Are you finding yourself distracted from the main thing? One of Satan’s more cunning weapons is distraction. He knows that if we become sidetracked by the cares of the world, that more than likely, we will begin to neglect our time with God.

I remember back when I was an international program manager working on the mobile team and what happened to me when I got distracted from letting the main thing be the main thing. When I got to the point where I realized my priorities had gotten out of whack when my diabetes was out of control. I remember having to stop and regroup what I had been doing in every area of my life so that I could get thing back into alignment with God’s plans and with how my priorities were supposed to be. I found myself micromanaging at work – causing my work days to encroach on my sleep causing 4 hours of rest per night. I found my volunteer time between the community involvement in the home owners association and church were encroaching on my marriage and family time. So I took a reset and reviewed my priorities. I can remember reading the book “First Things First” and reflecting on verses like Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you”. I wrote out my priorities in the order they should be (obviously not in the order they were being lived) – (1) God, (2) Wife/Marriage, (3) Family/Kids, (4) Work/Serving. With this new prioritization, I went to get back in alignment with God’s plan. At work I stopped micromanaging with the thought that the company hires smart people and as such when I delegated the work, I went the step farther and also delegated the responsibility (the funny thing is, that was how it always was, just not in my head and hands – so I went from clenched fist to open palm). Next to ensure my time was set properly I worked on setting up the HOA for success prior to stepping down from the board. With these two pieces in place, I was able to start living my life in alignment with the priorities in place – spending the time and effort with God to build and ensure that relationship was top priority. I next make sure we have time set for my wife and I and then my daughter and I. With my time set and booked in this area, it was amazing to watch God work in and through my life to multiply my efforts and time and rewards for His glory. My success increased because I was focusing on Him and His priorities. My life was in alignment with God’s plan and everything else fell into place. Praise God for who He is and what He has done in and through my life.

To keep us faithful and in close fellowship and communion with God, sometime God will want us to remove the distractions that are separating us from Him, even though it might hurt, it might have been a good idea, it might have been good for others. The thing is that Satan is sneaky and he can make you do or want to do things because they are “good”, but they end up taking you away from what God plans or intends in your life. For example, you want to do well at work, you want to be a good provider at home, you want people to like you, but God doesn’t want those things to take a higher priority than your relationship with Him and His plans for your life. Any situation or desire in your life that keeps you from being led by the Holy Spirit or living for God is an unhealthy distraction that’s not good for us.

“God wants us to be moved by His Spirit, not by distractions. So today, set aside all of the distractions of life and purposely focus on God. When you seek God first with your whole heart, you will find Him. He’s always there waiting for you.”

(notes from today’s devotional)

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:33

Prayer Starter: (from today’s devotional)

Lord, I ask You to help me remove all of the distractions in my life, even if it hurts. Help me to seek You above all else and be led by the Holy Spirit in my daily life. I want to live for You!

I thank You Lord for this new day and for all that will be in it. I praise You Lord that You always speak life and love, truth and hope, direction and correction into my life as I seek after You to start my day. Lord, help me to make the time as I do each morning to spend with You for my wife and my children. Help me to make them a priority as I have made You a priority. Lord, draw me back to the place where I consider Your plans and Your priorities for each day, each week, each month, each year so that I am able to be a faithful servant and steward of the incredible gift of a wife and children in my life. Lord, You know the plans You have for me and so I lift them up to You and ask for Your guidance and wisdom. Help me Lord to be the person of God You have called me to be so that Lord I may stand before You and get to hear You speak to me, well done my good and faithful servant. And may this day bring You all the praise, the honor, and the glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fearful to Fearless

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

Psalm 103:13 (NLT)

Biblical Truth:

Just as a father provides comfort and forgiveness to a child, so the Lord has love and compassion for those that worship Him.

Chronological

Today – Day 241

• Ezekiel 9
• Ezekiel 10
• Ezekiel 11
• Ezekiel 12

“It’s true that God will always help us when we come to Him. But if we want constant victory, we need to take God out of our ‘emergency only’ box and invite Him into our everyday lives.”

If we want to have a relationship with anyone, including God, we need to get personal with them. We need to spend time with them. God wants to be so personal that when we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, that void, that emptiness in our hearts is filled by the Holy Spirit moving inside of us.

God so loved the World that He gave His one and only Son, that who so ever believes in Him will not perish but have ever lasting life. God didn’t send Jesus to condemn the World, but to save it. When Jesus died on the cross, He opened the way for us to get personal with almighty God. If God had wanted an “emergency only” relationship, He might just visit on occasion, but He certainly would not have moved in us in order to be present always.

