Tag: Religion

Delight In Him

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4, AMP)

Are you believing God for something that seems to be taking a long time? In the natural, you may have every reason to give up on what God has placed in your heart. At times, you may be tempted to get discouraged, but remember, God knows exactly where you are. He knows the desires He’s placed within you. He knows even the hidden dreams — what the scripture calls the secret petitions of your heart. Those are the things that you haven’t told anyone about. Maybe you thought they would never work out, or you’ve buried them because they didn’t happen on your timetable. But God still has a way to bring them to pass.

Be encouraged today because God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Delight yourself in Him — find joy in serving Him and make your heart moldable in His hands. Don’t settle for mediocrity because God knows what’s in you, and His plan is to finish the work He began in you when you delight yourself in Him!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I humbly come to You today, giving You all that I am. Thank You for fulfilling every desire in my heart. Mold me and shape me into Your image. Remove anything from my life that is displeasing to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Speak Life

Ever get a compliment from someone you respected which made you feel good about yourself?
People who sincerely compliment others regularly are free in their own skin.
They know who they are in Christ, and simply want to spread kindness by speaking life to others, which could actually be the very word someone needs to hear at that very moment.
You words can either build someone up, or bury them…be sure and speak life over yourself and others.
If you’re in a relationship, speak life over him – when he’s in ear shot and even when he’s not in ear shot as you speak highly of him to other people and as you pray for him.
Your words of encouragement may be the very thing to build him up and give him enough confidence to take his life and all he aspires to do to the next level.
Speak life over your friends.
Regardless of what they’re going through, speak life over their situation and remind them of who they are in Christ, no matter how much you think they already “get it.” Sometimes, especially when the devil has your back up against the wall, you just need to be reminded of your position in Christ – the fact that you are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), that you are more than a conqueror, and that the devil is under your feet (Romans 16:20) and that you always have the victory, at all times, through Christ. Be that kind of friend – the one who builds consistently.
Speak life over yourself.
You may not have heard it while growing up. Your parents may not have been the best at dishing out compliments which may have affected your self esteem as an adult, but instead of relishing in the past you can use this time, now, to speak life over yourself.
Speak the Word over yourself and believe who God says you are in spite of what society says or any one else says. Know and say that you are wonderfully and fearfully made and that you are a beauty to behold though you may not always feel like it.
Become who God wants you to be by speaking over yourself which builds you up so you can then, in turn, speak life over others as you love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31).
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.  Proverbs 16:24
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.  2 Corinthians 2:14
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”  Psalm 139:14
*Originally published on Kim on the Web.

Know His Kindness

“…God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.” (Romans 2:4)

Today’s Word

Is there anything in your life that is keeping you from God? Is there anything that is blocking your relationship with Him? In the natural, when we’ve wronged someone, sometimes it’s easier to avoid them than to face potential rejection. It’s easy to look at God the way we view other people. But God isn’t like that. He’s waiting for you with open arms. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done; know that His kindness leads you to repentance. God is standing there with open arms. He wants to help you get passed that obstacle. He doesn’t want there to be anything in the way of your relationship with Him. Don’t let condemnation keep you from going to God. Know His kindness today. Experience His goodness. Trust His faithfulness. He’s promised He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. Turn to Him today and let Him pour His loving kindness out upon you today. As you experience His kindness, you’ll be empowered and strengthened to live the good life that God has planned for you!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me today. Thank You for Your Kindness. I come to You and repent of any sin that would block our relationship today. Help me be more like You. I bless You today. In Jesus Name’. Amen.

~Joel Osteen

Get And Stay This Way

It’s possible to love someone and not be committed.
You could say you love the man you’re dating, but if you’re not available to him as a listening ear  when he needs you, if you’re not supportive of his endeavors, and if you’re dipping out and dating other people behind his back, then you can claim to have deep, heartfelt love for him all you want – but you’re obviously not committed to him.

 

It’s the same way with God.

 

We can say we’re Christian all day every day and claim to love Him with all of our mind, body, soul and strength – yet if we don’t make ourselves available to be used by God by not taking time out of our day to pray, if we don’t stand for what He stands for nor believe in what He believes in according to His Word, if we don’t attend church regularly yet the Word admonishes not to forsake the assembly of other believers (Hebrews 10:25), and if we dip out on Him by pulling out the grace card every other week as we continue to have sex on the regular while making excuses to sin instead of coming up with excuses not to sin – then we may say we’re saved, but we’re truly not committed.
They that hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled  (Matthew 5:6)
The more you hunger, thirst and long for more of God, and the more you couple that desire with action (such as showing up for daily prayer whether at your church or at home, attending service regularly, and really seeking God about your purpose and destiny and not making another move until He reveals it to you), the more He will make Himself known to you.
The more you read His Word the more His character becomes your character, and the easier it becomes for you not to sin against Him as reading the Word grows your spirit and kills the flesh (Psalm 119:11)
The more you pray, read the Word, and praise God on a consistent basis and not just when you need something from Him, the more your commitment level will rise and the more He can trust you with the ultimate assignment and purpose He has for you.
God is not hiding anything from you.  (Psalm 84:11)
He’s just waiting for you to show up so He can lead, guide, direct and talk to you.  He’s waiting for you to turn your salvation confession into a lifestyle so that as you seek Him daily He will be found of you and will show Himself strong in you. It’s not enough to just get saved, now it’s time to get committed.
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a
*Originally published

Chocolate Vent’s Quote of the Week: “WHAT GOD CAN’T TEACH THRU INSTRUCTION, HE TEACHES THRU EXPERIENCE.”

“Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like an archer who wounds at random
    is one who hires a fool or any passer-by. As a dog returns to its vomit,
    so fools repeat their folly.”  {Proverbs 26:6-11}

Saving Faith

“And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

When you look at and consider what the woman (who was identified by Luke as being a sinner) endured, it makes her situation that more remarkable.  Risking objection and ridicule by those who were at Simon, the Pharisee’s house, she opened an expensive box of ointment and began to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and applied the ointment to them.

This selfless act of love, devotion, and worship, prompted Jesus to declare her sins forgiven, sending her off in peace.  This is what Jesus is looking for in each of us.  He’s not looking for someone to draw attention to themselves or boast about their many accomplishments.  He is looking for those who acknowledge their sins, seek after him in faith, and who, in humility, worship him with all that they have.  This is the type of faith that saves.  This is what God is looking for in each of us.  What type of faith are you expressing?

Prayer:  Father, we thank you and give you glory, honor, and praise for what you have accomplished in us through Christ our Lord.  Teach us to rely solely upon his finished work on the cross for our sins that we may enjoy life with you.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

~Joel Osteen