Are You Seeking the Right Stuff?
Romans 14:17 defines the kingdom of God as a life of goodness, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
We are to seek His kingdom, but a lot of people spend their life seeking all kinds of other stuff. When it comes to righteousness, peace and joy, they don't have any because they're chasing after other things.
I used to think that if I had all kinds of worldly stuff, I'd have no worries and my life would be peaceful, but no matter how much stuff I gained, it never really brought peace. True peace comes from being one with God.
It's important for us to understand this because I think a large majority of Christians spend their whole life searching for the wrong things, when our real treasure is in Jesus.
So what are you seeking today? What's your treasure? Worldly things will ultimately leave you unsatisfied, but if you seek God and His righteousness, peace and joy, you can experience the completely satisfying and fulfilling life God wants you to have. Go after Him today.
Prayer Starter: God, I decide today to stop pursuing worldly things that will not satisfy. I want to be one with You, so I seek Your righteousness, peace and joy.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
When Praying for Others Is Hard
How do you respond when someone hurts your feelings? Do you let it rob you of joy? Or maybe your emotions run wild?
Luke 6:27-28 tells us what we should do when people hurt us: We must pray for them and bless them.
Can you believe that? We're to pray something like, "Oh, Lord, I pray that You'd just make them so happy!"
I still don't get that, but I'm willing to do it in obedience and say, "Lord, I don't know that I really want them to be happy, but I'll pray that in faith anyway, because You're telling me to bless them with Your presence."
Choosing to pray for them is one of the most difficult things God asks us to do, especially if we believe that whoever hurt us is in the wrong and doesn't deserve to be forgiven.
But God instructs us to practice forgiveness. And when we choose to follow the path of forgiveness, we will experience the peace and joy that come through obeying God's Word. When you obey God, He can help you overcome the pain and enjoy life more.
Prayer Starter: God, it's hard, but I pray for those who have hurt me and ask You to bless them. Help me to release the hurt and forgive them.
How do you respond when someone hurts your feelings? Do you let it rob you of joy? Or maybe your emotions run wild?
Luke 6:27-28 tells us what we should do when people hurt us: We must pray for them and bless them.
Can you believe that? We're to pray something like, "Oh, Lord, I pray that You'd just make them so happy!"
I still don't get that, but I'm willing to do it in obedience and say, "Lord, I don't know that I really want them to be happy, but I'll pray that in faith anyway, because You're telling me to bless them with Your presence."
Choosing to pray for them is one of the most difficult things God asks us to do, especially if we believe that whoever hurt us is in the wrong and doesn't deserve to be forgiven.
But God instructs us to practice forgiveness. And when we choose to follow the path of forgiveness, we will experience the peace and joy that come through obeying God's Word. When you obey God, He can help you overcome the pain and enjoy life more.
Prayer Starter: God, it's hard, but I pray for those who have hurt me and ask You to bless them. Help me to release the hurt and forgive them.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
Listen for the Still, Small Voice
To find peace in our lives, we simply need to obey the promptings God gives us each day. A prompting is a "knowing" deep down on the inside, telling us what to do. First Kings 19:11-12 refers to this knowing as a still, small voice. A prompting isn't a whack on the head with a hammer!
In 1 Kings, the Lord didn't use the great and strong wind, the earthquake or fire to prompt Elijah. His voice came to Elijah as a sound of gentle stillness and a still, small voice. A prompting doesn't even have to be a voice at all. In fact, God often gives direction by speaking to your heart rather than to your ears.
If we'll simply learn to listen to God and do what He says, we'll discover that things will go well for us. No matter what the situation, we need to listen to God and obey His voice. You may not understand the reasons that God is asking you to do certain things, but as you listen to His voice and obey His direction, you can experience a peaceful calmness. So listen up!
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, help me to listen closely to hear Your promptings every day. I want Your peace, so I will listen to You.
To find peace in our lives, we simply need to obey the promptings God gives us each day. A prompting is a "knowing" deep down on the inside, telling us what to do. First Kings 19:11-12 refers to this knowing as a still, small voice. A prompting isn't a whack on the head with a hammer!
In 1 Kings, the Lord didn't use the great and strong wind, the earthquake or fire to prompt Elijah. His voice came to Elijah as a sound of gentle stillness and a still, small voice. A prompting doesn't even have to be a voice at all. In fact, God often gives direction by speaking to your heart rather than to your ears.