God wants to be a part of your everyday, not your someday. He wants to be a part of your today, not some other day. God is your personal friend. So take a step today and spend time with Him, talk with Him throughout the day, and don’t leave Him or put Him back into the “emergency only” box and watch yourself as you are walking through life with your friend and Lord and Savior.

(notes from today’s devotional)

16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16

Prayer Starter: (from today’s devotional)

Lord, I know that the Christian life is so much more than an "emergency only" back-up plan. Because You live within me, I want to know You as a personal friend. Rather than just calling on You when I’m in trouble, I want to seek You every single day.

Heavenly Father,
I thank You for this new day and for all that is within it. I praise You Lord for the incredible God and friend You are to me. I thank You Lord that You stick closer than a brother and that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Lord, as I step out today and have this opportunity to speak out a vision that You have given me and help to structure the teams and how they interact, I pray Lord for Your wisdom and favor as I speak in truth and love into these conversation. I pray Lord for Your light to shine in and help to formulate and create a cohesive unit where everyone is in agreement and in alignment with the plans You have for us. Lord, I know that You have me asking the questions, preparing a proposal, and I ask that You give me the courage and the faith to step out and go for it. Help me Lord to see it and go for it in a way that is pleasing and glorifying to You. May my thoughts, my words, and my actions bring You praise, honor, and glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fearful to Fearless

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

Psalm 103:11 (NIV)

Biblical Truth:

The abundance of God’s mercy and love toward those that worship Him is beyond comprehension, it far exceeds anything we are worthy of.

Chronological

Today – Day 240

• Ezekiel 5
• A sign…Israel will be at the center of the nations
• A warning…Consider the breakdown, the breakup, the remnance
• Will anyone today watch out for the sign or warning? OR Will history repeat itself?
• Ezekiel 6
• Where do you stand? Are you going with the flow and will end up going down the tube with the flow? Are you going to stand up for what you know is right and true? Will you be able to stand like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for God and what God desires of you?
• Where is your hope and trust? What are you doing to show it and follow after it? Have you been building up your faith muscle?
• Be a part of the people who remember what has happened so as not to repeat it or regret it or lose it.
• Ezekiel 7
• Who will stand in the gap? Who will speak up or speak out to try and get people to turnaround. Is there anyone who is willing to listen? Or is the time getting closer at hand?
• Disasters, doom, destruction are dawning.
• Anguish vs. Joy.
• What will your account look like? To whom much is given much is required. When you are standing at the judgment seat, what do you have to show, to tell, to explain?
• Humility vs. Pride
• Servant
• Steward
• Faithful
• Will you turn to Jesus and be saved or will you remain in a life that is twisted by sin and not recover?
• The trumpet will sound
• Would you rather live with joy and peace now or have to deal with sorrow and remorse later?
• What will you do when the money is no longer worth anything?
• Noticing the calamities?
• Noticing the rumors?
• Ezekiel 8
• Who is the Lord in your heart? What are you worshipping?
• What large idol are you holding onto, worshipping, bowing down to that is going to make the LORD very jealous?
• Is the Lord in the center of your life?
• If your body is the temple of God. If your heart is where the Spirit is living. Are you allowing things into your body that would defile or mess up the temple? Are you allowing things into your heart that would be encroaching on the Spirit’s space and power in your life?
• Turn back to GOD, ask Jesus into your heart so that You can be saved from what is coming.

Are you feeling unhappy? Are you wondering where the zest you felt when you first were filled has gone? Are you feeling like the energy and excitement from when you were first saved has faded?

The reality is that we may have been filled once, but unless we keep refilling that can happen. To be refilled and refueled we need to acknowledge Him and pursue His ways daily. The Holy Spirit has moved in and is in you, so start to show it in your everyday life.

Consider filling up a glass – do you normally fill it to capacity? The Spirit is in us but we need to activate it in the way we live life to not only have people see that we are filled to capacity but also to overflow. With overflow it will flow into the lives of those around us. When at capacity we will show evidence of the Spirit working in and through our lives. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, Acts 4:31 reports that we will speak the Word of God “with freedom and boldness and courage”.

Let’s make sure to keep God in all the areas of our lives. Let’s not compartmentalize our lives so there is the person people see at home, the people see at work, the people see at church, … you get the point. But rather, let’s focus our energy so that we can be one person all the time, and let’s be the person God desires us to be where we include Him in every aspect and area and situation of our lives. It pleases Him to get to be part of our daily life. He doesn’t want us to follow some “religious formula”, He wants us to live the Spirit filled life of freedom, boldness, and courage.

