Daily Scripture: Take a Stand

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Everyday we are under attack, under attack by the enemy.  The enemy has one purpose, to kill, to steal, to destroy.  But lucky for us we have power, mighty power to take a stand against the enemy.  Everyday there's a struggle, a struggle to overcome the continuous fight the enemy has set before us, the fight the enemy has to overtake our sanity, to break apart our families, to tear apart our friendships and relationships, to separate us from Christ.  But you have armor like no other, strength that cannot be overtaken.  So every morning as you're getting dressed for the day, remember to put on your full armor, the armor full of strength and power, the armor of God.  When you are in full armor, with God by your side you are able to stand firm, stand ground against the enemy whenever he shows up.  So stand tall and look the enemy in the eye and let him know that he can't have your family, your friends, your sanity, your breakthrough, your blessings, your increase, your future, he can't have NOTHING of yours.  So put on your armor, stand your ground and let the enemy know that if he wants war then war it is and with God on your side and with your full armor on you will be victorious!!!!

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
~Ephesians 6:10-13

Everyday Strength

Every day is a brand new start, a day to start something new, a day to continue fulfilling a goal you have set, a day to accomplish all that you dream.  Every morning you are equipped with everything you need to be successful throughout the day.  Sometimes we wake up down and out, dreading the day, but you have the strength, the ultimate strength, the strength of God to get through your day.  So when it seems that your day is going down hill, when it seems that nothing is going right, remember that God is right there with you and He has provided you with the strength you need plus more to get through.   Know that when you're in distress God is right there helping you, saving you, strengthening you, loving you.  We all have a firm foundation holding us up each and every day, a foundation full of wisdom, knowledge and strength.  So stand firm on your foundation, lean on that foundation every minute of every day because that foundation, which is God, will give you all the strength you need every morning to accomplish everything you face and to overcome any obstacle or stumbling block you may come across throughout the day.

2 Lord, be gracious to us;
    we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
    our salvation in time of distress.

5 The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;
    he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.
6 He will be the sure foundation for your times,
    a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
    the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

~Isaiah 33:2, 5-6

God's Protection

The world is full of evil ones, some are easy to spot and others are in deep disguise.  Unfortunately sometime the enemy is someone close to us, a friend or family member.  But regardless if the enemy is someone close to us or not the enemy is always in attack mode trying to bring you down.  But the good news is God is on your side.  God will provide you with the strength you need to endure and protect you from every attack of the enemy.  God is always protecting you, making sure you come out on top, even from enemies you don’t know exist.  Sometimes it may seem like the attacks are getting you down and that you are all alone but God is right there. Whatever you do, don’t stoop to the level of the enemy, don’t seek revenge for God says that vengeance is His and He will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies.  God’s vengeance may not look like that of humans but God will take those evil attacks, turn them around for you good and bless you right in front of your enemies.  So don’t worry or stress about those who are out to get you because God will provide you strength and protect you from the enemy.

2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

~2 Thessalonians 3:2-5

Eyes on Jesus

It is so easy to get distracted and sidetracked from whatever it is we are doing. With everything going on around us we begin to take our eyes off of the positive and focus on the negative, off of our blessings on focus on the hardships, off of God and focus on the attacks of the enemy.  But in everything we are going through we must learn to fix our eyes on Jesus.  Even when it's difficult and it seems like the negative is right in front of your face, you must still keep your eyes on Jesus.  So when you are feeling down, feeling like there is no way out, feeling like everything is failing, fix your eyes on Jesus for He loves us, protects us, covers us, provides for us and much more.  Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for each one of us, so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. So don't lose heart or become weary, just keep your eyes focused on Jesus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

~Hebrews 12:1-3

As the Sun Sets

There's something about a fall evening, that time when the sun begins to set, peaking through the trees with leaves beginning to change colors, that compares to no other.  But this Fall Sunday evening felt different and brought a while new light to a Fall sunset.  As I mourn two family members that passed within less than 24 hours between each other, through this fall sunset God reminded me that He got me.  God has a plan for us all, sometimes it may not seem like it, especially when you are losing those you love back to back, but God will use the simplest thing to remind us all of His greatness.  In this sunset I found calmness that only God can provide, joy in knowing that although I miss and will miss my family forever, they are no longer suffering and are now in the presence of our Heavenly Father, and love, that unconditional love that brings about reassurance that everything is going to be alright.

Daily Scripture: Pray First

As humans we are quick jump into a situation or into doing something without thinking it through first.  Or we will “think” about it and think that we have all the answers.  This is especially true when it comes to matters of the heart.  When somebody wrong us or say something out of the way we are quick to act and respond to their actions without thinking things through.  But there is something that we can learn from Nehemiah, before he did anything, answered or left to attempt to take care of the problem, he prayed unto God first.  Even when the king asked Nehemiah what it is that Nehemiah wanted, he prayed to God for the answer to the question.  We must all learn to go before the throne of Christ in prayer FIRST, because our lives are about His will and what He wants for us.  Before you respond to that message you received from the enemy with evil intent, pray about it.  Before you act in response to your emotions, pray about it.  Before you attempt to get yourself out of that hardship with what you think is the answer, pray about it.  Before you jump into another relationship or even friendship, pray about it.  Our answers are never valid if it is not the answer from God.  Remember in everything, PRAY FIRST AND ACT SECOND!!!

2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

~Nehemiah 2:2-5

Daily Scripture: Are You Content?

