 'e corrects those 'e loves (see /roverbs -!1;). 2nly mature =hristians enjoy the meat of God9s (ord, and 'e has much to share with 'is #rown1u$ sons and dau#hters. *here will always be more to learn, so don9t ma+e e%cuses for your wea+ $oints. 3cce$tin# the truth will set you free (see John A!-;), and God will #ive you stren#th to overcome in those areas in which you are wea+.

35G57* 1@ Bruit 2f *he 7$irit

If 'e live /y the 02oly1 pirit, let us also 'alk /y the pirit. 0If /y the 2oly pirit 'e have our life in 3od, let us go for'ard 'alking in line, our conduct controlled /y the pirit.1 3!L!AI!? :$4: /eo$le crave love, ha$$iness, and $eace. *hey try to buy these thin#s and $ay thera$ists to hel$ them find them. 3ll these Eualities are available by trustin# as their 7avior, Jesus, who sends the 'oly 7$irit to hel$ them wal+ in obedience to God. )ivin# the 7$irit1 filled life will eventually $roduce those thin#s that $eo$le want most in their lives. Galatians ?!;;1 ;- says, :ut the fruit of the H'olyI 7$irit Hthe wor+ which 'is $resence within accom$lishesI is love, joy (#ladness), $eace, $atience (an even tem$er, forbearance), +indness, #oodness (benevolence), faithfulness, #entleness (mee+ness, humility), self1control (self1restraint, continence). 3#ainst such thin#s there is no law Hthat can brin# a char#eI. )et the wor+ of God9s $resence within you shine throu#h you to others today.

35G57* 1A :e 8ili#ent
.ut 'e do 0strongly and earnestly1 desire for each of you to sho' the same diligence and sincerity 0all the 'ay through1 in realiFing and en8oying the full assurance and development of 0your1 hope until the end. 2<.><W -$%%

/roverbs ;;!;F says, 8o you see a man dili#ent and s+illful in his businessJ 'e will stand before +in#s. he will not stand before obscure men. 3 dili#ent man lives by the $rinci$le of just do itG 'e is the one who does it, does it, does it, and then does it some more, until whatever he set out to do is finished. 4ever #ive u$ on anythin# God has told you to believe for. never Euit doin# anythin# 'e has clearly shown you to do. "our dili#ence will $ay off with a blessin# from God.

35G57* 1F =om$lete "our (or+

Lesus said to them, My food +nourishment, is to do the 'ill +pleasure, of 2im Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish 2is 'ork. LO2? #$5# I believe the )ord wants us to finish whatever 'e calls us to do, even when it reEuires $atience, $erseverance, and hard wor+. God wants us to #row roots and learn to endure until the fruit of 'is $romise is manifested. :e willin# to endure $atiently to see God9s $lan ta+e $lace in your life. If God has #iven you a vision of somethin# 'e wants you to accom$lish, +ee$ doin# whatever 'e has #iven you to do, even when the e%citement for the wor+ is over, and all the #oose bum$s are #one. If you don9t have a vision, as+ God to show you somethin# that you need to do, and then commit your wor+ to the )ord until it is com$leted.

35G57* ; 6id "ourself 2f =lutter

IYou 'ill keep him in perfect peace, 'hose mind is stayed on You, /ecause he trusts in You.J I !I!2 4-$5 ?HL

7ometimes we com$licate our life by ta+in# on thin#s that God has not told us to do. (e add stress, confusion, and clutter with the unnecessary thin#s we ta+e on and hold on to. (e need to use our faith to let #o of whatever clutters our mind and +ee$s us from $eace. 3s+ God to show you ways to sim$lify your life. *a+e an inventory today, and start throwin# out whatever is fillin# your life with un$roductive distractions. God wants you to enjoy your day, so #et rid of whatever 'e shows you to #ive u$.

35G57* ;1 )ove "our =ritics

2e 'ho heeds instruction and correction is 0not only himself1 in the 'ay of life 0/ut also1 is a 'ay of life for others. P>OC<>. %7$%9

)ove your critics. 3$$reciate $eo$le9s correction. 3$$reciate God9s correction also. /roverbs -!1; says, Bor whom the )ord loves 'e corrects. 7elf1disci$line is the mar+ of maturity. If you don9t have control of yourself in a certain area, you are undisci$lined. In that area you are not mature. If you want to be a mature =hristian, then you must be disci$lined. If you want to be free to truly enjoy your life, you must face the truth. "ou cannot be free if you ma+e e%cuses for any area of wea+ness that God has $ointed out to you. <veryone has wea+nesses! #ive than+s to God if you discover one of yours today, and trust 'im to be stron# in that area in your behalf.

35G57* ;; Get 6id 2f 'indrances

Purge +clean out, the old leaven that you may /e fresh +ne', dough, still uncontaminated 0as you are1, for =hrist. % =O>I?A2I!? :$9

If you are serious about #rowin# in the )ord and reachin# a maturity of faith, you will embrace Catthew ?!;F1 - . It is a $owerful 7cri$ture which basically says! If your eye offends you, $luc+ it out. if your hand offends you, cut it off. In 1 =orinthians F!;,1 ;@, /aul said, I am runnin# a race, and I am runnin# it to win. *herefore, I buffet my body, I subdue it, and I handle it rou#hly ($ara$hrased). If you have habits or hindrances in your life that are foulin# you u$, #et rid of them. 8o it nowG 8on9t waste today with re#ret. 3s+ God to show you any area in your life that needs disci$line, and then draw from 'is vast su$$ly of #race to ma+e the chan#es you need to ma+e.

35G57* ;=ontrol "our Coods

>eceive instruction in 'ise dealing and the discipline of 'ise thoughtfulness, righteousness, 8ustice, and integrity. P>OC<>. %$5 Coods can brin# stran#e im$ulses that we dare not heed. (hen we #et moody, we want to do weird thin#s, or ne#lect our res$onsibilities. I don9t feel li+e doin# anythin# today. I am in a bad mood. Just leave me alone. 8isci$lined $eo$le submit their emotions to wisdom. *hey say, *hese are my feelin#s, but I don9t live by my feelin#s. I may have moods, but they don9t dictate my actions. I am #oin# to do e%actly what I would do if I felt better. "ou will enjoy your day more when you disci$line yourself to do what you believe, instead of what you feel.

35G57* ;, =ontrol "our 7$eech

! gentle tongue 0'ith its healing po'er1 is a tree of life. P>OC<>. %:$#

*he :ible says that if a $erson can control his s$eech, he can curb his entire nature! Bor we all often stumble and fall and offend in many thin#s. 3nd if anyone does not offend in s$eech Hnever says the wron# thin#sI, he is a fully develo$ed character and a $erfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature(James -!;). 4o one is com$letely mature in the )ord, so there is always room for im$rovement. If your mouth is out of control, other areas of your life will also be out of control. Give your s$eech to God today. 3s+ 'im to direct the words you s$ea+, and allow 'im to fill your mouth with words of life that lift u$ everyone around you.

35G57* ;? =hoose <%cellence

I am Your servant( give me understanding +discernment and comprehension,, that I may kno' +discern and /e familiar 'ith the character of, Your testimonies. P !LM %%"$%4: *he (ord says, )earn to sense what is vital, and a$$rove and $riDe what is e%cellent and of real value Hreco#niDin# the hi#hest and the best, and distin#uishin# the moral differencesI, and . . . be untainted and $ure and unerrin# and blameless Hso that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may a$$roachI the day of =hrist Hnot stumblin# nor causin# others to stumbleI (/hili$$ians 1!1 ). /eo$le ma+e choices and selections all day lon#. 3 truly disci$lined $erson has the ability to subordinate the lesser choice to the #reater, more e%cellent choice. *hin+ about that as you choose the way you will #o today. 7elect the #reater cause, and subordinate the lesser o$tions to it.

35G57* ;0 "ou 3re 7ecure

Lean on, trust in, and /e confident in the Lord 'ith all your heart and mind and do not rely on your o'n insight or understanding. In all your 'ays kno', recogniFe, and ackno'ledge 2im, and 2e 'ill direct and make straight and plain your paths. P>OC<>. 5$:- Bollowin# God is not a $art1time lifestyle. *he :ible clearly teaches that we are to be cautious at all times because the devil loo+s for o$$ortunities to devour us (see 1 /eter ?!A). :ut God #ives us #race to withstand the devil and to be firm in faith a#ainst his onset. "ou can be rooted, established stron#, immovable, and determined, +nowin# that whatever you face today is identical to what =hristians throu#hout the world are facin#. 3nd God 'imself will com$lete you and ma+e you what you ou#ht to be. 'e will establish you and #round you securely, stren#then and settle you today (see vv. F1 1 ).

35G57* ;@ 5se 7elf1=ontrol

6or this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness( and to goodness, kno'ledge( and to kno'ledge, self-control( and to self-control, perseverance( and to perseverance, godliness( and to godliness, /rotherly kindness( and to /rotherly kindness, love. 6or if you possess these *ualities in increasing measure, they 'ill keep you from /eing ineffective and unproductive in your kno'ledge of our Lord Lesus =hrist. 4 P<A<> %$:- & ?IC *he (ord says that a $erson will die for lac+ of disci$line and instruction, and in his folly he will #o astray and be lost (see /roverbs ?!;-). "ou can9t buy disci$line, but you have an inner ability to develo$ self1control. :y s$endin# time with God, you can be filled with 'is 7$irit and controlled by 'is $ower to live a calm life with a well1balanced mind of disci$line and self1 control (see ; *imothy 1!@). =onsciously add self1 control to your behavior today.

35G57* ;A Give God =ontrol

!nd endurance +fortitude, develops maturity of character +approved faith and tried integrity,. !nd character 0of this sort1 produces 0the ha/it of1 8oyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. >OM!? :$#

"ou will not enjoy your day if anythin# is out of control. "ou can +ee$ your tem$er, moods, emotions, a$$etite, mouth, and thou#hts in line with God9s (ord if you #ive 'im control over the areas you want to subdue with faith. God created us with a free will, and we can choose the thin# that is best for us. :e free from old destructive habits by sim$ly formin# new ones. 8on9t let your emotions #et out of control today. If, for instance, you feel your tem$er be#in to rise, $ray Euic+ly for God to fill you with the fruit of the 7$irit. 5se the self1control that 'e freely ma+es available to you.

35G57* ;F 8esire God9s 'eart

!rm yourselves 'ith the same thought and purpose 0patiently to suffer rather than fail to please 3od1. 6or 'hoever has suffered in the flesh 0having the mind of =hrist1 is done 'ith 0intentional1 sin 0has stopped pleasing himself and the 'orld, and pleases 3od1, so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living /y 0his1 human appetites and desires, /ut 0he lives1 for 'hat 3od 'ills. % P<A<> #$%- 4 "ou have desires of the flesh, but you also have desires ins$ired by the 'oly 7$irit. "ou have a mind of flesh, but you also have the mind of =hrist and hold the thou#hts (feelin#s and $ur$oses) of 'is heart (1 =orinthians ;!10). )earn to determine where your desires are comin# from. 8esires from your flesh don9t brin# $eace, but desires from God9s 7$irit brin# joyful rewards. <%ercise self1control, and choose those desires that are $lanted in you by the 'oly 7$irit.

35G57* 8on9t (aste *ime

Look carefully then ho' you 'alk; Live purposefully and 'orthily and accurately, not as the un'ise and 'itless, /ut as 'ise +sensi/le, intelligent people,, making the very most of the time 0/uying up each opportunity1. <P2< I!? :$%:- %-

(e need to be so self1controlled that we don9t waste time. *hat doesn9t mean that we can never do anythin# fun. It doesn9t mean we can9t do thin#s that we enjoy. (e don9t need to be ri#id, stiff, or borin#. :ut we do need to use our time wisely, choosin# to #ive the best $art of our day to s$end time with God. *he (ord encoura#es us to be $re$ared, sayin#, 'ear counsel, receive instruction, and acce$t correction, that you may be wise in the time to come (/roverbs 1F!; ). 7tartin# your day with God9s instruction will +ee$ you wal+in# in wisdom, ma+in# the most of your time.

35G57* -1 Initiate 7olutions

I have set /efore you life and death, the /lessings and the curses( therefore choose life. )<DA<>O?OMY 57$%" 7ometimes we com$lain about thin#s that we could chan#e if we would sto$ feelin# sorry for ourselves lon# enou#h to do somethin# about them. Bor e%am$le, if we are lonely, we can ma+e the effort to be a friend to someone else. (e can choose to be free or remain in bonda#e to self1$ity. (e can choose to be $itiful or $owerful. /salm ;?!1;1 1, says, (ho is the man who reverently fears and worshi$s the )ordJ 'im shall 'e teach in the way that he should choose. 'e himself shall dwell at ease, and his offs$rin# shall inherit the land. *he secret Hof the sweet, satisfyin# com$anionshi$I of the )ord have they who fear (revere and worshi$) 'im, and 'e will show them 'is covenant and reveal to them its Hdee$, innerI meanin#.

7</*<C:<6 1 3dmirable Lirtues

.ut I say, 'alk and live 0ha/itually1 in the 02oly1 pirit 0responsive to and controlled and guided /y the pirit1( then you 'ill certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh +of human nature 'ithout 3od,. 3!L!AI!? :$%*he fruit of the H'olyI 7$irit, Hthe wor+ which 'is $resence within accom$lishesI is love, joy (#ladness), $eace, $atience (an even tem$er, forbearance), +indness, #oodness (benevolence), faithfulness, #entleness (mee+ness, humility), self1control (self1 restraint, continence) (Galatians ?!;;1 ;-). /eo$le throu#hout the world try to acEuire these virtues throu#h counselin# or self1hel$ boo+s. "et the :ible says that if we wal+ with God, the 7$irit1filled life will $roduce all these thin#s within us. Give your life to God each day, and 'e will create a ri#ht heart in you, one that will want to do the thin#s 'e would have you do.

