Winners & Losers
After spending the night looking at the Super Bowl it made me think about winners and losers. In the Bible, Jonathan became a close friend of David. The Bible describes their friendship as becoming “one in spirit”, and “Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself”.
As the son of King Saul, Jonathan had every right to oppose his father’s warrior. Yet maybe Jonathan had seen things in his father that he did not want to imitate. Jonathan saw David as someone who had the same human hopes, dreams, and aspirations that he had. Jonathan did not dehumanize David as an enemy. Instead of looking with wary eyes of jealousy and suspicion against the young warrior, Jonathan extended generosity of heart, openness of mind, and a spirit of charity.
Today, as we consider winners and losers – David was a winner. He rose through the ranks like a stunning rookie rushing through the NFL. Soon people were not praising King Saul anymore; they were raving about the young sensation who was breaking records left and right. David changed the game. His victories went viral in Israel. All of this made Saul boil with jealousy. All he could see was that David was a threat to his throne. Saul dehumanised David and tried to kill him (the characteristics of a loser). But God had other plans, and if Saul tried to oppose them, he simply could not win.
Saul was very angry. . . . And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. (1 Samuel 18:8-9).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for making me a friend when I was your enemy. Father, please make me a winner for your sake. God help me to care about and love people who seem to be my enemies. Help me to live like you. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Wisdom Wednesdays
The promise of a glorious new beginning came from God to the Children of Israel at a bleak period of their history. They were in captivity, lost everything, and were homesick for the land God had promised them. But God wanted to do a new thing for them.
Maybe you can identify with the Children of Israel.
The first step to embracing the new thing that God wants to do in your life is to change your focus. Quit looking behind and start looking ahead. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
If you are ever going to move on to a new thing God is doing there are 3 things you must learn:
- You cannot depend on past victories to sustain you – past victories are great memories but future victories are now ahead.
- You cannot allow past failures to consume you – you can do nothing about the past once it is gone, it went, but anything is possible when you embrace the future.
- You cannot rely on the faith you had yesterday – God designed your faith in Him to grow and develop over time so you must be open to growth.
God promised to do a new thing for the Children of Israel and He did, far beyond what they could ever imagine. He promised to do a new thing for you too.
Do you want God would work as He did in days of old? Are you ready for a new beginning? Do you want God to do a new thing in your life? – Sophia Peart
Don’t Look Past Your Victories
When I open my Facebook account each morning my memories pop up. Most put a smile on my face – photos of baptisms, children, and miracles. When you think about your past, what memories do you allow to play over and over in your mind? In the Old Testament, they had what they called memorial stones. These were used to remind the people about God’s good things in their lives and all their victories.
We need to focus on our victories. Sure, we’ve all had setbacks, but it only drains you of valuable energy when you meditate on your disappointments and failures. It steals your confidence and joy. But when you focus on your victories, it builds your strength and confidence and increases your trust and your expectations of God. It also feeds your faith and gives you a reason to give God praise.
Today, I encourage you to get into the habit of focusing on your victories. Remember, every good and perfect gift comes from God. As you praise and thank Him for His victories in your life, He’ll pour out His blessing on you. He’ll open supernatural doors for you to move forward in strength, to fulfil the dreams and desires He has placed in your heart!
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph…” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness and victories in my life. Father, I will focus on the victories You have given me and let go of any negative experiences from my past. God, I bless and praise You today, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
I Need A Fresh Start
Do you need a fresh start this new year? Even as believers and ministers in Christ, we’ve all sinned, made mistakes and made some wrong choices in 2021. The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But the good news is that we don’t have to stay separated from God in our sin. God wants us to come to Him so He can forgive us, cleanse us and give us a fresh start.
No matter what happened yesterday, last week, last year or even five minutes ago, God is waiting for you with open arms. Don’t let the enemy or people condemn you and lie to you this year. God is not mad at you. He loves you more than you know and longs to restore everything in your life.
Today, I admonish you to confess your sins to God, and allow Him to cleanse you and give you a fresh start this new year. Choose to forgive others so that you can receive God’s forgiveness. Ask the Holy Spirit to keep you close so that you can live a life pleasing to Him. As you draw close to God, He will draw close to you, and show you His great love and blessings all the days of your life! Hallelujah!
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ESV)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for receiving me just as I am, with all my deliberate sins, faults, mistakes, and bad habits. Father, I cry out in confession of my sins to You, and ask You to cleanse me. Please help me make a fresh start today. I choose to forgive others so that You can forgive me. God, keep me close to You in this coming year, so that I can live a life that is pleasing to You. Thank You for not condemning me and for setting me free, in Christ’ name! Amen.
An Overcomer In 2022
As you enter 2022 are you facing some challenges, or experiencing some unexpected setbacks that will go into the New Year with you? We all have things that come against us and remain with us for a length of time, but God didn’t create us to be overwhelmed, He created us to be overcomers!
