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Post by Aeliana on Sept 20, 2022 16:37:43 GMT -8
Isaiah 11:2-3
2And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him— The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and strength, The Spirit of knowledge and of the [reverential and obedient] fear of the Lord— 3And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make decisions by what His ears hear; Growing in Discernment
Jesus lived His life by discernment. His discernment was not based on the superficial senses of His flesh, it was the result of His intimate communion and relationship with His Father God. This same gift of discernment is available to you and me through our relationship with God. So how does it work? Before you do anything, you must quickly check with your spirit to see if the thing you are about to do is OK. If you have peace, then proceed. But if you are uncomfortable, confused or frustrated, remain still. For instance, at times I've been at the mall getting ready to purchase something, but before I reached the checkout counter, I sensed a frustration in my spirit, which was like a nudge from the Holy Spirit not to make the purchase. The exciting thing about moments like these is every time you and I choose to listen to and follow the Holy Spirit's promptings, our spirits grow stronger in God, and more and more of God's power is released in our lives to operate in the fruit of the Spirit. Yield to the Holy Spirit and follow His promptings, and you will grow in the same discernment that Jesus walked in. Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to make decisions based on my own fleshly desires. I want to walk in discernment. As I check with You when I'm making decisions, frustrate the desires I have that are not of You, and give me peace to follow Your way. Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Sept 30, 2022 5:59:29 GMT -8
Proverbs 16:23-24 23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom] And adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body. Thoughts and Words Are Intimately ConnectedProverbs 16:23-24 shows us that our thoughts and words are intimately connected. They are like bone and marrow, so close, it is hard to divide them (see Hebrews 4:12). Because of this, it's important that we have pleasant thoughts so we can also have pleasant words. Our thoughts are silent words that only we and the Lord hear, but those words affect our inner man, our health, our joy and our attitude. The things we think about often come out of our mouths and sometimes make us look foolish, but if we live God's way, our thoughts and words can make our lives more enjoyable. Don't make the mistake of thinking that you can let your thought life run in any worldly direction and then 'fake it' by speaking godly words. Either both are pleasing or both are negative and sinful. There is no middle ground. Begin to operate in the mind of Christ, and you will step into a whole new realm of living. As you spend time letting Him adjust your thinking, you won't have to think about speaking pleasant words. It will just happen naturally! Prayer Starter: God, I realize that my thoughts and words are connected. I don't want to try and 'fake' on the outside what isn't real inside. Please adjust my thoughts so that I can speak pleasant, godly words. Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Oct 1, 2022 8:37:28 GMT -8
Galatians 5:17For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the Lit flesh.sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. Settle the DisputeTo be successful in accomplishing God's will for our lives, we must have determination. One definition of determine is 'to settle a dispute by an authoritative decision or a pronouncement.' This definition encourages me because I make 'pronouncements' often as a way of building my determination in certain areas. Sometimes the best way to overcome the temptation to give up is to say to yourself: 'Oh, no you don't! Stop your whining and straighten up right this minute!' Galatians 5:17 tells us that the flesh and the spirit don't get along. Remember, the definition of determine carries the idea of settling a dispute. This is important because if you are going to commit to anything, you will have to settle the never-ending dispute between your flesh and your spirit. You may not always want to make the effort to be determined, but don't give up or you'll be outside of God's will. Find the discipline today to make 'pronouncements,' encouraging yourself to stay determined and settle the dispute between your spirit and flesh as you follow God's plan. Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I want to settle the dispute between my flesh and spirit, and I can't do it without determination. Strengthen me and give me the right pronouncements to ensure that I never give up. Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Jan 28, 2023 10:25:46 GMT -8
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:19
Letting God's Love Overcome Past Hurt
Early in our marriage, Dave and I had some rough years, and a lot of it was because I needed God to heal me from my past of being abused sexually, emotionally and verbally by my dad. Through a lot of tears and difficult moments of choosing to forgive instead of getting revenge, God brought me through, and He's also used my testimony to bring healing to the lives of others. When God heals you of past hurt, He not only wants to help you, but He also wants your experience to be a gateway through which others can experience the same healing.
Eventually, I came to a point where God led me and Dave to move my parents to St. Louis and even buy them a home, which was very difficult for me. But my dad ended up apologizing to me for all he had done and even received Christ into his life.
I experienced a whole new level of emotional health because I let God heal me through the power of forgiveness, and allowed Him to use my restoration to help heal my dad.
You know, we can all hurt in a lot of different ways. Loneliness, disappointment, rejection, fear and insecurity all have the ability to hurt us deeply. I couldn't move beyond the hurt from my past until I received and experienced the love of God and allowed Him to turn it all around.
Before you can move beyond your pain and learn to love and forgive others, you have to experience God's love.
When dealing with your past, remember that God loves you deeply. The Bible says that we are only complete when we experience the love of Christ, which is so great you could never fully understand it. As you receive His love, healing will begin in your heart and you will be made complete with the fullness of His life.
Prayer Starter:
Lord, I believe You can help me overcome the hurt and pain of my past and use my healing to help others. Help me to experience the love of Christ and make me complete with all the fullness of Your life and power.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by civic on Jan 28, 2023 12:14:47 GMT -8
Thank you for posting this it was very good.
