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Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Trust Him

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Max Lucado

In Mark 5:23, Jairus pleads with Jesus, “My daughter is dying. Please come, heal her so she will live.” He doesn’t barter with Jesus. He doesn’t negotiate. He just pleads. He asks Jesus for His help. And Jesus, who loves the honest heart, goes to give it. But before they get very far, they’re interrupted by emissaries who tell them, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no need to bother the Teacher anymore.” Get ready. Hang on to your hat. Here’s where Jesus takes control. The Bible says: “But Jesus paid no attention to what they said.” I love that line! He ignored what the people said. Why don’t you do that? When falsehood, accusations, or negativism come, just ignore it. Close your ears. Walk away. Ignore the ones who say it’s too late to start over. Disregard those who say you’ll never amount to anything. Jesus said to Jairus what He says to you: “Don’t be afraid—just believe!” “Trust Me,” Jesus is pleading. “Just trust Me.”

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Children of God

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Max Lucado

What matters to you—matters to God! You probably think that’s true when it comes to the big stuff; the major-league difficulties like disease, death, sin, and disaster—you know that God cares. But what about the smaller things? What about grouchy bosses or flat tires or lost dogs? What about late flights, toothaches, or a crashed computer? Do those matter to God?

God’s got wars to worry about and famines to fix. Who am I, we say, to tell Him about my troubles?  I’m glad you asked.  The answer is found in I John 3:1. “The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God.  And we really are His children.” I love that last phrase.  “We really are His children.”

John added that phrase for you. We really are His children! If something is important to you, it’s important to God!

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God’s Precious Promises

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Charles Stanley

2 Peter 1:1-4

As believers, we are spiritually wealthy because of the exceedingly great promises we have in Jesus, our Savior. Below are some of the wonderful guarantees we have been given in Scripture.

1. Our reconciliation to God through the death of Christ 

“While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” —Romans 5:6-10

2. The daily forgiveness of our sins

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9

3. The Father’s continued presence wherever we go

“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” —Deuteronomy 31:8

4. A constant Helper through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” —John 14:16

5. The Lord’s strength in whatever difficulty we face

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 41:10

6. God’s provision for our daily needs

“Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” —Matthew 6:25-32

7. An answer to our prayers

“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” —1 John 5:14-15

8. The Lord’s supply of blessing   

“The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” —Psalm 84:11

9. The Father’s daily help with our burdens. 

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation.” —Psalm 68:19

10. God’s comfort in our distress

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” —2 Corinthians 1:3-4

11. A way of escape when we are tempted 

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” —1 Corinthians 10:13

12. Wisdom for every challenge

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”—James 1:5

13. Rest for our weary souls  

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” —Matthew 11:28-29

14. Peace regardless of the troubles we face

“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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6-7

15. Fruitfulness as we grow older

“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” —Psalm 92:12-15

16. The desires of our hearts 

“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” —Psalm 37:4

17. Help in times of trouble 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. ” —Psalm 46:1-3

18. Guidance along the pathway of life 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” —Psalm 32:8

19. Healing for our diseases and wounds 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases.” —Psalm 103:1-3

20. The absolute guarantee of God’s love 

“I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:38-39

21. Eternal security 

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” —John 10:27-30

22. Heaven as our eternal home

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” —John 14:1-3

Explore more of God’s Promises here!

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Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Exchange Your “I Cant’s” for “I Cans”

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No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. —1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

Have you ever walked into a store before with something to exchange? Maybe it was an article of clothing that you decided you didn’t like, a pair of shoes that were uncomfortable, or a gadget that didn’t do what you’d expected. You entered the store with something that didn’t work for you, exchanged it, and left with something that did work for you. You had to trade what was not effective for something that was.

The same principle applies to your thinking. If you exchange your “I can’t” thoughts for “I can” thoughts, you will see remarkable changes begin to happen. If you build into your character the thought that, with God’s help, you can do whatever you need to do in life, you will have more zeal and enthusiasm about facing every day. I have found that I even have more physical energy when I think “I can” thoughts. It helps me to not dread anything, because dread is an energy drainer.

It’s never too late to begin saying, “I can.” Say things like: “My marriage has problems, but it can work”; “My house is a mess, but I can clean it so it will bring me joy and relaxation when I come home from work”; “I can get out of debt”; “I will own a home or have a new car”; or, “I have some problems right now, but I can still enjoy my life.”

Some of the challenges you face may be very difficult ones; however, God never allows more to come on us than we can bear. With every temptation, He always provides a way out. I challenge and encourage you right now to consistently believe you are able to do anything that comes your way, with God’s help.

