On Lockdown

So I'm on lockdown at work. There's a virus. I can't even turn on my computer.

Afternoon Ti, anyone?

Wednesday's Word: Steps of the Righteous

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23, 24

Let's look at another angle:

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. (NLT)

And another version for good measure:
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. (ESV)

Today, I want you to remember that the Lord is ordering your steps! You can take joy in your journey. You can delight in what comes across your paths. God is joyfully tending to every detail  of your life. That means the smallest of your worries has already been handled by the Lord.

Rest easy. No matter what comes your way - God is holding you up! Nothing can defeat you! Don't stay down! Rely on the Lord's upholding power! Your footsteps forward are established - sure, firm - through the Lord's power.

Stop standing still! Move forward! Every step you take with the Lord cannot falter or fail. Take some ordered steps today and watch where the Lord takes you.

Only God Can Satisfy

"When I get this new job, I'll finally be happy again..."

"Lord, send me my husband, so I can be content..."

"Starting this new business is going to make everything better..."

"Moving to a new city will help me have the fresh start I need..."

"Once we conceive and have a child, our marriage will get better..."

There is nothing wrong with a new job, getting married, or having a child. However, the motives behind why you want to do certain things can definitely steer you in the wrong direction. Are you placing your faith in the new job? Are you stacking your hopes on a move to a new place? Is your happiness linked to whether you get married or not?

We need to be very careful of where we are placing our faith. When we look to something to fulfill a void that only God can fill, we are placing our hopes on sinking sand. Only the sure foundation of the Lord can anchor us through the many storms of life. Only hope placed in Him will find us feeling safe and secure when everything around us is in chaos.

Nothing this world has to offer by itself will bring you peace and joy. Nothing. There are countless marriages that started off in bliss, but ended in bitter divorce. Many people have started jobs only to be let go months later. Countless people have traveled the world looking for answers to the ache in their hearts and found nothing.

Yet Jesus is our answer. When we accept His love and follow His plan, we find the joy that we had searched for all our lives. We find the peace that settles our souls. We find the comfort that only He can give.

Are you placing too much hope in the things this world has to offer? Make sure that you are placing your hopes in Jesus Christ. Trust me, when you have your heart fully in His hands, it doesn't matter if you're married, rich, and running the country, or single, broke, unemployed - you will be content.

Stop looking to other things to fill the void within you. Allow the Lord to fill the space in your heart with His love.

Verse of the Day: Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:16

Following the Holy Spirit

Observing Jesus ' ministry, you can truly tell that He listened to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was obedient without question, and, as a result, He was able to do things that had never been seen before.

Jesus' followed the Holy Spirit when He fasted and prayed for 40 days in the wilderness. At the end of that powerful fast, the devil Himself could not tempt Jesus away from His purpose on the earth!

When Jesus came out of the wilderness, He was able to identify the 12 men who would be His faithful disciples for the next three years. He was able to see into the heart of the foul mouthed Peter, Jesus was able to see the potential of the tax collector Matthew, He was able to see the untapped greatness of the "sons of thunder" James and John.

Jesus went on to have the most prolific ministry in the history of this planet. He worked miracles like raising people from the dead. He preached sermons that still inspire people to this day. He formed relationships with people who needed God's love. He debated the religious scholars of His day and established God's new covenant on the earth.

When the time came for Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, He remained obedient still. Knowing that the Father was leading Him to give up His own life for the world, Jesus stayed obedient to the will of the Lord. He never wavered in what God was showing Him.

What is the Holy Spirit leading you to do? Are you remaining obedient in everything being asked of you? Consider your own ministry. Is it flowing in it's full potential? Or is your disobedience holding it back?

The Lord will never steer you wrong. All His plans are to bring you to a prosperous, successful position. Don't let your own doubts, insecurities, and unbelief cause you to miss out on God's awesome plans for your life!

Verse of the Day: ...nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42b

Thanksgiving Friday!

