Begin Again, In Me

Father, my mind cannot grasp your greatness. I read your Word, your many feats - how you advocate for us, and my mind, my self-absorption, my pride, makes me focus on myself - my small problems, my small worries and cares. Your ways are good. You see beyond what I can see. You pursue justice. You ask us what we will do - if we will stand with you or against you, if we will both appreciate the lives you've given us, the opportunities to love and do what is good, in your name, or if we will, instead, fight our own fight, for our own glory.

Lord, forgive me for how I forget you. It is horrible, and it is true. I am your daughter, the one you love. Yet, my ways are not your ways. And I surrender my ways now. I give you my heart again, with all of its stubbornness, feelings of entitlement, self-hatred, judgmental attitudes.

Here I am, confident that, if you want me to, I can hear your voice, and yet how often do I ignore it? How often do you speak, and I close my ears? How often do you open your arms and I run to comfort in other things? Productivity, achievement, food, things? How often do you weep at the injustice of this world, and I close my eyes and heart to what is right in front of me? How often do you feel frustration and anger and yet love and love and love?

You love me despite me. Your love has nothing to do with what I do, what I think. But it is your love that breaks open my heart. And my old self, the one who rails against you, dies at the foot of the cross. She cannot stand - this old self - at your feet, Jesus. In your presence, the false parts of her wither; all of the sin in her completely destroyed. Take her again, will you?

Take this old self of mine. Take her and destroy her. Throw her into the fire and make her new. It is in death that new life comes. She needs your new life now. Jesus, you are tireless in your love. You are kind and good. I pick up your cross, my new self - strong and confident in you, and the cross does its work. Again and again, I am made brand new. In all good things, Jesus, you are present.

Lord, be present in me now. I stand here, your beauty, your delight. I stand here, filled with love, capable of anything you have for me to do. You defeat all of my enemies. You crush my every foe. You pursue my heart, pointing out what gets in the way of me completely following you. You ask me - do you want all of me now? For this, right now, needs to go.

And I say yes. Right here, right now. I say yes. I want all of you. Whatever it takes. Remove from me what is not of you and destroy it now. Right here. I am filled with your love. I am filled with your truth. You, Jesus, are the Word come down. You, Jesus, are the Beginning before the beginning.

Begin again, in me. I begin again, with you.

Amen.

Philippians 2:12-13

 

Let Your Light Shine

Scripture:
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world... - Philippians 2:14-15

 

Reflect:

According to Paul, what is one way that Christians can witness to the world?

I recently asked my kids to complete a simple chore together. I thought they’d be happy to help me out and would work together to complete the task. Instead, they complained about having to do it in the first place. Then, they fought with each other about who would do what.

I’d like to think that as believers in Jesus, we would all joyfully obey God with an attitude of cooperation and unity. But when I read the Bible, I discover that grumbling and disputes are a frequent occurrence, even among God’s people! In Exodus, Moses led the people out of Egypt and God miraculously parted the Red Sea for them to cross over. But the people soon grumbled because they didn’t have any water. Later, God provided manna from heaven for them to eat but the people grumbled because they wanted meat. In Numbers, God promised to give the Israelites the land of Canaan but it was occupied by giants that needed to be driven out. So the people grumbled that they would have been better off dying in the wilderness. It’s easy to read this and think, “God’s people are acting just like everyone else!”

In today’s verse, Paul says that we should refrain from grumbling and disputing with each other. Why? Because when we joyfully obey God and serve Him with a godly attitude, we show the watching world around us that we are different. The world is “crooked and twisted” but we have been made “blameless and innocent” in Jesus Christ. We should stand out like lights shining in the dark.

I have no doubt that my kids will improve in these areas as they grow and mature. The same is true for Christians. Joyful obedience and unity are markers of spiritual maturity. They are evidence of spiritual growth. God is working in us through the Holy Spirit that enables us to grow and change.

I encourage you to ask God to help you shine a light into the darkness around you. Ask Him to improve your attitude so that you will behave in a way that is in stark contrast to the rest of the world. The world is watching and they will wonder what makes you so different. As believers in Jesus Christ, our behavior is oftentimes our greatest witness to others about our faith.

