Long for joy? Try these tactics. Joy is possible!

           God Bless

    

Fifteen Tactics for Joy

John Piper

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

How shall we fight for joy?

1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift.
2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.
3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.
4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt — how to fight like a justified sinner.
5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.
6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night.
7. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.
8. Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.
9. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.
10. Be patient in the night of God’s seeming absence.
11. Get the rest, exercise, and proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.
12. Make a proper use of God’s revelation in nature.
13. Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.
14. Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).
15. Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.

Do Not Repay Anyone Evil For Evil

Yeah, when something happens to me, I want payback. I think I deserve justice. It's only fair right?

But according to the word, it goes against everything that is God with God and His plan for peoples lives.

He is in the people business and He longs to live in the hearts of others and it's my job not to question His ways but give Him an open door to mount up on eagle wings and change their lives for the better.

God Bless.


Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


A few days ago, we saw that we should bless our enemies. That theme is carried through today as Paul says to provide food and drink to your enemies. The burning coals symbolize how someone feels when they receive something they don’t deserve.

If you treat your enemies with kindness, they will feel certain remorse if they realize they have wronged you in the past. This could change their lives and save them. It doesn’t always, and we cannot control that. This is where we need to have peace about outcomes. It is for God to repay wrongdoing; He’s the only one qualified.

 Verse/Commentary courtesy of 'Jesus Daily: Bible Devotional' android app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.idelata.JesusDaily

Dealing With Distractions

There are a lot of days I go to bed and wonder, "what did you get done today?" And the answer is usually the same, not much.

I wake with a plan of action but it falls to pieces usually before my feet hit the floor getting out of bed.

I'm constantly dealing with phone calls from my mother, other family thing, insecure husband, and the lungs of children I have to wonder if there wasn't some sort of mix up at the hospital.

Everyday, all day, there is something pulling me away from what I truly long to do. So when I came across this little devotional, I was thrilled someone else had problems with distractions, and it just wasn't a me thing. So who am I not to share the wealth? My prayer is this will be a help and blessing to others.

God Bless.

Dealing With Distractions

David C. McCasland

Matthew 13:14-22
The cares of this world . . . choke the word. -Matthew 13:22

A restaurant owner in the village of Abu Ghosh, just outside Jerusalem, offered a 50-percent discount for patrons who turned off their cell phones. Jawdat Ibrahim believes that smartphones have shifted the focus of meals from companionship and conversation to surfing, texting, and business calls. "Technology is very good," Ibrahim says. "But . . . when you are with your family and your friends, you can just wait for half an hour and enjoy the food and enjoy the company."

How easily we can be distracted by many things, whether in our relationship with others or with the Lord.

Jesus told His followers that spiritual distraction begins with hearts that have grown dull, ears that are hard of hearing, and eyes that are closed (Matt. 13:15). Using the illustration of a farmer scattering seed, Jesus compared the seed that fell among thorns to a person who hears God's Word but whose heart is focused on other things. "The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful" (v.22).

There is great value in having times throughout each day when we turn off the distractions of mind and heart and focus on the Lord.

O Lord, help me to turn off all the
distractions around me and focus on You.
May my heart be good soil for the
seed of Your Word today.

Focusing on Christ puts everything else in perspective.
Ezekiel 16-17; James 3
© 2014 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

Men Ought Always To Pray, And Not To Faint

I'm not the best person to be relied upon to pray for someone. I question my ability. Will I say the right thing.
Why me? The list is endless.

However, I'm not stupid. It's not about me and my wants. It's about what He wants. And He told me to pray and pray, and when I think I've prayed enough pray some more.

Since I've given my life over to this calling, not saying I'm perfect at it mind you, my life is so much richer. I've seen God in more area's then I had before.

I've been awaken to the realization that it's not my ability but God's and He longs to make things new and His design plan is He needs someone to pick up the mantle of prayer and loose Him to have free reign and that is what I strive for.

So when I came across this devotional, I knew I couldn't be the only one. So be encouraged when times get tough, then get tougher there is a world who needs us!

God Bless.


Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. – Luke 18:1

We are all in danger of growing careless in the matter of prayer. Many people never pray at all. Even many of those who say prayers regularly do not pray. As the flowers and plants on the earth need sunshine and rain from the heavens, so human lives need the benediction of God’s love and grace continually.

The special lesson in prayer taught here is earnestness, importunity. We ought always to pray, and not to faint – that is, we should never get discouraged in our praying. Some people, after pleading for something for a long time, give it up just when God is about to send the answer.

It seems strange to have this unjust judge taken as an illustration of God, in any sense, or to have the judge’s selfish acts used to show us how we can win blessings from God. But the meaning is, that if an unjust judge can be so influenced by persistent pleading, much more will the kind, loving Father be influenced by the importunate pleadings of His own needy children.

Mornings with God

Triumphing Over Trails

I hate trials. If I had my way, I'd never have another one again. I think they are stupid and pointless. That is what I say every time I get into one but after it's all said and done, my life is forever changed for the better. 

So maybe God knows what He is talking about after all. This little devotional gives you a little bit of a boost and hope for when you are faced, or in a battle for your life.

Just remember, God loves you and YOU ARE AN OVERCOMER!!

Triumphing over Trials

For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake… Philippians 1:29 NKJV

Why should we be excited about having the privilege of suffering for Christ’s sake? God is not in the business of deception. So while this verse may seem disheartening, to the believer, it is actually a truly exciting promise! Those who are walking and growing in Christ must have this knowledge ingrained in their hearts: the greater the battle, the greater the victory.