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Post by Aeliana on Jan 29, 2023 8:33:19 GMT -8
Who Is Your Real Enemy?
Are you facing challenging circumstances? Are you in need of provision in some area and not sure where it's going to come from? Many Christians today are dealing with serious hardships. Some have lost their jobs and benefits. Others struggle with critical health problems and live with constant concern about how to cover the cost of medicine and doctor visits in addition to simple necessities such as shelter, food and clothing.
There are many things in the world that threaten us. But our biggest enemy, fear, is not "out there."
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that we are at war not with flesh and blood, but with the enemy of our souls. We must not be confused about the identity of the enemy in our battles.
Thankfully, our unseen God is more than capable of dealing with our unseen enemy. When we come to a deep understanding of God's unconditional love for us, we realize He will always take care of everything that concerns us.
You don't have to be afraid of your unseen enemy. Trust in God, the only One who can defeat the spiritual forces of darkness.
Prayer Starter: Lord, don't let me forget who my real enemy is, and don't let me forget that You are all-powerful. I know I can't handle everything the enemy throws my way, but You can.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Mar 22, 2023 7:22:49 GMT -8
March 22. Receive Forgiveness, Not Condemnation
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9
Every single day of our lives we need forgiveness. The Holy Spirit sets off the alarm in our spirits to recognize sin, and He gives us the power of the blood of Jesus to continuously cleanse us from sin and keep us in right standing with Him.
But if we are overcome with condemnation, we can be certain it is not from God. He sent Jesus to die for us, to pay the price for our sins. Jesus bore our sin and condemnation on the cross (see Isaiah 53).
When God breaks the yoke of sin from us, He removes the guilt too. He is faithful and just to forgive all our sins and to continually cleanse us from all unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9).
The devil knows that condemnation and shame keep us from approaching God in prayer so we can receive forgiveness and enjoy intimate fellowship with Him.
Feeling bad about ourselves or believing that God is angry with us only separates us from His presence. He will never leave you, so don't withdraw from Him because of condemnation. Receive His forgiveness and walk with Him.
Prayer Starter: God, thank You for showing me that condemnation is not from You. Today, I receive Your forgiveness. You have cleansed me of sin so that I can live in right standing with You.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Mar 23, 2023 6:51:58 GMT -8
You Have Potential
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Mark 10:27
It's amazing how many gifted people there are who just sit on the sidelines of life and do nothing. They never take a step forward to use the gifts God has given them because they don't believe they're gifted in the first place. Are you one of them?
The truth is, God has given each one of us gifts, talents and abilities. He has a great plan for you and has equipped you to do great things for His Kingdom. But until you see yourself the way He sees you and trust Him to enable you to use your gifts, you won't live up to your God-given potential.
If you're struggling with low self-esteem, a poor self-image and lacking confidence, I want you to know that God created you with amazing potential. And when you trust God and believe you can do whatever He says you can do, you will fulfill His destiny for your life.
Remember, "all things are possible with God." When you put your confidence in Him, you will be free to live up to your potential.
Prayer Starter: God, help me to see myself through Your eyes, with the gifts and talents You've given me. I believe that You made me with great potential because You are a great God. Today, I put my confidence in You and believe that all things are possible with You!
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Mar 24, 2023 4:27:34 GMT -8
Develop Your Potential and Do Something Now
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23
You may know that God's created you with great potential, but you can't stop there. You have to develop your potential.
I believe that many people are unhappy because they aren't doing anything to develop their potential. If you want to see your potential developed to its fullest, don't wait until everything is perfect. Do something now. Start laying your hand to whatever is in front of you.
You must give your potential some form by doing something with it. You will never find what you are capable of doing if you never try anything.
Don't be so afraid of failing that you never take a chance. Don't stay in the safety zone. You may feel safe, but you will never succeed at developing your full potential or being fulfilled in what you are doing. Step out into what you feel God is leading you to do, and you will soon discover what you can and cannot do.
You are full of God-given potential, and He wants to do more through your life than you could ever imagine, but it requires your cooperation. Step out and serve Him wholeheartedly today.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Mar 25, 2023 5:33:14 GMT -8
The Trademark of a True Christian
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Romans 12:16
One of the most important facets of love is unselfishness, which is characterized in Romans 12:16 as the willingness to adapt and adjust to the needs and desires of others.
People who have grasped the meaning of this Scripture and applied it in their lives have learned what it means to be reduced to love. They are not selfish. They have learned to be adaptable and to adjust to others.
On the other hand, people who think more highly of themselves than they should find it difficult to adjust to others. Their inflated opinion of themselves causes them to see others as "little" and "unimportant." They selfishly expect others to adjust to them, but they are often unable to accommodate others without becoming angry or upset.
Which type of person are you? I used to be so selfish, but now, I can tell you from experience that living unselfishly is a much more satisfying way to live.
The trademark of a true Christian is the ability to adapt to others. Will you unselfishly adapt to someone else today?