So let’s get it started and let God work freely in every area of our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

(notes from today’s devotional)

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:31

Prayer Starter: (from today’s devotional)

God, I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit every day. Help me to live with the freedom, boldness and courage You give in my daily life.

Heavenly Father,
I thank You Lord for this new day and for all that will be in it. I pray Lord for Your wisdom as I step out trusting in You and asking that Your Holy Spirit give me the boldness, the courage, and freedom to complete the work You have for me today. Thank You Lord for the favor I am finding and seeing in those in authority over me. Your Word speaks of being sent before Kings and Lord, I pray that I am a good ambassador for You. Your Word Lord speaks of how if we can’t keep up with man, how will we be able to run with horses and so I pray Lord for Your Spirit to fill be up to overflowing through daily turning to You and Your Word to fill me up as I go into each day. Lord, thank You so much for the ideas and visions You are giving me. Lord, I praise You in advance knowing that Your plans have perfect timing, never late, and that when it all comes together You will be glorified. Help us Lord as we try to sell our home while at the same time, grant us favor as we look to purchase a new home. You know the right time and so my hope and trust are all in You. Lord as I go out today, may my thoughts, my words, and my actions be things that bring You praise, honor, and glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fearful to Fearless

For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

Psalm 96:4-5 (KJV)

Biblical Truth:

Praise the Lord, for He is great! No other god can compare to the one God who is the author of all creation. Only He is deserving of our honor and worship.

Chronological

Day 239 of 365

• Ezekiel 1
• Ezekiel 2
• Ezekiel 3
• We are our brother’s keeper – We are to speak the love and grace, the truth and hope, the correction and discipline God gives us to speak.

17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.20 Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thy hand.21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and thou hast delivered thy soul.

• Ezekiel 4

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

In 1 Corinthians 12, we learn about the different gifts of the Holy Spirit coming from the same Spirit and how they are given to help us serve God’s purposes.

6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.t9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages,t while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

Are you following all the right rules and wondering
“Is this all there is?”

Are you finding that you get temporary happiness
out of doing the right thing,
but feeling the deeper and more satisfying joy is missing?

Cry out to God and let him know that you feel something is missing
and learn what He has for you.

Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit? Have you received the baptism?

It changes everything, you feel a power in your life that wasn’t there before – a new way.

“When you spend time with God daily and receive His Holy Spirit, you’re not signing up for a scary, weird experience. You are simply receiving His power to be more like Jesus and His wisdom to walk through ordinary events.

Don’t be afraid of new things, just make sure they are biblical. I believe that God desires to take you to new heights in Him through the power of daily interaction with His Holy Spirit. He is knocking at the door of your heart. Will you open it wide and welcome Him? “

(notes from today’s devotional)

Receiving the Holy Spirit

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

Prayer Starter (from today’s devotional):

God, I want to live as a Christian who is filled with the power of Your Holy Spirit. Show me how to live in the deep, satisfying joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. I thank You for the power and the wisdom to walk through every day and every situation.

Heavenly Father,
I thank You Lord for this new day and all that is within it. I thank You Lord for the incredible blessing and opportunity to share my life with You and Your Spirit through my trust and faith and belief in Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. As I step out today may Your incredible presence go with me today. May I walk in faith with You today with Your guiding hand leading me and with You watching my back behind me. Lord I lift up my family and friends that they will all come to know You more and put all of their hope and trust in You. Lord, I thank You for Your Word that speaks life and hope to me daily. I thank You Lord that You are with me, never leaving me nor forsaking me throughout all of my day. May this day bring You all the praise, the honor, and the glory in all I think, say, and do, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Verse of the Day

14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

1 Corinthians 2:14

Fearful to Fearless

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.

Psalm 94:19 (NASB)

Biblical Principle:

When anxious thoughts swirl in our heads God is able to bring relief to our soul, timely relief that brings a calming peace that worldly comforts cannot.

Chronological

Today – Day 238

• Lamentations 3
• Lamentations 4
• Lamentations 5

Turn to God
and
ask Him how you are doing?
He will guide you
and direct you.
He will encourage you
and correct you.
Don’t base your beliefs
on the things
or thoughts of man,
but base them on the truth 
– that comes from God –
for that TRUTH
will set you FREE.

What are you building your life upon? What is driving your belief system? What is your source of truth? The news media? What a celebrity says? What a group of friends are saying? What is your source of TRUTH and can or do you get swayed? Shouldn’t the truth be a foundation that is solid and not moving?