Pray:
God, I confess that sometimes I am prone to arguing and complaining. But You have called me to joyful obedience and unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Work in my heart God so that I can be an effective witness for You. Help me to shine Your light in a dark world. Amen.

- Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")

Quote: Corrie Ten Boom

Getting Gut-Level Honest With God

 “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 42:11 (NIV)

We got a new dog last summer because I just couldn’t resist, especially after my daughter Missy declared, “Mom, I already love him, and he already loves me!”

Bucky is the sweetest in our canine crew, but he was "Sir Poops-a-Lot"when he was a puppy! Since he’s Missy’s dog, we agreed that house-training would fall on her shoulders. She was enthusiastic … until she started consistently getting up with him at 6 a.m. every morning.

One morning, she refused to get up. This led to an unwanted deposit on a brand-new rug, which led to an animated mother-daughter discussion, which led to my normally kind and respectful kid pitching a fit and mumbling, “Sometimes I wish you weren’t my mom.”

Goodness gracious, I went through heck and back for years to adopt her from Haiti. I’ve given her my whole heart. After Jesus, she’s my first priority every minute of every day. So her petulant comment stung a smidge, but I knew she didn’t mean it. Which is exactly what she whispered through repentant tears during our long hug mere minutes after the meltdown.

By the pure grace of our Creator and Redeemer, Missy is gut-level honest. She doesn’t curate her emotions - because she’s learned she doesn’t need to present the shiniest version of herself to me. Her position in our little family is more secure than two pairs of Spanx.

The same is true for us and God. We don’t have to present our shiniest selves to Him. No matter what we’re feeling, we can be honest, just like the psalmist who wrote Psalm 42:11:

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 42 concludes with a restorative proclamation - “I will yet praise him” - but what I appreciate the most about psalms of lament like this is that God allowed them to be included in the Bible in the first place! Instead of disowning disillusioned people, God allowed Scripture's 59 “sad psalms” to be His engraved invitation for us to be real with Him - to be honest when our hearts are heavy and not wear fake happy faces.

The biblical narrative proves over and over that His love for us is immutable - it doesn’t change. This means we can share everything with Him - our joy, tears, hopes, dreams, insecurities, anger and fears - all in absolute confidence that He will never leave us, forsake us or stop loving us.

Father, it’s difficult to understand how You can know me completely and still love me unconditionally. Thank You for sending me the comfort of the Holy Spirit, who consistently reminds me that I’ve been adopted into Your forever family and have the right to call You “Dad.” Today, I’m bringing my feelings to You. And I believe that I can linger in Your embrace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Lisa Harper
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Jesus Wants You To Know

"Your life on earth is like a journey. It started the day you were born. Sometimes your journey takes you through wonderful places and happy times. Other times, you travel up rocky mountains of trouble or through dark forests of fear. At every turn, around every corner, I am there, showing you the way. Your job is simply to follow Me wherever I lead."

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.... Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:1, 4

- "Jesus Today for Kids" by Sarah Young

Meme: Keep Trusting God

Obedience Step by Step

Now it came to pass after these things that
God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering
on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
Genesis 22:1-2

God tested Abraham, not to trip him and watch him fall, but to deepen his capacity to obey God and thus to develop his character. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances. When we are tested, we can complain, or we can try to see how God is stretching us to develop our character.

Our difficulty is not that we don't know God's will. Our discomfort comes from the fact that we do know His will, but we do not want to do it!

When God first spoke to Abraham, His commands were straightforward. “Go to a land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). Then God led Abraham through a number of tests over the years. Abraham learned patience as he waited on God's promise of a son, which took twenty-five years to be fulfilled. Abraham learned to trust God through battles with kings and through the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The pinnacle of Abraham's walk of faith was when God asked him to sacrifice the one thing that meant more to him than anything else. Abraham's previous obedience indicated that he would have quickly and decisively sacrificed anything else God asked of him, but was he prepared for this? God did not ask Abraham to make such a significant sacrifice at the beginning of their relationship. This came more than thirty years after Abraham began walking with God.