As we face challenges in the coming year, it’s our attitude that is most important. Think about it for a moment. When something isn’t going your way month after month, how do you respond? Are you tempted to get sour and start expecting the worst? Does your mind start going “crazy” playing out all the scenarios? It may be easy to get down and discouraged, but if we go around thinking it’s never going to work out, our attitude limits what God can do. But when we dig our heels in, knowing that God is bigger than our problems, when we fight the good fight of faith, that’s what allows God to show up and turn negative situations into positive ones.
Today, remember, on the brink of a New Year, you are created to overcome. There is victory already in store for your future. So in 2022 no matter what the difficulty, stand strong with the attitude of an overcomer, and watch what God will do on your behalf!
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for making me an overcomer now and in the coming year, in Christ’s Name. Father, I believe that You are bigger than my problems or any obstacle I will face in 2022. Thank You that You have my back and are working on my behalf. God, thank You for the victories and the challenges of 2021, I leave them behind and look forward, embracing the victories and challenges that will come my way in 2022. Help me to be rooted and grounded in You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
A New Creation
As a born again child of God, you are a new creation. You have a new spirit and a new life! There may be “old” things in your life that you are trying to get rid of. Maybe you have old habits or addictions that you need to change. Remember today that the new has come. It’s a new season with fresh opportunities, and it’s time for you to be the new fresh you. Let this be the moment, the day, the year that you break old habits, addictions and old thinking. Let this be the time that you move forward into a new life of victory. So take hold of your spiritual blessings that the Lord has promised — peace, health, protection and victory. Don’t let anything pass you by.
Today, be encouraged, because no matter what is happening in your life right now, you have a chance for a new beginning. Choose to leave the old behind — leave behind old behaviours, old thinking, old words, and old mindsets and embrace the new by faith. Trust that He is leading you in this season. Declare His Word and embrace the blessings and victories He has prepared for you!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for making me new. I leave behind the old life and ask that You empower me by Your spirit. Father, help me to understand Your plans for my life, and to embrace the truth of Your Word that sets me free. God, please break my addictions and bad habits. Make me new and whole. Grant me Your peace, health and protection, as I move forward in Christ’ name! Amen.
I Need Direction
Are you lacking direction? Do you worry and fret about your future? Do you daily operate on fear, that you might get hurt or even die? God has many ways of pouring out His favour and goodness on your life. Scripture says that He is your sun and shield. What does the sun do for us? It lights our way, keeps us warm, and nourishes the plants of the earth so that we can have food. Think about that for a moment. The earth is sustained by its relationship to the sun, and God wants to sustain you through your relationship with Him. He wants to give you direction and be your shield of protection against all the fiery darts of the enemy.
Today, it’s easy to fall into the trap of relying on the things of this world to direct and protect us. But when we put our trust and hope in our Father, not only does it enrich our relationship with Him, it opens the door to the supernatural realm. It opens the door to supernatural favour, wisdom, divine connections, new ideas and so much more. Remember, when you trust God, He shines His light on your future, and leads you forward into the bright blessings and victories He has prepared for you! Why not do that today and throughout 2022?
“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, today I open my heart and mind to You. I want You to know how much I need You to be my sun and shield. I choose to put my trust in You and receive Your blessing of direction and protection. Lord, I need Your protection because daily the enemy seeks to harm me. Father, I need Your direction. I feel static, like I haven’t moved this year. Life is mundane and routine. Please show me Your ways oh God, release me into my future, that I may walk with You today and always, in Christ’ name. Amen.
Live Forward
Have you made the decision to forget the past? Many people don’t fully understand what that means. They wonder, “How can I forget something that’s happened to me?” But one definition of the word forget is to disregard intentionally or to overlook. In other words, you have to choose to disregard your past so that it doesn’t keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as past failures. If we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new.
Today it doesn’t matter what’s happened in your history, it’s time to forget what lies behind. Make the choice live forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you. Trust that He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you forget what lies behind and press forward, you’ll move forward. You’ll see increase and blessing and live the abundant life He has in store for you!
“…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead”
(Philippians 3:13, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I choose to forget the past. I don’t want anything to hold me back from what You have in store for my future. I choose forgiveness. I choose peace. Help me, by Your Spirit, to press forward into the life of blessing You have for me in Christ’ name. Amen.
Repetition Deepens Impression
Notice in today’s verse, God’s people were commanded to go around saying continually, “Let God be magnified. He takes pleasure in prospering me.” I believe one reason they were supposed to say it all the time, is so that it would get down deep in their hearts. Reputation deepens the impression.
