Peace With The Lord

You Can Always Have Peace

Satan relentlessly attempts to steal everything God has provided for His children through Jesus Christ. Peace is one of the biggies; it is one of the things he works extra hard to prevent us from enjoying.

Remember, we have peace—Jesus provided it—but we must appropriateit. That means to take it and use it for our own use. Satan does everything he can to keep us from doing this, beginning with deception; he wants us to think that peace is not possible, that it is not even an option.

When we have a challenging situation, Satan says, “What are you going to do? What are you going to do?” We frequently don’t know what to do; nevertheless, Satan pressures us for answers that we don’t have. He tries to make us believe it is our responsibility to solve our problems when the Word of God clearly states that our job as believers is to believe—not solve our problems. We believe, and God works on our behalf to bring answers that meet our needs.

A good example of this is found in Exodus 14. The Egyptians were pursuing the Israelites; all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and army were in pursuit of God’s people. When the Israelites found themselves stuck between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, it seemed hopeless. They could see no way out, so naturally, they became fearful and upset. They began to complain and make accusations against their leader, Moses.

“Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest” (Exodus 14:13-14).

It may have sounded foolish to the Israelites to stand still, hold their peace, and remain at rest, but that was God’s instruction to them—it was their way to deliverance. When we remain peaceful in tumultuous circumstances, it clearly shows that we are trusting God.

Trust in Him
Don’t say “God, I trust You,” if your actions show otherwise. Trust God with your words and actions; rest in His peace, and He will deliver you.

From the book Trusting God Day by Day by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2012 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Cast Your Care

Cast Your Care

Is there something in your life that you could be very worried and anxious about if you didn’t decide not to be? Most people do, and if you don’t have something today, you might have something tomorrow or the next day. That’s not being negative, it’s just saying that life is real and you never know exactly what is going to come your way. But we do know God, and we don’t have to live in fear. He is with us and He’s on our side.

A lot of bad things happened to me in the early years of my life, and I got to the point where I was afraid that bad things would happen. Proverbs 15:15 calls that “evil forebodings,” which means you have this sense that you are waiting for the next disaster. I’ve learned that instead of doing that, I can expect something good to happen in my life and to expect it on purpose.

You can choose your own thoughts. You don’t have to just think whatever falls in your head. You can cast out wrong thoughts and choose right thoughts. Faith starts in our hearts, as a gift from God, but it is released when we think and speak right things that line up with God’s Word. When we have a problem, we can either do what the devil wants us to do and worry about it, get anxious and try to figure things out on our own, or we can do what God wants us to do and think about the promises in His Word.

The Bible teaches us to cast all of our care on God because He cares for us (see 1 Peter 5:7).

Throughout our married life, every time we’ve had a problem, Dave has had one answer: “Cast your care.” It’s not wrong to acknowledge our problems, but we need to tell them where they stand in relation to God. Worry sees the problem, but faith sees the God Who can handle the problem.

Trust in Him
Will you worry and have anxiety today, or will you cast your care and choose to trust God instead?

From the book Trusting God Day by Day by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2012 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Do Not Fear

It’s No Surprise to God

One of the strongest and most persistent fears people experience is the fear that they won’t have what they need. We want to feel safe in every area of life. But we’re constantly attacked with the fear that we won’t have what we need—whether it’s finances, relationships, or the ability to do what God has called us to do.

More than any other command in Scripture, God tells us not to fear. God never promises us a trouble-free life, but He does promise us His presence and the strength (mental, physical, and emotional) we require to get through our troubles.

Several years ago, a friend of mine went in for a routine checkup and learned days later that her doctor feared she might have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the most aggressive form of the disease. More tests were needed, and she was told it might take two or three weeks before a confirmed diagnosis could be reached.

I asked my friend how she got through those weeks of uncertainty and if she was afraid. “Yes, I was afraid,” she said. “But I also knew that whatever the outcome was, it would be no surprise to God.” Then she said something else that might be of help to you. She told me she realized that if she worried for three weeks and then learned she had lymphoma, she would have wasted three valuable weeks of her life. And if she worried for three weeks and learned she did not have lymphoma, she would have still wasted three valuable weeks of her life. “Believe it or not,” she said, “I didn’t lose a minute’s sleep for those twenty-one days.”

When the tests finally came back, my friend learned she did indeed have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She had surgery and endured many months of chemo. I’m pleased to tell you that, ten years later, she’s in terrific health. And she didn’t waste three valuable weeks.