7</*<C:<6 ; 7owin# 3nd 6ea$in#

o then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good 0morally1 to all people 0not only /eing useful or profita/le to them, /ut also doing 'hat is for their spiritual good and advantage1. .e mindful to /e a /lessing, especially to those of the household of faith 0those 'ho /elong to 3odEs family 'ith you, the /elievers1. 3!L!AI!? -$%7 Bor he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh rea$ decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the 7$irit will from the 7$irit rea$ eternal life (Galatians 0!A). (e can enjoy our life (and avoid trouble) if we follow the 'oly 7$irit9s leadin#. *he (ord tells us not to #row weary from doin# what is ri#ht, because God $romises that whatever we sow today we will also rea$ sometime in the future (see v. F). :e coura#eous, act nobly, and continue doin# what you +now is ri#ht.

7</*<C:<6 3 4ew 8irection

O Lord, You have heard the desire and the longing of the hum/le and oppressed( You 'ill prepare and strengthen and direct their hearts. P !LM %7$%9 7ometimes we come to an unha$$y $lace in our lives. If we e%amine ourselves on those days, we will most li+ely discover that the thin#s that ma+e us most unha$$y are the fruit of the choices that we made earlier. *oday can be a new start. I thin+ God #ave us twenty1 four1hour days because 'e +new that was all we could handle. 'is mercies are new every mornin# (see )amentations -!;;1 ;-). "ou can start over this mornin# and live today for the )ord. 8etermine to follow wherever God leads you, and do whatever 'e tells you to do. "ou can e%$ect better tomorrows when you live ri#ht today.

7</*<C:<6 , (al+ In Inte#rity

Ahe Lord re'arded me according to my righteousness +my conscious integrity and sincerity 'ith 2im,( according to the cleanness of my hands has 2e recompensed me. P !LM %&$47 *al+in# about the (ord isn9t enou#h. we need to do what we say we believe. God will bless us if we are $eo$le of inte#rity. 3s believers, we need to +ee$ our $romises and do what we say we will do. )oo+ for ways to demonstrate inte#rity today. If you can9t follow throu#h with somethin# you said you would do for someone, at least call or write a letter, sayin#, /lease for#ive me. I was not bein# led by God, and I just cannot do what I said. *his way you will honor God and +ee$ your ste$s #oin# in the ri#ht direction.

7</*<C:<6 ? 7tay 2ut 2f 7trife

2e 'ho is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, /ut he 'ho puts his trust in the Lord shall /e enriched and /lessed. P>OC<>. 4&$4: /robably A $ercent of the $laces we visit in our ministry have church members who are riddled with strife. 7trife is the devil9s tool a#ainst us. It ta+es $ersonal self1control to stay out of strife. If you want to +ee$ $eace, you can9t always say everythin# you want to say. 7ometimes you have to control yourself and a$olo#iDe even when there is nothin# in you that wants to do so. :ut if you sow the #odly $rinci$le of harmony and unity today, a time will come when you will rea$ the blessin#s of all it can brin# to you.

7</*<C:<6 0 >ee$ "our /romises

2e 'ho honors those 'ho fear the Lord +'ho revere and 'orship 2im,( 'ho s'ears to his o'n hurt and does not change( 0he 'ho1 does not put out his money for interest 0to one of his o'n people1 and 'ho 'ill not take a /ri/e against the innocent. 2e 'ho does these things shall never /e moved. P !LM %:$#- :

*here are times when I ma+e a commitment to do somethin# that later I re#ret. *hen I try to fi#ure out some way to #et out of doin# what I said I would do. I ar#ue, God, surely "ou don9t want me to do this thin# and miss this other #reat o$$ortunity. *he only thin# the )ord ever says to me is, "ou #ave your word, Joyce. :e a woman of inte#rity, and I will bless you. If we are $eo$le of inte#rity, God will brin# other #ood o$$ortunities around another time with even more blessin#s.

7</*<C:<6 @ 3s+ Bor 'el$

=onfess to one another therefore your faults +your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins, and pray 0also1 for one another, that you may /e healed and restored 0to a spiritual tone of mind and heart1. Ahe earnest +heartfelt, continued, prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous po'er availa/le 0dynamic in its 'orking1. L!M< :$%3ddictions, habits, or ne#ative attitudes can wear you out. If you need deliverance from some wron# behavior, the :ible teaches that the 'oly 7$irit is your 'el$er (see John 1,!10). =onfess your need to God, and as+ 'im to deliver you. 'e may lead you to confess your faults to other believers whom you can trust to $ray for you. *he (ord says that we are to confess our faults to one another so that we may be healed and restored. If you are out of control in some area, be honest about it. *oday can be your day of deliverance.

7</*<C:<6 A <liminate <%cuses

6or the Lord your 3od 'alks in the midst of your camp to deliver you and to give up your enemies /efore you. Aherefore shall your camp /e holy, that 2e may see nothing indecent among you and turn a'ay from you. )<DA<>O?OMY 45$%# If a habit is controllin# you, you will not enjoy the best that God offers you. 8on9t ma+e e%cuses for bonda#es that seem to have a hold on you. 8enial and e%cuses will +ee$ you from enjoyin# your life. (hether it is an eatin# disorder or a bad tem$er, you cannot blame it on your #enes or your family. God ma+es a way of esca$e for us and $romises a #ood life for those who are born a#ain. =laim your ri#hts as a child of God. 7ay, I am a new $erson in =hrist. I can do all thin#s throu#h =hrist who stren#thens me (see /hili$$ians ,!1-).

7</*<C:<6 F God (ill =han#e "ou

Many plans are in a manEs mind, /ut it is the LordEs purpose for him that 'ill stand. P>OC<>. %"$4% <ven thou#h you may still be o$eratin# in old habits, you still have ho$e of chan#e, but you can9t chan#e yourself. God will chan#e you, if you see+ 'im with your whole heart. 8on9t be in a hurry for God to finish wor+in# in your life. (e want everythin# to be done instantly, but God is not interested in our schedule. *he enemy may thwart your $lans, but God9s $lans don9t #et thwarted, and 'e has a uniEue $lan for you. 7ee+ God9s $lan for your life. 7tay on fire, red hot, Dealous. /ursue 'is $ur$ose for you with every ounce of ener#y you have. *here is nothin# in this world that is worth see+in# more.

7</*<C:<6 1 7ee+ God (holeheartedly

eek, in*uire of and for the Lord, and crave 2im and 2is strength +2is might and infleBi/ility to temptation,( seek and re*uire 2is face and 2is presence 0continually1 evermore. P !LM %7:$# If you have a need today, see+ God with your whole heart. *he :ible says to aim at and see+ the Hrich, eternal treasuresI that are above (=olossians -!1). If you see+ the fruit of the 7$irit wholeheartedly, God will do a wor+ in your life so that you will enjoy the abundant life Jesus died to #ive you. God $romises, 3nd the )ord shall ma+e you the head, and not the tail. and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the )ord your God which I command you this day and are watchful to do them (8euteronomy ;A!1-).

7</*<C:<6 11 :e /ositive
I thank my 3od at all times for you /ecause of the grace +the favor and spiritual /lessing, of 3od 'hich 'as /esto'ed on you in =hrist Lesus, 0so1 that in 2im in every respect you 'ere enriched, in full po'er and readiness of speech 0to speak of your faith1 and complete kno'ledge and illumination 0to give you full insight into its meaning1. % =O>I?A2I!? %$#- : *he (ord of God says, 8e$art from evil and do #ood. see+, inEuire for, and crave $eace and $ursue (#o after) itG (/salm -,!1,). 8o all thin#s without #rumblin# and faultfindin# and com$lainin# Ha#ainst GodI and Euestionin# and doubtin# Hamon# yourselvesI (/hili$$ians ;!1,). :e $ositive. Get rid of #ossi$in# and com$lainin#. 7tart your day by readin# the :ible so that you will +now how to s$ea+ from the authority of God9s (ord. 7$end time listenin# to God, and then tell others what you hear 'im say. :rin# life to whatever situations you face.

7</*<C:<6 1; =ontrol "our *em$er

2e 'ho is slo' to anger has great understanding. P>OC<>. %#$4" It is uncomfortable for others to be around us if we are easily an#ered. (e need to learn how to res$ond to life instead of react to it, so that we can enjoy God9s $ower in our lives. God says that a $erson who can control his or her an#er is better and mi#htier than an individual who can ta+e a whole city (see /roverbs 10!-;). God9s (ord says, 5nderstand HthisI, my beloved brethren. )et every man be Euic+ to hear Ha ready listenerI, slow to s$ea+, slow to ta+e offense and to #et an#ry. Bor man9s an#er does not $romote the ri#hteousness God Hwishes and reEuiresI (James 1!1F1 ; ). :e a ready listener, and enjoy the freedom from an#er that God offers you.

7</*<C:<6 1:e 7low *o 7$ea+

6or let him 'ho 'ants to en8oy life and see good days 0goodK'hether apparent or not1 keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile +treachery, deceit,. % P<A<> 5$%7 'ave you ever re#retted somethin# you said as soon as the words were out of your mouthJ "ou can9t ta+e bac+ the words you s$ea+ to others&and words can dama#e relationshi$s. *he :ible says that if you can control your mouth, you can control your whole body (see James -!;). :efore you res$ond to $eo$le too Euic+ly, sto$ and listen to what the 'oly 7$irit has to say about your situation. James tau#ht, )et every man be Euic+ to hear Ha ready listenerI, slow to s$ea+, slow to ta+e offense and to #et an#ry (James 1!1F). =ommit your mouth to God9s service today, and use words that s$ea+ healin# to others.

7</*<C:<6 1, )ove Isn9t *ouchy

Love +3odEs love in us, does not insist on its o'n rights or its o'n 'ay, for it is not self-seeking( it is not touchy or fretful or resentful( it takes no account of the evil done to it 0it pays no attention to a suffered 'rong1. % =O>I?A2I!? %5$: *he :ible says that God9s love in us is not touchy. If we wear our emotions on our sleeve all the time, we may need to s$end more time in 'is $resence before we face the day. 2ur tears can $rovo+e sym$athy, but it is better to be a #iver instead of a ta+er all the time. 7tartin# your day with God will +ee$ you sweetened u$ and full of confidence. 3s you enjoy 'is #entleness and +indness, you will be built u$ in your s$irit and better able to overloo+ the offenses of others. 3s+ God to #ive you a stron# heart, one ready to love $eo$le today as 'e does.

7</*<C:<6 1? Get In :alance

Love /ears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to /elieve the /est of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything 0'ithout 'eakening1. % =O>I?A2I!? %5$9 (e all #et emotional occasionally or lose our tem$er once in a while. :ut if you are out of balance in either one of these areas, it is very im$ortant to #et bac+ in balance if you want your day to #o ri#ht. If your feelin#s #et hurt because someone loo+s at you crossways or because friends or family for#et your birthday, you need to s$end more time with God. 'e will fill you with so much love and such a sense of self1worth that you won9t feel ill1tem$ered or touchy toward anyone. 7ee+ God with your whole heart today. *al+ to 'im about your $roblems, and then enjoy yourself, +nowin# that 'e cares for you.

7</*<C:<6 10 8on9t /rocrastinate

.ut the fruit of the 02oly1 pirit 0the 'ork 'hich 2is presence 'ithin accomplishes1 is love, 8oy +gladness,, peace, patience +an even temper, for/earance,, kindness, goodness +/enevolence,, faithfulness, gentleness +meekness, humility,, self-control +self-restraint, continence,. !gainst such things there is no la' 0that can /ring a charge1. 3!L!AI!? :$44- 45 *he :ible says that we are to be doers of the (ord Hobey the messa#eI, and not merely listeners to it (James 1!;;). In other words, we are to a$$ly its teachin# to our everyday lives. /rocrastination is one of the #reatest barriers to $uttin# God9s word into action in our lives. It ta+es self1control to do somethin#, and it also ta+es self1 control not to do somethin#. 7elf1control is a fruit of the 7$irit that comes into our lives by s$endin# time with God. 3s+ God to fill you with the $ower of self1 control in order to overcome $rocrastination and be a doer of the (ord.

7</*<C:<6 1@ :rea+ 7tron#holds

6or the 'eapons of our 'arfare are not physical 0'eapons of flesh and /lood1, /ut they are mighty /efore 3od for the overthro' and destruction of strongholds, . . . and 'e lead every thought and purpose a'ay captive into the o/edience of =hrist +the Messiah, the !nointed One,. 4 =O>I?A2I!? %7$#- : *he :ible teaches that 7atan tries to build stron#holds in our lives. 2ne way to identify the stron#holds in your life is to watch for re$etitive situations that $ull you down in s$irit. (e all +now inside when somethin# is not ri#ht in our life or is #ettin# out of control. If that ha$$ens to you, see+ God early to find out what is #oin# on. If a ne#ative behavior becomes re$etitive, that is a si#nal that 7atan is buildin# himself a stron#hold in your life. God will destroy the devil9s stron#holds within you, if you draw near to 'im.

7</*<C:<6 1A Bind *ruth

!nd you 'ill kno' the Aruth, and the Aruth 'ill set you free. LO2? &$54 If you lose your tem$er easily, you will never enjoy your day as God meant for it to be. 7ee+ God with your whole heart and find out what is wron#. *he way to #et free from thin#s that u$set you is to find truth&the truth will always set you free. (e don9t always want to face truth because sometimes it is $ainful. 7ometimes it shows us that we need to chan#e. If we are behavin# badly, we ma+e e%cuses for our wron# behavior. :ut e%cuses will never ma+e us free. )et God #et involved with your day. when you feel your tem$er flare, as+ 'im to reveal the truth of that situation. *he truth will always set you free to enjoy the rest of your day.

7</*<C:<6 1F Get Bree

Out of my distress I called upon the Lord( the Lord ans'ered me and set me free. P !LM %%&$:

If you find yourself runnin# late everywhere you #o (even ? $ercent of the time), that is evidence of a stron#hold that 7atan has built in your life. Get free from it, or the devil will use it to +ee$ you under $ressure. "ou may have an e%cuse for every time you are behind schedule, but somethin# is wron# if that behavior $attern is re$etitive. 3s+ God to show you how to #et free from the $ressure of always hurryin# and bein# late. 7tartin# your day with God will hel$ you set $riorities for your day. Get to the root of the $roblem, and enjoy the fruit of God9s indwellin# $resence to #et you where you need to be&on time and without hurryin#.