A materialistic world is an understatement to describe the world we live in today.  We are living in a time where if you don’t truly know the true worth of life and what’s important, society will make you feel like what you have is not enough.  People are steady trying to “Keep up with the Jones” that they are never happy with what they have.  But continuously chasing materialistic happiness will leave you miserable every time.  What I’ve come to realize is that when you are truly thankful for all that you have and you know from whom all blessings come, you are able to live each day with true happiness and joy.  We can live each day calmly and in content because God lets us know over and over again that He will never leave us and He will always be right there.  There’s no need to live in fear because whatever we need, He will provide.  When we fall, He will pick us up.  When we’re in trouble, He’s right there.  When we need help, He will be our helper. Keep your faith, stand firm, and know that if God did it in the past, He can do it in the present and the future.  God will never change and will always be right there, right by our side, providing us with everything that we need. So be content in all that you have and watch the blessings continue to flow because God is the same yesterday and today and forever.

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”[a]

• 6 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”[b]

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

~Hebrews 13:5-8

Daily Scripture: Purpose in Your Hardship

We all go through hardships and the roads of life are definitely not easy but in those tough times of life we can find strength and encouragement in knowing that God is with us.  Whenever we are on the bumpy road of life, we can hold on to our faith and trust God to provide everything we need and provide plenty or more than enough.  Hold on during this hard time, God is right there with you and although it may seem unbearable right now, God is using this hard time to strengthen you and to advance His kingdom.  Hold on to the encouragement of knowing if He did it before, He will do it again.  If he provided before, He will provide again plentiful and fully.  Stay positive and know there is a purpose for all that we go through.  God has a purpose over your life, and it may not feel like it but there’s a purpose in your hardship.  Buckle your seat belt, hold on, learn from it, grow from it, hold on to your faith and allow God to strengthen you through your hardship and turn your trials into triumph!!!

17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardshipsto enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

~Acts 14:17-22

Daily Scripture: No Eye Has Seen

People will try to talk you out of you hopes, dreams, aspirations and the vision you have for your life.  They will question you, ‘how are you going to accomplish that?’ or ‘what makes you think that you’re capable of accomplishing that?’ and so on and so on.  They will make you question yourself and even try to plant their dream for you in your head.  But what Gad has for you is for you.  Nobody knows what God is calling you to be and whatever God has planned for your life it will come to pass.  God will equip you with everything you need to accomplish His will for your life while encouraging you and loving you every step of the way.  Don’t get defeated when people try to down play your vision, as a matter of fact don’t share your vision with everybody.  God will ensure that the vision HE has for you will become reality.  Nobody can see, hear or conceive what God has planned for you and your life.  Keep pushing and know that nobody can keep you from what God has destined for your life!

9 However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[a]—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

~1 Corinthians 2:9-12

Daily Scripture: Don't Worry

We get so caught up in what’s going on around us that we constantly worry about what’s to come.  We worry about finances and how we’re going to pay this, that, and the third, we worry about what we’re going to wear, we worry about what we’re going to eat, we even worry about what other people think about us or if we will have enough time to accomplish everything we need to accomplish.  But simply put, we all need to STOP WORRYING.  When we worry it does not fix the situation, it does not bring about the solution we are looking for.  All it does is bring about more stress and anxiety.  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:27) We have to seek God for the solution to all of our problems.  There’s no need in worrying because God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).  God will supply everything we need and bring about the solutions to all of our problems.  Don’t worry about what’s to come, focus on the her and now and know that God is in your present and is already in your future working everything out on your behalf.

27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

~Matthew 6:27-34

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Daily Scripture: For Your Good

It’s so easy to see the negative in everything around us, especially when it seems like the downs outweigh the ups but we must remain positive and remember there is some good in the bad.  We all have purpose, a calling that will allow us to help expand the kingdom of God.  Everything we go through in life, even the bad, God will use for your good, to better us, strengthen us, and guide us in the direction He want us to go.  I know it’s hard to find comfort in the raging winds of life that are beating you down, but God is right there in the midst of the storm with you.  No matter what we go through in life, God is right there working everything out.  When the trials of life seem to be getting to you, when the attacks of the enemy seem to be winning, when it just seems like everything around you is crashing, be still and take comfort in know that because God is for you nothing or no one can be against you because God is working everything out for your good so that you can fulfill the purpose He predestine specifically for you!!!

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Daily Scripture: In the Midst of Trouble

It sometime seems like we are constantly walking around in life in the midst of trouble or if we're not walking in the midst of trouble, trouble always seems to follow us or find us.  It seems that the enemy is constantly under attack and there is no way out.  Although we may be walking through the midst of trouble, God continues to save our lives each and every day from all of the trouble that comes our way.  Whenever it seems like you have more problems than solutions, more sadness than happiness, more negative than positive, call on the name of the Lord and know that He will answer and strengthen you.  It's so easy to give up but God will stretch His hand to save you and protect you from dangers seen and unseen.  Nothing will stop God from fulfilling His purpose for your life.  God loves each of us and He will never abandon us or the work He is doing within us.  So keep pushing, continue to walk in the midst of trouble with confidence knowing that God hears your cries, God loves you, and God WILL save you from the enemy and your troubles. 

3 

When I called, you answered me;

    you greatly emboldened me.

4 

May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,

    when they hear what you have decreed.

5 

May they sing of the ways of the Lord,

    for the glory of the Lord is great.

6 

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;

    though lofty, he sees them from afar.

7 

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

    you preserve my life.

You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;

    with your right hand you save me.

8 

The Lord will vindicate me;

    your love, Lord, endures forever—

    do not abandon the works of your hands.

~Psalm 138:3-8