Good soldiers do not run away from the battle. They run right in, knowing that they have the training and tools to be victorious. They are ready to bring glory and honor to their king and to benefit their people.

You might say that you aren’t a soldier, but if you are in Christ, that is exactly what you are. Only your flesh, if allowed to dominate, will bar you from the privilege of participating in the battle.

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians2:14 NKJV)

God will never lead us into a trial that He won’t give us the power to overcome. He does not abuse His children. We do not need to worry when we face storms, because the Holy Spirit always knows the beginning from the end. He knows how to lead us to victory. By His grace, we can push through every storm to see the clear skies that follow.

Do you want to face trials with the heart of a faithful soldier? 

Pray:

Father, forgive me for the times when I’ve decided to run from a storm instead of facing it head on. Holy Spirit, I ask for all of the resources and tools You have available for me. Reveal Your truth to me as I go deeper into Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Source Unknown

Praying For Those

I don't think I ever realized how important praying for others truly is. I guess I've lived a live of pure selfishness concerned only how things benefited me.

When I ran across this little devotional, I began to see just how truly it isn't about me and what I want but about those people I claim I love and who I promised to pray for but never did because I forgot or other selfish reasons.

So I needed to have a slight slap in the face to be woken up and truly begin a journey that has been full of blessing and unspeakable rewards. In praying for others, I've gotten close to my Father who has people on Heart and He delights when His people pick up on His heart as well.

So see in the end, it's not always going to be about us, but what we did with to help others ease their burdens and we start by praying for them even if it's right there in the grocery store aisle.


God Bless.


Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. (NLT) -Romans 15:30

How does it feel when you find out someone has been praying for you? It's a touching feeling to know someone who loves you is putting their weight into petitioning God for your causes. It is a sign of love. Are you praying for those that you love and joining in their struggles?

Download this app to get your daily devotions: http://bit.ly/16uZrQ5

Ready All The Time

Do you realize how close we are to the return of Christ? It's got to be milliseconds in God's timing. There is nothing left, no prophecy, or anything else that needs to happen.

We need to be ready all the time now. You just don't know. Things are happening so fast. You could be here today and raptured tomorrow.

I want to be ready. The bible states when you hear of these things, look up for your redemption drawth nigh. I'm in the lookout mode. I am anxiously awaiting to be lifted off this crazy earth and reunited with the Lover of my soul.

Join me and get ready!!!

God Bless.


You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. (NLT) -Matthew 24:44

Ever had a pop quiz where a teacher surprisingly hands out a quiz without any notice? If you have been studying and following along then you find yourself prepared for the unexpected.

The same is true for Christ's return in that we have no way of knowing when it will happen. Are you making choices and living in a manner that means you are prepared for the unexpected return of Christ?

Download this app to get your daily devotions: http://bit.ly/16uZrQ5

Feeling Trapped

Do you feel trapped in your life? Do you feel like there is no way out? Do you long for a change?

Well, I know of a person who is waiting for your open invitation to let Him come in and totally change your world.

He loves you. Needs you. And longs to change your life. 

May this little devotional set you on a clear free path as you give over your life to Him no matter what your circumstances are.

God Bless.

FEELING TRAPPED?

By Arthur J. Schoonveldon Tue, 21 Apr 2015 06:00 GMT

Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? … This too is meaningless.
—Ecclesiastes 2:22-23

Imagine a group of people being placed in a room without any exit. As much as they might try, there is no way out. They are trapped!

Today untold numbers of people feel trapped in the situations of their lives.

Some feel trapped in the everyday routine of running a household and raising children. A young mother with three preschool children told me that she was “climbing the walls” from boredom. Others dread going to work to face a never-ending round of “the same old thing.” Still others find themselves trapped in a wheelchair or a bed, unable to get out.

In 1 Corinthians 15 the apostle Paul admits that life is meaningless without the risen Savior. Paul even says that if Christ has not been raised, we may as well live it up, as the Epicurean philosophers of his day suggested: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32). Only the risen Savior can help us see that there is more to life than meets the eye.

If you feel trapped, turn to the Savior and ask him to open the door to the freedom he has come to bring: new life that we can live fully and forever with God!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we pray for all who feel trapped in their lives. Please bring someone to lead them to you and help them see that you alone can bring meaning to our lives. In your name, Amen.

Arthur J. Schoonveld

Do I Have To Forgive?

I don't know about you but there have been tons of times when God and I had a fierce conversation about forgiving others. It usually goes like this: 

God: Forgive

Me: I don't want to

God: Forgive

Me: Didn't you just see what they did to me?

God: Forgive

Me: Never. I earned this right.

God: Just do it already.

But by the end of the experience of forgiveness, I come out the better person even though I know the person who hurt or done something to me needs more help then me. Sometimes, if truth be told, when I listen I feel like I'm being selfish because when I forgive my life continues on and then I feel at the very pit of my stomach an ache for prayer to begin for the person I forgave. I don't know their whole story but I know mine. And if I ever want to see growth, change, and a different outcome, then it starts with forgiveness. 

I want to be a person who is unoffenadable. Won't you join me?