Remember, when we hear something for long enough, we start to believe it. It starts to affect the way we see things. I wonder what would happen if, all through the day, we decided to stop dwelling on negative, self-defeating thoughts like, “I’ll always be broke. My business or ministry will never grow. I won’t be able to send my children to university, it’s too expensive.” What if we started dwelling on positive thoughts like, “God takes pleasure in prospering me. Good breaks are in my future. Explosive blessings are coming my way?”
Today, let the truth of God’s Word sink down into your heart, and throughout the day declare His goodness. Declare His faithfulness. Declare His blessings because He delights in seeing you prosper and live abundantly. Receive it today, hold your head high, speak God’s Word over every area of your life.
“Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favour my righteous cause; And let them say continually, ‘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 Your goodness. Thank You for my success. Father, please change my thinking from negative to positive. God, send Your spirit to into my life today, so that my faith will become real and active, as I continually claim Your promises over my life. Help me to see my life the way You see it. Help me to see and declare the blessings and victories You have for me in Christ’ name! Amen.
Fiery Trials
After some strange turbulent weather, it has made me reflect on life’s unexpected and strange moments. Sometimes, if you know you are going into a challenging season, you can get prepared for it. You can make sure you are mentally ready. But what about the strange and the difficult situations that we don’t see coming? The unexpected crisis that catches you off-guard? Sometimes, it can seem so overwhelming.
In Scripture we are told not to be surprised by fiery trials. That’s because the forces of darkness would not be fighting against you if they didn’t know that God has something amazing in your future! Sometimes, those unexpected difficulties are just a sign that you’re on the right track. The enemy always fights the hardest when you are closest to your breakthrough. Stay on course, keep the faith and leave the fighting to God.
Today, if you’re in the difficult times, keep your joy and declare God’s Word over your trial. God has promised that you will overcome every obstacle. You will defeat every enemy, and you will embrace the blessings and victories God has in store for you!
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12–13, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for walking with me in my strange and difficult trials. Father, I cast all of my cares on You. God, I give You all of my difficulties, all of my questions, and all of my concerns. Thank You for working all things out for my good, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Don’t Let Go Of Hope
A week ago today, satan thought he had won. Christ was in the grave, the disciple’s were hiding, and many followers of Christ had quit. It’s the same today, during our trials and hopeless situations he wants us to give up and quit so he can have the victory in our lives. But, just like Christ we can overcome him through the almighty power of God!
Today, remember we still have resurrection miracle working power, which always confuses the enemy. Christ’s power today is the same yesterday, today and forever. No matter what weapon the enemy may throw at you, it cannot penetrate the blood defence that Christ has put around you! Guard your hope, your joy and your victory in Christ, because they are God-given blessings that He wants you to enjoy each day. Hallelujah!
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for hope, resurrection power and the blood defence of Calvary. Father, please do not allow the enemy to overcome me. Help me to guard my joy, my hope and my victories in Christ, which are gifts from You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Look back At Your Victories
Looking back at life is not always a good thing as not all our memories are good. However, today I encourage you to take time to look back and see the victories that God has given you? Are they written down somewhere?
Scripture suggest It’s so important to meditate on the victory of God in your life everyday, because it helps you to take hold of the fact that God always leads us in triumph!
Today, are going through a difficult time? Instead of focusing on your problems focus on your God. Say, “Thank You, God, for leading me into victory!” Meditate on God’s faithfulness in the past and keep an attitude of expectancy. Give Him thanks and praise, because He is leading you into victory in every area of your life! Hallelujah!
“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph through Christ…” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NASB)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness to me in so many situations. Father, fill me with expectation for what You will do in the future. God, thank You for the assurance of victory, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Forward Ever, Backward Never
Many people don’t fully understand what it means to forget the past. Do I do away with my history? Do I make myself vulnerable again? How do I forget something that’s happened to me?” Some of the biblical definitions of this phrase is to “disregard intentionally, to overlook or to cease reliving the pain.”
In practical terms, what this verse is saying is that you have to choose to disregard your past, so that it doesn’t keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Even our past victories can sometimes keep us from rising higher. If we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new.
Today, it doesn’t matter what’s happened in your history, it’s time to forget what‘s stopping you from moving forward. Make the choice today to look forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you, with greater blessings, favour and massive victories. Hallelujah! Trust Him. As you forget pain, hurt and even some self-cantered victories, press forward and you will see the abundant life the Lord has in store for you!
“…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” (Philippians 3:13, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I choose to forget the past that holds me back and makes me vulnerable. Father, I don’t want anything to hold me back from the good future You have prepared for me. God, I choose forgiveness, and ask that You help me by Your Holy Spirit to press forward in every area of my life. In Christ’s Name! Amen.
How can I teach my children to resist temptation?
It seemed to Eve a small matter to eat of the forbidden tree, the fruit was pleasant to the eye and to the taste desirable to make one wise. But what terrible results!