Trust in Him
What are you afraid of? No matter what you are going through, it’s no surprise to God. He’s not unsure of what’s around the corner or unprepared for whatever you’re going through. Put your trust in Him and be confident in His plans for your life.

From the book Trusting God Day by Day by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2012 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Emotions

Living Beyond Your Feelings

On any given day, we may feel good or bad, happy or sad, excited or discouraged, and a thousand other things. Although feelings can be very strong and demanding, we do not have to let them rule our lives.

We can learn to manage our emotions rather than allowing them to manage us. This has been one of the most important biblical truths I have learned in my journey with God. It has also been one that allows me to consistently enjoy my life.

If we have to wait to see how we feel before we know if we can enjoy the day, then we are giving feelings control over us. But thankfully, we have free will and can make decisions that are not based on feelings. If we are willing to make right choices regardless of how we feel, God will always be faithful to give us the strength to do so.

Prayer of Thanks: Father, I thank You that I no longer have to let my feelings control me. I am so grateful that I don’t have to wait to see how I feel every day before I know how to act. With Your help, I am going to live beyond my feelings—I’m going to live the joy-filled life Jesus came to give me!

Worry Less, Pray More

Living at Peace

**Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. ***

Peace is one of the most important elements to enjoying your life.

A life of frustration and struggle, a life without peace, is the result of focusing on things you can’t do anything about. When you worry about things beyond your control, stress and anxiety begin to creep into your life.

The apostle Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV).

Once we realize we are struggling with something and feel upset, we need to start praying and immediately turn the situation over to God, thankful He will provide according to His will and offer us peace. You and I are not called to a life of frustration and struggle. Jesus came so we could have righteousness, joy, and peace!

Prayer of Thanks: Father, I am grateful for peace. It is a wonderful gift that You have given me, and I ask for Your help to always be peaceful in every situation.

Whose Ways are Right

A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:2 NIV

We all have moments where we think we know best. Some people even think they know better than God. They know what God says is right but do what they think is right regardless if it is within God’s guidelines for us or not. But when we do wrong, God will weigh on our hearts. We will feel that something is wrong, guilty, and lost. Remember, God's way is always right. If you keep that in mind, you can avoid that weight on your heart as much as possible!

Let the Past Be the Past

Let Your Mess Become Your Message

I encourage people to let go of their past, but never to run from it. The only way to gain victory over the pain of our past is to let God walk us back through that doorway of pain and into victory. No one can achieve victory for us; we have to work out our own salvation. Paul explained this truth in his letter to the Philippian church, saying:

"Therefore, my dear ones . . . work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not inyour own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight" (PHILIPPIANS 2:12,13 AMP).

We have to let God take us through things and let Him work in us so our mess becomes our message. Difficult things that we have endured in our past prepare us for God's blessings in our future.

From the book New Day, New You by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2007 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Willpower

Willpower: The Fair-weather Friend

Willpower sure sounds like a great thing. We are led to believe that we have enough of it to fight off every temptation that comes our way. And sometimes it works. But let me tell you a little secret about willpower. Willpower is your best friend when things go well, but it's the first friend to check out when you get weary. I have found that if I really don't want to do something, my mind gives me plenty of reasons why I don't have to. My emotions even join in, saying, "I agree because I don't feel like doing it anyway."

Our soul (mind, will, emotions) would love to run our lives, but the Bible says we are to be led by God's Spirit. We are never instructed to be willpower-led, we are told to be Spirit-led. Willpower and discipline are important and vitally necessary to a successful life, but willpower alone won't be enough. Determination gets you started and keeps you going for awhile, but it is never enough to bring you across the finish line. Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) says, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."

What happens if, instead of turning first to willpower in your time of need, you turn to God instead? God releases His power into your willpower and energizes it to bring you across the finish line. Willpower does not get the credit for our success, God does. Jesus said in John 15:5 (AMP), "Apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." This is one of the most important and most difficult lessons we must learn if we want to enjoy the life Jesus died to give us.

From the book New Day, New You by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2007 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Willpower

Willpower: The Fair-weather Friend

Willpower sure sounds like a great thing. We are led to believe that we have enough of it to fight off every temptation that comes our way. And sometimes it works. But let me tell you a little secret about willpower. Willpower is your best friend when things go well, but it's the first friend to check out when you get weary. I have found that if I really don't want to do something, my mind gives me plenty of reasons why I don't have to. My emotions even join in, saying, "I agree because I don't feel like doing it anyway."

