Living With Integrity

Integrity is something that seems to have disappeared from our society, yet it is such a powerful attribute in the life of the believer. Integrity means that you are dependable. You are a person of your word. You are consistent and honest.

You may say, “Oh, I’m a pretty good person”, “I do the right thing most of the time…” But understand, it’s the little foxes that spoil the vine. Don’t allow the little things to keep you from your destiny; choose integrity — even when no one is looking. For instance, you might need some paper at home, but you shouldn’t take supplies from the office. Or you might be running into a store for just a minute, but don’t park in the handicap parking spot unless you’re supposed to. If the checkout clerk makes a mistake and gives you too much money back, that’s not God’s provision, that’s a test of integrity!

Today remember, if you’ll be faithful and choose integrity in the little things, God will make you ruler over much. Don’t forget, “what goes around comes around.” Be a person of integrity and open the door for God’s blessing and honour all the days of your life!

“The Lord judges the people; judge me, O Lord, and do me justice according to my righteousness [my rightness, justice, and right standing with You] and according to the integrity that is in me” (Psalm 7:8, AMP).

 Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I commit to living a life of integrity in every area of my life. God, I choose Your life of excellence and ask for Your hand of favour. Father, make me a person of integrity; dependable, consistent, honest and a person of my word. Show me any area that is not pleasing to You so that I can continue to grow and increase in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SMALL STRAWS by MARSHA BURNS

white ceramic cup with saucer

In a dream there was a steady stream of dogs and cats coming to my door for food. They seemed to be starving with no one to take care of them. I thought for sure that I would run out of food to give them, but there always seemed to be enough. And, the Lord said: Your provision comes from Me, and I never tire of those who come to My door seeking to be fed. You, and those like you, are My conduit on the earth. Do not grow weary in doing good. – December 7, 2022, SMALL STRAWS by MARSHA BURNS

Good Gifts 

people celebrating christmas online

God is a good God and He has good gifts for His children! He wants to bless you with provision and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. He wants to pour out His abundant favour on you and cause everything you touch to prosper. He wants to bless you with spiritual gifts and make you strong in your inner being. He wants you to enjoy your job and be proud of your work each day. These are all gifts from God. 

Today, understand that every good gift from God is meant to draw us closer to Him. He is good and faithful, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Seek Him today and experience the life of blessing He has in store for you! 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your good and perfect gifts. Father, I open my heart to You and ask that You help me see Your goodness. Please draw me to You, fill me with Your peace and joy, as I follow You all the days of my life. In Christ’s name, Amen. 

Don’t Let It Expire 

One day I received a gift card that I stored in a special place for so long that I forgot I had it. Most gift cards have an expiration date, and if you don’t use them, you will surely lose them! The same is true with the Word of God. No, the Word doesn’t ever expire, but we must act and use His Word to receive His promises. Just like you exchange your gift card for the things you need at the store, His Word gives you the power to receive every promise He has for you. 

When you declare His Word and keep your heart and mind open to Him, you are using the gift. You are opening the door for Him to move in your life. For example, if you’re facing lack in any area, receive the gift of provision by declaring, my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). If there’s a mountain in your way, receive the gift of victory that says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). 

Today and every day, use the gift He’s given you. Make His Word a priority and don’t let it depart from your mouth or your blessings expire. As you do, He’ll make your way prosperous, and you’ll enjoy the abundant life He has for you!  

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for Your Word which is truth to set me free. Father, I determine in my heart to use my gifts before the expiration date and set Your Word into motion in my life. God, keep me close to You so that I can please You in everything I do, in Christ’s name! Amen. 

It Hurts To Grow

3 Truths About Christianity

As a child I was very short whenever I complained about aches or pains that had no clear physical explanation, my parental diagnosis was: “It’s just growing pains.” I used to imagine my muscles and bones hurting while they stretched and grew. While I know nothing about the scientific nature of this evaluation then, today I do know it has a spiritual application that is very accurate. It hurts to grow. 

Why does It hurt to grow? because we must die to old ways in order to live anew, and old habits die hard. We place a high premium in life on dying peacefully but dying to anything is accompanied by pain. It’s hard letting go of our security blankets. 

It hurts to grow because growing usually means facing some fear or weakness that has limited us. Though God saves us through no effort of our own, he asks for our cooperation when it comes to our spiritual growth. Real spiritual growth only happens when our effort to act upon God’s word meets the provision of the Holy Spirit in us. 