7</*<C:<6 ; 6un *he 6ace

I press on to'ard the goal to 'in the 0supreme and heavenly1 priFe to 'hich 3od in =hrist Lesus is calling us up'ard. P2ILIPPI!? 5$%# (e live in a society that is used to doin# whatever feels #ood ri#ht now. :ut instant #ratification never brin#s lastin# satisfaction. If you o$erate in self1control throu#h the $ower of the 'oly 7$irit livin# in you, you will choose to do thin#s that contribute to the #oal that you have in mind. "ou must disci$line yourself now so you will rea$ the reward of reachin# your #oal later. /aul tau#ht, 8o you not +now that in a race all the runners com$ete, but HonlyI one receives the $riDeJ 7o run Hyour raceI that you may lay hold Hof the $riDeI and ma+e it yours (1 =orinthians F!;,). 7tay focused on the #oal. God will #ive you the #race to continue movin# toward it.

7</*<C:<6 ;1 Get Bit

6or 3od did not give us a spirit of timidity +of co'ardice, of craven and cringing and fa'ning fear,, /ut 02e has given us a spirit1 of po'er and of love and of calm and 'ell-/alanced mind and discipline and self-control. 4 AIMOA2Y %$9 <very athlete who #oes into trainin# conducts himself tem$erately and restricts himself in all thin#s (1 =orinthians F!;?, em$hasis mine). *hat word all is a difficult conce$t for us to #ras$. (e need to live a disci$lined life, $hysically, s$iritually, and emotionally, if we want to enjoy God9s $lan for us. *he fruit of the 7$irit is self1 control, and the fruit of the flesh is no control. /aul said, I buffet my body Hhandle it rou#hly, disci$line it by hardshi$sI and subdue it, for fear that after $roclaimin# to others the Gos$el and thin#s $ertainin# to it, I myself should become unfit Hnot stand the test, be una$$roved and rejected as a counterfeitI (1 =orinthians F!;@).

7</*<C:<6 ;; :e 3 8oer 2f *he (ord

My life makes its /oast in the Lord. P !LM 5#$4 I have found three $rinci$les to be life1chan#in# when followed faithfully every day! 1. <liminate e%cuses and avoid $rocrastination. :ein# a doer of the (ord is $uttin# your faith into action. Baith without action is dead faith (see James ;!; >JL). ;. Bace the truth no matter how $ainful it is. *ruth is the only thin# that will set you free (see John A!-;). God9s (ord is full of truth. 7tart your day in the (ord of God. -. 7to$ feelin# sorry for yourself. 5nderstand who you are in Jesus =hrist. "ou are more than ca$able in 'im (see /hili$$ians ,!1-).

7</*<C:<6 ;<njoy *he /ower *o )ove 2thers

o speak and so act as 0people should1 'ho are to /e 8udged under the la' of li/erty 0the moral instruction given /y =hrist, especially a/out love1. L!M< 4$%4 It can be difficult to #ras$ the idea of the law of liberty, because law and liberty seem to be worlds a$art! 3 law says one thin#, while liberty says another. I believe the law of liberty s$o+en of in James 1!;? refers to the freedom of self1control, because God $uts a new heart in us that wants to obey 'is law of love. (ith this new heart that Jesus #ave you, you have the ability to be led of the 7$irit, who #ives you the $ower and freedom to love others. <njoy your day by allowin# the )ord to love others throu#h you.

7</*<C:<6 ;, :e 6es$onsible
.ut you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the pirit, if the 02oly1 pirit of 3od 0really1 d'ells 'ithin you 0directs and controls you1. .ut if anyone does not possess the 02oly1 pirit of =hrist, he is none of 2is 0he does not /elong to =hrist, is not truly a child of 3od1. >OM!? &$" 6omans A!A declares! *hose who are livin# the life of the flesh Hcaterin# to the a$$etites and im$ulses of their carnal natureI cannot $lease or satisfy God, or be acce$table to 'im. God wants us to enjoy the #ood life. 'ere 'e is sayin# to us, If you wal+ in the 7$irit, you will rea$ blessin#s from the 7$irit1controlled life both now and hereafter. :e res$onsible for your choices today. "ou cannot choose to live in the flesh and still e%$ect everythin# to wor+ out well. =hoose to be obedient to the leadin# of the 'oly 7$irit.

7</*<C:<6 ;? 7ow (hat "ou (ant *o 6ea$

o' for yourselves according to righteousness +uprightness and right standing 'ith 3od,( reap according to mercy and loving-kindness. .reak up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, to in*uire for and of 2im, and to re*uire 2is favor, till 2e comes and teaches you righteousness and rains 2is righteous gift of salvation upon you. 2O <! %7$%4 *here is never a harvest without a time of sowin# (see <cclesiastes -!11 ;). God can do anythin# 'e wants to, but 'e has established a life $rinci$le that wor+s for everyone! Birst you sow, and then you rea$. It always ha$$ens in that order. *hose who sow trouble and mischief rea$ the same. *hose who sow ri#hteousness rea$ mercy. If God tells you to do somethin#, and you sow obedience, and once you have $assed the test, you will rea$ a #ood harvest. 6emember the seEuence! (hat you sow today, you will rea$ tomorrow.

7</*<C:<6 ;0 7ow Generously

0>emem/er1 this$ he 'ho so's sparingly and grudgingly 'ill also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he 'ho so's generously 0that /lessings may come to someone1 'ill also reap generously and 'ith /lessings. 4 =O>I?A2I!? "$(e don9t sow now and rea$ a harvest five minutes later. (e need to endure $atiently in order to rea$ the blessin# of ri#hteousness. *en to fifteen years may $ass before a harvest comes, but God9s (ord is still true. :e willin# to #o throu#h the test of time in order to enjoy the harvest God $romises. 'is (ord says, In the mornin# sow your seed, and in the evenin# withhold not your hands, for you +now not which shall $ros$er, whether this or that, or whether both ali+e will be #ood (<cclesiastes 11!0). 7ow #ood seeds #enerously today.

7</*<C:<6 ;@ 6ea$ *he Good )ife

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have 0perfect1 peace and confidence. In the 'orld you have tri/ulation and trials and distress and frustration( /ut /e of good cheer 0take courage( /e confident, certain, undaunted1; 6or I have overcome the 'orld. 0I have deprived it of po'er to harm you and have con*uered it for you.1 LO2? %-$55 God showed me that my life was in a mess because of the decisions I had made. 'e said, Joyce, you have to chan#e. start sowin# #ood seeds, and down the road somewhere, you will rea$. If trials come a#ainst you, don9t try to fi#ure out whether you sowed some bad seeds that $roduced them. *rials will come, but if you will obey the (ord of God lon# enou#h (not just five minutes of trial and error), sooner or later, you will come into the #ood life that God has $rearran#ed for you to live.

7</*<C:<6 ;A /lant /ur$osefully

)o not /e deceived and deluded and misled( 3od 'ill not allo' 2imself to /e sneered at +scorned, disdained, or mocked /y mere pretensions or professions, or /y 2is precepts /eing set aside,. 02e inevita/ly deludes himself 'ho attempts to delude 3od.1 6or 'hatever a man so's, that and that only is 'hat he 'ill reap. 3!L!AI!? -$9 =hoose carefully what you sow throu#h your words and actions, and $lant only what you want to rea$! Bor he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh rea$ decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the 7$irit will from the 7$irit rea$ eternal life (Galatians 0!A). <verythin# you do, all day lon#, is an o$$ortunity to sow #ood seeds, or bad ones, that can drastically chan#e thin#s in your life. Get an early start in sowin# only what you want to come bac+ to you.

7</*<C:<6 ;F 8e$end 2n God

!nd I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that 2e Who /egan a good 'ork in you 'ill continue until the day of Lesus =hrist 0right up to the time of 2is return1, developing 0that good 'ork1 and perfecting and /ringing it to full completion in you. P2ILIPPI!? %$(hatever you may be stru##lin# with today, the 'oly 7$irit will hel$ you live a self1controlled life, because the :ible says that self1control is a fruit of the indwellin# $resence of the 'oly 7$irit (see Galatians ?!;;1 ;-). 3llow the 'oly 7$irit to hel$ you admit when you have a $roblem that you need 'is hel$ to overcome. then as+ God for hel$ from the 'oly 7$irit. Jesus said, :eholdG I have #iven you authority and $ower . . . and H$hysical and mental stren#th and abilityI over all the $ower that the enemy H$ossessesI ()u+e 1 !1F).

7</*<C:<6 God9s (ay (or+s

.lessed +happy, fortunate, to /e envied, is everyone 'ho fears, reveres, and 'orships the Lord, 'ho 'alks in 2is 'ays and lives according to 2is commandments. P !LM %4&$% *he :ible says, 8o not be deceived and deluded and misled. God will not allow 'imself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or moc+ed . . . Bor whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will rea$ (Galatians 0!@). God9s (ord is true. 'e will not be moc+ed. If it seems that the enemy has erected walls to +ee$ you from your $ur$ose, just +ee$ doin# what is ri#ht anyway. 7$ea+in# of the )ord, the $salmist says, "ou have bro+en down all his hed#es and his walls. "ou have brou#ht his stron#holds to ruin (/salm AF!, ). God is in control. if you do ri#ht today, you will be blessed.

2=*2:<6 1 >ee$ 2n >ee$in# 2n

Ao those 'ho /y patient persistence in 'ell-doing 0springing from piety1 seek 0unseen /ut sure1 glory and honor and 0the eternal /lessedness of1 immortality, 2e 'ill give eternal life. >OM!? 4$9 In /roverbs, (isdom says! :lessed (ha$$y, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who listens to me, watchin# daily at my #ates, waitin# at the $osts of my doors (A!-,). Cany $eo$le seem to jum$ from one thin# to another, when what they need is wisdom and consistency. It is im$ortant to +ee$ on +ee$in# on&doin# what you +now is ri#ht, even if you are the only one doin# it. God is on your side (see 6omans A!-1), and 'e has already written the end of the :oo+. *hose who obey 'im will winG

2=*2:<6 ; 2bedience :rin#s 7uccess

<very cripture is 3od-/reathed +given /y 2is inspiration, and profita/le for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in o/edience, 0and1 for training in righteousness +in holy living, in conformity to 3odEs 'ill in thought, purpose, and action,. 4 AIMOA2Y 5$%*he :ible says that we will rea$ what we sow. *he dividin# line between success and failure is doin# what God tells us to do. (e $ray for fruit in our lives, but we don9t always want to $ray for roots. If we want our days to #o ri#ht, we need to do whatever God tells us to do. If we don9t wal+ in obedience, then we can9t com$lain if we wind u$ in a mess. If we are lonely and God tells us to invite somebody over, but we decide it is too much trouble, then we will stay lonely. 2bedience brin#s the fruit of the 7$irit in your life. 8i# dee$ into God9s (ord before you wal+ away from blessin#s today.

2=*2:<6 Jesus Is 2ur 7tandard

2is intention 'as . . . that 0'e might arrive1 at really mature manhood +the completeness of personality 'hich is nothing less than the standard height of =hristEs o'n perfection,, the measure of the stature of the fullness of the =hrist and the completeness found in 2im. <P2< I!? #$%4-%5 2ne time I was com$arin# myself to the way I used to be, and I thou#ht, I am not doin# too badly. *hen God said to me, :ut (ho is your standardJ 'ow are you doin# com$ared to CeJ I said, )ord, I have a lon# way to #oG 6efuse to live beneath the standard that Jesus has set for you. >ee$ your eyes on 'im and tell 'im, Cany . . . are the wonderful wor+s which "ou have done . . . no one can com$are with "ou (/salm , !?).

2=*2:<6 , 6eceive 'is Grace

6or 'e are 3odEs 0o'n1 handi'ork +2is 'orkmanship,, recreated in =hrist Lesus, 0/orn ane'1 that 'e may do those good 'orks 'hich 3od predestined +planned /eforehand, for us 0taking paths 'hich 2e prepared ahead of time1, that 'e should 'alk in them 0living the good life 'hich 2e prearranged and made ready for us to live1. <P2< I!? 4$%7 *he :ible doesn9t say that you have to have self1 control in order to #o to heaven. "ou are free to be out of control if you want to. it is entirely u$ to you. *he (ord does say that you have to believe that Jesus =hrist is your )ord and 7avior (see 6omans 1 !F1 1 ). :ut if you want to live the #ood life that God has $rearran#ed and laid out for you before the foundation of the world, you will need to disci$line yourself to do whatever 'is (ord says to do or whatever the 'oly 7$irit s$ea+s to your heart to do. God offers you the #race to live a holy life that will rea$ many blessin#s in the days to come.

2=*2:<6 ? <njoy *he Good )ife

You have put more 8oy and re8oicing in my heart than 0they kno'1 'hen their 'heat and ne' 'ine have yielded a/undantly. In peace I 'ill /oth lie do'n and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me d'ell in safety and confident trust. P !LM #$9- & God has $rearran#ed and made ready a #ood life for you, but that #ood life is a choice. "ou have to decide to follow God9s leadin# in order to wal+ in it. *he :ible contains #uidelines for that #ood life. It is not a boo+ of laws. it is about the liberty and freedom to live the life that rea$s #ood thin#s. It is a boo+ of wisdom that will lead you to $eace and joy. If you do what the (ord says to do, blessin#s will chase you and find you wherever you are (see 8euteronomy ;A!11 ;).

2=*2:<6 0 *he Grace 2f God

I have raised you up for this very purpose of displaying My po'er in 0dealing 'ith1 you, so that My name may /e proclaimed the 'hole 'orld over. >OM!? "$%9 If you want victory over somethin#, $re$are yourself to wor+ at it. :ut it is not a matter of de$endin# on yourself or winnin# at life throu#h your own determination. God #ives us #race to do #ood wor+s. :ut #race doesn9t mean that our human flesh #ets a free ride while we just lie down and #o to slee$. "ou are made for #ood wor+s, to be a servant of ri#hteousness. "ou are built to ta+e res$onsibility, and God will hel$ you accom$lish all 'e #ives you to do. 'e set you free from the bonda#e of sin so that you can conform to 'is divine will in thou#ht, $ur$ose, and action (see 6omans 0!1A). Lictory is achieved throu#h God9s #race, but you have to choose to trust 'im every ste$ of the way.