God keeps showing me ways that I can improve. For that, I am grateful.

The Lord has given me His divine grace that still accepts me when I fail Him. For this, I have joy.

Jesus has given me the ability to go before the Throne and talk to my Heavenly Father. I am enriched because of it.

Even in the midst of this "inconvenient" snow, the beauty of God's creative genius is shown. I am thankful to experience it.

As I go about my life's journey, God has placed people who tell me the truth about myself even when it is difficult. I am better for it.

This week, I've been falling in love with this song:

Verse of the Day: How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them. Psalm 111:2 (NLT)

He Wants to Kill You!

You are a fabulous being. God created you in an exquisite, perfectly unique way. He made you expressly for His pleasure, and your life is a testament to His great handiwork. (Psalm 139:14) He is proud of each breath you take.

As fine as you are, there is someone who hates every atom of your core. From the time man was created, the devil has been scheming, plotting, and interfering with God’s intended purpose for mankind. The devil’s very existence is now dedicated to thwarting mankind from living the life God chose for him to have.

The devil is one cunning creature, and he has studied you well. He knows exactly where your weak spots are, and he takes every opportunity to tempt you away from God’s chosen path. He offers his “treats” to you daily, presenting them in such a way that it’s hard for you to resist. Lying becomes convenient, our flesh cries out to over indulge, our patience grows thin and we give in to harsh, angry behavior…

Each time you partake in the “treats” the devil offers up to you, you ingest something that’s sole purpose is to poison and kill your spiritual life in God. He wants you to get so hooked on his junk foods that you start neglecting the good fruit the Lord has available to you. As you succumb to the devil’s diet you will eventually stop partaking of the Lord’s bounty. Your spirit will grow sick and weak and your enemy will have prevailed.

You can choose to resist the devil, dig in, and go with the fruit the Lord has provided for you instead. The fruit He has for you produces life and brings blessings. It will cause your spirit to grow strong and enable you to live in victory while here on earth. God is your Creator. He takes pleasure out of your wellbeing. Everything He has for you enhances your living experience. As you live according to God’s will, you cannot help but have favor and success.

So the next time you find yourself struggling to resist the devil’s temptations, remember his blatant agenda. He only wants to destroy you. Anything he brings your way is guaranteed poison. Why would you want to continuously partake in something that’s aim is to kill you? Grab hold of God’s fruit of the spirit and thrive instead.

Verse of the Day: Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25

Wednesday's Word: Amazing God!

O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands;

you put everything under his feet:

all flocks and herds,

and the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air,

and the fish of the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8

Have you considered the greatness of God lately? Have you taken time to pause and look around at the majesty of creation? Have you thought about how intricately you have been put together?

The world is a witness of the greatness of God. He is high and mighty! He is creative beyond our mental capacity! He reigns in great splendor!

Yet, He chose us to rule over His grand creation. He chose us to be the caretakers of His display of power. He chose us to be crowned with the glory and honor of His deep love.

God is truly amazing!

Your All

This morning I've been thinking about people who have given their all for the Kingdom of God.

The widow woman was willing to give her and her son's last meal up to God's prophet, Elijah. (1 Kings 17)

When the tabernacle was built, the Israelites were so willing to give of their riches that the leaders had to turn their gifts away! (Exodus 36)

The little boy with two fish and five loaves of bread was willing to give up his small lunch for Jesus to use. (John 6)

A woman was willing to give up her expensive perfume - and, more importantly, her own pride - in order to anoint the feet of Jesus. (Luke 7)

Early Christians were willing to sell everything they had and share it with others in order to help build up the church.

All of these people were willing to give their all for the Lord. They didn't care about their own welfare, but trusted that the Lord would take care of them. As a result they all were blessed.

The widow woman was the recipient of a miracle that allowed her and her son to live through a famine. The little boy was blessed to see a miracle firsthand with the food he gave to Jesus. The woman who anointed Jesus was able to receive forgiveness from her many sins. The church was able to see miraculous growth, signs and wonders because of their wholehearted openness to sharing Christ.