Trust in Him: Which “I can’t” belief in your life do you need to exchange for an “I can”? Trust God to not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability and to always provide a way out.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – By Name

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If you watch the Oscars, you’ll witness the actors singing each other’s praises. They might say, “His timing is perfect!”, “Her dedication is amazing!” or “Though he is veteran actor, he makes us newbies feel like family.” They don’t say, “Oh, praise Tom Hanks, praise Tom Cruise, praise Meryl Streep!”

Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!   I Chronicles 16:9

When the author of Chronicles praised God, he listed specific attributes: strength, miracles, right judgments. In the Psalms, David honored God for His loving kindness, His mercies, and for being a refuge in times of trouble. When you praise the Lord for specific things in your life, you will not only please Him, but also testify to others that God is real, loving and answers your prayers. Plus, when you exalt God in this way, you build up your own faith.

Today, give thanks for His specific characteristics and deeds. Worship Him by name, and declare it often! Then pray that Christian leaders in this nation will praise God in such a way that fellow leaders, citizens and all the world will marvel at His goodness.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 100

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – What Do You Want?

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Max Lucado

I like the story about the fellow who went to the pet store for a singing parakeet.  The store owner had just the bird and the next day the man came home to a house full of music.  When he went to feed the bird he noticed for the first time, the parakeet had only one leg. He called the store and complained. “What do you want,” the store owner responded, “a bird who can sing or a bird who can dance?”

Good question for times of disappointment.  What do we want?  It’s what Jesus asked the disciples when they complained.  And in Luke 24:27, Jesus began to tell them the story of God’s plan for people, “starting with Moses and all the prophets, and everything that had been written about Himself in the Scriptures.”  Jesus’ cure for the broken heart is the story of God.  So what do you want?  If you’re disappointed, turn to the story of God.  He’s still in control!

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Enjoy Everyday Life

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Joyce meyer

Go your way…And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.—Nehemiah 8:10

I spent a lot of time in years gone by learning to enjoy my life. The key phrase is my life. I learned not to covet someone else’s life, but to enjoy mine. It has not been easy and I am still learning. But one thing I do know is that it is God’s will for you to enjoy the life He has provided. The joy of the Lord is your strength. You must make a decision to enjoy everyday life.

Enjoying life does not mean you have something exciting going on all the time; it simply means you enjoy simple, everyday things. Most of life is rather ordinary, but you are supernaturally equipped with the power of God to live ordinary everyday life in an extraordinary way.

Live life to the fullest and be a witness to the power of God that is available to everyone.

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Follow God’s Impulses

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Max Lucado

What Annie Dillard says about writing in her book, “The Writing Life,” is true about all of life:  “Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now.”

There is a wonder to life. Pursue it. Hunt for it. Don’t listen to the whines of those who’ve settled for a second-rate life and want you to do the same so they won’t feel guilty. Your goal is not to live long…it’s to live!

You can’t be criticized for what you don’t try, right?  You can’t lose your balance if you never climb, right?  So, take the safe route.  Or. . . you can follow God’s impulses. He says, “Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it.”  Time slips.  Days pass. Years fade. Life ends. And what we came to do must be done while there is time!

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Receiving Compassion

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John MacArthur

“You once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Pet. 2:10).

Hosea had a unique role among the prophets. God used him and his adulterous wife, Gomer, as living illustrations of His love for unfaithful Israel. When Gomer gave birth to a daughter, the Lord told Hosea to name her Lo-ruhamah, which means “No mercy,” because His mercy for Israel would soon come to an end. When Gomer later gave birth to a son, the Lord said to call him Lo-ammi, which means “Not mine,” for He no longer considered Israel His people. Yet He offered this hope, saying, “It will come about that, in the place where it is said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ it will be said to them, ‘You are the sons of the living God'” (Hos. 1:10).

In our Scripture for today, Peter applied that Old Testament text to the New Testament church, just as Paul did in Romans 9:25-26: “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’ and her who was not beloved, ‘Beloved.’ And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there they shall be called sons of the living God.” God rejected unbelieving Israel, but extended His compassion to anyone willing to trust in Christ. It is particularly true that Gentiles in the church were once not the people of God, but now have received mercy and are God’s beloved children.

God’s mercy includes His general providential care for all mankind, but Hosea, Peter, and Paul were speaking of His special compassion–first in salvation, then in daily blessings–for those who belong to Him. By it He withholds the punishment we deserve for our sins and grants us His lovingkindness instead.