2=*2:<6 @ =hoose )iberty

You 'ere 'ashed clean +purified /y a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin,, and you 'ere consecrated +set apart, hallo'ed,, and you 'ere 8ustified 0pronounced righteous, /y trusting1 in the name of the Lord Lesus =hrist and in the 02oly1 pirit of our 3od. % =O>I?A2I!? -$%% 3s a believer, you are free to do anythin# you $lease! 3ll thin#s are le#itimate H$ermissible&and we are free to do anythin# we $leaseI, but not all thin#s are hel$ful (e%$edient, $rofitable, and wholesome) (1 =orinthians 1 !;-). God trusts you with liberty because 'e has also #iven you a new heart full of desire to $lease 'im. "ou don9t have to stru##le a#ainst immorality and sin when you allow 'im to fill you with 'is 7$irit each day. 3s a born1a#ain, 7$irit1filled believer, you have been #iven the liberty to lead a #ood life. =hoose today what is wholesome, edifyin#, and constructive.

2=*2:<6 A 3cce$t God9s Invitation

I 0the Lord1 'ill instruct you and teach you in the 'ay you should go( I 'ill counsel you 'ith My eye upon you. P !LM 54$& *he devil wants to +ee$ us believers subject to le#alism. If he can9t condemn us for what we do, he will try to torment us for what we don9t do. 'e wants us to feel #uilty when we don9t read the (ord and $ray, su##estin# that God isn9t $leased with us, or that 'e is even mad at us for what we haven9t done. God never condemns us for not bein# disci$lined, but 'e lovin#ly invites us to s$end time with 'im. 'eaven is available to us throu#h sim$le trust in Jesus, but the #ood life is enjoyed when we act the way Jesus acts. (e should want to read the (ord because it holds the +eys to +nowin# God intimately and enjoyin# 'im fully.

2=*2:<6 F :less "ourself

I love those 'ho love me, and those 'ho seek me early and diligently shall find me. P>OC<>. &$%9

2ur motives are mis$laced if we thin+ we read the :ible and $ray to $lease God or to +ee$ from ma+in# 'im mad at us. God once told me, "ou thin+, when you read the :ible, that you are ma+in# Ce ha$$y. I am #oin# to be ha$$y whether you read it or not. 4o, Joyce, if you read the :ible, you9re ha$$y. If you $ray, you9re ha$$y. If you #ive, you receive. <very sin#le thin# that God tells us to do, 'e tells us to do so to bless ourselves. 'e doesn9t as+ us to devote ourselves to study and $rayer for 'im. it is for us. *he #ood life is our choice.

2=*2:<6 1 It9s 3 /romise

Let Your mercy and loving-kindness come also to me, O Lord, even Your salvation according to Your promise. P !LM %%"$#% 7ome =hristians want to ma+e a law out of studyin# the :ible or s$endin# a certain amount of time with God. :ut we should be motivated to read God9s (ord and s$end time with 'im because of our love relationshi$ with 'im, not because of a commandment to do so. Jesus said, If you HreallyI love Ce, you will +ee$ (obey) Cy commands (John 1,!1?). (hat 'e really meant was, If you love Ce and wal+ in fellowshi$ with Ce, you will +ee$ Cy commandments. If you concentrate on lovin# God, then +ee$in# 'is commandments will become a natural $art of what you do. It is a $romise 'e ma+es to you.

2=*2:<6 11 God 8oes *he (or+

Work out . . . your o'n salvation . . . 0not in your o'n strength1 for it is 3od Who is all the 'hile effectually at 'ork in you 0energiFing and creating in you the po'er and desire1, /oth to 'ill and to 'ork for 2is good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. P2ILIPPI!? 4$%4-%5 *he (ord of God brin#s liberty, not le#alism. $romises, not laws. and #uidelines to a #ood life, not condemnation. Cany wor+ at followin# a =hristian lifestyle, but they are not ha$$y because they are focused on rules instead of on their relationshi$ with God. If you are trud#in# alon#, believin# you have to #ive, have to read the :ible, have to $ray, have to wal+ in the fruit of the 7$irit, I encoura#e you to sto$ thin+in# you have to do anythin#. "ou will discover that God will #ive you the #race to want to do the thin#s that lead to a victorious life in 'im.

2=*2:<6 1; :alance Is 7afety

o everyone 'ho hears these 'ords of Mine and acts upon them 0o/eying them1 'ill /e like a sensi/le +prudent, practical, 'ise, man 'ho /uilt his house upon the rock. M!AA2<W 9$4#

:ein# out of balance o$ens the door for the devil to rob $eo$le of the #ood life. *he devil tem$ts them to live in e%cess and e%tremes. 'e $ushes some to be wor+aholics and others to be laDy, whichever wor+s to +ee$ them un$roductive. 'e drives some to see+ wealth above God, and convinces others that $overty is #odliness. I believe that the only safe life is a balanced life. 3nd a balanced life is obtained by +ee$in# its $riorities in line with God9s truth. :uild your life on solid, safe #round by $rayin# to God and listenin# to 'is $lan for you.

2=*2:<6 1)ive Lictoriously *hrou#h Coderation

Let your moderation /e kno'n unto all men. P2ILIPPI!? #$: HLC

God demonstrates our need for balance throu#h the #reat varieties of foods 'e made available to us. (e need some of all of it, but not all of any of it. If we overdo anythin#, it is just as bad as underdoin# it. 7ome $eo$le thin+, If it is a #ood thin#, then more of a #ood thin# ou#ht to be better. :ut that is not necessarily true. *oo much or too little can both be bi# $roblems. :alance is the +ey to $owerful, victorious livin#. 3s+ God to show you how to stay in balance today.

2=*2:<6 1, )earn *o /ray

<sta/lish my steps and direct them /y 0means of1 Your 'ord( let not any ini*uity have dominion over me. )eliver me from the oppression of man( so 'ill I keep Your precepts 0hearing, receiving, loving, and o/eying them1. P !LM %%"$%55- %5# "ou may $ray fifteen minutes every mornin#, and +now you are touchin# heaven because thin#s ha$$en as a result of your $rayers. :ut if you have a friend who $rays for four hours every day, you may feel that you should $ray more too. *rust God to lead you individually in how lon# to $ray and what to $ray about. 7$endin# an e%tra three hours and forty1five minutes can become a wor+ of the flesh, if you do it just to be li+e your friend. "ou can wind u$ miserable and un$roductive if you follow what someone else is doin#, instead of sim$ly sayin#, )ord, teach me to $ray.

2=*2:<6 1? 7how *he :lessin#s

!nd the grace +unmerited favor and /lessing, of our Lord 0actually1 flo'ed out supera/undantly and /eyond measure for me, accompanied /y faith and love that are 0to /e realiFed1 in =hrist Lesus. % AIMOA2Y %$%# God wants to bless you today. "ou may feel that you shouldn9t have nice thin#s, but let God balance your thin+in# when it comes to 'is blessin#s. 'e will hel$ you understand what you should have and what you shouldn9t have. God blesses you so that you will be a blessin# to others. (hen God $rovides for you, it offers ho$e to unbelievers that 'e is faithful to $rovide for those who serve 'im. "ou are an ambassador for =hrist (see ; =orinthians ?!; ). e%$ect 'is $rovision today, and don9t hide 'is blessin#s when they come.

2=*2:<6 10 =ommunicate )ove

If you then, evil as you are, kno' ho' to give good gifts 0gifts that are to their advantage1 to your children, ho' much more 'ill your heavenly 6ather give the 2oly pirit to those 'ho ask and continue to ask 2im; LDH< %%$%5 2ne day, my son sent me a te%t messa#e on my $hone while he was away on a ministry tri$. It read! Com, I love you. *hat blessed me so much. 2f course, the ne%t time I went sho$$in#, I wanted to find somethin# for him to bless him and let him +now how $roud I am of him. 7end God a messa#e today, and tell 'im how much you love 'im. Just li+e a lovin# $arent, God enjoys meetin# your needs, fillin# your desires, and blessin# you for the love you demonstrate to 'im throu#h your obedience. 'e can9t wait to #ive you what you need.

2=*2:<6 1@ >now God9s =haracter

!nd my 3od 'ill li/erally supply +fill to the full, your every need according to 2is riches in glory in =hrist Lesus. P2ILIPPI!? #$%"

I believe Jesus tries to #et us to sow a #ood seed by ma+in# a statement that 'e is first in our lives. I believe if we do that, we will receive more than we #ive u$. I am tested in this way all the time. *here have been many times when God has as+ed me to #ive my last, my only, and my all. :ut every time I have done so, I have ended u$ better off than I was before. 2ffer u$ your best to God today, and you will see 'is character, that 'e is <l17haddai&the God of more than enou#h (see <%odus 0!-).

2=*2:<6 1A Imitate God9s Goodness

6or You make him to /e /lessed and a /lessing forever. P !LM 4%$God made a covenant with 3braham, that 'e would bless him, and cause him to be a blessin# to others (see Genesis 1;!;). "ou too are an heir to the true riches of God (see James 1!F). 3s you mature s$iritually and are able to handle your inheritance, God wants you to have an abundance to bless others in 'is name. :efore you #et involved with your daily routine today, see+ God and feed your soul with 'is truth for your life. <%$eriencin# God will cause you to imitate 'is #oodness, and $ros$er in 'is abundance.

2=*2:<6 1F 8on9t )et Beelin#s 6ule

Ahis is my comfort and consolation in my affliction$ that Your 'ord has revived me and given me life. P !LM %%"$:7

God showed me that we are always #oin# to have feelin#s, and that denyin# the e%istence of them is not #odly. (e do have to learn how to mana#e them, so they don9t mana#e us. If we live by our feelin#s, we will be destroyed, because our feelin#s aren9t always in line with God9s truth. (e are to wal+ by faith in 'is $romises, and not by si#ht or how thin#s a$$ear or the way we feel (see ; =orinthians ?!@). 3s+ God to +ee$ your feelin#s balanced with the truth of 'is (ord today.

2=*2:<6 ; *em$tation Isn9t 7in

In the day 'hen I called, You ans'ered me( and You strengthened me 'ith strength +might and infleBi/ility to temptation, in my inner self. P !LM %5&$5 *em$tation to do wron# can ma+e you feel horrible. "ou may thin+, I shouldn9t be #oin# throu#h this. I shouldn9t be havin# a $roblem with this. :ut God tau#ht me that tem$tation isn9t sin. we sin when we #ive in to tem$tation. *he :ible says tem$tation will come. It doesn9t say, (oe unto him to whom it comes, it says, (oe unto him by whose hand it comes (see Catthew 1@!@). Jesus told us to $ray that we would not #ive in to the tem$tation when we are tem$ted (see )u+e ;;!, ). /salm 1 ?!, is a #reat way to start your day ri#ht. It says, 7ee+, inEuire of and for the )ord, and crave 'im and 'is stren#th ('is mi#ht and infle%ibility to tem$tation). see+ and reEuire 'is face and 'is $resence HcontinuallyI evermore.

2=*2:<6 ;1 Bor#iveness (ins

6or if you forgive people their trespasses 0their reckless and 'illful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment1, your heavenly 6ather 'ill also forgive you. M!AA2<W -$%# 5nfor#iveness will ruin your day. If someone hurts you, $ray Euic+ly, God, I for#ive them in Jesus9 name. If your emotions feel strained when you see that $erson, stand firm in your decision to for#ive them. /ray for them, as+in# God to show you how to bless them. 8o whatever God leads you to do for them, and let God9s love wor+ throu#h you to heal the rift between you. If you do your $art, God will brin# your feelin#s in line with your decision, and you will enjoy your day and your life.

2=*2:<6 ;; :e *ruthful
)o not say, I 'ill repay evil( 'ait 0eBpectantly1 for the Lord, and 2e 'ill rescue you. P>OC<>. 47$44 God doesn9t mind if you tell 'im how you honestly feel. 3ctually, tellin# God how you feel will #ive you relief. If you re$ress your feelin#s and $retend you aren9t an#ry or hurtin#, and try to be su$ers$iritual, you will miss the healin# that God can #ive to you. :e truthful with God. 8on9t carry a #rud#e all day. Get in touch with what is #oin# on inside of you and tal+ to God about it. *ruth is the only thin# that will set you free to enjoy the rest of your day (see John A!-;).

2=*2:<6 ;Get 2ver It

Open re/uke is /etter than love that is hidden. P>OC<>. 49$: 'idin# your true feelin#s, li+e resentment or unfor#iveness, +ee$s you in bonda#e to them. It is im$ossible to #et your day started ri#ht if you +ee$ wa+in# u$ with $ain from yesterday9s wounds. If you carry around this +ind of emotional ba##a#e, it will $oison your day. 7ometimes you have to confront thin#s to ma+e them better. :ut use wisdom. (hile it is #ood to tal+ about thin#s, don9t dum$ all your thou#hts and emotions on every $erson who comes alon# today. *al+ to God about your situation before you meet anyone. 'e may lead you to s$ea+ with someone you trust. :ut if 'e doesn9t, learn to trust it com$letely to 'im, and let it #o.

2=*2:<6 ;, Cinister *o "our <motions

Heep and protect me, O 3od, for in You I have found refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself. P !LM %-$%

God #ave us feelin#s, and it is all ri#ht to minister to your emotions or to the emotions of other $eo$le. 8o somethin# +ind for yourself to +ee$ your emotions healthy. just don9t be ruled by them. *reat yourself to a hot bath or a wal+ in the fresh air. 8o what you need to do to #et emotional release. If yesterday wore you out, #et refreshed s$iritually and emotionally before startin# a new day. Bind some time alone with God, listen to teachin# or music ta$es, and refill your heart with an awareness of God9s $resence.

2=*2:<6 ;? Bind :alance

ince all this is true, 'e ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that 'e have heard, lest in any 'ay 'e drift past 0them1 and slip a'ay. 2<.><W 4$% (hen 7atan finds $eo$le out of balance, he has an inroad to destroy their lives. *here are $eo$le who #et out of balance in everythin#! from not slee$in#, to slee$in# too much. from not cleanin# their house, to tryin# to +ee$ it so clean that nobody can move in it. Bind balance. balance +ee$s your day #oin# ri#ht. 7atan doesn9t much care if you don9t do enou#h of somethin#, or if you do too much of it, as lon# as you don9t stay balanced. *a+e time to e%amine yourself $rayerfully, and as+ God to show you how to remain balanced.