Have you taken a walk through God’s Word for yourself to hear what it has to say? Rather than just taking at face value everything people say about the Bible have you taken the journey through the Bible to hear and reflect on what the Bible has to say? Rather than just believing what others say, explore God’s Word for yourself and find the freedom that comes from it. Watch the story about who you are and why God created you materialize and how God wants you to live. Contend for the truth, embrace it and build your life upon it, and you will find that you will succeed in every endeavor.

To stay on track with God’s truth just like when you want to stay in touch with anyone, you need to make communication with Him a priority in your daily schedule. Make your day a prayer, a walking and talking conversation with God. Sitting at your desk. Walking down the hall. Getting ready for meeting. In a meeting. Faced with big decisions. Faced with hard questions. Driving in your car. Looking for a parking place. Going to an appointment. Waking up. Going to sleep. About to eat. Saying hi to your spouse, kids, friends. Saying bye to your spouse, kids, friends. Anywhere. Anytime. Talk with Him. Trust Him. Take time to read His Word and watch how TRUTH will be revealed – you will know the truth. Take time to read His Word and see how the weights and chains fall off and the freedom you will feel.

“When you know God, you know Truth. Living in His Truth will bring peace, freedom, and joy to your life.”

(notes from today’s devotional)

Truth Will Set You Free

32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:32

Prayer Starter: (from today’s devotional)

God, I don’t want to be limited by my thoughts and beliefs about what is true. You are the only source of Truth. As I spend time communicating with You, show me and guide me into Your Truth.

Heavenly Father,
I thank You for this new day and for all that will be in it. I will focus on what You have before me today as Your Word speaks and guides me. Help me Lord to be the husband, father, son, brother, friend, employee, co-worker You have called me to be in the lives I will be a part of today. Help me Lord to have the wisdom and discernment to produce the focus and results necessary to hear from You, “well done my good and faithful servant”. Help me Lord to walk out this day as a servant, as a steward, and as a faithful. Lord, guide my thoughts, my actions, and my words today that others will be directed to You. Help me Lord to point people to You not only as the source of hope and truth, but as the way. Lord, help me to put my hope and trust in You and not be swayed by the opinions of anyone other than You. So as I start this day Lord, may receive all the praise, the honor, and the glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Verse of the Day

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:34

Fearful to Fearless

The Lord says, “If you love me and truly know who I am, I will rescue you and keep you safe. When you are in trouble, call out to me. I will answer and be there to protect and honor you.”

Psalm 91:14-15 (CEV)

Biblical Truth:

Those that love the Lord and call upon Him can take comfort in His presence and deliverance during times of trouble.

Chronological

Today – Day 237

• Lamentations 1
• Lamentations 2

How are you looking at things? Do you have a positive view or a negative view? Do you see potential in even the most discouraging situations? Are you quick to point out problems and limitations? It goes beyond what you see to what you do or don’t do as the case may be. Your way of thinking controls how you make decisions and take actions.

Are you blowing things out of proportion with the negative thoughts you are having? If so, you will probably find that problems start to seem larger and much more difficult than they really are.

Sometimes, a problem may actually be impossible…in the natural. And a negative mindset forgets that nothing is impossible to God.

Turn to God’s Word to fill your mind and your attitude with the truth, the hope, the love, and the perspective of God in your life. Start to trust God in every circumstance and see the power available to you in every experience or experience the power available to you in every circumstance.

Never forget or Always remember
(depending on your perspective)

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!

(notes from today’s devotional)

Nothing Is Impossible

37 For nothing is impossible with God.

Luke 1:37

Prayer Starter (from today’s devotional):

Lord, it’s clear to me that I have nothing to gain from a ‘glass-half-empty’ mindset. Even in impossible situations, I know that You are there. I choose to see the positive side of things as I live in Your Word.

Heavenly Father,
I thank You Lord for this new day and for all that is within it. I praise You Lord for the incredible truth that comes from reading Your Word each day. I praise You Lord that even the song that wakes me – the one playing on my internal radio frequency – speaks to who You are and the fact that nothing is impossible with You. As I go to Your Word and consider my view and my responses Lord, I pray that You will help me to be one who is encouraging to others, one who asks the question “Why not?”, one who is looking for the opportunity in every circumstance. Help me Lord to not be pulled down but to help others be lifted up. Grant me wisdom, courage, and strength Lord to bring people to the level You are calling them to go or to be. Lord, help me be one who is filling their sail and not taking the wind out of their sails. There are many things we may not know Lord, but You know all things, the beginning and the end. So help me Lord to remind people of that or to share this truth with those who are walking in fear or being held back by negativity. Lord, with You all things are possible. As I start this day, I lift it up to You to give You all the honor, the glory, and the praise in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Verse of the Day

6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

Matthew 5:6

Fearful to Fearless

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Psalm 91:5-6 (NLT)

Biblical Truth:

When terror strikes, it is enough to frighten us night and day, but by God’s grace we have His promise of security to save us from its grip.