Is your everything available for the Lord to use? Are you willing to give what you think you need and what you treasure if the Lord asks for it instead?

Today, allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Allow Him to show you places where you may be holding on a bit too tightly. Our everything should be available for the Lord to use. Nothing should be off limits to Him.

When we allow Him to have full access to everything we have - He is free to do wonders in our lives.

Verse of the Day: I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. Philippians 3:7-9

Thanksgiving Friday!

Happy Friday, everyone! I pray that your week was filled with the pursuit of purpose and work toward the fulfillment of your dreams. 

This week I was blessed to have some great conversations and talks about our faith. From debating the entrance into heaven of Christians who commit suicide to expounding on the blessings of Philippians 1:6, I have had a great time learning from my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you, Lord, for the strength and wisdom I have in the Body of Christ!

I've also been humming Mary Mary's "Go Get It!" song all week. God's given us the tools, all we have to do is put in the work and get it!

Have a blessed weekend, everyone! Stay encouraged in what the Lord has promised you!

Verse of the Day: Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ... Philippians 1:6

Evening Ti: Peaceful Rest

Woah! Where did the day go? I have been running here, there and everywhere since I got up this morning. But, I couldn't go to bed without serving up at least a sip of tea for you to enjoy.

So, think on this scripture:

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:

 for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

So often, I lay down and it takes minutes for my brain to settle. My thoughts run helter skelter, and sometimes I even get back up out of the bed because I remember something I forgot to do.

At the end of the day, we should be at rest and full of peace. Worry, stress, and fear should not be in our thoughts. We have God's peace to assure us, and His presence is certain to keep us from harm.

Tonight, allow God's peace to envelop you. Ask the Holy Spirit to encompass you, comfort you, and rest in Him.

Sweet dreams!

Wednesday's Word: Keep Going!

Today I wanted to share some scriptures from God's Word to help encourage you as we've reached the midpoint of this week.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12:1, 2

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13, 14

Look to those witnesses who have run before you. Remember the testimonies of those who have gone down similar paths, faced similar challenges, and overcame. Keep going! You can and will overcome anything that faces you!

Don't let sin trip you up! Don't allow your past mistakes to keep you from moving forward! Keep going! You have a high calling with a great reward waiting on you! You have a life of purpose to fulfill! Keep moving forward in the Lord!

It doesn't matter how long it's been, it doesn't matter how hard the road is... If Jesus endured the cross knowing the the joy that waited on the other side for Him, we can endure any temporary pain knowing the joy of our promise in God is waiting for us on the other side.

Let the Word work on the inside of you today. Stay encouraged. Keep pushing. Your victory is sure. Your promise is solid. You can and will obtain it - all you have to do is keep going.

Servant of All

As followers of Christ, it is our job to follow after the example that Christ left for us. A few days ago, the Lord was showing me how Jesus served.

Jesus was no respecter of persons. He served anyone who was willing to come to Him. From the Pharisee who visited Jesus late in the night, to the children who came to be ministered to, to the Samaritan woman at the well, to the lepers who were outcasts of the city... they all received Christ's best service. They all went away praising God.

Jesus didn't just keep His best for the disciples. He didn't hoard up miracles just for His close friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He didn't do a little for some and more for another. Jesus gave His best and His all every time He ministered.

That got me to thinking about how I serve. I know I sometimes reserve my best for people I like or esteem. At times I can turn my head away from serving someone who I may not care to interact with. I give myself excuses or justifications to cut back or leave off in my service.

Yet, if I am going to call myself a Christian, I have to follow the example of my Lord and Savior. I have to serve with a willing heart at all times. I have to die to myself and remember the impact my service will make for the Kingdom of God. It's not about me or how I may feel. It's about Jesus and how a soul can be ministered to with everlasting results.

How do you serve? Do you follow Jesus' example? Do you willingly serve everyone who comes across your path?