2=*2:<6 ;0 3$$reciate "our =allin#

o 'e, numerous as 'e are, are one /ody in =hrist +the Messiah, and individually 'e are parts one of another 0mutually dependent on one another1. >OM!? %4$: )earn to a$$reciate the call of God on your life. 'e has a different call for everybody. 4one of us are called to do all the wor+ that needs to be done, but we can each enjoy the assi#nments we are #iven. (e can also enjoy the wor+ God does throu#h others. *oday holds an o$$ortunity to mature in the +nowled#e of God and to enjoy whatever God has called you to do. "our $art is needed. 3s+ God early in the day to show you where to use your #ifts to hel$ others.

2=*2:<6 ;@ 7$ea+ /ositively

.ehold, You desire truth in the inner /eing( make me therefore to kno' 'isdom in my inmost heart. P !LM :%$Bocus on s$ea+in# words in faith today. +ee$ your confession truthful but $ositive. 8on9t deny the e%istence of your circumstances, but confess what God9s (ord has to say about your situation. Bor e%am$le, if you are sneeDin#, cou#hin#, and findin# it difficult to breathe, it isn9t truthful to say you aren9t sic+. :ut you can learn to $resent a ne#ative situation in a $ositive way. "ou can say, I believe God9s healin# $ower is wor+in# in me, and that I am #ettin# better all the time.

2=*2:<6 ;A 3void <%tremes

!pply your mind to instruction and correction and your ears to 'ords of kno'ledge. P>OC<>. 45$%4 (hen I first became a =hristian, I heard a messa#e about +ee$in# my mouth shut, so I made a decision that the ne%t day I wouldn9t o$en my mouth to say anythin#. I was determined not to #et myself in any trouble with my words. *he ne%t mornin# I did not say a word for several hours. *hen somebody as+ed me, (hat is your $roblemJ *hat made me mad all over a#ain. <ventually I learned that e%tremes never ma+e our days #o ri#ht. 6eadin# God9s (ord hel$s us find balance to face everythin# that comes our way. *he (ord says we are to be well1balanced because the devil see+s someone to devour (see 1 /eter ?!A).

2=*2:<6 ;F 5nseen /romises <%ist

!nd 'hatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and 0really1 /elieving, you 'ill receive. M!AA2<W 4%$44 :efore the fulfillment of God9s $romise to multi$ly 3bram, 'e chan#ed his name from 3bram (hi#h e%alted father) to 3braham, (father of a multitude) (see Genesis 1@!11 0). God s$o+e the $romise lon# before it was visible to anyone. 3nythin# that is in the (ord of God is a $romise that be can ri#htfully and le#ally s$o+en forth even before it visibly e%ists. 6each into the s$iritual realm, that you cannot see, and $ull the $romises of God out of there, with the words of your mouth, and $ro$hesy them into e%istence. 6ead God9s (ord and s$ea+ as the 'oly 7$irit leads you to do so today.

2=*2:<6 God9s (ord =han#es *hin#s

Yet 'e have the same spirit of faith as he had 'ho 'rote, I have /elieved, and therefore have I spoken. We too /elieve, and therefore 'e speak. 4 =O>I?A2I!? #$%5

God created with words everythin# that we see. God said, )et there be li#ht, and there was li#ht. 'ebrews 11!- says that everythin# that is visible was made from the invisible. God has blessin#s stored u$ for you in the s$iritual realm that you may not be e%$eriencin#, but they do e%ist. 7$ea+ $ositive words today, and call those thin#s that are not (that are invisible) into your life (see 6omans ,!1@). If you face a $roblem today, say, Cy $roblem is tem$orary. God9s (ord says that I am an overcomer because of =hrist9s love for me. <ven thou#h I don9t see the answers now, God will $rovide for all of my needs.

2=*2:<6 -1 <steem 2thers

Let each one of us make it a practice to please +make happy, his neigh/or for his good and for his true 'elfare, to edify him 0to strengthen him and /uild him up spiritually1. >OM!? %:$4 *here are $eo$le who ma+e ministries out of criticiDin# everybody else. :ut most $eo$le who jud#e others who are actually doin# somethin# are the ones who are doin# nothin# themselves. *hey $ut down other $eo$le to try to lift u$ themselves. *he (ord of God calls us to build u$ others, esteemin# them more hi#hly than ourselves (see /hili$$ians ;!-). 3void $eo$le who constantly criticiDe others so their ne#ative comments will not rob you of #odly enthusiasm. God can use you today to hel$ stren#then someone9s faith. 3s+ 'im to ma+e you aware of these o$$ortunities today.

42L<C:<6 1 )ove *ruth

Instead, speaking the truth in love, 'e 'ill in all things gro' up into him 'ho is the 2ead, that is, =hrist. <P2< I!? #$%: ?IC If you want to become fully mature in the )ord, you must learn to love truth. 2therwise, you will always leave o$en a door of dece$tion for the enemy to ta+e what is meant to be yours. 7ome $eo$le have a difficult time facin# truth and reality. *hey $refer to live in a ma+e1believe world, $retendin# that certain thin#s aren9t ha$$enin#. :ut we cannot deny the e%istence of $roblems or act as if they are not real. *he devil is real, life is real, $eo$le are real, $ain is real, and $overty is real. *he #ood news is that no matter how real our $ain may be, or how bi# our $roblems may seem, we can overcome all of them with the (ord of God.

42L<C:<6 ; <njoy "our (hole 8ay

I 'ill praise You, O Lord, 'ith my 'hole heart( I 'ill sho' forth +recount and tell aloud, all Your marvelous 'orks and 'onderful deeds; P !LM "$% 7ome =hristians feel #uilty when they are doin# somethin# that isn9t s$iritual. 7omehow or another, they feel the need to hurry throu#h the #rocery store, dash throu#h the house cleanin#, and rush throu#h all the daily as$ects of life that seem irrelevant to their faith. *hey want to #et bac+ to doin# somethin# s$iritual so God will be $leased with them a#ain. God did not intend for you to hate the secular side of life. "ou can enjoy holiness and time with God even when you are doin# daily chores, runnin# errands, or ta+in# the children somewhere they need to #o. 8on9t be#rud#e the routine thin#s of life. see every activity as an o$$ortunity to serve God with your whole heart.

42L<C:<6 <ncoura#e, 8on9t =riticiDe

Aherefore encourage +admonish, eBhort, one another and edify +strengthen and /uild up, one another. % A2< !LO?I!? :$%%

(e can im$rove our relationshi$s with others by lea$s and bounds if we become encoura#ers instead of critics. It is the #reater $erson who does the ri#ht thin#. =hrist9s ri#hteousness dwells in you to hel$ you do what is ri#ht. "ou are #reat in God9s eyes when you choose to do ri#ht and bless others. 4o matter how rou#h your day is today, s$ea+ words that u$lift and encoura#e those around you. <ncoura#e others if you notice them doin# a #ood job &not just those who wor+ with you, but $eo$le wherever you #o, such as store cler+s, auto mechanics, and waiters. 7ay somethin# li+e, I a$$reciate the e%tra effort you are ma+in# to do your job well. "ou can chan#e your life and someone else9s by choosin# to s$ea+ $ositive words.

42L<C:<6 , >ee$ :alanced

6or 'e 'ho have /elieved +adhered to and trusted in and relied on 3od, do enter that rest. 2<.><W #$5 It is easy to #et overcommitted, burned out, bummed out, worn out, and stressed out if you are tryin# to +ee$ u$ with too many commitments. It is out of balance to try to do everythin#. If you are ha$$y doin# what you do, +ee$ doin# it. :ut if it wears you out and robs you of $eace, don9t do it. (hat sense does it ma+e to commit to somethin#, and then murmur and com$lain about it while you are doin# itJ :ein# overcommitted will frustrate you. 3n%iety is usually a si#n that God never told you to do what you are doin# in the first $lace. *o avoid frustration in your life, +ee$ in balance.

42L<C:<6 ? *al+ *o God 3nywhere

)o you not kno' that your /ody is the temple +the very sanctuary, of the 2oly pirit Who lives 'ithin you, Whom you have received 0as a 3ift1 from 3od@ % =O>I?A2I!? -$%" *he an#el of the )ord said to Coses, *a+e the shoes off your feet, for the #round on which you stand is holy #round (see <%odus -!?). *he #round was holy because the 'oly 2ne was there. 4ow throu#h faith in Jesus, you are the tem$le of the 'oly Ghost. <verywhere you #o becomes a holy $lace because the 'oly 2ne dwells in you. God is not in a buildin#, where you can only visit 'im on 7unday mornin#. 'e is with you everywhere you #o. "ou can tal+ to 'im while you vacuum, or while you chan#e the oil in your car. (hen you let God become involved in every as$ect of your life, every day becomes e%citin#.

42L<C:<6 0 /ray 3ll 8ay

Let my prayer /e set forth as incense /efore You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. P !LM %#%$4 God wants to be the center of your life! the center of your conversation, the center of your entertainment, and the center of your relationshi$s. /rayer +ee$s 'im in the center of all you do. "ears a#o I could have told you that I $rayed an hour every day. :ut now, I couldn9t even determine how lon# I $ray, because I just $ray every time I see or feel a need. I $ray while drivin#. I $ray while wor+in#, and while rela%in#. 7ometimes I just sto$ what I am doin# and $raise God, and that is $rayer too. I cast my cares on 'im and say, )ord, I am not #oin# to worry about anythin# today. I am #ivin# it to "ou. /rayer should be li+e breathin#, natural to do anywhere you are.

42L<C:<6 @ )ovin# 3ctions 7$ea+ =learly

0Living as /ecomes you1 'ith complete lo'liness of mind +humility, and meekness +unselfishness, gentleness, mildness,, 'ith patience, /earing 'ith one another and making allo'ances /ecause you love one another <P2< I!? #$4 It is #ood for the unsaved members of your family to see you studyin# the :ible, #oin# to church, and bearin# the fruit of the 7$irit. :ut your family may be more rece$tive to the #os$el if you minister to their needs. Cinisterin# to them may reEuire #ivin# u$ a $rayer meetin# to do thin#s with them, such as #oin# fishin# or sho$$in# with your s$ouse, hel$in# your son wor+ on his car, or ta+in# your dau#hter out for lunch. *he :ible says that the natural man does not understand the s$iritual man (see 1 =orinthians ;!1,). 7o s$iritual tal+ doesn9t always ma+e sense to unsaved $eo$le, but lovin# actions s$ea+ clearly to them. (al+ in love9s anointin# today! be +ind, joyful, $eaceful, and stable. )et God love others throu#h you.

42L<C:<6 A :e (ise *o *he <nemy

.e 'ell /alanced . . . for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring . . . seeking someone to seiFe upon and devour. % P<A<> :$&

7atan cannot devour just anybody he $leases. 'e has to find someone who #ives him an o$enin# to do so. 2ne of the ways we #ive him an o$enin# to destroy us is throu#h imbalance in our lives. 3 #ood e%am$le would be, if we eat im$ro$erly and in an unbalanced manner over a lon# $eriod of time, we may o$en the door for the enemy to brin# sic+ness or disease into our life. Cany times when $eo$le are recoverin# from illness, they follow a strict diet that brin#s balance bac+ into their eatin# habits. Bind balance in all you do, and +ee$ the enemy away from your door.

42L<C:<6 F Internal :lessin#s 7how <%ternally

Aherefore if any person is 0ingrafted1 in =hrist +the Messiah, he is a ne' creation +a ne' creature altogether,( the old 0previous moral and spiritual condition1 has passed a'ay. .ehold, the fresh and ne' has come; 4 =O>I?A2I!? :$%9 (hen God ba$tiDed me in the 'oly Ghost, I felt li+e 'e had filled me with liEuid love. 'e did somethin# on the inside of me, and it showed on the outside of me. Internal chan#es last, and +ee$ showin# u$ in everythin# we do. *hat is why you can9t really be a closet =hristian. If you are saved, it will show to others. If you say you are saved, but nothin# has chan#ed in your life, somethin# is wron#. (hen Jesus comes to live in you, 'e will #et involved with how you live and how you loo+ at life to ma+e you more li+e 'im. (elcome any chan#es 'e needs to ma+e in you today.

42L<C:<6 1 *al+ about God& 4ot the 8evil

Leave no 0such1 room or foothold for the devil 0give no opportunity to him1. <P2< I!? #$49

God once said to me, Muit tal+in# so much about the devil, what he is sayin# and what he is doin#. I am sayin# somethin#G *al+ about what I am sayin#. I am doin# somethin#G *al+ about what I am doin#. *hen one day God s$o+e a life1chan#in# word to me, sayin#, (hy don9t you study the (ord, and see how Jesus wa#ed s$iritual warfareJ I found that Jesus didn9t tal+ or $reach much about the devil and what he was sayin# or doin#. 'e sim$ly dealt with the devil by castin# him out of $eo$le9s lives. 'e told him to shut u$. 'e Euoted the (ord to him (see )u+e ,!11 1-). 6esist the devil today and tell someone about the #ood thin#s God is doin# for you.

42L<C:<6 11 'old 2n *o "our /eace

In 2is 0=hristEs1 days shall the 0uncompromisingly1 righteous flourish and peace a/ound till there is a moon no longer. P !LM 94$9 In the :ible, $eo$le are told to hold their $eace, because $eace is a $lace of $ower. God tells us not to be moved when our o$$onents and adversaries come a#ainst us. (e are to remain constant, fearless, and at $eace. 'is (ord says, *he )ord will fi#ht for you, and you shall hold your $eace and remain at rest (<%odus 1,!1,). 4o matter what is ha$$enin#, remain consistent. continue treatin# $eo$le well, continue wal+in# in the fruit of the 7$irit. "ou don9t +now what +ind of fruit you have until somebody comes alon# and sEueeDes it. "ou don9t +now how much fruit you have until somebody is $ic+in# it all day.