Today learn this spiritual principle of growth. We obey by stepping into our weakness or our fear, trusting in the fact that because it is something He asks of us, He will meet us somewhere along the way with the power to do it. This is almost always a painful proposition because it requires a step into the unknown. What if God doesn’t keep His promises? I suppose we can ask that question, but we will never get the answer until we step. We must take the step as painful as it may be. And if that doesn’t hurt in some way to make these changes maybe it’s not God’s will and there may be there no growth. Old ways die hard, but new life dances on the gravestone. 

“Put into action God’s saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT). 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for the incredible pain you suffered on the cross for me. Not only did You carry the sins of the world,” past, present and future” but You died an extremely painful death. God, You are the best Friend I could ever ask for. Help me place my trust in you by accepting your word even when painful. I cast all my anxiety about moving forward on you. In Christ’s Name Amen 

In the Wilderness

God shows us who He is by what He does. His promises are worked out in the lives of His people. When we are in the middle of life’s barren wilderness, God’s hand seems absent, blinded as we are by circumstances and situations. But when we emerge from that leg of the journey, we can look back and see that God has watched over our every step. Yes, the journey was hard and went on longer than we thought we could bear. But we are still here. Through our wilderness, just when we thought we couldn’t last another day, God’s mercy met us in a kind word, an unexpected provision, or an encounter. The assurance of His presence always comes. 

Today we can learn from life’s wilderness. We learn things there that we can’t learn anywhere else. We see the provision of our Father in a different light. His love stands out in stark relief against the background of the barren landscape. In the wilderness, there is no selfishness. We learn in deeper ways to cling to God and wait for Him. When we come out of the wilderness, the lessons stay with us. We take them with us into life. We remember the God who got us through the hard times, He is with us still. Hard times can be fruitful times. Though barren, lush fruit is being produced as we walk through the wilderness. The Lord has promised to sanctify your wilderness times and make them fruitful. 

The LORD your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the LORD your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing. – Deuteronomy 2:7 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I know that wherever I am, You are with me—guiding, protecting, providing. Father, You make a mountain into a way; You make streams flow in the desert; You cause a root to grow out of dry ground. Hallelujah! God, thank You for allowing me to see You work when all hope seems lost. In Christ’s Name, Amen. 

A Better Provision

Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing.

Jehovah Jireh means “God will provide.” Hallelujah! When the children of Israel were in the desert on the way to the Promised Land, God provided them with manna to eat. That was good. It sustained them for a while, but it wasn’t a permanent solution. Eventually, the manna stopped coming. The people had to move forward, and then God allowed them to have quail. They were so excited. That fed them for a while, but it was also temporary.

God gave the Israelites temporary provision on the way to the Promised Land where they would have permanent provision. The fact that God had something much greater in store for their future is what kept them moving forward. God could have sustained them with manna or quail, but God is a God of increase, a God of better and best. He works in seasons, and He always has something better in store for us.

Today, don’t get stuck in a rut and think that your current situation is going to last forever. Instead, stay open and be willing to change, adjust, make corrections, or try something new as God provides for you. If the “manna” stops coming, as it did for the children of Israel, don’t get upset or disheartened. Remember, God is Jehovah Jireh, He will provide. Just keep moving forward and trusting. Be on the lookout for the new provision God has in store for you!

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 4:19, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, You alone are the just and faithful God! Father, thank You for always providing for me. Thank You for leading and guiding me. God, I trust that You have better and greater things in store for my future. I will choose to keep my eyes on You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

God Restores

In the book of Ruth in the bible, Ruth’s mother-in-law was bitter and empty after the loss of her two sons. However, isn’t it strange? Ruth was pregnant and gave birth, but the women proclaimed that Naomi had a son. 

This is the point of the story: not only did Ruth fill Naomi’s emptiness with enough food according to the bible, but she also provided a son to replace the ones Naomi lost. Even though Ruth gave birth, the women praised God and responded with excitement toward Naomi. They credit God for bringing food back to Bethlehem and providing a son.

Today, after looking at this biblical story we see that Ruth and Boaz had a hand in restoring Naomi’s well-being after she lost her sons. But God’s people were clear that there is no provision and no children without the Lord’s blessing. God restores loss, He blesses the fruit of our labour and the fruit of the womb. For out of the birth of ruth’s son, Jesus, a descendant of this family, was born in Bethlehem. Through the story of Ruth, we can see that Christ’s birth is part of a family history that depends on God’s abundant blessings and restoration. From this, we learn that it is normal for our God to fill the empty and redeem the lost.

