This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

What of Today’s Verse…

I want you to think about an orange rhinoceros flying with blue wings. Now quit, I don’t want you to think about it anymore. You know there is no such thing as an orange rhino that flies, much less one that flies on blue wings. Of course the point is simple: the more we try to not do something, the more we focus on it and ensure we do what we are not supposed to do. That’s why the gift of the Holy Spirit is so important. He enables and empowers us to move beyond our sin—not by focusing on it and refusing it, but by enriching us and “distracting” us with the important things of God.

Let us Pray:

Abba Father, I thank you so much for your Holy Spirit that lives in me and is now interceding with you for me. Please fill me with your Spirit so that my life more nearly reflects your will and focuses on your concerns. Through Jesus, who poured out your Spirit on me at my baptism, I pray. Amen.

Words of Wisdom

I could never…

Do you ever catch yourself saying “I could never…?” I could never quit my job, tell him the truth, speak in front of a large group, make a parachute jump, ask her for a date, learn to speak another language, shoot below 90, play the guitar like that. I could never do that.

Why not? What do you mean, “I could never…?” Of course you could. You could indeed. If it can be done, you can do it. You’ve got to want it, of course. And if you want it enough, you’ll do it.

“I could never” is usually said wistfully, meaning “I wish I could, but I can’t.” That’s preposterous. You can if you want to. Free yourself from your own limitations. What do you want to do? What will fulfill the enormous potential of your life? Certainly not hiding behind “I could never.”

You are capable of truly extraordinary accomplishments. You can do whatever you decide you’re going to do. You can find a way. Have the courage to live your possibilities.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

What of Today’s Verse…

Our actions follow our thoughts like a heat-seeking missile follows the exhaust of a jet fighter’s engine. So in a day when so much around us trains us to find the negative in life, we must aggressively think and pursue the character, the qualities, and the things of God’s goodness.

Let us Pray:

Holy and Magnificent God, thank you for being better than anything my world can offer me. Thank you for calling me to a higher standard than the world accepts. Thank you for giving me the promise of a better future than any human can imagine. Thank you for giving me a high calling. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen.

Words of Wisdom

In the dark night live those for whom, the world without alone is real; in night Darker still, for whom, the world within Alone is real. The first leads to a life of action, the second to a life of meditation. But those who combine action with meditation Cross the sea of death through action and enter into immortality through the practice of meditation. So have we heard from the wise?

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

What of Today’s Verse…

How good it is to be as close to God as his shadow and share in the comfort of his shelter. He is not far if our hearts choose to draw near him.

Let us Pray:

O great Almighty God, tender Shepherd and Abba Father, make known to me your nearness. I long to live in your presence and reflect your holiness and grace. By Jesus’ blood I draw near you in full assurance of your love and grace. Amen.’

Words of Wisdom

Seek refuge in the attitude of detachment and you will amass the wealth of spiritual awareness. Those who are motivated only by desire for the fruits of action are miserable, for they are constantly anxious about the results of what they do.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

What Of Today’s Verse…

I am made by God! You are made by God. Just as surely as anyone has been made by God, we have been made by God. He knew us before anyone knew we were there. He had plans for us before anyone planned our arrival. And he made us well! How do we know? Look at all God has made.

Let Us Pray:

God Almighty, my Saviour and Redeemer, thank you for knowing me before I was able to know. Thank you for choosing my life and giving it to me. Thank you for giving me the gifts, abilities and talents that you have given me. Now help me live as if I was made special by you, because I am! Through Jesus I pray. Amen.’

Words of Wisdom

Self Reliance…

Whatever is happening to you today is a direct result of the things you did yesterday. If what you’re doing is working, then keep on doing it! If what you’re doing is not working, then change it. Don’t just hope that things will get better. Do something about it. Take action. Take responsibility for your life. No one is going to do it for you.

Your life will change when you decide to change. When you learn new skills, meet new people, provide value to others. When you start each day with a clear purpose and direction. When you commit to doing whatever is necessary to reach your goals.

Life will throw obstacles in your path. You must decide whether to use each of those obstacles as an excuse for failure, or as a stepping stone to success. You can’t control the cards you are dealt, but you can control how you play them. And therein lays the key to a life of accomplishment.

No matter how much money you have in the bank, or what kind of car is in your garage, or how many people have hurt you, or what you’ve done in the past, one thing is certain. The value in your own life comes directly from you.

Don’t just wish for a better life — you can make it so! Believe It Or Not…

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

What of Today’s Verse…

Now I know why righteousness is so hard to find: there aren’t many sowers! Heavenly wisdom is full of sacrificial earthly action. That’s a powerful reminder to me that wisdom is not what you know but what you sow!

Let us Pray:

Holy and Wise Father, thank you for demonstrating purity, peacemaking, consideration, submissiveness, mercy, good fruit, impartiality, and sincerity in Jesus. I ask for the power and the courage to demonstrate those qualities this week as I seek to live more like him. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Words of Wisdom

Mistakes…

Everyone makes mistakes. They’re nothing to be ashamed of. The only people who don’t make mistakes are those who don’t try to do anything. Being wrong is perfectly normal and routine.

The best thing to do when you make a mistake is to admit it — to yourself and to everyone else involved. Deal with it quickly and move on. Mistakes are excellent teachers, and to learn from mistakes you must first admit them. Clinging to a mistaken position will never make you right, and will just waste your time and energy. Mistakes are not good or bad, they’re simply steps on the path to success.