42L<C:<6 1; 8o (hat Is 6i#ht

Arust +lean on, rely on, and /e confident, in the Lord and do good( so shall you d'ell in the land and feed surely on 2is faithfulness, and truly you shall /e fed. P !LM 59$5 /owerful results ha$$en when you do what is ri#ht. 8oin# what is ri#ht is hi#h1tech s$iritual warfareG It $uts you in a $osition where the devil can9t affect you, because you have decided to stand and not be moved. 6emain in faith and trust God. *he :ible says in /salm -@!1 that evildoers, those who wor+ unri#hteousness (that which is not u$ri#ht or in ri#ht standin# with God), will be cut down li+e the #rass. (hen $roblems arise a#ainst you, when your enemies attac+ you, or when evil ma+es an all1out assault u$on you, trust in the )ord, and do #ood.

42L<C:<6 18on9t )ose Bocus

6or the 'eapons of our 'arfare are not physical 0'eapons of flesh and /lood1, /ut they are mighty /efore 3od for the overthro' and destruction of strongholds. 4 =O>I?A2I!? %7$# 7ometimes we lose our focus. (e can be wal+in# in love all day, #oin# alon# fine, until someone comes alon# and offends us. 3s soon as we for#et our focus of love, we sto$ ma+in# $ro#ress and come to a standstill&a##ravated, u$set, and offended. 5nderstand that the mind is a battlefield. If you don9t sto$ 7atan when he #ets into your thou#hts, you are not #oin# to sto$ him from #ettin# into your life. 7tay focused. 3s+ God to hel$ you remain full of love, no matter what comes your way today.

42L<C:<6 1, :uild 2n 7olid Boundations

6or no other foundation can anyone lay than that 'hich is 0already1 laid, 'hich is Lesus =hrist +the Messiah, the !nointed One,. % =O>I?A2I!? 5$%% (e can +now a lot of s$iritual methods (or formulas) for #ettin# thin#s, but many such methods sim$ly have no $ower flowin# throu#h them. /owerless methods are li+e em$ty containers&useless. I had learned many s$iritual methods, and I was busy tryin# them, until I realiDed that methods don9t wor+. It was li+e buildin# on a crac+ed foundation. nothin# stood the test of time. If our foundations lea+, we #et into trouble every time it storms. :uild your life on who you are in =hrist. *a+e time to meditate on the foundational thin#s about bein# a =hristian. :uild your life on the solid foundation that you are an heir of God9s #race and 'is unmerited favor.

42L<C:<6 1? :e =onfident In God

6or the Lord shall /e your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from /eing caught 0in a trap or some hidden danger1. P>OC<>. 5$4Jesus +new where 'e came from, 'e +new what 'e was sent to do, and 'e +new where 'e was #oin#. (hen you #et that confidence of +nowin# God and 'is $ur$ose for your life, you will not be affected by the jud#ments or criticisms of other $eo$le. "ou +now you belon# to God. "ou +now 'is hand is on you. "ou +now 'is anointin# is on you. "ou +now what you are called to do. "ou +now that with every breath you ta+e, you are tryin# to follow 'im, and you +now where you are #oin# when you are all finished. 7ay, 4othin# that ha$$ens today can se$arate me from God9s love and 'is $ur$ose for my life.

42L<C:<6 10 God9s /romises (ill :e Bulfilled

Little children, you are of 3od 0you /elong to 2im1 and have 0already1 defeated and overcome them 0the agents of the antichrist1, /ecause 2e Who lives in you is greater +mightier, than he 'ho is in the 'orld. % LO2? #$# >now who you are in =hrist and understand that throu#h salvation, you are seen in the s$iritual world as wearin# a #arment of salvation and covered with a robe of ri#hteousness (see Isaiah 01!1 ). God is on your side, and 'e is under you, over you, around you, with you, for you, and in you. *he devil +nows you belon# to =hrist because God Hhas also a$$ro$riated and ac+nowled#ed us as 'is byI $uttin# 'is seal u$on us and #ivin# us 'is H'olyI 7$irit in our hearts as the security de$osit and #uarantee Hof the fulfillment of 'is $romiseI (; =orinthians 1!;;).

42L<C:<6 1@ /owerful =hristianity

.ut you 'ill receive po'er 'hen the 2oly pirit comes on you( and you 'ill /e my 'itnesses in Lerusalem, and in all Ludea and amaria, and to the ends of the earth. !=A %$& ?IC

:ein# 7$irit1filled is not limited to one $articular brand of =hristianity. 7$irit1filled $eo$le are found in every church and denomination. *hey are $eo$le who understand the need for the $ower of the 'oly Ghost within them so they won9t live a wea+, defeated life. *he (ord says to ever be filled and stimulated with the H'olyI 7$irit (<$hesians ?!1A), indicatin# that bein# 7$irit1filled is somethin# to which we submit ourselves. 3s+ God to fill you to overflowin# with 'is 7$irit so that everythin# you do today will be done throu#h 'is $ower.

42L<C:<6 1A 7tay In God9s /resence

!nd no' shall my head /e lifted up a/ove my enemies round a/out me( in 2is tent I 'ill offer sacrifices and shouting of 8oy( I 'ill sing, yes, I 'ill sing praises to the Lord. P !LM 49$*he $salmist 8avid said that the thin# he wanted most was to be with God and to dwell in 'is $resence all the days of his life (see /salm ;@!,). 8avid loved God for who 'e is, not just for what 'e did for him. *he (ord says that if we abide in the $resence of God, 'e will defeat our enemies, and hide us in the day of trouble (see v.?). God9s attention is on us, but we must +ee$ our attention on 'im to enjoy the fullness of 'is $resence in our lives. (e must invite God to be involved in everythin# we do, and then remember to $raise 'im for 'is #oodness.

42L<C:<6 1F 7ee+ God Birst

0!fter all1 the kingdom of 3od is not a matter of 0getting the1 food and drink 0one likes1, /ut instead it is righteousness +that state 'hich makes a person accepta/le to 3od, and 0heart1 peace and 8oy in the 2oly pirit. 2e 'ho serves =hrist in this 'ay is accepta/le and pleasing to 3od and is approved /y men. >OM!? %#$%9- %& Bor#et all the thin#s you thin+ you need, and just admit to God that you need 'im. 7ee+ first the +in#dom of God and 'is ri#hteousness, and all that you need will be added to your life (see Catthew 0!--). God +nows your needs even before you as+. 8on9t become a see+er of $romotion or $osition. 8on9t s$end your life see+in# $ros$erity. 7ee+ the 2ne who $ros$ers. 7ee+ the 2ne who heals. 7ee+ the 2ne who is the #iver of every #ood and $erfect #ift.

42L<C:<6 ; 6emain 7teadfast

!nd he 0!/ram1 /elieved in +trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to, the Lord, and 2e counted it to him as righteousness +right standing 'ith 3od,. 3<?< I %:$7$endin# time with God +ee$s you stable, steadfast, and calm. God says 'e will stren#then and harden you to difficulties (Isaiah ,1!1 ). (hen your faith is fed daily by God9s $resence, the devil can9t control you, because you don9t #et easily u$set. :ein# filled with God9s truth ma+es it easier to live the life God has for you. )et God be your anchor in the midst of the ra#in# waves of circumstances. 6emain steadfast in God.

42L<C:<6 ;1 8on9t :e <ntan#led

Put on 3odEs 'hole armor 0the armor of a heavyarmed soldier 'hich 3od supplies1, that you may /e a/le successfully to stand up against 0all1 the strategies and the deceits of the devil. <P2< I!? -$%%

(e are called to be soldiers in the army of God. /aul told *imothy that no soldier #ets entan#led with civilian affairs, but his aim is to satisfy and $lease the one who enlisted him (; *imothy ;!,). )i+ewise, as we serve the )ord, we should focus on 'is wor+, not our own concerns. If we want to be a witness of God9s $ower, we must first do what 'e says to do, and show others the fruit that comes from servin# 'im (see vv. 01 @). (e do this by +ee$in# our minds constantly on Jesus =hrist. (e must still handle the business of everyday life, but we are not to let the affairs of the world $ull us down.

42L<C:<6 ;; It9s *he )ord9s :attle

Ahe !ngel of the Lord encamps around those 'ho fear 2im 0'ho revere and 'orship 2im 'ith a'e1 and each of them 2e delivers. P !LM 5#$9 In the 2ld *estament, $eo$le carried banners when they went to war, sendin# the sin#ers and $raisers into the battle first. (hen the tribe of Judah san#, 2h, #ive than+s to the )ord, for 'e is #ood, for 'is mercy endures forever (see ; =hronicles ; !;1), the enemy was so confused they were self1slau#htered and self1defeated (see v. ;;). (hen >in# Jehosha$hat $re$ared for battle, he too+ the $osition of #ettin# on his face to worshi$ God (see v. 1A). If you have battles to face, #et in the $osition of warfare, and just worshi$ the )ord. God9s res$onse to our worshi$ is, :e not afraid or dismayed at this #reat multitude. for the battle is not yours, but God9s (v. 1?).

42L<C:<6 ;7$iritual (arfare

!nd let the peace +soul harmony 'hich comes, from =hrist rule +act as umpire continually, in your hearts 0deciding and settling 'ith finality all *uestions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state1 . . . !nd /e thankful +appreciative,, 0giving praise to 3od al'ays1. =OLO I!? 5$%:

"ou are wa#in# s$iritual warfare when you #ive radical $raise to God in the midst of your need and lac+. (hen you are than+ful to God for all 'e has done and is doin#, you are defeatin# the enemy. (hen you hold your $eace in the midst of the storm, you are warrin# with s$iritual wea$ons (see ; =orinthians 1 !,1?). Jesus said, /eace I leave with you. Cy HownI $eace I now #ive and beEueath to you . . . H7to$ allowin# yourselves to be a#itated and disturbed. and do not $ermit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettledI (John 1,!;@). Jesus has #iven you $eaceG /ut it on, and wear it everywhere you #o.

42L<C:<6 ;, 7tandG
0<arnestly1 remem/er the former things, 0'hich I did1 of old( for I am 3od, and there is no one else( I am 3od, and there is none like Me, declaring the end and the result from the /eginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I 'ill do all My pleasure and purpose. I !I!2 #-$"- %7 *here may be times when it seems that you cannot #o forward, but at least you do not have to #o bac+ward. "ou may not +now how to for#e ahead, but you can stand firmly on what you +now of God. Instead of $assively yieldin# to the enemy, you can say, *his is the #round I have #ained, and I am not #ivin# it u$, devil. "ou are not drivin# me bac+ into the hole that God $ulled me out of. I am #oin# to stand stron# in the $ower of God until 'e delivers me.

42L<C:<6 ;? 7ubmit "ourself *o God

My soul, 'ait only upon 3od and silently su/mit to 2im( for my hope and eBpectation are from 2im. P !LM -4$:

James ,!@1 A #ives the best advice on how to wa#e s$iritual warfare! :e subject to God. 6esist the devil Hstand firm a#ainst himI, and he will flee from you. =ome close to God and 'e will come close to you. (hen you humble yourself in the $resence of the )ord, 'e will e%alt you and lift you and ma+e your life si#nificant (see vv. F1 1 ). God will show you how to resist the devil. 7$end time in God9s $resence, and do whatever 'e tells you to doG

42L<C:<6 ;0 8on9t 7tay 3n#ry

=ease from anger and forsake 'rath( fret not yourselfKit tends only to evildoing. P !LM 59$&

*he (ord tells us another way to resist tem$tation! (hen an#ry, do not sin. do not ever let your wrath (your e%as$eration, your fury or indi#nation) last until the sun #oes down. )eave no HsuchI room or foothold for the devil H#ive no o$$ortunity to himI (<$hesians ,!;01 ;@). /aul said that we should for#ive $eo$le to +ee$ 7atan from #ainin# an advanta#e over us (see ; =orinthians ;!1 1 11). If someone offends you, #et over it Euic+ly so you won9t leave o$en a door for the devil. It is a sin to hold an#er and bitterness, so never #o to slee$ mad. If you for#ive everyone before you fall aslee$, freedom from wron# attitudes in your heart will hel$ you start your day ri#ht the ne%t mornin#.

42L<C:<6 ;@ Go 2n *hrou#h
Yes, though I 'alk through the 0deep, sunless1 valley of the shado' of death, I 'ill fear or dread no evil, for You are 'ith me( Your rod 0to protect1 and Your staff 0to guide1, they comfort me. P !LM 45$#

>nowin# God $ersonally reEuires trustin# 'im throu#h the hard times in life and not runnin# away from trials. It reEuires bein# faithful to do whatever 'e says to do, bein# steadfast while waitin# for 'im to wor+ out your $roblems. "ou understand how faithful and how #ood God is when you see 'is deliverance in your life. "ou can9t #et that certainty by readin# a boo+ about 'im. "our faith increases by #oin# throu#h tou#h times and seein# 'is $resence ma+e a difference in your life. 8on9t run away from God durin# tests and trials. draw near to 'im, and listen for 'is voice of assurance.

42L<C:<6 ;A :e 8etermined
<ven 'hen 'e 'ere dead +slain, /y 0our o'n1 shortcomings and trespasses, 2e made us alive together in fello'ship and in union 'ith =hrist( 02e gave us the very life of =hrist 2imself, the same ne' life 'ith 'hich 2e *uickened 2im, for1 it is /y grace +2is favor and mercy 'hich you did not deserve, that you are saved +delivered from 8udgment and made partakers of =hristEs salvation,. <P2< I!? 4$: /aul said, Cy determined $ur$ose is, that I may +now =hrist, and the $ower of 'is resurrection, the $ower that lifts me out from amon# the dead, even while I am in the body (see /hili$$ians -!1 1 11). "ou can use every day to #et to +now God in a dee$er way. 6ead the :ible for understandin# of what 'e wants to reveal to you, and receive 'is #race to be lifted out of every $ast fault. )et 'is $ower lift you into life 'is way.

