Avoid Strife And Live Honourably

The Purpose of Life is Intimacy with God: What Is It & How to Pursue It

Someone once said challenges are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone at work isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbour who always parks in front of your house and blocks your driveway. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture. You can’t allow the little things to open the door to strife in your life. 

Scripture tells us, just before David fought Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. So he “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. In our own lives today, most frustrations aren’t worth our energy. When we avoid strife, it is a mark of honour. 

Today, turn away from strife and other distractions that the enemy will send your way. Keep your focus on what God has called you to do. As you do, you will live in honour before God and man. With integrity you’ll move forward into the destiny God has for you! 

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife…” (Proverbs 20:3, AMP) 

Let’s Pray

Oh Jehovah, thank You for shielding me from evil and for Your hand of victory in my life. Father, give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from people who just want to cause conflict and strife, and cause me to lose sight of my focus and destiny You have prepared for me. God, I want to be a person of integrity at all times, I love You and bless You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Quit Pretending

Make-up, clothes and hair extensions are external coverings that really doesn’t say who we are as a person. What really shows who we are from the inside is a Beirut size trail. Every one of us has an outer life and an inner life. The outer life is our public life that the people around us see. The inner life is made up of our thoughts, attitudes and motives. Only you and God know what’s going on inside of you. 

I have learnt that the best way to be despite your short comings, is honest and true. Too many people go around today pretending–acting one way, yet on the inside they’re thinking something totally different. Their heart and actions don’t line up. But we have to understand that God is looking on the inside. We can fool a lot of people, but we can’t fool God. He would rather us be open and honest than go through life pretending. 

Today is a good day to take inventory of what’s honestly going on in your life. Are you a pretender hiding behind your clothes, make-up or hair style? Are you truly at peace? Are you overlooking sins? Do you believe the best in people? Does your internal and external line up? If not, ask the Lord to give you an undivided heart. Be determined to stay true in your mind and actions. Line up your whole being with His Word, so that you can be pleasing to Him all the days of your life! Quit pretending! 

“…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for another day of life. Father, I humbly come before You today, and ask that You search the deep places of my heart. Show me if there is any area where I need to line up my heart and actions. God, help me to quit pretending and live an honest life from the inside out. Almighty, help me to be authentic, real and true in my mind, heart and actions, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

#AWordToTheYouth Let’s look at attitude and character.

There are lots of motivational quotes about attitude. Your sports coach and teacher probably told you time and time again that attitude makes a difference. Maybe you’ve even had a friend encourage you to have a good attitude. It’s so easy to have a good one when everything is going well. If you’ve just done well on a test at school it’s easy to feel good and have a good attitude, but how is your attitude when things aren’t going well? When you didn’t get invited to that party when everyone else did. How is your attitude then? Remember, the storms of life reveal your true attitude.  

Today, take a good look at yourself. How do you respond when things aren’t going well in your life? Do you need to make any adjustments to your attitude? If so, ask God to help you. He will give you wisdom and help you get the right perspective on what you’re going through. With God’s help, you’ll find that you can have a good attitude even in the middle of storms and disappointments. 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds

James 1:2 (NIV) 

Holla @ God 

God, I thank You for your help. I ask you to give me your perspective on what I’m going through right now. Help me to have a positive attitude that pleases You and find peace in You, even if I’m going through a tough situation right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God’s Report Card

As a Religious Study teacher I have just completed end of year reports, commenting on students’ failures and progress. Every day we get “reports” from our employer, the news, our experiences, our friends and family, and many other sources. We also get reports from the Word of God, which oftentimes contradicts what others have said. That’s when we have a decision to make. Do we believe what we hear, or do we believe the report of the Lord? 

Our God looks beyond the natural. So Just because you don’t see a way out of your situation, doesn’t mean that He doesn’t have a way. God can bring one opportunity across your path that will thrust you to new levels. He has explosive blessings that can blast you out of debt and into a place of abundance.  

Today, believe the report of the Lord for your life. Look beyond the news, your employer, your bank statement and at times even the doctor. Read God’s report daily in His Word. He says, what you’re facing today may be impossible with man, but with God, all things are possible! His report is what will get you to the next level in life.  Stand strong no matter what is going on around you, knowing that He has a plan to lead you into victory in your life! Hallelujah!

“I have heard a report from the Lord…” (Jeremiah 49:14, AMP) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your strong positive report on my future. Father, I will believe Your Word above all else. I know that You have already worked things out on my behalf.  God, help me to tune out the negative voices of the world, so that I can focus on Your goodness all the days of my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

What’s Important On This Journey

Quit getting wrapped up and busy with things that don’t really matter in eternity. Spending time on friendships that have no eternal value, or aquiring wealth for no heavenly investment. It’s easy to get consumed by your career and staying focused on your goals. It’s good to work hard, but you’ve got to learn how to play hard too, so that you can stay in balance. I heard somebody say, “It’s not that life is so short, it’s that we wait so long to begin living.”  