God Bless.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25–26 NKJV We live in a culture where we don’t always mean what we say. Consequently we do not believe others mean what they say to us. A person’s word is not taken seriously. But when Jesus speaks, He wants us to take Him seriously. When He says something, He means it. He is faithful even when we are faithless. So when Jesus said, “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses,” He meant it! I wonder how many of us would want God to forgive us the same way we have forgiven those who have offended us. When an offense occurs, a debt is owed. So forgiveness is like the cancellation of a debt. Scripture says: You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13–14 NLT The debt we were forgiven was unpayable. There was no way we could ever repay God what we owed Him. So God gave us salvation as a gift. There is nothing worse than eternity in a lake of fire. That was our destination until God forgave us through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ! If you have a hard time forgiving, remember the reality of hell and the love of God that saved you from it. Should we not forgive others when we have been forgiven in this way? This may be a hard concept to hear, but I see it as a message of mercy and warning, not of harsh judgment. Would you prefer to be convicted by the Holy Spirit now and experience genuine repentance and forgiveness? Or would you rather refuse to forgive and realize your error when you can no longer repent? Personally, I want conviction and transformation now! As you spend time in prayer this week, allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart and bring what lies in shadows out into the open. Who do you need to forgive? Once you’ve identified them, pray: Holy Spirit, thank you for guiding and correcting me. Thank you for revealing my need to forgive this person. Today, by Your grace, I forgive the offense I have held against them. I release this person from their debt in Jesus’s name, and I ask you to bless them. I choose to extend forgiveness, knowing I have been greatly forgiven. Thank You for Your mercy and love, God. In Jesus’s name, amen. I originally wrote about this topic in my book The Bait of Satan. You can click below to learn more about that message. Copyright © 2015 Messenger International, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Forward to a friend > P.O. BOX 888 / Palmer Lake, CO 80133

It Is Not Always Those Nearest

Are you a seeker? Do you see His glory? Have you felt it? Do you know what it can do? Do you know Him?

Oh, that I might know Him is my desire is yours too? I want to see Him in everything I lay my eyes on. I want to know He is with me everytime I walk out that door. I want to know that everything I put my hands to comes from the inspiration of Chirst, Himself.

I want to show others who He is. I don't want to walk so close that I loose sight of who, are what He is or trying to show. I want to be the very few who can do it all and still see the wonder of His glory. Won't you join me in putting Christ in the center of all things and refuse to allow yourself to go blind to the wonderous glory that fills the earth everyday by the very hand of God.

God Bless.


Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. - Matt 2:1

It is not always those nearest to Christ who first see His glory.

He was born among the Jews, but the first homage paid to Him, excepting by the shepherds, was by wise men from far away. We have Christ in our very midst: do we see Him? do we honor Him? We do not understand about the star that guided the wise men. But, whatever it was, it led them to the King they sought.

If only we follow the light we have, we shall not fail to reach the blessing we need. The wise men of Jerusalem could easily tell where the Christ was to be born. Yet not one of them went to Bethlehem to worship the Messiah. It is not enough for us to be able to tell others where to find Christ; we should seek to find Him ourselves. No power can snatch out of God’s hands the feeblest life He is watching over. Herod felt sure of destroying the new–born King, but, before the blow fell, the Holy Child was on His way to Egypt.

Source: Mornings With God -http://www.youdevotion.com/mornings/march/4

The Lord Is

Do you know what God is? Do we truly understand just how truly big God is? I'm going to tell you the truth, I for one never put much thought into just how big God truly is and how vast His reach can be. I have lived my life barely getting through the day with my belief system still in tacked. 

However, now it's time to shrug off the old and begin a new way of thinking and this little devotional helps me on my new way of thinking journey and I wanted to share it with you.

God Bless.

Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. For some it is difficult to imagine a God that is "slow to anger"; or, perhaps that He is "filled with unfailing love". (NLT) 

Sometimes God is what we need Him to be. I do not mean to say that God changes, but I do mean that God is so much that we cannot fathom or understand the scope of all that He is. For example, God disciplines those He loves, yet He is also a God of great mercy. Be challenged to allow God to lead you in how you see Him each day. He is ready to be so much more for all of us; ready to be everything we need for His glory and according to His good purpose! 

 Verse courtesy of 'Psalm-A-Day' android app. http://www.idelata.com/apps/psalm-a-day/ 

The Lord Is My Rock

Is He your rock? Is He who you turn to? 

Let Joyce's devotional give you something to think about and in the end hopeful you will plant yourself, rely upon, and everything in between in the only Person who is worthy.

God Bless.

The Lord Is My Rock

by Joyce Meyer - posted April 15, 2015

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. Psalm 18:2

Why do you think Jesus is referred to as "the Rock"? Because He is stable and never-changing, just like a rock. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever—and we're supposed to imitate Him.

Waiting to see how you feel each day is never a good idea. Has anyone ever invited you to do something and you responded, "Let me wait and see how I feel"? That just gives the devil room to make sure you don't feel like doing what you need to do or what can benefit you. We will sometimes have unpleasant times, but we don't have to live by our feelings; we can choose to stand firm and be stable when we find our strength in the One Who never changes.

Power Thought: In Christ, I am strong and stable.

---

From the book the book Power Thoughts Devotional by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2013 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Call to Worship

I can only agree with Psalm 145:3: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

There is nothing or no one who could come up with an argument to disclaim or deny this verse.

If your breath, God is great.
If you have food to eat, well, God is great.
If you have a roof over your head, even better for God is great.
If you don't have everything you want, well, God is still great and there is reason for everything.

Now, once we recognize how great He is, we should want to praise and worship Him for all He's done and this little devotional helps put it all together and gives you a start on the subject matter. Hopefully you will agree.

God Bless.


Call to Worship

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable
- Psalm 145:3

God is great. In fact, he is so great that he deserves our praise. In fact, he deserves praise in proportion to his greatness -- because he is so great, he is greatly to be praised.

How great is God? How much and how long is it appropriate for us to continue applauding him? Does he deserve a half-hearted smattering of acclaim, or a standing ovation? How long should we stand and applaud?
Can we quit clapping yet?