Chronological

Today – Day 236

• Jeremiah 51
• Jeremiah 52

and where He stands

–always ready–
–to help in times of trouble–

Life is filled with storms some that come and go quickly and some that seem to be catastrophic and last a while. Some where it is a hard place to be and stand during it, but that is handled and goes away quickly. Some where it is a hard place, a hard lesson needs to be learned, we might be hard hearted and/or not want to hear it or deal with it and start to feel the full impact of the storm. In either case, they don’t last forever and God stands ready to help us out, if we will/would just humble ourselves, turn to Him and ask for help. The other thing is that in the midst of the storms we don’t have to make major decisions out of fear or anxiety, but rather we can lean on and put our trust in God who will help us to weather the storm.

In the midst of crises our thoughts and feelings start to race and can run out of control. Because of this anxiety, these feelings our judgment may not be in the best place for us to be making important decisions. We need to be careful in what we decide to do or the steps we take during such a state. I remember from my tech support days one of the things we learned was about how when people call in there are times when they will be very emotional because of the issue that they are facing. The key to a successful call – for both the caller and the tech – was to help empathize and understand the issue which will lower the high emotional energy and bring up the logical portion allowing for a conversation and process that will bring the issue to a conclusion that resolves the issue and helps the person who called get the right kind of support and experience they want, need, and deserve. This taught me a lot about decisions and conversations during the storms of life and how it is necessary to diffuse or at least raise the logic portion prior to making decisions.

“Let emotions subside before you decide.”

So let’s remain calm and discipline ourselves to
focus on doing what we can do
and
trust God to do what we can’t do.

Don’t get stuck drowning in anxiety, worry, and fear, rather get in touch with God, who sees past the storm and orchestrates the big picture. Lean on Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more that we could ever ask or imagine. Don’t lean on your own understanding, but put your trust in God. He knows the beginning and the end. He knows where you are at and He knows where you are going.

He makes sure that
everything that needs to happen in our lives happens
at the right time,
at the right speed,
and
causes us to arrive safely
at the destination
He has planned for us.

(notes from today’s devotional)

Let the Storm Subside

1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Prayer Starter (from today’s devotional):

God, I know that I can’t control everything, so I will do what I can and trust You to do what I can’t do. The storms of life do not control me. I trust Your plans for me.

Heavenly Father,
I thank You Lord for this new day and for all that is within it. I praise You Lord for such a powerful truth of Your love and Your plans for my life. I praise You Lord for the reminder of how abiding in You is so critical to our lives for You are never late and rarely early, and by aiding in You we get where we are supposed to be at the right time and in the right state. Lord, as I consider the changes at work and the incredible opportunities You have set before me, I ask Lord that You provide me with incredible wisdom and ability to communicate it out in a way that glorifies You. I ask Lord that You allow me to shine for You and produce good fruit that allows You to think and say over me, “well done my good and faithful servant”. Lord, there are many things that try to distract and keep the focus from where it needs to be in this world, and I pray Lord for Your wisdom and discernment so that my focus stays on You and Your plans and Your purposes for my life and all those who You bring into my life that I may be able to speak truth, hope, life, love, and eternity into their lives. Lord, I know I can trust You at all times and that You have done incredible things in and through my life. Lord grant me vision and direction, wisdom and discernment so that I may make the right decisions and head in the right direction so that others can pursue after You and the work that we will do will glorify You and draw others into a place of wanting to hear or learn more about all that You have said and all that You have done in and through my life I pray. And may everything that I do bring You praise, honor, and glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Verse of the Day

2 Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

Psalm 103:2-5

Fearful to Fearless

Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?

Psalm 90:11 (ESV)

Biblical Truth:

Your power is so great! We cannot even comprehend it! Let our worship be an acceptable offering to You Lord, even though you deserve so much more.

Chronological

Today – Day 235

• Jeremiah 49
• Jeremiah 50

Have you created markers so that in the future you can look back and remember the great and mighty things God has done in and through you? These markers can take you from standing in fear of the new, the unknown and move you to a place of excitement and courage because of the faith stories you can tell yourself or remind yourself from the past.