Today, make sure your service reflects Jesus' love.

Verse of the Day: And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

Motivation Monday!

Happy Monday, everyone!

Today I want to motivate you to move into your purpose and destiny this week. Step out in faith and walk in the purpose God has called you to. In order to get something you've never had, you've got to do something you've never done. This week, do something new so you can see new blessings around you!

In order for God to move David from the pastures to the palace, David had to do something he had never done. (1 Samuel 17) Sure, he had fought bears and lions that had gone after his sheep, but David had never seen battle. Yet, when Goliath mocked the Lord, David knew he had to act.

David used what he had been through in his past to step forward into the newness of his future. His time of worship and praise had confirmed in him the greatness of the Lord. His time defending his flock gave him the courage to step forward and defend his God.

Your past has prepared you for your purpose. Your future is staring you in the face. Move forward! God has already given you the victory! Remember what God has already done for you. Remember what He's already brought you through. You didn't go through those things just to have an experience. Those things weren't just to be landmarks on your path of life. They were put there to prepare you for your purpose in God!

So, don't be afraid to move in purpose today! Don't be afraid to go after your dreams this week. Step forward and get the victory that God has already given you! Trust in what God has instilled on the inside of you. Have faith that He has already taken you through what you needed to go through in order to take your next steps.

You CAN Do It!

Go 'head and slay that Goliath and get your promise from God!

Verse of the Day: Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. 1 Samuel 17:45-47

Thanksgiving Friday!

It's Friday! God is so good and we are so blessed to have made it through another week.

This week I'm thankful for progress. I've been moving forward in my purpose, and I am thankful to see progress as a result. No step is too small, no advance is too little as long as the movement is forward! Thank You, Lord, for blessing me with progress.

I'm also thankful for God's Word this week. As I told you yesterday, the Word of God is a powerful tool, and we have been privileged with the ability to use it. Every time I open up my Bible, I find direction, peace, motivation, and insight. Thank You, Father, for blessing us with Your Word!

Finally, I'm thankful for the assurance that I have in Christ. There is no situation that can try to intimidate me, no problem that can stop me, and no issue that can make me back down. Through the blood of Jesus, I am already more than a conqueror! I am victorious! I am blessed and highly favored!

Verse of Day: Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. Hebrews 10:35

Reading the Word of God

Growing up I loved reading! Each book I picked up was another opportunity to get lost in a story, caught up in an adventure, and to learn something new. What I loved most about reading was the fact that it opened up to me another world. I would daydream about living in the places I read about and what I would do if I were in those situations.

What I love about reading the Word, is that it opens up another attainable world for me. I can read about others who tapped into the keys of the Kingdom and see how their lives were changed and blessed as a result. I can find out how to live a life of victory and joy in Christ. I can discover new ways to tap into my purpose and find meaning for my life.

After reading the word, I come away with vision of how to be an overcomer.

Don't look at your Bible study time as a ritual or just a necessity to be a good Christian. Look at it as an opportunity to find out about the greatness within you and the greatness of the God you serve!

You're not just reading stories. You're not just learning rules. The Bible is not just about the history of our faith. It's not just records for us to memorize.

The Word of God brings life! It answers questions. If applied in faith, the Word of God can bring change, deliverance, restoration, and miracles!

Today, approach your devotional time with a whole new perspective. Open up your Bible with expectancy. Read each verse expecting to find out another key for you to reign victorious in life. Don't just read to be reading, take what you learn and apply it in order to see change.

Allow the Word of God to open up a whole new world for you!

Verse of the Day: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Give God the Floor to Speak to You

We are a week and a half into this new year, and I pray that you are basking in new blessings to go along with it!

This week I've started my annual consecration and fasting time. I make it a practice every January to fast, pray, and seek the Lord about the upcoming year. I have found it to really help me to cleanse my mind, body, and focus my spirit to what God has for me.