As the Father progressively reveals His ways to you in your Christian pilgrimage, you, like Abraham, will develop a deeper level of trust in Him. When you first became a Christian, your Master's instructions were probably fundamental, such as being baptized or changing your lifestyle. But as you learn to trust Him more deeply, He will develop your character to match bigger tests, and with the greater test will come a greater love for God and knowledge of His ways. Are you ready for God's next revelation?

- Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby

Music: "SEVENS"

Wake up, wake up

The time has Come

Don’t rest, don’t wait

It has begun

Ready the weapon of praise 

Blood moon, blood red
Blood down His robe
Blood of the lamb
Has overcome
Ready the weapon of praise 

I see the heavens
I’m seeing sevens in the sky
Time of the beast is growing nigh
But we’re gonna make it out alive
I see the heavens
Legions of angels in the night
Wipe off the slumber from your eyes
We’re gonna make it out alive
Ready the weapon of praise
Ready the weapon of praise
Ready the weapon of praise 

That serpent’s scared
He’s seen the grave
No rest in peace
Just fire and flames 

Who rolled the stone
Who holds the throne
Trumpets will sound
The world will know
Ready the weapon of praise 

I see the heavens
I’m seeing sevens in the sky
Time of the beast is growing nigh
But we’re gonna make it out alive
I see the heavens
Legions of angels in the night
Wipe off the slumber from your eyes
We’re gonna make it out alive
Ready the weapon of praise
Ready the weapon of praise
Ready the weapon of praise 

Seven heads
Seven scrolls
Seven seals
Seven bowls
Seven stars
Seven times seventy
I’m seeing sevens in the sky
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven signs 

Heaven rule
Heaven reign
Heaven soon
Heaven stay
Heaven fall
Heaven come heal it all
I’m seeing heaven in the sky
We’re gonna make it out alive 

RALLY THE ANGELS
READY FOR WAR
HE’S RIDING A STALLION
MAKE WAY FOR THE LORD 

HIS WORD IS A WEAPON
HIS TONGUE IS A SWORD
THE GOD OF THE WHISPER
IS THE GOD OF THE ROAR 

I see the heavens
I’m seeing sevens in the sky
Time of the beast is growing nigh
But we’re gonna make it out alive
I see the heavens
Legions of angels in the night
Wipe off the slumber from your eyes
We’re gonna make it out alive
Ready the weapon of praise
Ready the weapon of praise
Ready the weapon of praise

 Songwriters: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Micah Nichols, Hank Bentley, Jacob Sooter

Prayer: Facing Troubles In This World

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Hold tightly to My hand - by talking to Me, by reading My Word, by praising Me. I will not only help you face your troubles, but you will grow stronger because you have faced them. There will be times when you feel tired and weak. Don’t think this means I’m unhappy with you. It’s simply part of living in this broken world. Remember that you are not alone. I am always with you."

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me."  - Psalm 138:7

- "Jesus Today for Kids" by Sarah Young

Quote: Pastor Steven Furtick

 

See Wonders Around You

So much of life depends on what we focus on. If we focus on the negative, the problems that plague our day, that’s what will dominate our emotions and thoughts.

When we focus only on what’s going wrong, it feels like everything is going wrong, doesn’t it?

And when everything is going wrong, what’s the point in trying? It’s pointless to keep moving forward day after day. (At least, that’s what we tell ourselves, isn’t it?)

But the truth is that it’s a choice to let our problems command our focus. Don’t let that condemn you. Rather, let it free you…

Let it free you to focus on something else. Something better and more beautiful.

Let us allow the Holy Spirit to gently take our hands and lead us to that better and more beautiful place. He wants to teach us, if we’re willing, to shift our focus from ourselves to him. From our problems to his presence.

Because he is here, with you, with us, right now.

Will we see him? Will we see the wonders he’s doing around us and in us?

He’s here to teach us. So lean in to hear what Holy Spirit is saying...

The Message

“It is difficult to persevere when your focus is on your problems. It is difficult to have energy, be excited, have momentum, make any forward movement that feels like it matters, when the focus is purely on you. The colors in the room where you are now … do you see them? The sky I painted for you, the air I breathed for you … the cool breeze on your skin, the rhythm of waking and sleeping, eating and resting, playing and working, I have made all these things for you.