The women living there said: “Naomi has a son!” — Ruth 4:17

Let’s Pray

Yahweh thank you for filling my emptiness and restoring my loss. Father, I shout “Praise be to the Lord”! For your provision, I am so grateful to know that my Redeemer cares. Lord, please live in my heart today and always. In Christ’s name Amen.

Favour And Honour

Do you need peace, provision or guidance today? What do you need from the Lord? The Word of God promises that no good thing will He withhold from those who walk blamelessly before Him. Now you may be thinking, “I’m not perfect. How can I have a blameless walk?”  

When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you automatically have a new, blameless walk. The past is erased in God’s eyes. Sure, you may make mistakes from time to time, but 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

Today, God wants to pour His favour and honour on you. If you feel like there is anything in your life that you need to be cleansed from, go to the Father today and confess it to Him. Let Him make you new so that you can receive the good things He has in store for you! 

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” (Psalm 84:11, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for loving me and choosing to pour out Your favour and blessing on me. Father, thank You for giving me a new beginning and making me blameless in Your eyes. God, search my heart today, and show me if there is anything that would keep me from You, in Christ’s name! Amen. 

What Do You Need From God In 2022?

Do you need peace, provision or guidance today? What do you need from the Lord? The Word of God promises that no good thing will He withhold from those who walk blamelessly before Him. Now you may be thinking, “I’m not perfect. How can I have a blameless walk?”  

When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you automatically have a new, blameless walk. The past is erased in God’s eyes. Sure, you may make mistakes from time to time, but 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

Today, God wants to pour His favour and honour on you. If you feel like there is anything in your life that you need to be cleansed from, go to the Father today and confess it to Him. Let Him make you new so that you can receive the good things He has in store for you! 

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” (Psalm 84:11, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for loving me and choosing to pour out Your favour and blessing on me. Father, thank You for giving me a new beginning and making me blameless in Your eyes. God, search my heart today, and show me if there is anything that would keep me from You, in Christ’s name! Amen. 

God Is With You

What Would Jesus Do? Do You Really Want to Know?

As a believer in Jesus, you can approach each day with boldness and confidence. Why? Because He is with you, and in Him is everything you need. That means if you need provision for something today, provision is with you. If you need wisdom today, wisdom is with you. If you need strength, joy or peace today, they’re with you. Hallelujah! 

Friends, you can be confident today, knowing that all of your needs are supplied spiritually, physically and emotionally, because the Lord is with you. And best of all, He’s promised never to leave you! Isn’t it good to know that you will always have whatever you need, any time you need it? 

Today, please don’t let the devil’s lies, or pressure from the world, keep you from taking hold of everything the Lord has in store for you. Open your heart by faith, and receive whatever it is that you need right now. Just begin to thank Him for His provision in your life, and move forward in confidence and strength, knowing that the Lord is with you! 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, ESV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for loving me. Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. I know that You are closer to me than the air I breathe. Thank You for supplying all my needs. Today, I receive Your promises in faith, and choose to cast all of my cares on You, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

He Is All Things

Do you know that God loves you so much today, more than you could ever imagine? Not only did He send His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for your sins so that He could have a relationship with you, He also wants to lavish you with everything He has, and everything He is. 

When you join in covenant with God, He makes all things available to you. What does “all” mean? It means exactly that – all. Do you need peace? He is your peace. Do you need joy? He is your joy. Do you need strength? He is your strength. Do you need restoration in your life? He is your restorer. Do you need rest? He has it. You need provision? It’s yours. Protection? It’s yours! God is the single source of everything that you will ever need, and He will freely give it to you! Hallelujah!

Today, you may have times when you struggle to receive all that God has for you. Maybe you think that you don’t want to bother God, or you somehow think you don’t deserve what He has for you, that mindset is not the truth. The truth is that you can’t earn a gift. He gives it freely. Imagine His arms outstretched to you right now. Receive His love, receive His grace, and receive all that He has in store for you!

“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will He not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, NIV)

 Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, by faith right now I receive all that You have for me. Father, thank You for sending Your Son, to die for me so that I can live with You. I declare that He is my Lord and Saviour, my ultimate provider and redeemer. God, I receive all that You have for me, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

Keys

Keys represent access. They represent authority. Whether it’s a key to a building, car, or safety deposit box; if you’ve been given a key to something, it means you have a right to use it. You have access to whatever that key will open.

Friend, because of Jesus, we have the keys to the kingdom of heaven! We have access to all the heavenly blessings and promises that are in the Word of God. And, we have the authority to take hold of those promises.