I would like to encourage you to take some time to God before the Lord as well. Take some serious time to sit down with the Lord and really hear what He would like to share with you. Use this time to listen. You may have your requests, issues, and concerns - and God knows that. But take some extra time just to hear from Him.

When we quiet down ourselves, turn off or own dialogue, and get still before God, He is free to unleash His all-knowing wisdom on us. He is able to share with us His secrets, His desires, and His insights. God is just waiting for us to get before Him and allow Him the floor to speak to us.

So, today find some quiet time. Get still before God and let Him speak to you. Let Him share with you His plans for your life. Let Him reveal the next steps He wants you to take on your journey.

He may not address your current issues, requests, or even your desires... But, you can trust that whatever the Lord reveals to you now is far more important than anything you may have on your agenda.

Verse of the Day: Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

New!

The song I shared above has been ringing in my spirit this morning. I know I've shared it with you before, but the words are powerful and true: Christ Jesus makes all things new.

It doesn't matter if you feel that you have totally wrecked your life. Jesus can take that wrecked life and turn it around to a shining, glorious testimony of His supreme power. He can take what we view as useless and make it an important facet of the Kingdom of God.

There is no depth we can sink to where He cannot draw us out. There is no sin too great that He cannot redeem us. There is nothing that can separate us from God's love. Not one thing.

Today, bask in the fact that God can make you brand new - He has already made you new when you accepted His Son. He doesn't care about your mistakes. He doesn't care about your missed opportunities. He doesn't care about your failures, your falling down, or your sin.

Under His grace and mercy, He can make you brand new. He can turn those things into tools to build up His Kingdom. Be encouraged! The Lord will cause all things to work together for your good. You've already received His saving power. Now accept the power of His forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

Verse of the Day: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Flashback: Faith Decision Moments

Yesterday I was blessed to minister the word impromptu during our service. It's amazing what the Lord can do! The Holy Spirit is amazing because I had no clue I'd be speaking.

What came to my mind was a post that I've done speaking on deciding to move forward in faith. So many of us are looking at the open door God has provided, and we are deciding in some form or another not to walk through it.

Maybe it's fear. Maybe it's complacency. Perhaps it's doubt.

No matter what is holding you back - reconsider. God is holding an open door in front of you! Why would you not want to walk through?

Today, make the decision to trust God's Word. Decide to walk forward in faith!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In our walk with the Lord, we will encounters faith decision moments. In those moments, we will decide either to move forward in faith or shrink back in fear.

Moses had his moment right before he stepped in to see Pharaoh after his time in the wilderness.

David had his moment after he picked up those five stones for his slingshot before facing Goliath.

Esther's was right before she walked in to see the king unannounced.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had their decision moment when the furnace doors were flung open and they felt the heat on their faces.

Peter's was right before he stepped out to minister to the crowds after the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Right before these men and women of God faced their greatest time, they had one moment where they could have decided to turn back. They could have consciously decided to not believe God. They could have listened to the fear, doubt, and indecision that was probably present in their minds. They could have decided not to follow through.

But they chose to walk forward boldly in faith. And when they decided to move forward, God was able to do what man had never seen before.

Maybe right now you're facing your faith decision moment. Maybe right now you're poised to move into something that no one's experienced before. Maybe the Lord has placed something on your heart that seems out of this world to you, and you are pausing wondering if you should really follow through with what He has spoken.

Don't be like Jonah and run from the call! At the least, be like Gideon and find some more courage before moving forward. But, most importantly, move! Do what God is calling you to do! Decide to move forward in faith and watch what the Lord does with your life.

On the other side of your fear is greatness. On the other side of the unknown is victory! Don't allow indecision to snatch away your dreams. Don't allow doubt to keep you from your destiny in God.

Choose to move forward.

Verse of the Day: Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38

Hungry for Righteousness

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

It's Thanksgiving Friday! I am thankful for entering into this new year with a fresh outlook and a fresh attitude. I'm moving forward, and I'm grateful to have the Lord on my side as I walk.