“But do you see them? Do you hear me, see me, feel me calling your name - in all things, everywhere, everywhere you go?

“When you realize everything I have made is for you, you can actually forget yourself. When you let my love fill you so there is no room for anything else, you inhabit the world differently. You see and hear and speak differently than you did before, because you are different. When I fill you, you are never again who you were before.

“Close your eyes. Take a deep breath now. And then another. Rest now. Rest. I am here. I have you. I know all that you are facing, all that you are holding. I see deeper, wider, and I know what is ahead. I know how you will need me then. I know how you need me now. Don’t shut down now. Don’t give up. You are not alone. You don’t have to go through this life alone. I am here. I have always been here. I am not leaving you. I am the one you can count on. In all the pain, all the heartache, all the regret.

“You are made of noble blood, the blood of the king inside you. You are inheriting the kingdom that will ever end, never weaken, never falter, never grow colorless or cold or dark. I am in the light. I am in the dark. I hold your broken heart and I breathe life into it. Stand up now, child. There is life in you. Take that step. I am holding you up to take it, and the next one too. Watch what happens when you do.”

Zephaniah 3:17

 

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)

Prayer: Wisdom

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"When you start to feel stressed, that is a sign that you need My help. And it’s okay to need My help - I created you to need Me. This world idolizes those who don’t seem to need help from anyone. But in My kingdom I bless those who come to Me and ask for My help. As you practice trusting Me, you will see that I have the Power to turn problems into possibilities and troubles into triumphs."

". . . always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:20

- "Jesus Calling for Kids" by Sarah Young

God Is Surrounding What's Surrounding You

My brother was thirteen years old when a band of bullies on bikes encircled him like buzzards taunting their prey. He was outmanned and outnumbered. I thought it was the end. But then my dad pulled up in his Pontiac. He didn’t even get out of the car, but simply rolled down the window and gave a look that said, “I dare you.” The bullies scattered like mice when the lights came on.

Prayer

As we pray for ourselves and the ones we love, it’s easy to think the spiritual forces surrounding us are too strong to defeat, too shrewd to outsmart, or too slippery to take hold of. The prophet Elisha’s servant felt the same way.

In 2 Kings, Elisha was really getting on the king of Aram’s nerves. Every time the Arameans planned to attack the Israelites, Elisha prophetically told the Israelites where and when the assault would occur, which led to Aram’s defeat. Here’s how the story goes:

This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

“None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 

Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. (2 Kings 6:11–15 NIV)

Difficult Circumstances
I’ve felt like this before. Haven’t you? Difficult circumstances press in from every side. My story looms large while I shrink small. I cry, “This is too much for me! I can’t do this anymore. I don’t even want to go out of my house. I can’t face another day! Where are You, God? You promised You would never leave me or forsake me, but I don’t sense Your presence. And if You are here, why aren’t You doing anything? I want out of this story!”

Honest. Raw. Somewhat embarrassing to admit. We wake up in the mornings and sense the enemies all around us - surrounded by problems that we cannot solve and people we cannot control.

Elisha’s servant’s faith was as flimsy as the tent flaps he was standing behind, but Elisha was as strong as the tent peg anchoring it to the ground.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16–17 NIV)

God’s warring angels were surrounding the enemies who surrounded them.

Angels

Here’s a truth for you to hang on to today: Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Elisha knew there was more power and strength in the unseen reality of the heavenly host than in the seen reality of the enemy’s army. 

Notice that the passage doesn’t say Elisha prayed that God would send an army. The warring angels on chariots of fire were already there. He simply prayed that the servant would be allowed to see them.

Surrounding Us

Even though we may never see God’s warring angels surrounding what’s surrounding us, we can trust they are there. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11 NIV). Always.

- Sharon Jaynes
Provided by "Jesus Calling"

Meme: God's Plan...

Music: Runnin With Angels

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"It’s easy to trust Me for a while - especially when things are going well in your life. But I want you to trust Me always, no matter what is happening. I know that’s a difficult thing to ask, and I know that sometimes you’ll mess it up. But I still love you perfectly, even then. And I still want you close to Me. When you make a mistake, tell Me - and let My Love pull you back to trusting Me."