The psalmist says, "His greatness is unsearchable!" There is no end to his greatness and so there is to be no end to our ovation.

Does this sound like a long and dull and unfair obligation, or a joyful and fulfilling and wonderful pleasure? If you lean strongly toward the first description, then it means you have lost sight of just how great God is.

When you see how beautiful, how stupendous -- how unspeakably august and loving and just and mighty -- God is, then unending soul-praise is our inevitable response. Like having your breath taken away by a sunset at sea...or clapping till your hands hurt at the end of an unbelievable stage performance.

Praising God is like that only, the psalmist reminds us, infinitely more and better. Because his greatness is unsearchable: this sunset never ends, this performance goes on forever.

Unsearchably great is the Lord, and so he is unendingly and greatly to be praised. Let the joyful applause begin.

http://baptistbiblehour.org

Seeking Quietness

What do you seek? Some say what you seek you shall find or become.

I've seeked a lot of things in my life but quietness isn't really one of them. Sure I like to be alone but I don't like to have complete silence when I have time to myself. I like noise.

I like tv. I like music. I even love the sound of the river as it moves along. I like busyness to a degree and I happen to be one of those people who tend to believe if you do more, you are more valuable. So yeah, quietness and stillness just isn't my cup a tea.

However this devotional gives me a little motivation to become quiet and like it knowing it is what Jesus would do.

God Bless.



Quietness

Long before the age of jets, the Internet, or television, theologian Arthur Pink wrote the following: “What man despises, God esteems; and what man admires, He abominates. The world is mad, and speed is one of the ‘gods’ which is now worshipped by the multitudes. And living as we yet are in the world, God’s own people are infected with its evil spirit. Much need has each of us to beg the Lord to lay His cooling and calming hand upon the feverish ‘flesh’ in us.”

Do you ever ask yourself what Jesus would do if He were living among us here today? Would He jam more and more into His schedule, or would He walk away from the frenetic activity of life today and find a quiet place for solitude? Would He leave His computer and mobile phone behind to listen to the wind as it blows through the trees or ponder the awesome, sometimes ferocious sound of silence?

Isaiah told us that “in quietness and trust is your strength” but then added, “but you would have none of it”(Isaiah 30:15). Were he alive today, he could say the same thing. Whose fault is it that life is so busy? Obviously, it is our own doing. Therefore the undoing of our busyness is also our obligation and should be one of the first orders of business.

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians he told them to study to be quiet (1 Thessalonians 4:11 KJV)—something which was commanded. The word “quiet” means “to cease from labor, to hold your peace, to be still.” As God tells us in Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Pray for His Fame

Ever think that God desires to be famous? Do you ever just think


of Him as someone who likes to be known just as the man upstairs
or just a person or entity that can't be see or touched?


Do you keep Him hidden? Or do you shout about Him

from the mountain top?


Whatever our thoughts and feelings may be, here is a

devotional that will make

you stop and think and wonder do I really know Him.

God Bless.


Pray for His Fame John Piper
“Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9)


Dozens of times Scripture says that God does things “for his name’s sake.”

But if you ask what is really moving the heart of God in that statement

(and many like it), the answer is that God delights in having his name known.


The first and most important prayer that can be prayed is,

“Hallowed be thy name.”

This is a request to God that he would work to cause people to hallow his name.


God loves to have more and more people “hallow” his name,

and so his Son teaches Christians to put their prayers in line with this great

passion of the Father.


“Lord, cause more and more people to hallow your name,” that is, esteem,

admire, respect, cherish, honor, and praise his name.

It is basically a missionary prayer.

Here is an excellent devotion as to why you need to forgive. For without forgiveness no one can enter the kingdom of God and if that wasn't good enough, unforgiveness is bad for your mind, body, and soul. Who doesn't want to live a long and prosperous life?

God Bless.

You must forgive.

“But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15, New Living Translation

The place God has called you to, you can’t allow yourself to hold on to unforgiveness and hatred in your heart.

Here is what unforgiveness can do to you if you allow it:

1. It makes you look old before your time, taking years away from your life.
2. It gives the other person control over you.
3. It consumes your thoughts so that you can’t hear when God is speaking to you.
4. It blocks the flow of God’s anointing.
5. It opens the door for the enemy to attack other areas in your life.
6. It causes God to be unable to forgive you of your sins.
7. It teaches your children how to be unforgiving too.
8. It hinders your spiritual progress.
9. It makes you the victim rather than the victor.
10. It sets you up to falter and need forgiveness for yourself.

Is it then worth it to hold onto anything that’s been done to you? No, it’s not worth it. You may say, I “can’t forgive her, I can’t forgive him, I can’t forgive them.” And you’re right, you can’t. It is through Christ that you can do all things, including forgive. God wouldn’t tell you to forgive and not supply the strength and grace to do so.

Here is what forgiveness will do if you choose to allow it:

1. It makes you look more youthful and vibrant, adding years to your life.
2. It totally releases the other person’s control over you.
3. It will refocus your mind so you can hear when God is speaking to you.
4. It causes God’s anointing to flow freely.
5. It opens the door for God to bless every area of your life.
6. It causes God to be able to forgive you of your sin.
7. It teaches your children to be forgiving
8. It propels you forward into God’s purpose for your life.
9. It makes you the victor rather than the victim.
10. It sets you up to be blessed and to be a great blessing.