I love what Jesus shared with us in this scripture. According to the Bible, none of us are truly righteous on our own. (Romans 3:10) Yet, through the power of Jesus Christ, when we truly get a hunger and thirst for righteousness, we will have our fill.

When you're hungry or thirsty, food and drink is all you think about. You can't really concentrate on anything else. You're sole focus is to find something to stop your body's craving for sustenance.

A true hunger and thirst after righteousness makes it our main focus. Our lives become consumed with the goal of walking uprightly before our Heavenly Father. Everything we do is bring Him pride and joy.

When we position ourselves in that way before the Lord, despite our human failings, Jesus said we would be filled with what we desire. We will find ourselves transforming into the righteous of the Lord. God will give us our hearts desire!

Today, ask the Lord to give you a hunger for righteousness. Ask Him to make you thirsty to stand right before His eyes. Then allow yourself to be filled with His Word, His ways, and His love and watch the transformation that goes on.

Verse of the Day: Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

Blessed Are the Merciful

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7

We have received great mercy from our Heavenly Father. As sinners, we were destined - deservedly - to live an eternal life in hell's fury. Yet, He chose to show us mercy. He chose to accept Jesus' sacrifice in place of our own.

Despite our daily failings... In spite of our habitual sins... Regardless of our continual falling away... Our Heavenly Father continues to pour out His love on us.

We have obtained the greatest mercy in the universe.

Yet, how much mercy do we show to others? When we are mistreated, misused, and abused, how often do we show forgiveness? How often do we overlook a wrong and choose to show undeserved kindness to another?

We have obtained great mercy, and we hold a great promise of eternal life as a result. It is only right that we show great mercy in return. It is only right that we reflect the great love that we have been shown.

Jesus told a telling parable about a man who was shown mercy with a debt he owed. Even though the man was pardoned for a great debt, he still chose to torture another man who owed him little. In the end, that same man was punished for his cruelty.

Despite the fact that we have been shown great mercy, are we missing out on blessings because of our inability to show that mercy to others?

Today, aim to reflect the great mercy that you've received from the Lord. Remember the great things that you've been forgiven of, and show someone else the joy of that forgiveness.

Verse of the Day: Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 106:1

Living A Blessed Life

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain:

and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:1-12

For the next couple of days I want to focus on this passage of scripture. Many people are optimistic at the start of the year. We decree and declare that this year will be better, greater, and more significant than all the ones that came before. Yet, somehow, we tend to lose our zeal. Midway through the year we start looking ahead and writing off the year that we thought was going to be so great.

In this passage, Jesus is beginning to share what it means to live a blessed, Kingdom centered life with the great crowds who came to Him. Here, we find out how to get into the Kingdom, how to inherit the earth, how to find fulfillment, how to see God... and a host of other things.

What I find so intriguing, is that so many of the keys to obtaining God's promises for us are so simply obtained. All we need is a meek, humble, loving heart that strives to get closer to the Lord. Plain and simple.

Today, search your heart. Ask the Lord to reveal any places that are full of false pride, hatred, unforgiveness, and fear. Ask Him to remove the hardness and replace it with God's pliable love.

As we embark on our new year with excitement, we can only keep our zeal by reaping the blessings that come from living purely before the Lord. We can make this year one of the best years yet! We can do bigger, better, and more amazing things! We can reach our goals! All we have to do is remember who we are and how we are supposed to live as children of the King.

Happy New Year!

It's a new day, a new month, and a new year! Let's celebrate!

Enjoy your day today and soak up the newness all around you. Spend some time in prayer and get your focus for this new year. Listen to what the Lord is saying and get a fresh, new attitude about how you can accomplish what He's showing you.

God can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that you can think. So, stop thinking yourself out of His promises for you! Just go with what He's showing you. Fall headfirst into His plans, and trust that He will lift you up to your place in Him.

It's 2013, guys!

We're in a whole new place!

Happy New Year!

Verse of the Day: It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22, 23