"Trust the Lord always. Trust the Lord because he is our Rock forever." - Isaiah 26:4 - "Jesus Today for Kids" by Sarah Young

Meme: Your Life Is NOT Ruled By Fear...

 

Catch Your Breath

“If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.”

Psalm 119:92-93

Standing on the edge of the pool, I looked over at my sister, who was maybe 4 or 5 years old at the time. She was splashing on the steps of the shallow end.

I’m done with the shallow end, I thought. I’m 9 years old - old enough to jump into the deep end.

So I jumped. The cold water enveloped me. My body fell until my toes touched the bottom, and I pushed myself back above water. It was exhilarating.

One day, it occurred to me I could take my sister with me. I could let her get on my back and half-walk, half-bounce down that slope between the shallow and the deep.

Surprisingly, she was hesitant when I unveiled my plan to her. It took great convincing on my part and lots of promises not to go any farther than where she felt safe.

Finally, she got on my back and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. I walked slowly to the slope. One baby step down. Two steps. Three.

At the third step, I slipped.

We both went under. My sister’s hands slipped from my shoulders to my throat. It felt as if she believed the only way she could be saved was to hold my throat with increasingly intense strength. My mind got foggy. And I couldn’t figure out which way to go to find safety. The only thing I felt sure of was that I was drowning.

As crazy as it may sound, I can’t remember how we were saved. Maybe it’s because we made it to the shallows, and it wasn’t as dramatic to everyone else as I remember it. But that moment is one I think about often. And every time I think about that panic or feel it rising up in me over something I’m facing, I try to remember panic usually doesn’t save anyone. Signaling we need help can be lifesaving. But most of the time, panic hinders rather than helps.

Galatians 5:15

Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16

Sermon: All You've Got To Do Is Don’t

Psalm 16:8

 

Relax In Every Circumstance

Peace I leave with you,
My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

As an operating room nurse, I worked alongside a team that ensured that sterile surgical procedures took place. Before each procedure began, we searched for, identified and eliminated even the smallest impurities that could contaminate the sterile field.

This care and intention minimizes the risk of infection for the patient, protects the surgical staff from exposure to potential illness, and reduces complications so that patients can heal and recover quickly. But these techniques also make me wonder what it would look like if we applied the same attention to detail to keeping stress and worry from contaminating our lives.

Could we scrub away our stress more effectively if we immediately called out to God (Psalm 118:5)?

What if we allowed ourselves to be vulnerable, sharing our pains and heartaches with the “team” of people in our lives so we could carry each other’s burdens instead of suffering alone (Galatians 6:2)?

What would happen if we searched for, identified and eliminated the chaotic, negative and untrue thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5) that could contaminate our days before we even rise from our beds each morning?

How much faster would we heal and recover from our worries and fears if we cast all our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7)?

In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” God’s Word reminds us that no matter what we are facing, we can relax in Him in every circumstance.

God is fully aware of your stresses and challenges, and He has gifted you perfect peace — a sense of spiritual serenity that isn’t fleeting or dependent upon external factors and that cannot be taken away by worldly circumstances.

When stress, anxiety, burdens and fear attempt to contaminate your life, you can cry out to God, cast every care upon Him, and then relax, knowing He cares for you. Your hope and reassurance in Christ go beyond what this world can offer.

Today, fix your mind on Jesus, regularly communicating with God through prayer and meditation, surrendering to Him and relying on His power to navigate you through every situation. With His help, you can cultivate and experience perfect peace and enjoy God’s loving presence in your life.

Father God, thank You for Your divine, perfect peace and for welcoming me, even when I feel stressed and burdened, with open arms. No matter what I’m facing, I know I can relax and trust You with it all. Thank You for the gift of Your love and presence in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Tracie Braylock

Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Prayer: For The Hurting

 

Psalm 42:11

Why, my soul, are you downcast?

    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:11

Meme: Satan Is A Lier

Head Protection

Scripture:

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” - Ephesians 6:16-18

Reflect:

What should we do when negative, destructive thoughts assault us? 

A friend of mine recently told me a story about her struggle with anxiety. She said it feels like her mind is under attack. All of these untrue, destructive thoughts just pop into her mind over and over again. Like Satan is throwing fiery darts of lies at her head. Have you ever experienced this? 