Forgiveness is not just for the other person, it’s for you. Once you have forgiven them, now you must confront the negative emotions that are still there. To help with this, you must pray for them daily. It is very difficult to continue to feel angry with someone you pray for daily. Prayer will give God room to create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. It will also help you see the root of their behavior and give you spiritual understanding.

Prayer: Father God I need you. I need your help with this area. I am hurting from what someone did to me, but I know how you feel about unforgiveness. I receive your help right now to release every offense in my heart. I release it Lord and I choose to let it go. Forgive me for holding on to it. I pray you bless them and help them to see how much you love them. In Jesus name, Amen.

Daughters of the King Devotional

21 Days with the Holy Spirit

I absloutely love things like this to help me grow and really learn about God and most of all learn who I am!

Hopefully this will help you to go deeper!

God Bless.


21 Days with the Holy Spirit

8:00AM EDT 4/8/2015 Jennifer LeClaire

(© Dollar Photo Club/Abstractus Designus)

Jesus realized that, without the Holy Spirit, His followers—including us—would not be able to fulfill God's call on their lives. So He sent the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, Teacher, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby, Revealer of truth and the One who empowers us. He does so much for us!
Developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial for those who desire to discover and fulfill God's will for their lives. Yet the truth is that many Christians are on fire for God and love Jesus with all their hearts, minds souls and strength, but they remain less familiar with the Holy Spirit. Some long to fellowship with the Spirit of God and hear His still, small voice but don't know how or don't believe they can.
The following is a 21-day devotional guide to start you on a journey to knowing the Holy Spirit more intimately. Each devotional contains prophetic words the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart day to day as I spent time with Him. I pray that they also speak to your heart, stir your faith and cause you to press in to hear the Spirit of God for yourself.

Day 1
Determine to Follow Your Desires
Determine to follow your desires, for I have placed those desires in your heart as you have delighted yourself in Father. As you continue to seek first the kingdom and Our righteousness, I will direct your steps on a lighted path that will take you where We both want you to go. Apart from Christ you can do nothing, but you are not apart from Christ. You are in Christ, and He is in you. If you determine to reach His high calling for you and lean and depend on Me to guide you, nothing shall by any means stop you.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 37:4; Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:5
PRAYER: Thank You for Your faithfulness to the dreams You have put in my heart. Give me a determined heart that will not turn to the right or to the left. Help me to stay focused on Your perfect will for me this day and every day.

Day 2
I Love to Hear You Pray
I love to hear your voice in prayer every morning when you awake. It's one of My favorite parts of the day. When you awake and begin declaring your love for Us, it moves Our heart. When you inquire of Me, it is My pleasure to answer. When you speak to My heart, it is My joy to speak back to yours. I hear your voice even when the hectic pace of life makes it difficult for you to hear Mine. So keep lifting your voice to Father in prayer. Keep telling Me about your struggles, fears, dreams and victories. I'm listening.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 63:1; Psalm 27:4; Psalm 34:15
PRAYER: Remind me to begin each day praising Your name and lifting up my petitions to Father's throne—and help me, because I do not know how to pray as I ought. I trust in You to help me touch Father's heart in prayer.

Day 3
Who Do You Say That I Am?
Jesus once asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Many people knew He was a great prophet, but only Peter received the revelation that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now, I ask you, who do you say that I am? Many people disregard My work in their lives because they don't understand who I am. And even those who know Me don't always have a continual awareness of My presence and a deep revelation of My love for them. Who do you say that I am? Search My heart, and I will show you a new realm of My faithfulness, My kindness and so much more. Search My heart.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:18-21; Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22-23
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I know what Jesus said about You, and I've read about You in Scripture, but I want to know You more and more—experientially. I want to experience who You are in a fresh way. Help me to search Your heart, and show me more about Yourself.

Day 4
Look Ahead to Your Destiny
Don't look back. I know your hurts. I know your wounds. I know your disappointments. I saw the betrayals. I saw the tears. I was with you through the pain, and I am here to make it right. I will work it all—the hurt, the disappointment, the betrayals—together for your good because you love Me and I love you. I will give you beauty for ashes. But you have to leave those ashes behind so I can resurrect with newness of life those things the enemy tried to steal, kill and destroy. Remember Lot's wife. Don't look back. Your destiny is ahead, and I am leading you toward your dreams.
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:12-14; Isaiah 61:3; Romans 8:28
PRAYER: Thank You for Your healing power in my soul. Give me the strength to press beyond the past and toward my high calling in Christ. Show me how to make the divine exchange that will give me beauty for ashes, and I will glorify Your name.

Day 5
I Can Do More Than You Can Imagine
Take the limits off. Do you realize that the power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in you? Do you know that I am able to do more—much, much more—for you than you can ever imagine? Do you know that I want to? Will you believe in Me the way I believe in you? Take the limits off! Dream with Me! Let your eyes see, your ears hear and your heart dwell on what I have prepared for the one I love. Your best is yet to come. Only believe.
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:19-20; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Corinthians 2:9
PRAYER: Your promises are glorious, and I want to walk in every one of them. I want to see things the way You see them. Reveal to me the things You have prepared for me in love. Stir my heart to follow You toward Your perfect will.

Day 6
Your Weakness Does Not Disappoint Me
I know you feel weak on some days. Rejoice! My strength is made perfect in your weakness. Your weakness does not surprise Me or disappoint Me. I knew that you would not always win your inner battles with temptation when I wooed you into this relationship. You are a work in progress, but I see you as a masterpiece despite your failures. I see you as a winner! I see you through the eyes of love. I see you through the blood of Jesus. So call upon Me to strengthen you, and I will help you overcome your weaknesses.
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 3:16
PRAYER: I'm so glad that nothing can separate me from Your love. Strengthen me in my inner man so I can resist all the temptations of the evil one. And help me see myself the way You see me—complete in Christ.