As you reflect on God’s mercy in your own life, let Psalm 136:1 be the song of your heart: “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever” (KJV).

Suggestions for Prayer:

Memorize Psalm 59:16-17. Recite it often in praise to the Lord.

For Further Study:

What do these verses teach about God’s mercy: Psalm 103:11, 2 Corinthians 1:3, and Titus 3:5?

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – The Last Song in Scripture

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And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.” —Revelation 15:3

In Revelation 15 the saints who have died for their faith sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. The song of Moses is what the Israelites sang after they were delivered from Pharaoh and safely crossed the Red Sea (see Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32). This song will be sung again in heaven. It is the last song in Scripture.

The martyrs in this passage have come through the fire of persecution, yet they have not lost their song. They sing, “Just and true are your ways. . . .” It is an acknowledgment that God knows what He is doing.

There are things in life that don’t make sense. Tragedies befall us. Injustices are committed. Bad things happen, even to Christians. It is at times like these that we need to trust God and honestly worship Him—not because things aren’t going well, but because God is good. We cannot control our circumstances, but we can control our reaction to them.

Job went to bed one night, and everything seemed to be going well. Then he got up the next morning and essentially lost everything he had. Worst of all, he lost his children. And what do we read? “Job . . . fell to the ground to worship. He said, ‘I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!’ ” (Job 1:20–21).

What calamity are you facing? What trial is before you? Worship God, not because of your hardship, but because of His sovereignty and glory. When you get to heaven, it will all be explained. Until that day, we live on promises and not on explanations.

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Ready to Go

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“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” —Luke 12:40

When I go on a trip, I always pack my bags the night before, especially if it is an early morning flight. I will always have everything ready to go because I want to be at the gate on time. I don’t want to miss my flight, so I prepare in advance.

That is the idea Jesus was communicating when He said, “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately” (Luke 12:35–36).

In other words, have your walking shoes on and be ready to go.

To be ready for the return of Jesus is to be engaged in activities you would not be ashamed of if He were to return. It is a good thing to ask yourself periodically, This place that I am about to go, this thing that I am about to do—would I be embarrassed or ashamed to be doing this if Jesus were to come back? If the answer is yes, then don’t do it. If you can’t pray over your plans for the evening, then don’t do those things. You should be able to say, “Lord, bless our time at dinner. Lord, bless our time as we go here or there or as we do this or do that.” If you can’t, then don’t do it.

First John 3:2–3 says, “We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

If we really believe that Jesus is coming, it should cause us to live godly lives.

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Jesus Loves Me

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Our Daily Bread

Romans 8:31-39

Keep yourselves in the love of God. —Jude 1:21

On cold days, our old dog moves around the yard, finding a sunny spot to stretch out on the grass to keep herself in the warmth of the sun.

This reminds me that we must “keep” ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:21). That doesn’t mean we have to act in some special way to make God love us (although our desire is to please Him). Because we are His children we’re loved no matter what we do or fail to do. It means instead that we should think about His love and bask in its radiance and warmth all day long.

“[Nothing] shall be able to separate us from the love of God” (Rom. 8:39). He loved us before we were born, and He loves us now. This is our identity in Christ; it is who we are—God’s beloved children. That’s something to think about throughout the day.

Five times in John’s gospel he described himself as the disciple Jesus loved (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7,20). Jesus loved His other disciples too, but John reveled in the fact that Jesus loved him! We can adopt John’s theme—“I am the disciple Jesus loves!”—and repeat it to ourselves all day long. Or we can sing that familiar children’s song in our hearts, “Jesus loves me, this I know.” As we carry that truth with us throughout the day, we’ll bask in the warmth of His love! —David Roper

I am so glad that our Father in heaven

Tells of His love in the Book He has given;

Wonderful things in the Bible I see—

This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me. —Bliss

God loves us not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

Bible in a year: Job 36-37 & Acts 15:22-41

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Live What You Believe

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But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. —2 Peter 3:8

When I became a Christian in 1970, the Jesus Movement was in full swing. A lot of young people were coming to Christ. There was a great deal of talk about the soon return of Jesus. It was very common to see bumper stickers on cars with slogans that read, “In case of Rapture, this car will be unmanned” or “Jesus is coming!”

I don’t know how many of those I have gone through, but quite a few. And still He hasn’t come. Some would say, “You guys were all wrong. Maybe He is never coming.” But here is what the Bible says in response: “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9).

