| "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you." (Proverbs 4:25, NIV) | ||||||||||||||
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What are you looking at today? I don’t mean in the natural, but in the spiritual. What is in the forefront of your mind and heart? Are you constantly dwelling on your problems or things that have happened in your past? In the natural, you will move in the direction that your eyes are looking. In the spiritual, it works the same way. Whatever you focus your mind and heart on, you will move toward. That’s why this verse tells us to look straight ahead. If you are constantly dwelling on your problems or things in your past, wondering “what if”, then you will stay right where you are. But if you choose to forgive and release the past, then you can focus on what is ahead of you and begin to move forward. God doesn’t want you to live in the past. He wants you to meditate on His goodness and believe His promises so that you can keep growing. God is a creative God, and He has designed a wonderful future for you. Look straight ahead so you can see it and move forward into the life of victory God has promised!
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Look Straight Ahead
Love in Deed
| "But if anyone has this world's goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him? Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity)." (1 John 3:17-18, AMPC) | ||||||||||||||
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You are the hands and feet of Jesus in the earth. The Lord wants to bless you today so that you can be a blessing to others. He wants to work through you to show His love and compassion. Notice this verse tells us that love isn't just about our words or thoughts, it's about our actions. Love is about reaching out and meeting the needs of others. Sometimes meeting someone's needs is as simple as a smile or sharing a word of encouragement. There are many ways to show the love of God. Can you pay for someone's gas or groceries? Do you see a need in someone's life that you can meet? Look for ways to put your love into action. The Bible says that it's His kindness that leads people to repentance, and the Lord wants to show His kindness in the earth through you. Step out and sow good seeds of love by meeting the needs of others. God promises that those seeds will produce an abundant harvest in your life in return!
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Live in Peace
| "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18, NIV) | ||||||||||||||
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There's a tremendous strength that comes to you when you choose to live in peace. That's why the Lord commands that we live at peace with those around us. When there is strife and contention, the enemy has an open door to move in your life. But when we are at peace with those around us, we are in a position of strength.
Being at peace with those around you doesn't mean you have to agree with everyone all the time. It simply means you are choosing to walk in love. It means you are patient and kind, not envious or boastful. It means you are considerate and gracious even when you don't agree. Today, choose peace, choose love, and choose to walk in the strength and blessing the Lord has commanded on your behalf!
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Pleasant Words
| "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body." (Proverbs 16:24, AMPC) | ||||||||||||||
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Do you look for good things to say about yourself and others? Are you speaking pleasant words? The Bible tells us that pleasant words are healing to the body. Do you need healing in your body—physically? Spiritually? Emotionally? Your words can bring that healing. Start speaking pleasant words—words of life, encouragement and thanksgiving. Guard your heart by making sure you are only listening to pleasant, life-giving words. If there's something on the TV or radio that isn't bringing life to your soul, turn it off. If someone's having a conversation that's not uplifting or productive, don't be a part of it. Choose to meditate on God's Word which, according to Hebrews, is living and active and full of pleasant words. As you choose life by choosing life-giving words, you'll see God's healing operating in your life. You'll feel strength and peace in your soul, and you will move forward into the abundant life God has in store for you!
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Free for All
| "...God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right." (Acts 10:34-35, NIV) | ||||||||||||||
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Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom—and God's freedom is free for everyone! It doesn't matter what your nationality or heritage is, or who your family is. It doesn't matter how much money you have or don't have; God wants you free from everything that would hold you back from your relationship with Him!
God wants to pour out His abundant blessing on all who honor Him and do what is right. In fact, the Bible says in Galatians that in Christ, there is no Jew or Greek or even male or female. That means God's not judging you based on physical conditions. He's looking at your heart. He's looking at the gifts He's placed inside of you.
Don't let the enemy lie to you and tell you that God is blessing everyone else but you. Look for the ways He is pouring out blessing in your life. Thank Him for His acceptance, love and freedom. Focus on honoring Him and doing what is right, and you'll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life!
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Hold On to Hope
| "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10, ESV) | ||||||||||||||
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Jesus is always on a mission of life. He wants to bring life to your spirit, life to your dreams, life to your finances, life to your relationships, and every area of your existence. He is always working behind the scenes; He is always out for your good. Things may not always be good, but that just means it isn't over yet. We can hold on to hope today because He who promised is faithful. We can't lose if we don't quit!
The thief in today's Scripture is the enemy, the devil. He will do his best to knock you down and get you to quit. But Scripture says that Jesus has already overcome him and his ability to harm you! The key is, don't give up! You have to keep standing, keep believing, keep praying and keep hoping in God until you see the victory! Don't let your thoughts drift down to the worst case scenario. Instead, set your mind on hope! Speak words of faith. Declare that the answer is on the way. Hold on to hope and watch what God will do in your life!
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Constantly Speak
| "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1, KJV) | ||||||||||||||
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When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the goodness of God in your life? Do you set the tone of the day for success, favor and blessing with your words? Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. That’s why it’s so important to declare praises to God all throughout the day. Things may be bad all around you, people may be negative, complaining and discouraged, but don’t let that spirit rub off on you. The worse it gets, the brighter you’re going to shine. The good news is that no matter how you feel, no matter what’s going on around you, you can choose your words. There’s nothing that can stop you from constantly speaking His Word!
Today I encourage you to be determined to set the tone for your day, week, month and year by praising God and speaking words of faith over your future. Remember, when you put God first, He promises to honor you. He will pour out His favor on you and lead you into life, health, strength and blessing all the days of your life!
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