It was not a small matter to forfeit allegiance to God. It opened the floodgates of sin to our world. Oh, the amount of evil which can come from one false step in life! Our eye must not be fixed on earth, but upward to Heaven. We must pass through dangers and difficulties, making advance at every step, gaining victories in every conflict, still rising higher and higher our standard of Christianity. As you do this the earth’s attractions will sink out of sight and the heavenly landscape opens with clearness and beauty. You will see the crown, the white robe, the harp, the palm branch of victory and immortality will be within your reach.
If we lose everything else, we should keep conscience pure and sensitive. When asked to go where there is the least danger of offending God, doing that which you cannot do with a pure conscience, do not fear or hesitate. Look the enemy of God firmly in the face and say, “No; I will not imperil my soul for any worldly attraction. I love and fear God. I will not venture to dishonor or disobey Him for the riches of the world or the love and favor of a host of worldly relatives. I love Jesus who died for me. He has bought me. I am the purchase of His blood. I will be true to His claims, and my example shall never be an excuse for any to turn from the straight path of duty. I will not be the servant of Satan and of sin. My life shall be such as to leave a bright track heavenward.”
The time has come when every Christian must stand or fall according to his own merits. A few righteous acts, a few good impulses, may be presented to the mind as evidences of righteousness, but God requires the our whole heart. He will accept no divided affections. The whole being must be given to Him or He will not receive the offering.
We must now be learning the lessons of faith if we would stand in that time of trouble which is coming upon all the world to try them who dwell upon the face of the earth. We must have the courage of heroes and the faith of martyrs.
10 Ways To Resist The Devil
God gives us specific guidance to counteract the devil and his influence.
1. Be Ruled by the Word.
2. Beware of Grieving the Holy Spirit.
3. Labor for Wisdom.
4. Resist the First Stirring of Temptation.
5. Labor to Be Filled With the Spirit.
6. Keep Humble.
7. Be Constantly on Guard.
8. Continue Communing With God.
9. Do Not Engage Satan In Your Own Strength.
10. Pray Constantly.
A Prayer to Guard Your Heart
Lord God, Captain of my heart, Satan knows if I follow Your Greatest Commandment — to love You with all my heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37) — he is powerless over me. Guard my heart, Lord Jesus, so that it beats for You alone. Don’t let me grow complacent toward You or be lured to love anyone or anything more than You. Remove the idols from my heart so that You alone command my allegiance and utmost affections Help me to love and forgive others as You have forgiven me so the enemy can get no foothold through hate or bitterness on my part. Cultivate in my heart Your love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7, NASB). Finally, Lord, set my heart on things above, not on earthly things. Help me to remember that You died for me and my life is now hidden which Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-2). Increase my longing for heaven so this world holds no power over me.
Time to focus on your victories and not your past failures
Every morning when I open my facebook account my memories pop up. Most put a smile on my face — photos of baptisms, children and miracles. When you think about your past, what memories do you allow to play over and over in your mind? In the Old Testament, they had what they called memorial stones. These were used to remind the people about the good things God did in their lives, and all their victories.
We need to focus on our victories. Sure, we’ve all had setbacks, but when you meditate on your disappointments and failures, it only drains you of valuable energy. It steals your confidence and joy. But when you focus on your victories, it builds your strength and confidence, and increases your trust and your expectations in God. It also feeds your faith and gives you a reason to give God praise.
Today, I encourage you to get into the habit of focusing on your victories. Remember, every good and perfect gift comes from God. As you praise and thank Him for His victories in your life, He’ll pour out His blessing on you. He’ll open up supernatural doors for you to move forward in strength, to fulfil the dreams and desires He has placed in your heart!
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph”¦” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)
Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness and victories in my life. Father, I will focus on the victories You have given me, and let go of any negative experiences from my past. God, I bless and praise You today, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Victory Quotes
Joyce Meyer
No matter what has happened to you in the past or what is going on in your life right now, it has no power to keep you from having an amazingly good future if you will walk by faith in God. God loves you! He wants you to live with victory over sin so you can possess His promises for your life today! Joyce Meyer
Bradley Whitford
One of the most surreal moments in this election was after the third debate, when I heard a talking head say, Al Gore won on substance, on the issues. But you have to give the victory to Bush because he seems presidential.
Bear Bryant
You Election Debate Moments If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quit, you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.
Joyce Meyer
Inspirational Yourself You Believe When you make a mistake and the devil comes and tells you ‘You’re no good,’ you don’t have to take on the guilt and condemnation he wants to put on you. No! You can immediately confess your mistake to God, thank Him for forgiving you and cleansing you with the blood of Jesus, and move forward in the victory of His grace and forgiveness.
Theodore Roosevelt
Good Forgiveness God You Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory. George S. Patton Motivational You Challenges Feel Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.