Day 7
I Love You Just the Way You Are
You don't have to try to be someone you are not. I love you just the way you were created. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. I have given you unique gifts and talents, and I have called you for such a time as this. If you allow frustration to flood your heart, you only hinder My grace. So reject comparisons. Reject frustrations. Reject striving. Embrace who you are now. Move forward as the person I've called you to be, and your unique gifts will make room for you.
SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4:8; 2 Corinthians 10:12; 1 Corinthians 12
PRAYER: You see into my heart in ways that I don't see myself. Help me not to compare myself to others or give in to the frustrations of daily life. Help me to rest in You instead of striving. Show me how to do things Your way instead of my way.

Day 8
Don't Doubt!
Doubt is the doorway to unbelief. Doubt is a cousin of fear and suspicion, and it blocks discernment. The enemy wants you to walk in the curse of doubt. He wants you to worry day and night. But Jesus came to redeem you from the curse. Father has given you the measure of faith that opens the doorway to His promises. Resist doubt as you would resist the devil, and let your faith rise as you meditate on the blessings I've promised you.
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 3:13; Romans 12:3; Joshua 1:8
PRAYER: Show me when doubt is trying to enter my soul. Give me a discerning spirit so I can recognize the enemy's attempts to muddy my faith with his lies. I submit myself to You. Give me the strength to resist the devil so that he will flee.

Day 9
It's Never Too Late to Start Over
No matter what destruction the enemy has brought to your life, you can start over again. Father started over with Noah after the destruction of the Flood. He made a covenant with man never to flood the earth again. And He has made a covenant with you through His Son. So be at peace, knowing that when the enemy comes in like a flood, Father will raise up a standard against him. And what the enemy meant for harm, Father means for good. You can start again in My grace. It's never too late to start over in Christ.
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 9:17; Isaiah 59:19; Genesis 50:20
PRAYER: Thank You for Your covenant with me. Thank You for protecting me from the wiles of the enemy. Thank You for giving me a fresh start in Christ. Anoint me to walk out of the old season and into what You have planned for me.

Day 10
I Want to Help You
I know it's too hard for you, but it's not too hard for Me. I want to help you. I am your Helper, and I find joy in coming alongside you, sharing My strength, showing you things to come and giving you the right words to say. I know sometimes things look impossible and you can't see the way out or the way through. But I know the Way: His name is Jesus. I'm here to lead you and guide you, so follow Me, and the confusion and stress will give way to clarity and peace.
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 32:27; John 14:26; John 16:13
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I need Your peace. I need Your strength. I need Your guidance. Please help me become more sensitive to Your leading at every turn, and flood my soul with confidence in Christ and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. I am willing to follow You.

Day 11
I Am Your Devoted One
Even those little moments when you think of Me ravish My heart. You are My devoted one, and I am your Devoted One. I have eyes only for you, and when you so much as look My way, it thrills My heart. Our fellowship is My delight. Your voice is like a sweet melody in My ears. I am always in your presence, and you are always in Mine. Together, we can do anything. I am your Grace. You are Our beloved.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 17:8; Song of Solomon 1:13-16

PRAYER: I've never known anyone as beautiful as You. Will You keep me as the apple of Your eye? Will You hide me in the shadow of Your wings? Protect me and keep me, and I will lavish my love upon You. You are worthy of my all.

Day 12
I Will Reveal Jesus to You
It's My joy to reveal Jesus to your heart. He loves you with a passionate love. He is always interceding for you to Father. And He always has a word of comfort and strength to share with you. I want you to know Him the way I know Him. Will you allow Me to make more of Him known to you through His Word? Open the gospels in faith, and I will pour out a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus. As we gaze upon His beauty together, you will be transformed into His image.
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:17; Psalm 27:4; 2 Corinthians 3:18
PRAYER: Your promises overwhelm me, and I say yes! Give me revelation and wisdom in the knowledge of Jesus. Show me Your glory. Show me Your beauty. Fix my eyes on Your heart. Help me to focus on You and You alone.

Day 13
You Can Tell Me Anything
You can trust Me. I am your Confidant. I am your Counselor. You can tell Me anything. Share your God-given dreams with Me, and I will help you bring them to pass. Share your fears with Me, and I will help you overcome them. Share your prayers with Me, and I will help you lift them to Father. You can trust Me. Seeing you walk in everything Jesus has for you—helping you reach your destiny in Christ—is part of My mission. I am on your side! I am for you, not against you.
SCRIPTURE: John 14:26; Romans 8:26; Romans 8:31
PRAYER: I need Your help more than I realized. Please hear my heart and help me to lean and depend on You as the Lover of my soul. Deliver me from evil, and help me become all Jesus died and rose again for me to be. Help me to trust You more.

Day 14
I Will Give You Wisdom and Strategies for Victory
Just as I was with Moses, Joshua and David, empowering them with wisdom and revelation and delivering them from the hand of the enemy, so I am with you. I am the power that defeats all your enemies. Speak against your spiritual foes in the name of Jesus, and I will enforce His will against your enemies—they will fall in defeat. I will give you wisdom for every battle and reveal strategies for victory. Just as I was with Moses, Joshua and David, so I am with you.
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 4:6; Psalm 31:8; Psalm 24:8
PRAYER: Give me a revelation of Your presence and an understanding of the power of the name of Jesus, that I may stand confidently—fearlessly—against the wiles of the enemy and see Your victory in my life. Thank You for the authority to use Christ's name!