Our soul (mind, will, emotions) would love to run our lives, but the Bible says we are to be led by God's Spirit. We are never instructed to be willpower-led, we are told to be Spirit-led. Willpower and discipline are important and vitally necessary to a successful life, but willpower alone won't be enough. Determination gets you started and keeps you going for awhile, but it is never enough to bring you across the finish line. Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) says, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."

What happens if, instead of turning first to willpower in your time of need, you turn to God instead? God releases His power into your willpower and energizes it to bring you across the finish line. Willpower does not get the credit for our success, God does. Jesus said in John 15:5 (AMP), "Apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." This is one of the most important and most difficult lessons we must learn if we want to enjoy the life Jesus died to give us.

From the book New Day, New You by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2007 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Love One Another

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (NLT) -Romans 12:10

How sad it is to see Christians persecuting others for their religion. Of course, it's important to share our faith, but we need to do it as a light to others through love. Desecrating other religions only ostracizes and angers its followers further from wanting to learn more about the love of Christ. Use your faith for good. Respect others and keep the golden rule in mind - love one another.

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Smooth Out My Day, Lord

But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. (NLT) -Isaiah 26:7

If you know that today is going to be a hard day, take comfort in this verse. Say a prayer to ask God to smooth out the day ahead of you. He will go before you and orchestrate circumstances, attitudes, and actions. Be encouraged this morning as you prepare to face your day and know that because of your faith, it will not be steep and rough.

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Worn Out

Come Apart to Stay Together

If you're feeling compelled to do so much that you are physically worn out, you may be driven instead of led. Remember, you have to come apart from a busy routine before you come apart yourself. You have to get away from everything before you come apart physically, mentally, and emotionally. Give yourself time to get a good night's sleep.

It is tempting to do everything that everybody else is doing, be involved in everything, know everything, hear everything, and be everywhere, but it isn't God's best for you. Be willing to separate yourself from the compulsive activity before you come apart at the seams! Spend time with God, and ask Him to give order to your day.

From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2003 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Temptation

Temptation Isn't Sin

Temptation to do wrong can make you feel horrible. You may think, I shouldn't be going through this; I shouldn't be having a problem with this. But God taught me that temptation isn't sin; we sin when we give in to temptation.

The Bible says temptation will come. It doesn't say, "Woe unto him to whom it comes," it says, "Woe unto him by whose hand it comes" (see Matthew 17:7). Jesus told us to pray that we would not give in to the temptation when we are tempted (see Luke 22:40).

Psalm 105:4 is a great way to start your day right. It says, "Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation); seek and require His face and His Presence [continually] evermore."

From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2003 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Men VS Women: Short Devotional

What's the Difference?

The Bible encourages us to seek understanding. Read a couple of good books on the differences between men and women and also one on the differences in personalities. If you do, it may prevent thousands of arguments or misunderstandings.

Women offer unsolicited advice and give direction, and men usually don't take advice very well. The woman thinks she is just trying to help, but the man thinks she doesn't trust him to make the right decision.

When a woman disagrees with a man, he takes it as disapproval, and it ignites his defenses. Men only want advice after they have done everything they can do. Advice given too soon or too often causes him to lose his sense of power. He may become lazy or insecure.

Men are motivated and empowered when they feel needed. Women are motivated when they feel cherished.

Men are visual creatures; once an image is in their head, it's hard to get it out. Women are more inclined to remember emotions or how something made them feel.

Seek understanding first, then speak.

From the book The Confident Woman Devotional by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2011 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Be Satisfied With God, Not Possessions

Be Fully Satisfied

Many people pursue possessions and awards to satisfy their inner need for contentment. But we can be fully satisfied in lean times and in times of abundance, whether we abase or abound (see Philippians 4:12), when we learn to enjoy fellowship with the Lord as soon as we wake up.

Before you are fully awake, you can start talking to God. Just thank Him for seeing you through yesterday, and for being with you today. Praise Him for providing for you, and for working out all the situations in your life for your good.

Ask Him to make you aware of His presence all day long. Peace fills your heart when your mind is on the Lord. Nothing is more satisfying than walking with God.

From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2003 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Give And You Will Be Rewarded

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
-- Galatians 6:9 NIV

http://bible.com/111/gal.6.9.NIV

Sometimes we give all we have to help others and feel that is goes unappreciated. However, if you're doing good for God, it will never be unappreciated. God will always appreciate the good we do for Him and when the time is right, we will be rewarded. Be patient and continue your good work!