I have learnt recently that If you want to truly enjoy the journey of life, you have to take time to stop and smell the roses. Do you appreciate the people you love? Do you hug your children before you leave each day and give your spouse a kiss? When was the last time you called your parents to tell them how much you love them? That’s how we can enjoy the journey. Making life better for yourself and others.  

Today, if you’ll stay determined to enjoy the journey of life, you’ll live with no regrets. You’ll see your path shine brighter and brighter, and at the end, you’ll be able to say, “I made the most of my life. I enjoyed my family. I enjoyed my friends. I finished my course with joy.” 

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” (Proverbs 4:18, ESV) 

Let’s Pray Yahweh, thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Father, teach me to enjoy my relationships more, because they matter in eternity. God, help me to prioritise Your kingdom above all else. Please show me how to enjoy the journey of life as my path shines brighter and brighter until the full day, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

You’ve Got Power

The Powers That Be Don’t Really Care. Do You?

You’ve heard the saying, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond.” Daily, we are faced with opportunities that will get us upset, frustrated or offended. Maybe you had plans that didn’t work out, or someone was rude to you. Maybe you were doing something that should have taken one hour, and it ended up taking three. Life is full of unexpected inconveniences, but even though we can’t always control our circumstances, most of the time we can control our reactions to those circumstances.  

Each day, we should go out full of hope, and expect God’s favour with a positive attitude. But at the same time, we should recognise that most days are not going to go exactly as we planned. Remember, we were created to live in peace.  

Today and every day pray for peace. Peace is our position of power. If you get stressed because you get off schedule, or get upset because your child wouldn’t eat his breakfast, or frustrated because somebody offends you, what you’re doing is giving away your power. Instead, make the decision to release those offenses and disappointments so you live in peace, and move forward in the power and victory God has given you! 

“Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11, AMP) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the power of peace You have placed in me through Your spirit. Father, today I release every care, concern, offense and disappointment to You. I declare today to keep the peace that You have given, and not let the devil steal my joy! God I trust You, knowing that with You my best days begin today and every day ahead, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

You Are Prosperous

Did you know that you serve a prosperous God who wants you to prosper too! He doesn’t want you to barely have enough to meet your own needs; He wants you to be so blessed that you have more than enough to meet your needs, and the needs of the people around you. He wants you to be so blessed in your finances that not only can you pay your bills and accomplish your own dreams, but you can be a blessing to others too. 

The Bible describes God as a good parent, the same way that a parent loves to see their children doing well and excelling, God wants to see you doing well and excelling in every area. That’s why today’s Scripture says that He takes pleasure in prospering you. But the key is that you have to make room for it in your thinking and in your faith. You have to expect that He wants to bless you, and get ready for the abundance. 

Today, begin to thank Him for your prosperity now, and the abundance to come in every area of your life. Because you walk in love or obedience, God’s blessings are going to chase you down! Don’t run away through disobedience. Don’t just settle for a “good enough” mentality; develop an overflow mentality, because God delights in your prosperity! 

“…Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” (Psalm 35:27, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for my abundance now and to come. Father, I believe in Your Word that says You will prosper me. God, today I surrender my limited and limiting thoughts to You. Jehovah Jireh, give me an overflow mentality. Direct my mind toward You and teach me to be a blessing everywhere I go, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Heart Over Head

God's Heart-Fires Set His People Free

The old saying “listen to your heart” suggests that your head or mind may not be sensitive, but your heart will. It suggests your heart will do the right thing and will give a more honest assessment, therefore your words will be a reflection of your heart. Choosing your words is very important.  

The Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. God Himself spoke the world into existence by the creative power of words. You can bless your future with your words, or you can curse it. There are many influences over our words. In the heat of the moment, we can let our emotions tell us what to say. We can listen to what others say and allow them to influence our words. We can even be influenced by what we watch on TV, the internet or read in the news.  

Today, Proverbs 16:23 tells us what a wise person does–a wise person listens to their heart and lets their heart teach them what to say. When you listen to your heart, you are tuning in to what the Spirit of God is saying to you. You are coming into agreement with Him. Listen to your heart. Take time to be still and quiet before the Lord. Allow Him to teach you what to say and when to say it. As you submit your words and ways to Him, He will direct your path. 

“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.” (Proverbs 16:23, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for giving me power in the words of my mouth. Father, help me to stay tuned in to You as you speak to my heart. God, show me how to listen to my heart over my hot head. Lord, teach me to use my words to always speak life and bless others and You, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

 

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