Day 15
I Am Waiting to Reveal Truth
I am nearer than you think. I am closer than you know. I am always with you—waiting. I am waiting for you to engage in a conversation with Me. I want to show you things to come. I desire to reveal more of Jesus and Father to you. I love it when you ask Me questions because it is My joy to lead you into all truth. I am right here. I have all knowledge. What do you want to know? Ask Me in faith. I will lead you and guide you to the information and revelation you desire.
SCRIPTURE: John 16:13; James 1:5; Matthew 7:7
PRAYER: You are the Revealer of Truth and the Giver of Wisdom. Will You give me the wisdom to ask You what I really need to know? Show me what to ask, and I will grow in Your wisdom and joy. I am open to receiving Your wise counsel in every area of my life.

Day 16
Prepare for a New Season
I've given you a gift, and I expect you to use it. You've wondered many times why your gift has not made room for you. But, My friend, you must take the first step and make room for the gift. You must put away from you and lay aside those things that are distracting you from My higher purpose for your life. I want to take you into deep waters. Prepare yourself now for a new season in which My gifts will manifest through you for the glory of Christ.
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 18:16; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 12:1
PRAYER: I want to glorify Christ with the gifts You've given me. I will yield to You, Holy Spirit, if You make Your way known to me. Help me to turn away from anything and everything that's distracting me from Your love, Your presence and Your will.

Day 17
Don't Allow People to Distract You
Evaluate your life. When you take time to reflect on your relationships, it becomes easy to see who is supporting you and who is distracting you from Father's will. Know this: The enemy of your soul is on assignment to hinder your destiny. He often works through people—sometimes even people you like. The enemy uses people you don't know as well as people who are close to you to pull your attention away from Our will. Love the people. They don't know the enemy is using them. But don't be deceived. Stay focused on what Father has called you to do.
SCRIPTURE: John 10:10; Ephesians 5:2; James 1:22
PRAYER: Help me stay focused on You and Your will for my life and not on what people think I should do. Please give me discernment to recognize when the enemy is using the voices of people around me to distract me from Your true direction.

Day 18
Forget What Lies Behind
It's a new day. Forget what lies behind, and press on to what Jesus has for you. Don't let your mind wander to the people and places of the past, no matter how good or how bad. If you try to move forward while looking back, you will stumble. You will stumble over frustration, either because things didn't go the way you hoped or because your current circumstances do not live up to those of your past. Don't look back. Stay focused on your mission in Christ. He will take care of the past, present and future if you keep your mind stayed on Him.
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:13-14; Isaiah 43:19; Ephesians 2:10
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, when my mind wanders away from Your truth, please speak to my heart and remind me that the past is the past and the future is bright. Please give me a glimpse of what lies ahead so I can press on toward that higher calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Day 19
Keep Crying Out
Sometimes when you stand up for what is right, people around you will call you a fanatic and say you are overreacting. But truth is truth, and you are called to proclaim it. Sometimes when you pursue Jesus with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength, people will say you are too fervent. But fire is fire. Remember blind Bartimaeus! He needed a touch from Jesus, so instead of remaining silent when the Messiah went by, he cried out to Him. The people around him told him to quiet his mouth, but he cried out all the more. Don't stop crying out for truth. Don't stop crying out for a touch from Jesus. Don't let anyone put out your fire. We love it!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:27; John 14:6; Mark 10:46-52
PRAYER: I want to burn and shine for You even when people don't understand my love for You. Help me to share Your heart with the people around me so they can know You the way I do and burn and shine with me.

Day 20
Set Your Mind and Heart on Jesus
Always remember this: You are in the world but not of the world. Set your mind and your heart on Jesus, and He will refresh your soul. Don't look to the right or to the left because that's where the enemy lies in wait. Look for Jesus along the narrow way. Wait on Jesus. Trust in Jesus. Father gave you the dreams, visions and desires of your heart, and He will bring them to pass in His way, in His time and in His season. Don't give up now. The enemy is no match for the one who loves Jesus. Take hold of My heart afresh. I won't let you down.
SCRIPTURE: John 17:16-26; Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 37:4
PRAYER: Give me laser-like focus on Your will so that I will not be moved by the distractions that come from the world and from the enemy of my soul. Teach me to trust You and Your timing for the good things You have planned for me.

Day 21
Ask Me for the Wisdom to Set Boundaries
People will push you to the point of absolute exhaustion if you let them. They don't mean to, and you don't have to let them. Some people always want more, more, more and more, and they don't realize you don't have more to give unless you tell them. You need to give out only what We give you to share. If you don't set boundaries in your life, you will become stressed out and worn out and will eventually burn out. But seclude yourself in My presence, and you will find refreshing and restoration for your weary soul. I have the wisdom you need to set the proper boundaries in your life. Just ask Me.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 5:15-16; Matthew 5:37; Matthew 11:28
PRAYER: My heart is to help people, but I sometimes wear myself out by not asking You first. Remind me to acknowledge You before making a commitment so I don't burn out and end up resenting the people I have a heart to help. Teach me to say no graciously. With the Holy Spirit, which releases this month and from which this article was adapted.

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Jennifer LeClaire is the news editor of Charisma. She is also the author of several books, including Satan's Deadly Trio and Mornings With the Holy Spirit, which releases this month and from which this article was adapted.

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Watch Jennifer LeClaire offer tips on how we can know the Holy Spirit better at holyspirit.charismamag.com

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If you liked THE article, you'll love the book
Charisma News editor and author Jennifer LeClaire provides intimate and inspiring daily devotionals in her latest book, Mornings With the Holy Spirit (Charisma House). Each day brings a new, encouraging prophetic word and several passages for further study. You can purchase this book wherever Christian books are sold or at christianbook.com or amazon.com.