God Loves You

Today I am reading day 4 of Lecrae - The Overflow Devo: http://bible.com/r/5k and I wanted to share it with you all! Such a powerful message about how He loves us!

Lucky Ones - Lecrae

In the 1800’s a ragged-looking boy walked for miles through the snowy streets of Chicago, determined to attend a Bible class that was conducted by D.L. Moody. When he got there, he was asked, "Why did you come to a Sunday school so far away? Why didn't you go to one of the churches near your home?" He answered simply, "Because you love a fellow over here."

The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8 that “God is love.” It is not simply that God “loves,” but that He is Love itself. Love is not merely one of His attributes but His very nature.

Many are ignorant as it pertains to God’s love, and because of this there is very little Real love for God among Christians. Most of our hearts don’t yearn for God because we don’t understand His love for us. The more we understand his love for us, the more our hearts will be drawn out into love for God.

“I love Lucy”. I love NY. NBA – “I love this Game”. TV – “I love money”. Everyone uses it, but few understand what depth love has. So when it comes to the LOVE of God or Divine LOVE, we just cut and paste their definitions on GOD.

For each of us, there is always an object of this affection of ours. But, whether we are saying, “I love pizza,” or “I love my wife,” with our love, there is always a reason or condition.

The first aspect of God’s love we must understand is that it is unconditional or uninfluenced. This means that there is nothing about the objects of God’s love that prompt Him or motivate Him to love them.

While we love people for reasons or conditions, God loves freely and spontaneously without conditions. He doesn’t love us cause we are cute or have money, or because we lived perfectly or did something right or pray everyday. He loves us because it’s His will to do so.

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 states, “It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you…” (ESV)

His love is sovereign. Because God is God, He does as He pleases; because God is love, He loves whom He pleases. God declares, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” (Romans 9:19). Yet there was no more reason in Jacob why he should be the object of Divine love, than there was in Esau. We try to earn respect from people, and we fight for peoples’ love. We spend our lives trying to win over people – NOT GOD. THERE was NOTHING in me to attract the heart of God. My heart was deceitful and desperately wicked.

The only thing I motivated God to do was to hate me and throw me into the darkest pit of Hell. I did everything to repel him, everything to make him despise me – sinful, corrupt, no good thing in me.

Love was the reason that Brought Christ to Earth!

“FOR GOD SO LOVE THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON…” (John 3:16)

Christ DIED not to make God love us but BECAUSE HE DID love us!

If you ever doubt the LOVE of GOD you go back to the cross. You think God isn’t loving toward you? Go back and look at the Person of Christ.

Hear 'Lucky Ones' at TheOverflow.com

You Need Faith

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (NLT) -Hebrews 11:6

When something bad happens to you, and you have faith in God, your attitude changes. You begin to figure out why God wants you to go through tough times and what He wants you to learn from it. When you see that bad situation happened for a reason, you begin to trust God even more. Eventually, you want to allow Him into more areas of your life. Sincerely seek the Lord today in prayer.

Note from me:
Sometimes people go to God when things go wrong,  some even blame Him. Yet at the same time, they claim to not believe in Him. You cannot expect God to get you out of your troubles if you do not believe in Him. However, by just having belief, or faith,  in God,  you will see your life change significantly. Even if the circumstances do not change,  your reactions will...because of God; and ultimately, you will be happier than you were without faith.

Be Patient and Wait for the Lord

Wait for the Lord ; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord .
----Psalm 27:14 NIV
http://bible.com/111/psa.27.14.NIV

So many if us get impatient when we want something, even pray for something, and it doesn't happen when we want it to.

It is key to remember these 2 things:
1. Our plans don't always equal His plans
2. If our plans are what God wants for us, they will happen on His time schedule and not our own.

God is always there with us and He hears all our prayers. Be patient. Trust Him. He will answer them at the right time.

Leave the Judgement to God

You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. (NLT) -John 8:15

It is so difficult not to judge. However, Jesus Christ showed it is possible not to judge others as a human being. Your own dog has this concept down pretty well. As you go through your day try to hone in and determine what areas you are more likely to judge. Be vigilant in your thoughts and attitudes that you can spot any duplicity in your thinking.

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We may think we know right from wrong and it's ok to help guide others, but we should never judge anyone else. Who are we to judge? God? I think not. He is the only one with the right to judge and He will judge all of us one day so do not take it upon yourself to do His job. None of us are without sin, therefore we cannot be hypocrites. Leave the judgement to God and do what He tells you to do, love one another!