Forty-three years ago, I was praying that Jesus would come back. I would venture to guess there are many who are glad that God didn’t answer my prayers because they have become believers since then. I also think that somewhere on earth is an individual who will be the last one the Lord is waiting for to put his or her faith in Christ, and the moment this person does so, the Rapture will take place.

Peter continues, “But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment” (verse 10).

If you really believe that Jesus is coming back, then it should impact the way you live. And if it doesn’t impact the way you live, then you are completely missing the point.

 

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Welcome To All!

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Our Daily Bread

Isaiah 55:1-9

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. —1 Samuel 16:7

A beautifying project on the main road of my town prompted the demolition of a church built in the 1930s. Although the windows of the empty church had been removed, the doors remained in place for several days, even as bulldozers began knocking down walls. Each set of doors around the church building held a message written in giant, fluorescent-orange block letters: KEEP OUT!

Unfortunately, some churches whose doors are open convey that same message to visitors whose appearance doesn’t measure up to their standards. No fluorescent, giant-size letters needed. With a single disapproving glance, some people communicate: “You’re Not Welcome Here!”

How people look on the outside, of course, is not an indicator of what is in their hearts. God’s focus is on the inner life of people. He looks far below the surface of someone’s appearance (1 Sam. 16:7) and that’s what He desires for us to do as well. He also knows the hearts of those who appear to be “righteous” but are “full of hypocrisy” on the inside (Matt. 23:28).

God’s message of welcome, which we are to show to others, is clear. He says to all who seek Him: “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” (Isa. 55:1). —Cindy Hess Kasper

Thank You, Lord, that You welcome all into

Your family, and You have welcomed me. Show me

how to be as accepting of others as You are.

May I reveal Your heart of love.

No one will know what you mean when you say, “God is love”—unless you show it.

Bible in a year: Job 34-35 & Acts 15:1-21

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – Christ exalted

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“This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.” Hebrews 10:12,13

Suggested Further Reading: Revelation 22:12-21

Many of us are expecting that Christ will come; we cannot tell you when, we believe it to be folly to pretend to guess the time, but we are expecting that even in our life the Son of God will appear, and we know that when he shall appear he will tread his foes beneath his feet, and reign from pole to pole, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. Not long shall antichrist sit on her seven hills; not long shall the false prophet delude his millions; not long shall idol gods mock their worshippers with eyes that cannot see, and hands that cannot handle, and ears that cannot hear—“Lo! He comes, with clouds descending;” In the winds I see his chariot wheels; I know that he approaches, and when he approaches he “breaks the bow and cuts the spear in sunder, and burns the chariot in the fire;” and Christ Jesus shall then be king over the whole world. He is king now, virtually; but he is to have another kingdom; I cannot see how it is to be a spiritual one, for that is come already; he is as much king spiritually now as he ever will be in his Church, although his kingdom will assuredly be very extensive; but the kingdom that is to come, I take it, will be something even greater than the spiritual kingdom; it will be a visible kingdom of Christ on earth. Then kings must bow their necks before his feet; then at his throne the tribes of earth shall bend; then the rich and mighty, the merchants of Tyre, and the travellers where gold is found, shall bring their spices and myrrh before him, and lay their gold and gems at his feet;

“Jesus shall reign where’er the sun

Does his successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,

Till moons shall wax and wane no more.”

For meditation: You may, or may not, agree with some of the detail of Spurgeon’s understanding of the Second Coming. But do you share his spirit of enthusiasm and readiness, or are you too much in love with the present world (2 Timothy 4:8-10)?

Sermon no. 91

6 July (1856)

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Peace of Heart and Mind

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“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27).

A stricken widow stood beside the coffin of her husband. She said to a friend, “There lies my only earthly support, my most faithful human friend, one who has never failed me; but I must not forget there lies also the will of God, and that will is perfect love.”

By faith, she saw good and blessing, remembering the promise of God, “I know the plans that I have for you…plans for good…” (Jeremiah 29:11).

As the Prince of Peace, Jesus gives peace of heart and mind, truly one of the greatest and most remarkable gifts we can receive. In the midst of trial and testing, His perfect peace is a supernatural blessing far exceeding even such coveted gifts as good health, for with His inner peace we have everything we need.

How do we obtain that kind of peace? First, it is the fruit of the Spirit. “Love, joy, peace…” As we are yielding to Him and controlled by the Holy Spirit, the fruit of peace is being cultivated in our lives moment by moment, day by day.