Today, are you using the keys that you have been given by God? The keys of faith and the power of your words and actions? No matter what you may have need of—be it physical healing, provision, wholeness, freedom from addiction—you have been given the authority to access it in Jesus’ Name! Take hold of those promises by faith and begin to declare that every need is met according to His riches in glory. Take a step of faith and use those keys you have been given to take hold of every blessing God has in store for you!

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven” (Matthew 16:19, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for giving me the keys and access to every promise and blessing in heaven. Father, by faith, right now I receive everything You have for me. God, help me stay focused on Your Word which empowers me to live in the victory You have in store for me. In Christ’ Name. Amen.

I Felt Like Giving Up

This morning I felt like giving up. Felt tired emotional and physically. Then I remembered this story. Back in the 1800’s some explorers were going across the desert and didn’t bring enough water. They got tired and very thirsty so they started digging at different spots underneath the surface about a foot or two, trying to find water so they could get refreshed. Tired and thirsty they lost their lives in the desert because of a lack of water and fatigue. Many years later, it was discovered that there was water right there where they had lost their lives about three feet under the ground. If they would have just dug down a little bit further, they would have found the water and saved their lives.

The same principle is true when you’re in a dry tired season of life, and not getting any good breaks, business is slow, or you’re struggling with relationships. It’s easy to think, “ I’m too tired, I can’t go on, things will never change. I’m not going to see my dreams come true. I’m an emotional and spiritual wreck”. Don’t give up and die like those early explorers, water is there. You’re a foot away from that blessing, provision and increase. 

Today, you just have to hang on in there, dig down a little deeper. If you will shake off tiredness, shake off the self-pity, shake off what didn’t work out, shake off the complacency and turn up your faith and praise, you’ll soon tap in to the blessing and provision God has prepared for every area of you life! Hallelujah! 

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, NLT)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your provision and blessing in my life. Father, I’m tired. Emotionally I’m through, I don’t want to think no more, physically I’m hurting and spiritually I’m sick and tired of falling short of Your expectations. I know that You are making a way in my desert even when I don’t see a way. God, help me to stand strong in You so that I may see the harvest of blessing You have prepared for me. Please Lord, give me the power to keep digging till I reach my god given purpose in Jesus’ name. Amen

Walk In His Blessings

I Just Can't Help But Talk About Jesus

Are you looking for abundance? Well, God wants to bring you to a place of abundance! A place filled with favour, opportunity, good health and great relationships. You may not be there yet, but don’t worry, your blessing is on the way. Hallelujah!  

David reminds us in Psalm 31, “God has blessings stored up for those that love the Lord.” There are good health, provision, relationships, businesses and promotion stored up for you that God wants to release. There are blessings with your name on it when you love the Lord. Oh yes, God is going to bring you into what He has already prepared for you. When you honour Him, when you’re faithful to Him, that’s how you walk in His blessings. You don’t have to look for them; blessings and favour are going to find you! Good breaks are going to come your way! 

Today, be ready to receive what God has for you. Position yourself for blessing by falling in love with God and walking in His ways. Meditate on the Word of God and sing His praise. Thank Him for what He is doing, because favour is looking for you! 

“Surely, LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favour as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12, NIV) 

Let’s Pray Yahweh, thank You for blessing me. Thank You for Your blessings and goodness in my life. Father, please help me to see new ways to be a blessing to others, as I daily keep my heart and mind focused on You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

God Wants Diligence

The Gospel: From Oral Tradition to the Written Text

Matthew 25 tells a parable about three men whose employer entrusted them with some money. Two of the men were diligent and invested the money and received a great return. The third man was afraid and buried his money. The first two men were rewarded and praised for their investment and diligence, while the third man was rebuked because he did nothing.

God longs to show you His goodness and provision. He promises to always do His part, but you have to do your part. You have to be diligent. Be diligent in seeking His ways and following His Word. Be diligent with your time and resources. Follow the example of the first two men and look for ways to be diligent with what you have in your hand.

Today, whatever you do, do it with excellence. Be the best you can be, and go the extra mile even when you think it goes unnoticed. Understand that when people don’t notice, God notices and will reward the appetite of the diligent.

“…the appetite of the diligent is abundantly supplied.” (Proverbs 13:4, AMPC)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your favour on my life. Father, I choose to be diligent in all things. I choose to live in excellence and do everything to the best of my God-given ability. God, I will give You all the glory, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

 

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