42L<C:<6 ;F 8on9t Get 6attled

Lust think of 2im Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and /itter hostility against 2imself 0reckon up and consider it all in comparison 'ith your trials1, so that you may not gro' 'eary or eBhausted, losing heart and relaBing and fainting in your minds. 2<.><W %4$5 (e have authority over the devil, but that doesn9t mean he will never come a#ainst us. 6esistin# the devil doesn9t rid us of the $roblem. :ut standin# in the faith of God9s $romises while we are waitin# for God to do somethin# +ee$s us from actin# li+e the devil ourselves. 8on9t #et rattled about the devil. If he causes $roblems for you today, just say, Bor#et it, devilG I am not stayin# hurt, bitter, wounded, or an#ry. Cy trust is in God. I am a =hristian&watch me be ha$$y.

42L<C:<6 )et =hrist )ive *hrou#h "ou

Ahe life I no' live in the /ody I live /y faith in +/y adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in, the on of 3od, Who loved me and gave 2imself up for me. 3!L!AI!? 4$47

7ome $eo$le need to unlearn some thin#s before they can start learnin# what God wants for them. Bor e%am$le, some $eo$le try to mani$ulate others with their self1$ity or an#er. *hey believe these emotional tools will #et what they want from others. 7ome $eo$le who have been hurt or abused feel that they have to ta+e care of themselves because nobody else will. :oth attitudes dis$lay the common fear, (hat about meJ (hat about meJ :ut /aul offers us a life1 chan#in# $rinci$le to follow! I have been crucified with =hrist and I no lon#er live, but =hrist lives in me (Galatians ;!; 4IL). (hen =hrist lives throu#h you, you will enjoy every day of your life.

8<=<C:<6 1 *rust God

.ut let all those 'ho take refuge and put their trust in You re8oice( let them ever sing and shout for 8oy, /ecause You make a covering over them and defend them( let those also 'ho love Your name /e 8oyful in You and /e in high spirits. P !LM :$%% Cany wounded $eo$le don9t +now how to #et what they really need, so they wallow in self1$ity. God once told me, Joyce, you can be $itiful or $owerful, but you can9t be both. *a+in# our eyes off of ourselves enables us to loo+ to God. *his $ositions us to trust 'im to meet every need in our lives. God +nows e%actly what we need, and 'e $romises to $rovide it throu#h 'is abundant #race and mercy. 3s+ 'im to fill you with 'is $ower today, and trust 'im as Jehovah1Jireh, the )ord our /rovider (see Genesis ;;!1, >JL).

8<=<C:<6 ; (ait Bor God9s Justice

Hno'ing 0'ith all certainty1 that it is from the Lord 0and not from men1 that you 'ill receive the inheritance 'hich is your 0real1 re'ard. 0Ahe One Whom1 you are actually serving 0is1 the Lord =hrist +the Messiah,. =OLO I!? 5$4#

God has brou#ht a #reat reward in my life in recom$ense for the abuse that I suffered in my earlier days. 4ow I have a wonderful life. God blesses me. 'e does thin#s for me. 'e o$ens doors of o$$ortunity for me. 'e ma+es me ha$$y. 'e #ives me joy. (hen you really trust God, 'e will brin# justice into your life. In Isaiah 01!@ the )ord says, Bor your former shame I will #ive you a double reward ($ara$hrased). If someone has mistreated you, rejected you, abused you, or abandoned you, hold on to that $romise. "ou have many blessin#s ahead of you. *rust God with your future, and enjoy your day as you wait for God9s justice.

8<=<C:<6 =hoose *o :e =han#ed

.ut 'e have the mind of =hrist +the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts +feelings and purposes, of 2is heart. % =O>I?A2I!? 4$%8o you #et mad every time somebody tries to correct you, or tell you what to do, because you always have to be ri#htJ If you answered yes, I am sure that you are not a ha$$y $erson. "ou cannot chan#e others, but you can allow God to chan#e you so that thin#s don9t bother you anymore. (ith Jesus =hrist as your 7avior, you can learn how to live a different way. "ou can have $eace. "ou can slee$ well at ni#ht. "ou can li+e yourself. "ou can restore relationshi$s that have been ruined. "our mind can be renewed to be li+e Jesus9, if you read 'is (ord and as+ 'im to hel$ you live the abundant life 'e came to #ive you (see John 1 !1 ).

8<=<C:<6 , 5se "our 3uthority (ell

Whoever 'ishes to /e great among you must /e your servant, and 'hoever desires to /e first among you must /e your slaveK8ust as the on of Man came not to /e 'aited on /ut to serve, and to give 2is life as a ransom for many 0the price paid to set them free1. M!AA2<W 47$4-- 4& God desires to restore us to our ri#htful $osition of authority in =hrist. :ut first, we must learn to res$ect authority before we are fit to be in authority. (e all have authorities to whom God e%$ects us to submit. 2ur #overnment, our law officers, and even our merchants have the ri#ht to set rules for us to follow. If we are not submittin# to God9s a$$ointed authority, it will soon be revealed. >ee$ a submissive attitude in your heart, and enjoy the authority you have been #iven to s$end time in God9s $resence today.

8<=<C:<6 ? =han#e *hin#s (ith >nowled#e

=ommit your 'ay to the Lord 0roll and repose each care of your load on 2im1( trust +lean on, rely on, and /e confident, also in 2im and 2e 'ill /ring it to pass. P !LM 59$: (e are all ea#er for our situations and relationshi$s to chan#e, but nothin# will chan#e in our lives without +nowled#e of God9s (ord. In 'osea ,!0 God says, Cy $eo$le are destroyed for lac+ of +nowled#e. =han#e comes throu#h $rayer, and then throu#h waitin# $atiently on God. (hile we are waitin# for God to solve our $roblems, we are not to com$lain to everybody else about our situation. God tells us to trust 'im. 'e is not as+in# us to trust the $eo$le involved in our $roblems. 'e is as+in# us to trust 'im. *here is a difference. 'e is faithful to rescue us from all our troubles.

8<=<C:<6 0 )end 3 'el$in# 'and

2e 'ho is greatest among you shall /e your servant. M!AA2<W 45$%% If we hel$ someone become what God wants them to be, God will send someone alon# to hel$ us be everythin# God wants us to be. 2ne day I as+ed one of our musicians if he would li+e to do somethin# that needed to be done. 'e said, I will do whatever you tell me to do. I am here to serve you. I said, :ut do you want to do thisJ "ou don9t have to do it. we can find someone else. 'e said, It doesn9t matter if I want to or not. *ell me what you want me to do, and I will do it. 'e was anointed to hel$ others and enjoyed doin# whatever needed to be done. *o enjoy your day, be ready to hel$ $eo$le with whatever God has called them to do.

8<=<C:<6 @ 2$$ortunity :rin#s 2$$osition

.ut he 'ho looks carefully into the faultless la', the 0la'1 of li/erty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, /eing not a heedless listener 'ho forgets /ut an active doer 0'ho o/eys1, he shall /e /lessed in his doing +his life of o/edience,. L!M< %$4: Cany $eo$le a#ree with a sermon or a 7cri$ture, but they don9t a$$ly it in their everyday life, so nothin# chan#es. *hey thin+ that just because they a#ree with the (ord, it should brin# chan#e into their life. :ut chan#e doesn9t ha$$en automatically. a $erson has to be a doer of the (ord, not a hearer only. Jesus said, >ee$ awa+e (#ive strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and $ray, that you may not come into tem$tation. *he s$irit indeed is willin#, but the flesh is wea+ (Catthew ;0!,1). <very time you have an o$$ortunity to believe God for somethin#, you will have a tem$tation to #ive u$ on it. /ray that you will overcome tem$tation when it comes.

8<=<C:<6 A <njoy )iberty

.lessed +happy, to /e envied, is the man 'ho is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for 'hen he has stood the test and /een approved, he 'ill receive 0the victorEs1 cro'n of life 'hich 3od has promised to those 'ho love 2im. L!M< %$%4 )ife is miserable when we won9t listen to anybody else, or when we #et mad every time somebody doesn9t a#ree with us. *o be so emotionally ruled and controlled that we are stressed every time somethin# doesn9t #o our way is bonda#e. (hen Jesus sets us free, it means that we are free not to #et u$set just because we don9t #et everythin# we want. It is wonderful to be free. (e can #ive than+s for the liberty to receive God9s hel$ and wal+ in $atience des$ite our circumstances. 2ur lives can be ha$$y, blessed, and $eaceful. (e can e%$erience joy no matter what the situation may be.

8<=<C:<6 F <njoy 3 4ew :e#innin#

.ut there is forgiveness 'ith You 08ust 'hat man needs1, that You may /e reverently feared and 'orshiped. P !LM %57$# /eo$le sometimes tell me, I did somethin# wron#, and I just don9t +now if God can ever for#ive me of it. <ven when we have made serious mista+es, there is always a $lace of for#iveness and a new be#innin# in =hrist. (hen we have a new be#innin# with =hrist, we don9t have to mourn over the $ast. (e just have to re$ent and #o on. (e don9t need to re$ent a#ain and a#ain. If you +now the character of God, you +now 'e will for#ive any sin, no matter how terrible, because to 'im sin is sin. 6emember, God can ma+e miracles out of mista+es. If you need for#iveness today, sim$ly confess to the )ord what you have done, and enjoy your new be#innin# (see 1 John 1!F). It be#ins at the moment of for#iveness.

8<=<C:<6 1 3cce$t 6es$onsibility

6inally, /rethren, fare'ell +re8oice,; .e strengthened +perfected, completed, made 'hat you ought to /e,( /e encouraged and consoled and comforted( /e of the same 0agreea/le1 mind one 'ith another( live in peace, and 0then1 the 3od of love 0Who is the ource of affection, good'ill, love, and /enevolence to'ard men1 and the !uthor and Promoter of peace 'ill /e 'ith you. 4 =O>I?A2I!? %5$%% <ach one of us needs to acce$t our res$onsibility to do what is ri#ht in God9s eyes, whether others do the ri#ht thin# or not. 2therwise we will have a standoff! (ell, if you won9t say you9re sorry, then I won9t say I9m sorry. "ou9re not nice, so I9m not #oin# to be nice. "ou haven9t #iven me a com$liment in a year, so I9m not #ivin# you one either. *hat attitude #ets relationshi$s in trouble. God wants us to live above the $ettiness of selfish ar#uments by lovin# one another.

8<=<C:<6 11 7tart 7omethin#

0Let your1 love /e sincere +a real thing,( hate 'hat is evil 0loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from 'ickedness1, /ut hold fast to that 'hich is good. Love one another 'ith /rotherly affection 0as mem/ers of one family1, giving precedence and sho'ing honor to one another. ?ever lag in Feal and in earnest endeavor( /e aglo' and /urning 'ith the pirit, serving the Lord. >OM!? %4$"- %% If all of us started havin# a #odly attitude, it would catch hold and s$read li+e a virus. (ouldn9t it be #reat if we could s$read a #ood virusJ Ima#ine the whis$ers! 'ave you heardJ *here9s somethin# wonderful #oin# around. 'ave you cau#ht itJ It is runnin# ram$ant all over the $lace. <verywhere you loo+, $eo$le have a new attitudeG )et9s start somethin# todayG )et9s decide to thin+ li+e =hrist. )et9s decide to love everyone we meet today, and $ass the word so that everybody catches on to it.

8<=<C:<6 1; 7tart 7omethin# Good

6or there shall the seed produce peace and prosperity( the vine shall yield her fruit and the ground shall give its increase and the heavens shall give their de'( and I 'ill cause the remnant of this people to inherit and possess all these things. M<=2!>I!2 &$%4 7tart somethin# #ood in someone9s life today. 7ow faith for a healin#. 7ow ho$e for a restoration. 3 sincere com$liment can sow confidence in someone who is starvin# for encoura#ement. "our for#iveness of an on#oin# offense can sow a seed for a miracle brea+throu#h in that situation. /ray for someone else9s need, or ma+e a s$ecial offerin# to start somethin# $ositive in the name of the )ord. 6emember, God won9t as+ you to sow anythin# that 'e doesn9t #ive you the #race to #ive. <njoy the abundant harvest that is returned to your own life when you sow into someone else9s life.

8<=<C:<6 1:e =hrist9s :ond 7ervant

?o' the Lord is the pirit, and 'here the pirit of the Lord is, there is li/erty +emancipation from /ondage, freedom,. 4 =O>I?A2I!? 5$%9 /aul said that he would not become the slave of anythin# or anyone but Jesus =hrist! <verythin# is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anythin# or be brou#ht under its $ower (1 =orinthians 0!1;). 'e also said, If I had been tryin# to be $o$ular with $eo$le, I would not now be a bond servant of the )ord Jesus =hrist (see Galatians 1!1 ). If you let other $eo$le control you, you will not fulfill the call of God on your life. If you let their rejection fri#hten you and chan#e your focus, you won9t do what God wants you to do. :e a slave only to God, and a servant to $eo$le on 'is behalf.

8<=<C:<6 1, Bollow Jesus

!ll 'ho keep 2is commandments 0'ho o/ey 2is orders and follo' 2is plan, live and continue to live, to stay and1 a/ide in 2im, and 2e in them. 0Ahey let =hrist /e a home to them and they are the home of =hrist.1 % LO2? 5$4# 7ome $eo$le wanted to follow Jesus, but they were afraid they would be $ut out of the syna#o#ue (see John 1;!,;). 7ome $eo$le are still afraid to follow the )ord because they mi#ht be $ut out of their family, their #rou$, or even their church. <ventually, there will only be one /erson to face& God. "ou won9t want 'im to say, I had so much for you, but you didn9t receive it because you were too concerned about what $eo$le thou#ht. you were a $eo$le1$leaser. Jesus wasn9t swayed by men9s o$inions, threats, jud#ments, or criticisms. Bollow Jesus, and enjoy life.

8<=<C:<6 1? )isten *o God

2ear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may /e 'ise in the time to come. P>OC<>. %"$47 "ou may wonder, 'ow do I +now when to confront someone about an issue, and when to let it #oJ If you are too ea#er to set someone strai#ht, it may not be God motivatin# you. =orrection must be done in love to build u$ the $erson and not tear them down. 3lways $ray and wait until you +now what God wants you to do. "ou must be led of the 7$irit. If after $rayer you still feel that you are to tal+ to someone about their behavior, be absolutely sure that you are doin# it for their #ood and not yours. If it is what God has told you to do, you may not even want to do it, but it will be done as an act of obedience to 'im. (hatever you do, do it in love.