Second, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee” (Isaiah 26:3, KJV); “As he thinketh in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV). It is a fact of life that we become in our attitudes and actions like that which most dominates our thoughts. That explains the dramatic moral spiritual deterioration resulting from the influence of immoral television programming. When the Lord is given His proper priority in our lives, His perfect peace will reign in our hearts.

While it is true that all such blessings are a gift of God and cannot be earned or merited, it is equally true that we can deliberately choose to cooperate with God’s Holy Spirit by yielding ourselves to Him and thus cultivating the fruit of peace.

Bible Reading: Isaiah 26:1-5

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: By faith I shall claim God’s promised peace for today and every day. I shall ask the Holy Spirit to help me concentrate my heart’s gaze on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and I will encourage someone else to do the same.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Things Unseen

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Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. —2 Corinthians 4:18

As believers, we know the spiritual realm exists and that what happens there affects what happens on earth. We know that there is more to life than meets the eye, and as we grow spiritually, we come to value the things that are invisible more than the things we can see. When we understand that there are invisible, everlasting spiritual realities that affect our earthly lives, we begin to perceive that God is inviting us to interact with Him, to perceive things spiritually, and to partner with Him to accomplish them on earth—and that only happens through prayer.

As we partner with God through prayer, we bring things out of the spiritual realm into our lives. These gifts of God that come from heaven are already stored up for us, but we will never have them unless we pray and ask God for them. He is doing such wonderful things for us, and we receive and enjoy those things through the power and the privilege of prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer says, “Your will be done on earth even as it is in heaven.” When we pray that way we are partnering with God through prayer so that the purposes and plans He has in the spiritual realm will come to pass on earth—in our lives and in the lives of those around us.  Through prayer we have the privilege of bringing heaven to earth!

Loving God Today: Remember that the spiritual realm is real and that what happens there affects your life on earth.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Like a Child

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And He called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them, and said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all].—Matthew 18:2–3

When Jesus said we should become like little children, I believe that one of the things He was telling us is to study the freedom that children enjoy. They are unpretentious and straightforward; they laugh a lot, and they’re forgiving and trusting. Children are definitely confident, at least until the world teaches them to be insecure and fearful.

I remember letting our five-year-old grandson Austin come on the platform at a partners conference once and sing a song he’d learned. The next day I was going to sign books and have pictures made with some of the partners. A large crowd was lining up, and his mother, our daughter Laura, found Austin hiding behind a curtain. When she asked him what he was doing, he said, “I am trying to get some rest from all these people.” She said, “Austin, why do you think these people are here?” He said, “Well, to take my picture of course!”

Because of his simple, childlike confidence, Austin automatically assumed all the people were there to see him.

Lord, I ask You to restore the wonderful qualities of a child to my life. Give me the freedom and confidence that comes from simply trusting You to be my Father. Amen.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Enduring Prayers

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In today’s society, we tenaciously avoid waiting. The Bible mentions primarily three types of waiting. The first is the evil man waiting on his unsuspecting victim. He greatly desires what his victim has, whether it’s treasure, supplies or power, so he waits for the right time to snatch it. The second is a servant waiting on his master. Everything on the servant’s agenda is set aside; his only concern is what concerns his master. The third type is waiting on God.

Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. Psalm 37:34

You can learn from the other two types of waiting. Do you want God and what He has for you enough to stop everything and wait? Do you wait on the Lord as a servant waits on his master, putting His will first? The Bible also says to wait patiently. Patience is the ability to endure trials with a good attitude while waiting for God’s blessings – not demanding your own way, and knowing His blessings are worth it.

Are you seeking your Heavenly Father for your life and country, patiently trusting He hears you and will answer? Set your heart to wait on the Lord. He will reward your enduring prayers in due time.

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 40:27-31

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – God Hates Arrogance

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Proverbs 16:18 Max Lucadoreminds us as humility goes before honor, “pride goes before a fall.”

Ever wonder why churches are powerful in one generation but empty the next? The Bible says, the Lord will tear down the house of the proud. God hates arrogance. He hates it because we haven’t done anything to be arrogant about. Is there a Pulitzer for ink? Can you imagine a scalpel growing smug after a successful heart transplant?  Of course not. They are only tools.  So are we. We may be the canvas, the paper, or the scalpel, but we are not the one who deserve the applause.

David declares who does in Psalm 23, “He makes me, He leads me, He restores my soul…for His name’s sake.”  For His name’s sake!  No other name.  This is all done for God’s glory.  He takes the credit, not because He needs it, but because He knows we cannot handle it!