If we'll simply learn to listen to God and do what He says, we'll discover that things will go well for us. No matter what the situation, we need to listen to God and obey His voice. You may not understand the reasons that God is asking you to do certain things, but as you listen to His voice and obey His direction, you can experience a peaceful calmness. So listen up!
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, help me to listen closely to hear Your promptings every day. I want Your peace, so I will listen to You.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
Don't Give in to Fear
The Bible tells of a man named Abram who trusted God in spite of his own personal fear.
How would you feel if God told you to leave your home, your family and everything that is familiar and comfortable and head out to an unknown destination? Full of fear? That's precisely the challenge Abram faced, and it frightened him. But God's words to him were "Fear not."
Many times we think we should wait to do something until we are no longer afraid, but if we did that, we'd probably accomplish very little for God, for others, or even for ourselves. Abram had to step out in faith and obedience to God, despite his fear.
If Abram had bowed his knee to fear, he never would've fulfilled his destiny to become all God created him to be, the father of many nations.
Giving in to fear alters God's best plan for your life, so do what He wants you to do...even if you have to do it afraid! Like Abram, you'll find that the rewards are great.
Prayer Starter: God, You were faithful to Abram when he obeyed You in spite of fear, so I also decide to put my fear aside and do whatever You tell me to do.
The Bible tells of a man named Abram who trusted God in spite of his own personal fear.
How would you feel if God told you to leave your home, your family and everything that is familiar and comfortable and head out to an unknown destination? Full of fear? That's precisely the challenge Abram faced, and it frightened him. But God's words to him were "Fear not."
Many times we think we should wait to do something until we are no longer afraid, but if we did that, we'd probably accomplish very little for God, for others, or even for ourselves. Abram had to step out in faith and obedience to God, despite his fear.
If Abram had bowed his knee to fear, he never would've fulfilled his destiny to become all God created him to be, the father of many nations.
Giving in to fear alters God's best plan for your life, so do what He wants you to do...even if you have to do it afraid! Like Abram, you'll find that the rewards are great.
Prayer Starter: God, You were faithful to Abram when he obeyed You in spite of fear, so I also decide to put my fear aside and do whatever You tell me to do.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Happy Birthday Martin Luther King Jr
Happy Birthday to the King ... Forever thankful for all that he did to bring justice and peace. He taught us to always fight for what's right. There is still work to be done, but I must say we have come a mighty long way.
Thought Of The Day
This is not always true, but unfortunately I feel this way right now. Expectations can lead to disappointments. Especially in a case where you are use to something and then the unfamiliar happens. I tend to get upset easily when things aren't consistent and I don't like to be bothered with it. I pray that I overcome this feeling of disappointment and I can get back to a settled peace of mind. Have a good day everyone.
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
Get Up and Clean Up!
In John 5, there's a story about a man who I believe represents a lot of people who refuse to change.
During a Jewish feast in Jerusalem, Jesus visited the Bethesda pool where sick people gathered, hoping to get healed. One of the people waiting to get healed was a man who had been crippled for 38 years. When Jesus saw him, He asked if he wanted to be healed.
To me, the man's answer tells us why he hadn't been healed in 38 years. He said, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred." Bottom line, the man was avoiding responsibility.
His second problem was that he blamed others. The man said, "While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
How did Jesus respond? Jesus didn't feel sorry for him. Instead, Jesus said, rather sternly, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." For change to occur in your life, you can't be a prisoner of your circumstances. Know that God is willing to help you today. You just have to decide to trust Him, get up, and actively pursue the freedom He's giving you.
Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to be a victim of my circumstances. I want to change. I receive Your strength and Your freedom today. I believe that real change can occur in my life as I walk with You.
In John 5, there's a story about a man who I believe represents a lot of people who refuse to change.
During a Jewish feast in Jerusalem, Jesus visited the Bethesda pool where sick people gathered, hoping to get healed. One of the people waiting to get healed was a man who had been crippled for 38 years. When Jesus saw him, He asked if he wanted to be healed.
To me, the man's answer tells us why he hadn't been healed in 38 years. He said, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred." Bottom line, the man was avoiding responsibility.
His second problem was that he blamed others. The man said, "While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
How did Jesus respond? Jesus didn't feel sorry for him. Instead, Jesus said, rather sternly, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." For change to occur in your life, you can't be a prisoner of your circumstances. Know that God is willing to help you today. You just have to decide to trust Him, get up, and actively pursue the freedom He's giving you.
Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to be a victim of my circumstances. I want to change. I receive Your strength and Your freedom today. I believe that real change can occur in my life as I walk with You.
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