Let’s take a “truth journey” with God by studying His Word and taking action on them. His Word will help us purge the negative thoughts and give us the ability to see the positive in every situation we face. Being a positive person is very powerful. To be a positive person you need to remember to remind yourself of your past successes. In so doing, your hope, your faith, your courage, your strength will be renewed as on wings like eagles as God fills your sails for what He is about to do in your current situation.

David is a great example of this. When David was in the position of facing Goliath, when the army of the king was shaking in their boots, his hope and trust were in God, and he recalled to his mind what he had done in the fields while tending his flocks to the lion and the bear, the victory he had won and this produced the courage he needed to face the situation with Goliath.

34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock,35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! – 1 Samuel 17:34-36

Are you facing a difficult time right now? Are you feeling worried, nervous, or afraid? Remind yourself that this isn’t the first challenge or trial you have ever faced. Remind yourself that you survived the last one and praise God for what He has done in the past and will continue to do in and through you into the future. Remember that you learned some great lessons in previous trials and challenges – remember the lessons so that you don’t repeat any of the pitfalls, and step up and step out in courage and faith knowing that nothing is impossible to God, it just hasn’t ever been done yet. Remember the past successes. Turn to God’s Word and see what He says about you. You will see that God promises better days ahead. God’s Word promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you. God’s Word tells you that He created you with and for a purpose. God’s Word tells you that you were wonderfully made. God’s Word tells us that great is He that is in me than he that is in the world. God’s Word tells us fear not, just believe. And so much more…

(notes from today’s devotional)

Remembering Past Successes

37 The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the LORD be with you!”

1 Samuel 17:37

Prayer Starter (from today’s devotional):

God, sometimes the situation in front of me seems impossible, but You have brought me through difficult times in the past, and I know You can do it again. Help me to remember past successes and to think positively about my present situation.

Heavenly Father,
I thank You Lord for this new day and all that will be in it. I praise You Lord for the new opportunities that are coming before me and the plans You have for me in and through them. Lord, as I look forward to today I pray that You will grant me the wisdom and the courage to do and say what You put into my mind and heart. I pray Lord for discernment to judge right and wrong as well as what things need to be spoken and what words need to be kept to myself. Lord, You are to be glorified through this day and I pray that You will help me to step in and step up to be a good ambassador for You today a person who will one day get to hear You speak to saying “well done my good and faithful servant” and as Your Word says, “… was a man after God’s own heart” like you spoke of David and “… did what was right in the eyes of the Lord”. Lord, there are many things coming my way in the form of change, and the great news is that I know Your hand is over the situations, You will never leave me nor forsake me, You protect and guide me. Lord, I remember when You first opened the position on the PTS team and the successes and learning experience through that role, I remember the eServices team and the success and learning experiences through those roles. As I step into this new team and as the new roles are defined, I pray Lord for Your presence to be with me to guide my every step. I pray Lord that my actions and words will bring You all the praise, the honor, and the glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Verse of the Day

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He existed in the beginning with God.3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

John 1:1-3

Fearful to Fearless

A God greatly feared and revered in the council of the holy (angelic) ones, and to be feared and worshipfully revered above all those who are round about Him?

Psalm 89:7 (AMP)

Biblical Truth:

Even the angels in heaven fear and worship the Lord, they praise His mighty name. Let us be filled with a holy awe and give Him the honor that only He is worthy of.

Chronological

Today – Day 234

• Jeremiah 46
• Jeremiah 47
• Jeremiah 48

If bitterness or anger get a foothold, you start to get eaten up from the inside out and potentially de-capacitated – preventing you from being all God wants you to be and doing what you have been called to do. If you feel stuck or are struggling to get out of the negativity rut, then stop and look for ways to turn this around and start speaking hope, life, love into your own life. Listen to the right radio station or music that is encouraging and uplifting. Read the Bible and take a hold of the truth and promises that are found there that God has in store for you. The reality is, as I learned early last year was that I needed to ask God for help. I had the radio that played the right music to encourage me and it even spoke right into my every circumstance. I kept saying God help me, but not really stopping to give Him a chance or having a deep conversion other than something along the lines of woe is me or arguing about why I shouldn’t forgive them or let it go. So it wasn’t enough, it wasn’t until I got to the point where I stopped and turned it over to God. In my case it was tax time that made me ask for help (strangely enough with my taxes, not the bitterness and anger), but God started that journey with the song 7×70 on my radio (like I said, it played the right songs at the right time). During that song, God revealed to me that I needed to get rid of the bitterness, I had to forgive the people (which he had spoken to me, but I kept having the attitude “but God you know what …” but for some reason I took it to heart, the song and my state of mind were ready to respond, so I lifted it all up to God forgiving them all. Just as I finished, God’s Word written in my heart and mind was brought to the front of my mind as I heard the Holy Spirit tell me, “as you forgive others, I will forgive you”. So I broke down and started to pray for God to forgive me for not letting it go, for letting the bitterness build up, for walking away instead of towards Him, for allowing the enemy to get a foothold and then to allow it to fester and grow. By the time I got to my off-ramp, God had taken it all away, the bitterness, the weight on my shoulders – all gone. As I pulled up to the red light I prayed, “God thank You so much for taking care of the big thing, could you also help me with the taxes too please?” I hadn’t taken the time to look through all the numbers myself, but by the grace of God they all added up and I ended up in a great place after that meeting too. God is so good and so faithful. When we are struggling with negative thoughts overwhelming our lives, we need to make sure that turn around and turn back to God and ask for His help.