I must admit, I have a hard time "praying" for my enemies. I rather sit and sulk about their treatment of me and to hold onto those nasty moments instead of letting go and let God. After all, God loves them too and sometimes that is the hardest thing to remember when you want it to be all about you.

It's time to be selfless and start making things about God and His ways and His ways is to pray for the ememies of this world. God help us because when we get serious about this, this will be one of the hardest things we ever have to do for it goes against everything that is flesh.

God Bless.

What It Means to Pray for Your Enemy

John Piper

http://dsr.gd/17UUjuj

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Prayer for your enemies is one of the deepest forms of love, because it means that you have to really want that something good happen to them.
You might do nice things for your enemy without any genuine desire that things go well with them. But prayer for them is in the presence of God who knows your heart, and prayer is interceding with God on their behalf.
It may be for their conversion. It may be for their repentance. It may be that they would be awakened to the enmity in their hearts. It may be that they will be stopped in their downward spiral of sin, even if it takes disease or calamity to do it. But the prayer Jesus has in mind here is always for their good.
This is what Jesus did as he hung on the cross:

“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

And it's what Stephen did as he was being stoned:

Falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” (Acts 7:60)

Jesus is calling us not just to do good things for our enemy, like greeting them and helping supply their needs; he is also calling us to want their best, and to express those wants in prayers when the enemy is nowhere around.
Our hearts should want their salvation and want their presence in heaven and want their eternal happiness. So we pray like the apostle Paul for the Jewish people, many of whom made life very hard for Paul,

My heart's desire and prayer to God is for their salvation. (Romans 10:1)

This devotional for John Piper is powerful. When you forget that someone is walking with you and you feel alone or even if you want to feel closer and grow in who Jesus is, was, and is to come, then these few lines will do the trick.

This devotional will set you on the path to fulfill whatever need you may have and cause a relationship between Jesus to stir, grow, and to span out.

God Bless.

Devotional for April 6

Two Ways to Remember Jesus

John Piper

• http://dsr.gd/1c5o8HV
 

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel. (2 Timothy 2:8)

Paul mentions two specific ways to remember Jesus: Remember him as risen from the dead. And remember him as the offspring of David. Why these two things about Jesus?
Because if he is risen from the dead he is alive and triumphant over death. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).
Which means that no matter how serious the suffering becomes, the worst that it can do on this earth is kill you. And Jesus has taken the sting out of that enemy. He is alive. And you will be alive. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28).
The resurrection of Jesus was not a random resurrection. It was the resurrection of the son of David. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David.” Why does Paul say that?
Because every Jewish person knew what that meant. That meant that Jesus is the Messiah (John 7:42). And that meant that this resurrection was not a random resurrection, but the resurrection of an everlasting king. Listen to the words of the angel to Mary, Jesus’s mother:

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31–33)

So remember Jesus, the one you serve, and the one for whom you suffer. He is alive and he will reign forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. No matter what they do to you, you do not need to be afraid.

From “He Cannot Deny Himself”

An Un-Complicated Life

I long for an un-complicated life. I want a carefree life yet somehow that doesn't seem to be the case for me. Trouble seems to follow me.

 

This devotional offers me a way of how to deal with my life.

 

God Bless.

 

 

Daughters of the King Daily Devotionals

An Un-Complicated Life

You don’t have to hurt anymore.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,” Isaiah 61:1, NIV

 

People with broken hearts will hurt you before you hurt them. Will reject you before you reject them.

 

Will leave you before you leave them. All in attempt to protect their hearts from experiencing more pain. Their unspoken cry is, “Please don’t take it personal, I’m just hurting and I’m afraid,” but seldom will they admit it.

 

I’m so glad God comes after us in our broken state. He’s not afraid of us hurting Him. He’s not intimidated. I’m so thankful He heals our hearts as He removes our hand from our chest, revealing to us how bad the wound really is. Then He stitches up our hearts, fills us with His love, and reassures us that we’re going to be ok. Then He sends us out to minister healing to others.

 

You can be healed. You can be free to give and receive love. You don’t have to be a victim. You can be victorious through Jesus. You don’t have to hurt anymore. You can be free today.

 

Prayer: Father God I need healing in my heart. Touch me Lord with your hand and make me new, whole and complete in you. Fill me with your love and give me the strength to help others just like me. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Medicine for Your Soul

Who doesn't love a little medicine for the soul, and for the heart, and body, and most importantly the mind.

 

Joyce's devotional gives a different insight on what the actions when someone has mistreated you. I so need to take this to heart, soul, body, and mind.

 

God Bless.

Medicine for Your Soul

by Joyce Meyer

He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge. 
—Psalm 103:9

When someone mistreats me, I initially feel angry, then I spend the next few minutes or hours, depending on the seriousness of the mistreatment, getting the emotion under control by talking to God.

When you feel angry, consider these appropriate actions: talk to yourself about how foolish it is to let some unkind person ruin your day, and then follow Scripture and pray for the person who hurt you.

Decide to believe the best of the person who offended you, and try to get your mind off the offense and onto something more pleasant. It is also helpful to remember that we also do things that hurt people, and often without even intending to do so. Obeying and meditating on the Word of God is medicine for our souls. It brings not only instruction, but comfort in every situation.

Power Thought: I am slow to anger and quick to forgive.

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From the book the book Power Thoughts Devotional by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2013 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.