Discovering that something DOESN’T work is just as valuable as discovering something that does work. So mistakes are actually very positive. The key is to learn from them, so you don’t repeat them.

Thomas Edison tried thousands of ways to construct the electric light bulb before he finally got it right. Successful people in any field are not necessarily the best and the brightest. They’re the ones with the most commitment — the ones who pick themselves up after every mistake and try again.

Use your mistakes for all they’re worth. Keep trying, keep going, and do whatever it takes to get where you want to be.

So, what will be your legacy?

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. -Psalms 118:17

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

What of Today’s Verse…

The key to life is letting go of ourselves and receiving Jesus. Please don’t forget to relinquish your life to the one who gave up his own life. When we lose our life to him, we can have it back forever with him.

Let us Pray:

Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, my Saviour and King. I long for your life to be made visible in me. To your glory I pray. Amen.

Words of Wisdom

The protective shade of GOD…

The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. -Psalm 121:5

Protected? Yes. Submissive to his will? That, too.

Jesus guaranteed us that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33). But no matter what happens, we can never be separated from God’s love or God’s purposes. He promises to preserve us from evil but not to pave over every pothole in life’s road.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Thoughts on today’s verse…

As someone who had a very clumsy stage of life, this promise is almost beyond believing—nothing can make me stumble! But when it comes to living life, if I know God’s will and love it, I will do it. Then nothing can make me stumble.

Let us Pray:

Thank you God for this day. Thank you for all that lies ahead. Thank you that I don’t have to face with doubts about my basic values and without a sense of your will for my life. Stir in me a love for your will and your way so that nothing can make me stumble. Empower me by your Spirit and guide me by your truth so that I may more perfectly reflect your character. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.’

Words Of Wisdom

Don’t be afraid of doing good. It’s another name for happiness, for all that is dear and delightful—this phrase “doing good.”Whoever would live well, long lasting, bringing bliss—let him be generous, be calm, and cultivate the doing of good. By practicing these three, these three bliss-bringing things, the wise one lives without regret his world infused with happiness.

How do things look to you today?

“For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.” Psalm 125:3

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

What of  Today’s Verse…

We chase after so many different things. Only one thing is needed. Having a fist full of dollars, a great estate, and lots of prestige doesn’t mean a whole lot if you’ve gone to your ultimate address without the Lord. Even worse, is to find that in the middle of your busy-ness, you awake to find yourself in the barren land where Christ does not dwell and life is not found.

Let us Pray:

Father, help me to keep my priorities right and my life holy and my heart open to your will rather than being blinded with my own self-seeking. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

Words of Wisdom

Priority

In all circumstances and in all things, God is my priority.

As my day unfolds, I discover that taking time for God comes naturally and often, because God is my priority.

As I rise in the morning and begin my day, I silently thank God for the roof over my head and for my morning cup of coffee or tea and the ability to prepare it. I give thanks for cherished family members, friends, and pets.

Beginning my commute to work or other activities, I thank God for the warmth of sunshine, the hustle and bustle around me, and the opportunity to see, hear, and experience life in all its glory.

As I go about the day, I thank God for my capabilities, my job, and my volunteer work. And at the close of the day, I thank God for a safe journey home, for a nourishing meal, and, most of all, for being with me always.

“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” -Luke 6:12

This is how we know love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

What of Today’s Verse…

What does it mean to lay down our lives for our brothers? Sounds pretty extravagant, but the next verse in 1 John 3 reminds us that most often it’s very simple: if we have a brother or sister in Christ with needs, we give up what we have to fill that need!

Let us Pray:

Lord God Almighty, I am convicted by your sacrifice and ask for eyes to see and grace to act when my brothers and sisters are in need. Through the name of Jesus I ask this. Amen.

Words of Wisdom

As a Spiritual being, I am divine life in expression.

Divine Life…

It is springtime in some regions of Earth. Flowers are once again blooming, and gardens and fields are becoming lush and teaming with life. A cycle of new life and growth continues.

Just as the Earth does, I, too, go through a never-ending cycle of rebirth and renewal. I experience a renewed sense of oneness each time I make a divine connection with God through my time of prayer and meditation.

My inner self is spiritual in nature. Recognizing the perfection that is within me, I give expression to it as faith and hope, wisdom and understanding. I gratefully acknowledge that divine life flows through me, strengthening and revitalizing me.

“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day, Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.”—Genesis 1:31-2:1

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Thoughts of Today’s Verse…

Wouldn’t it be great if we could tear down all the walls that divide us—racial, social, and gender? The apostle Paul spent his entire life trying to do just that, to tear down the walls that divided people by bringing them to Jesus and the cross. There are no positions of superiority or inferiority at the foot of the cross, only those who discover God’s might displayed in sacrifice and God’s love displayed in the face of human cruelty. While the forces of culture and human selfishness are always finding ways to divide us, we must remember that in Jesus, and only in Jesus, we can be one.

Let us Pray:

Forgive me, O God, when I have let prejudice and suspicions keep me from fully loving those whom you have claimed as your children. I pray that my life will be an example of redemption and unity as I seek to love your children as you do. Through him whose dying prayer was for unity, I pray. Amen.

Words of Wisdom

By loving me he comes to know me truly; then he knows my glory and enters into my boundless being. All his acts are performed in my service, and through my grace he wins eternal life.

Bearing up to persecution…

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. -Psalm 140:12