As with most challenges and struggles, the biggest thing we need to get to is the fact that we have a problem, admitting that it is a problem and asking God for help. What is the trigger or the breaking point that will get you to stop, admit you have a problem with negativity, and then turn to God and really deal with it. As you see above, I had to get so much stress that one more thing would have pushed me over the edge and my heart and mind were all ready to give everything up to God in order to find true freedom from negativism. Once you do though, WOW!!!, you can overcome it because according to the Bible, you’re a new person in Christ, the old things are gone and the new things have come as well as the truth that all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me.

Are you part of the crowd of people who have been hurt so much in life that you have picked up the philosophy of “If I don’t expect anything good to happen, I won’t be disappointed if it doesn’t.” You aren’t alone, but there is a way out and you don’t have to be afraid to be positive. I realized that even through it all, I didn’t stop ready God’s Word and I didn’t pull away from praying and listening to the local Christian radio station to try to be picked up and make it through the day. I knew God would teach me something powerful through this trial and trusted that He was going to make it all turn out right. I kept trying to get rid of the negativity myself, but it wasn’t till I could find the root of the problem, and pull it out – that bitter root all uprooted and thrown out, that I was able to be set free and that type of hard work needed God.

Spend time in His Word and comparing it to your thought life. Give God time to help you put your thoughts in line with His. He showed me the root of the problem and enabled me to be set free. I know there were some people who noticed that “Happy” me wasn’t fully there during the time, but I tried to put on a good face, but the outside attempt against the inside struggle drained me daily. Let God show you how to be a more positive person. Let God show you the root of the problem so that you can let Him pull it out and set you free. And then you will see how He will transform you to be that positive and uplifting and motivated person He desires you to be.

(notes from today’s devotional)

Free to Think Positive Thoughts

7 They are always thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it.

Proverbs 23:7

Prayer Starter: (from today’s devotional)

God, I admit that I struggle with negative thoughts and I need Your help. Line my thoughts up with Your Word. In every situation, remind me that You will work things out for my good.

Heavenly Father,
I thank You Lord for all that You have done in and through me. I thank You Lord for the incredible truth and love that You have shown through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus to the love letter You provided us through the Bible. Lord, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path that speaks life into me each day, each time I get the opportunity to read, listen, or hear Your Word. Lord as I step out this day and with all the changes underway, grant me wisdom to be one who speaks hope, life, and encouragement unto those around me. Let me speak the light of Jesus and shine the light of Jesus into their lives that they wouldn’t walk in fear or negativity, but rather in hope, love, and trust in You. Your Word and Your promise tell that “I know the plans I have for You says the Lord, not plans to harm you, but to help you, to give you a hope and a future” as well as the fact that “you didn’t send Jesus to condemn the world, but to save it”. I know those are more paraphrases than quotes, but Lord, I give this day up to You. I thank You Lord that You have helped me walk through my “bitterness trial” for I wouldn’t have ever asked for that experience, however, because of it I am stronger and there are many people that I am now able to relate to and encourage because of my own experiences. Lord as I step out and get ready for my day, I give this day up to You and ask Lord that in all I say and all I do and all I think, may You receive all the praise, the honor, and the glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Verse of the Day

18 Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise
in the snare of their own cleverness.” 20 And again,
“The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise;
he knows they are worthless.”

1 Corinthians 3:18-20

Fearful to Fearless

Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.

Psalm 85:9 (NKJV)

Biblical Truth:

Glory dwells with those who worship the Lord, those who have salvation in Christ. He is with us!