8<=<C:<6 10 8on9t Get :urned 2ut

!nd /e constantly rene'ed in the spirit of your mind 0having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude1. <P2< I!? #$45

<%$ect God to show you somethin# new today. 7ome $eo$le resist chan#e, but God created us to need variety in our life. If we do the same thin# over and over, we #et burned out on it. God will +ee$ our lives e%citin# if we see+ 'im every day. )oo+ for new ways of doin# thin#s. If you have been wor+in# on the same job for thirty years, drivin# to it the same way, at least find a new route you can ta+e once in a while to #et there. 8o somethin# to invite newness into your life so you can discover God9s many ways of revealin# 'imself to you.

8<=<C:<6 1@ :e )ed :y *he 'oly 7$irit

6or all 'ho are led /y the pirit of 3od are sons of 3od. >OM!? &$%# (e live in a society in which $eo$le are driven to en#a#e in many activities. (e can #et almost too tired to move from doin# so much in a day, but busyness is not the +ind of life to which God has called us. God will not drive us to do thin#s. 'e will lead us by $uttin# in our heart what we are su$$osed to do. If you follow the 'oly 7$irit, you may have to say no to some activities that you are sayin# yes to ri#ht now. If what you are doin# leaves you drained and worn out, you may not have God9s anointin# to do it. (hen 'e leads you to do somethin#, 'e will also ener#iDe you to fulfill your true call. /rune your life of thin#s that drain you, and trust God to lead you to the wor+s that +ee$ you #rowin# and healthy.

8<=<C:<6 1A =han#e, 8on9t =om$lain

!ll things are legitimate 0permissi/leKand 'e are free to do anything 'e please1, /ut not all things are helpful +eBpedient, profita/le, and 'holesome,. !ll things are legitimate, /ut not all things are constructive 0to character1 and edifying 0to spiritual life1. % =O>I?A2I!? %7$45 /eo$le com$lain about stress, but some $eo$le would rather com$lain than chan#e. It is easy to be fri#htened at the thou#ht of jum$in# off life9s hi#h1 s$eed treadmill, es$ecially if you aren9t sure what to #ive u$ in order to slow down your life. God wants you to enjoy a beautiful life with sim$licity, sanity, and clear direction. *hat only comes by s$endin# time with 'im, readin# 'is (ord, tal+in# to 'im, and listenin# for 'is res$onse. If you are too busy to #et alone with 'im each day, then set some boundaries in your life. 7ay no to whatever is +ee$in# you from startin# your day with God.

8<=<C:<6 1F 6est 3while

=ome to Me, all you 'ho la/or and are heavyladen and over/urdened, and I 'ill cause you to rest. 0I 'ill ease and relieve and refresh your souls.1 M!AA2<W %%$4& Gettin# stress out of your life ta+es more than $rayer alone. "ou must ta+e action to ma+e chan#es and sto$ doin# whatever is causin# the stress. "ou can learn to calm down in the way you handle thin#s. Jesus invited us to come to 'im if we are overburdened. 'e $romised to refresh us if we are weary, worn out, or overwor+ed. *a+e time to #o to Jesus anytime you feel that you are #oin# over the ed#e of $eace and into the $it of stress. )et 'is $resence refill and refresh you.

8<=<C:<6 ; =ome 3$art *o 7tay *o#ether

!nd the effect of righteousness 'ill /e peace 0internal and eBternal1, and the result of righteousness 'ill /e *uietness and confident trust forever. I !I!2 54$%9 If you are feelin# com$elled to do so much that you are $hysically worn out, you may be driven instead of led. 6emember, you have to come a$art from a busy routine before you come a$art yourself. "ou have to #et away from everythin# before you come a$art $hysically, mentally, and emotionally. Give yourself time to #et a #ood ni#ht9s slee$. It is tem$tin# to do everythin# that everybody else is doin#, be involved in everythin#, +now everythin#, hear everythin#, and be everywhere, but it isn9t God9s best for you. :e willin# to se$arate yourself from com$ulsive activity before you come a$art at the seamsG 7$end time with God, and as+ 'im to #ive order to your day.

8<=<C:<6 ;1 *a+e 3 :rea+

>eturn to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt /ountifully 'ith you. P !LM %%-$9 (e all need a brea+ in the action from time to time. 6estin# isn9t just a #ood idea&it is a command of God! 7i% days you shall do your wor+, but the seventh day you shall rest and +ee$ 7abbath, that your o% and your don+ey may rest, and the son of your bondwoman, and the alien, may be refreshed (<%odus ;-!1;). *he )ord added that even in $lowin# time and in harvest you shall rest Hon the 7abbathI (<%odus -,!;1) *hat means that for one day a wee+ we are to withdraw from common labor and to rest. 8on9t wor+ that day, even in the busy seasons. 8edicate that day to s$endin# time with God, worshi$in# 'im. 7tart your wee+ off ri#ht by #ettin# bac+ to what is really im$ortant&honorin# God.

8<=<C:<6 ;; Muality Ca+es *he 8ifference

.eloved, let us love one another, for love is +springs, from 3od( and he 'ho loves 0his fello'men1 is /egotten +/orn, of 3od and is coming 0progressively1 to kno' and understand 3od 0to perceive and recogniFe and get a /etter and clearer kno'ledge of 2im1. % LO2? #$9 7ometimes we thin+ that the busier we are, the more we are doin# in the +in#dom of God. :ut it is not how much we do, it is the Euality of what we do that ma+es the difference. Cost $eo$le will admit that they need to s$end more of their time develo$in# #ood relationshi$s. "ou can9t be a #ood friend to somebody if you never $ut any time into your relationshi$. 3s+ God to brin# someone to mind that 'e would li+e for you to bless today. *hen follow throu#h and let that $erson +now that God brou#ht them to your heart.

8<=<C:<6 ;6est Is God9s )aw

Let us therefore /e Fealous and eBert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest 0of 3od, to kno' and eBperience it for ourselves1, that no one may fall or perish /y the same kind of un/elief and diso/edience 0into 'hich those in the 'ilderness fell1. 2<.><W #$%% 8on9t wor+ so hard that you miss your time with God. 6est is im$ortant for your s$iritual and $hysical life. *he need for rest can9t be i#nored. it is a law of God. Just li+e the laws concernin# eatin#, sowin#, and rea$in#, we cannot brea+ the $rinci$le of rest without $ayin# the $rice of disobedience. /aul sent <$a$hroditus home sayin# that he came near death throu#h wor+in# for =hrist (see /hili$$ians ;!;?1 - ), but God had mercy on him and s$ared his life. Bind time to be still on a re#ular basis. It is in moments of rest that you are most li+ely to hear God s$ea+ to you.

8<=<C:<6 ;, 6est 3nd 6enew

o then, there is still a'aiting a full and complete a//ath-rest reserved for the 0true1 people of 3od( for he 'ho has once entered 03odEs1 rest also has ceased from 0the 'eariness and pain1 of human la/ors, 8ust as 3od rested from those la/ors peculiarly 2is o'n. 2<.><W #$"- %7 (e all have #ifts and talents far beyond what we use, but many of us are so worn out that we don9t feel li+e doin# anythin#. <ven God rested from all of 'is labors, not because 'e was tired, but just to enjoy 'is creation (see Genesis ;!11 -). 7to$ wor+in# all the time, and enjoy yourself. <ven the land needs to rest every several years to $roduce #ood cro$s. If you don9t rest, you are #oin# to cut down your $roduction and stifle your creativity. "ou don9t have to wor+ at God9s $lan for you. 'e will cause it to come to $ass (see /hili$$ians 1!0). 6est in 'im.

8<=<C:<6 ;? 6e1ener#iDe "ourself

3uide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the 3od of my salvation( for You 0You only and altogether1 do I 'ait 0eBpectantly1 all the day long. P !LM 4:$: If you are worn out all the time, it will affect your s$iritual life because you won9t want to $ray, study the (ord, or wal+ in the fruit of the 7$irit. If you are no lon#er sensitive to other $eo$le9s needs, you aren9t hearin# from God. If you are this tired, it is time to reener#iDe your life. /rune away the thin#s that wear you out. don9t try to do what you thin+ everyone else is doin#. (ait on God to lead you, and #et the rest you need to enjoy your wal+ with 'im.

8<=<C:<6 ;0 <njoy "ourself

Ahere is nothing /etter for a man than that he should eat and drink and make himself en8oy good in his la/or. <ven this, I have seen, is from the hand of 3od. <==L< I! A< 4$4# (e all have thin#s that must be done, but God wants us to enjoy our life9s journey. If we are too busy, we will bloc+ the flow of what the 'oly 7$irit wants to do throu#h us. :usyness +ee$s us from bein# fruitful in the +in#dom of God. God didn9t $ut us here just to wor+, strive, accumulate thin#s, and become stressed out. 'e wants us to enjoy 'im and 'is creation. *a+e time to enjoy what God has #iven you. <njoy your family, your home, and yourself today.

8<=<C:<6 ;@ Cove Borward

I do not consider, /rethren, that I have captured and made it my o'n 0yet1( /ut one thing I do 0it is my one aspiration1$ forgetting 'hat lies /ehind and straining for'ard to 'hat lies ahead, I press on. P2ILIPPI!? 5$%5- %# God will anoint you to do what 'e calls you to do. :ut when 'is anointin# is #one, let it #o. Get rid of the thin#s that God9s anointin# was on at one time, but not anymore. 8on9t +ee$ doin# the same thin# because $eo$le e%$ect you to. I encoura#e you to $rune off activities that fill your day but don9t add to your life. 7ometimes we hold on to assi#nments that God is finished with for us. 3s+ God for wisdom, then wal+ away from tas+s 'e no lon#er is as+in# you to do. Ca+e room for new life to flourish throu#h the wor+ of your hands.

8<=<C:<6 ;A )et God 7et "our 3#enda

.ut this thing I did command them$ Listen to and o/ey My voice, and I 'ill /e your 3od and you 'ill /e My people( and 'alk in the 'hole 'ay that I command you, that it may /e 'ell 'ith you. L<><MI!2 9$45 6emember, you made your schedule, and you can chan#e it. /ray about your day, your wee+, and your life #oals to find out what God wants you to do, and what 'e doesn9t want you to do. If you don9t do what God is tellin# you to do, you may let $eo$le control and mani$ulate you to do what they want you to do. "ou may end u$ doin# thin#s for which you are not anointed. If you do what God tells you to do, 'e will bless you with joy, $eace, rest, and wonderful relationshi$s.

8<=<C:<6 ;F Get 6id 2f 8istractions

Ahat 'hich is desired in a man is loyalty and kindness 0and his glory and delight are his giving1. P>OC<>. %"$44 7ometimes you may just need to clear away the clutter so you can clearly see what is worthwhile. 'ere is a sim$le su##estion! 8on9t +ee$ more than you can ta+e care of. If you have so much jun+ in your home that it ta+es you hours to dust it, #et rid of somethin#. Bind a bi# carton and write :lessin# :o% on the side of it. 7tart $uttin# e%tra thin#s into it until cleanin# is more mana#eable. Bind someone who doesn9t have much and bless them. "ou will be amaDed at how easy it is to start your day ri#ht when you are no lon#er distracted by thin#s you don9t need.

8<=<C:<6 Get 5$ 3nd (or+

!nd let the /eauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our 3od /e upon us( confirm and esta/lish the 'ork of our handsKyes, the 'ork of our hands, confirm and esta/lish it. P !LM "7$%9 It is obvious we are su$$osed to wor+ more than rest. 7ome $eo$le just lie on the couch, eatin# jun+ food and watchin# television all day, and then they wonder why their lives are a wrec+. 2nce rested, #et u$ and wor+. "ou can9t ta+e authority over your life if you don9t have authority over a sin+ full of dirty dishes or a messy #ara#e. If you want to #row in ministry to others, the (ord says you must #et your own house in order first (see 1 *imothy -!?). 7tay home and clean if you need to. but win the battle of #ettin# your life in order before tac+lin# the whole world.

8<=<C:<6 -1 Cinistry Is Bulfillin# (or+

6or you shall eat 0the fruit1 of the la/or of your hands( happy +/lessed, fortunate, envia/le, shall you /e, and it shall /e 'ell 'ith you. P !LM %4&$4 *here is nothin# more fulfillin# than bein# rested and ready for the wor+ that God has called us to do. God $uts the desire in us to minister to $eo$le throu#h whatever wor+ we do. :ut ministry is wor+ that reEuires $hysical, emotional, and s$iritual stren#th. 'ard wor+ is rewardin# when you follow God9s way and minister to other $eo$le throu#h the labor of your hands. *hat is why it is so im$ortant to start your day with God. 'is $resence will build you u$ emotionally, 'is words will stren#then you s$iritually, and the time of rest that 'e calls you to enjoy will ma+e you $hysically able to handle whatever may come your way.

3bout *he 3uthor

J2"=< C<"<6 has been teachin# the (ord of God since 1F@0 and in full1time ministry since 1FA . 7he is the bestsellin# author of over ?, ins$irational boo+s, includin# 7ecrets to <%ce$tional )ivin#, *he Joy of :elievin# /rayer, and :attlefield of the Cind, as well as thousands of cassettes and a com$lete video library. Joyce9s )ife In *he (ord radio and television $ro#rams are broadcast around the world, and she travels e%tensively conductin# )ife In *he (ord conferences. Joyce and her husband, 8ave, are the $arents of four #rown children and ma+e their home in 7t. )ouis, Cissouri.

=ontact *he 3uthor

Joyce Ceyer Cinistries /.2. :o% 0?? Benton, C2 0- ;0 2r call! (0-0) -,F1 - Internet 3ddress! www.joycemeyer.or#

*o contact the author in =anada, $lease write! Joyce Ceyer Cinistries =anada, Inc. )ambeth :o% 1)ondon, 24 40/ 1*? 2r call! (0-0) -,F1 - In 3ustralia, $lease write! Joyce Ceyer Cinistries13ustralia )oc+ed :a# @@ Cansfield 8elivery =entre Mueensland ,1;; 2r call! @ --,F 1;

In <n#land, $lease write! Joyce Ceyer Cinistries /.2. :o% 1?,F (indsor 7), 1G* 2r call! ( ) 1@?-1A-11 ;