Prayer Starter: God, show me daily how to lovingly adapt to others. I don't want to be a selfish person, so I choose to be unselfish and adaptable, loving others as a true Christian.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Mar 26, 2023 6:41:13 GMT -8
Love Everyone Differently
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
Psalms 139:14
The Bible says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God spent time and exercised His creativity with each of us, so it would stand to reason that He didn't create us all exactly the same, wouldn't it?
Unfortunately, we Christians sometimes try to love others as if they are all the same.
You'll find that not all people need the same thing from you. One of your children, for example, may need more of your personal time than another does. One friend may need more encouragement on a regular basis than another. Some people just need different forms of love.
Respecting individual rights is also very important. Selfish people expect everyone to be like they are, but love respects the differences in people. If God had wanted all of us to be alike, He would not have given each of us a different set of fingerprints. I believe that fact alone proves we are created equal but different.
We all have different gifts and talents, different likes and dislikes, different goals in life and different motivations. A loving person respects and encourages the differences in others.
Prayer Starter: God, help me to appreciate the differences in others and then love them accordingly. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for the amazing creation of each individual You have placed in my life.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Mar 27, 2023 6:07:41 GMT -8
Does God Love You When You Make Mistakes?
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. Romans 5:8-9
Have you ever wondered if you are good enough for God to love you? Unfortunately, many people believe God loves them only as long as they don't make mistakes.
Perhaps it was this outlook that caused the psalmist to ask, "What is man that You are mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:4 AMP). Yet the Bible tells us that we are God's creation, the work of His hands-and that He loves each one of us unconditionally.
Let's face it: Jesus didn't die for you because you were great and wonderful; He died for you because He loves you. Romans 5:8-9 confirms this truth by telling us that He died for us while we were still sinners.
God loved you enough to give His only begotten Son, not only to die for your sins, but also to cover your daily mistakes. He loves you enough to get you through each day in power and victory.
God loves you, and He wants you to believe it and receive it all the time...even when you make mistakes.
Prayer Starter: Lord, Your love is incredible. You love me even when it doesn't make sense to me. When I make mistakes, You are still with me. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, my mistakes are covered. I receive Your love today.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Mar 28, 2023 5:20:24 GMT -8
Walk with Boldness
The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
but the godly are as bold as lions. Proverbs 28:1
Some people exude boldness, while others struggle with living boldly as a loved child of God. I had that problem until God showed me some important keys that helped me live boldly, and I want to share them with you.
1. Refuse to live in fear. Fear is an epidemic in our society. The Bible instructs us in Hebrews 10:38 to live by faith and not draw back in fear.
2. Put setbacks behind you. You are not a failure because you try new things and they don't work out. You fail only when you stop trying. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and if you do, recover quickly and press on.
3. Don't draw comparisons. Boldness will be impossible as long as you compare yourself to others. Boldness comes from accepting who you are and being the best, you can be.
4. Be willing to take action. Search your heart and ask yourself what you believe God wants you to do, and then do it.
Pray over these four keys, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you live them out. Hold up your head and be filled with boldness.
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I want boldness to be one of my defining traits. Help me to live out these four keys by Your strength.
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Post by Aeliana on Mar 29, 2023 6:20:54 GMT -8
Stillness Before God
Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
Psalms 46:10
One of the most important things we can learn in this day and hour is how to be still.
I believe that one of the significant reasons so many of us are burned out and stressed out is that we don't know how to be still. We don't really know God and do not acknowledge Him. And it's only by spending time getting to know Him that we learn to hear His still, small voice so that He can direct our paths.
We need to learn to be quiet on the inside and stay in that peaceful state so that we are always ready to hear the Lord's voice. Many people today run from one thing to the next. Because their minds don't know how to be still, they don't know how to be still in their heart.
If we'll just slow down and quiet our minds enough to hear His promptings, we can live in a place of peace, ready to respond obediently. It is easy to see that leading a peaceful, happy life, free from exhaustion and burnout, is not all that complicated, as long as we remain still before God.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I recognize that You alone are God. I know that stillness before You is important, so show me how to remain settled and peaceful inside, always ready to hear Your voice.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on Mar 30, 2023 9:48:24 GMT -8
"They" Is You and Me
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.
Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants. Psalms 89:14
God is just. It's His character, who He is, and it's something He wants us to pursue.
Justice seeks to make wrong things right. It is us working throughout our lives to fix injustices in the world around us. Every time we see something that's wrong, our first response should be to pray about it. Our second response should be to ask ourselves, "What can I do about it?"
However, it doesn't even occur to most of us. It's like we look at things and think that it's someone else's problem, and we wish "they" would fix it! We wish "they" would do this and that.
Have you ever stopped to ask, "Who is they?" I think "they" is us, you and me! You may not be able to fix everything, but you can do something. Don't look at injustice and do nothing. You must do something because God did not create you for inactivity and passivity. He created you for enthusiasm, zeal and passion. He put gifts in you to be used for His glory and to help other people. Live a life of justice today.
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, don't allow me to sit around wishing "they" would do something about the injustice in the world when I can do something. Fill me with boldness, and show me how to right the wrongs in the world around me.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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