Chronological

Today – Day 233

• Jeremiah 41
• Jeremiah 42
• Jeremiah 43
• Jeremiah 44
• Jeremiah 45

Proverbs 4:18 tells us:

18 The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. (MSG)

The key here is that we need to continue so that the “longer” we live, the “brighter” we will shine. We’ve got to love the Word, study the Word, and listen to the Word so it can transform us. Consider how you learn best and make sure to incorporate that into Your time spent in the Word so that You are able to write it on your heart and in your mind so that the Holy Spirit is able to bring it up to your recollection at the right time and place to help in making your every day decisions.

Do you drive? Have you ever run a yellow light? Remembering drivers education and knowing that sometimes feeling like I am rushed or in a hurry, rather than stopping I speed up and go through. The risk here as in the case of following after God’s Word, is that if you are skirting the system like that you will eventually end up in a wreck and getting hurt. God’s Word is here to protect us.

Hebrews 5:14 says:

"Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong" (NLT).

The solid food of God’s Word will convict us and guide us. It will help us stay on a path that is exciting and powerful, yet in alignment with God’s plans and purposes for our lives. God’s Word will keep us from straying into areas that will lead into unnecessary pain and suffering. God’s Word implanted into our hearts and mind will provide something that the Holy Spirit can use to warn us and alert us (like a light on your dashboard) that something is going wrong or like the early warning systems that notify about potential or upcoming dangers. The Holy Spirit can take that and let you know your attitude stinks or that your headed down the wrong path.

Stay in the Word of God as it will ensure you stay in the right direction. Don’t be a baby, but rather take in the solid food produced from the Word of God!

(notes from today’s devotional)

Eating the “Solid Food” of God’s Word

14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Hebrews 5:14

Prayer Starter: (from today’s devotional)

God, I know that Your Word is the only path to maturity. Don’t let me be a baby! Guide me and help me to grow as I take in the solid food of Your Word.

Heavenly Father,
I thank You Lord for this new day and all that will be in it. I thank You Lord for the great and mighty things that You have brought into my life and for the change and transformation that is taking place around me. Help me Lord to walk in the light and with the right attitude. Help me Lord to be someone who is encouraging other and drawing them into the light. Help me Lord to be someone who is filled with Your spirit and anointing so that it overflows and helps to transform the lives of those people around me and draws them into Your presence. Lord, there is nobody like You. Lord, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Help me Lord to hold on tighter than ever to Your love, Your hope, Your truth, Your promises, and walk in faith that conquers and is the antidote to fear so that it may help others to break free from the lies and fear that the enemy is trying to bring into or control their lives. Lord, as I prepare for this day I lift it up to You and pray that in all I say and all I do and all I think, You will receive all the praise, the honor, and the glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Verse of the Day

1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

Hebrews 13:1-2

Fearful to Fearless

But he led his own people like a flock of sheep, guiding them safely through the wilderness. He kept them safe so they were not afraid; but the sea covered their enemies.

Psalm 78:52-53 (NLT)

Biblical Truth:

When our paths seem dark and dangerous God is able to lead us through them safely. God can use the same path that leads us to safety to conquer our enemies.

Chronological

Today – Day 232

• Habakkuk 1
• Put your trust in God, not your own strength. Don’t elevate your own strength to treating it like your god.
• Habakkuk 2

2 Then the LORD said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

4 “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. 5 Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples.6 “But soon their captives will taunt them. They will mock them, saying, ‘What sorrow awaits you thieves! Now you will get what you deserve!
You’ve become rich by extortion, but how much longer can this go on?’7 Suddenly, your debtors will take action. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless.8 Because you have plundered many nations, now all the survivors will plunder you.
You committed murder throughout the countryside
and filled the towns with violence.9 “What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly!
You believe your wealth will buy security, putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger.10 But by the murders you committed, you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives.11 The very stones in the walls cry out against you, and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint.12 “What sorrow awaits you who build cities
with money gained through murder and corruption!13 Has not the LORD of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard,
but all in vain!14 For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the LORD.15 “What sorrow awaits you who make your neighbors drunk!
You force your cup on them so you can gloat over their shameful nakedness.16 But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced. Come, drink and be exposed! Drink from the cup of the LORD’s judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame.17 You cut down the forests of Lebanon.
Now you will be cut down. You destroyed the wild animals,
so now their terror will be yours. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence.18 “What good is an idol carved by man,
or a cast image that deceives you? How foolish to trust in your own creation—a god that can’t even talk!19 What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say,
‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do?
They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside.20 But the LORD is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.”

• Habakkuk 3

18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,t
able to tread upon the heights.