The fact is, we are under attack. But Ephesians 6:12 says that our battle is not physical. It is spiritual. There is a war going on and we need to defend ourselves and fight back. And much of this battle takes place in the mind.

In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul reminds us that God has not left us defenseless against the enemy. He says to stand firm and put on the whole armor of God. He lists out several pieces of armor. When we get to today’s verses, Paul assures us that the shield of faith can extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one - the lies the enemy throws at us. Your faith in God can protect you so Satan’s lies are not able to penetrate your mind. Your faith shield also has the power to put out the fire! 

The helmet of salvation is also key in defeating destructive thoughts. Satan’s lies may be trying to get you to doubt that God will save you. Don’t let Satan mess with your head. Put your helmet on! Remember that your salvation is secure in Christ and that there is nothing Satan can do to change that. 

In addition to our defensive suit of armor, God gave us an offensive weapon. The sword of the Spirit is His Word. How are we supposed to wield it? 2 Corinthians 10:5 says: “We destroy arguments, and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” With God’s Word, we can demolish the deceitful arguments and faulty opinions that mess with our minds and with the minds of others. When we speak the Word of God, we speak the truth and destroy the enemy's attempt to deceive us. 

Finally, God has given us one more way to protect ourselves from the lies of the enemy and that is prayer. Prayer helps us guard our minds because it shifts our focus from our circumstances and our destructive thoughts to God. When we pray, we meditate on who God is, what He’s done for us, and what He is capable of doing. And when we do that, we experience the peace of God. Isaiah 26:3 promises: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 

Every day we have to put on the whole armor of God. We especially can’t forget our head protection! It has always been Satan’s strategy to use deceit to mess with our minds, trip us up, and wreak havoc in our spiritual lives. But God gave us what we need to defend ourselves and overcome. Use your shield of faith to block and extinguish the enemy’s fiery darts, put on your helmet of salvation and remember Who has saved you, wield your sword of the Spirit and speak His truth out loud. And pray, pray, pray. In Him, you can have victory over destructive thoughts. 

Pray:

Jesus, thank You for the protection of Your armor. Help me to use it to find victory over the battlefield of my mind. When I am under attack, bring Your Word to my mind so that I can destroy the lies of the enemy. Amen.

- Nat Crawford

Provided by “Back To The Bible”

Music: "Unfinished"

Don’t Underestimate the Opportunity Called “Today”

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

Isn’t it funny how time passes quickly, but a lot of our days sometimes look the same?

We go to the grocery store to buy food for our family, just to have to go again next week. We help our kids or grandkids put together a puzzle, and then have to break it apart and put it back in the box. We hear about other people’s accomplishments and compare them to our lives, wondering if we’re making any difference at all.

In the middle of our routine, everyday tasks, it can feel like we’re missing out on fulfilling a much bigger purpose or assignment. With a desperate sigh at the dailiness of life, we get to the end of these days, thinking, Is this all there is to my life? Or does God have something more for me?

Scripture tells us that God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We know it. We feel it.

It’s a sacred stirring - we sense it so deeply that we know it’s not an inkling of our imagination but rather an igniting of God’s revelation. God is pointing us in the direction of something. A blurry vision of how our seemingly mundane lives could change the world.

The ordinary can be so very, very holy. If we are obedient to God in the midst of our ordinary lives, extraordinary impact is always possible.

When we get to heaven, I think we’ll be surprised by what actually mattered the most. What actually changed the world. What actually fulfilled the purpose for which we were created. And the small places we showed up and served in obedience will actually be what prompts Jesus to say, “Well done. Remember when you took the time to share encouraging words with someone who needed them? That’s the day you helped change the world.”

You have a unique and wondrous calling from God every day of your life. We find this truth spelled out clearly in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Today it could be in the line at the post office; tomorrow it could be a phone conversation with a friend. Wherever it is, whatever it is, remember: You were created to participate in God’s divine activity.

We don’t know how our lives could impact eternity. How our stories could unfold; how our talents, gifts and resources could be used; and how God could redeem what feels purposeless in the everyday to bring hope to a world that desperately needs it.

God made the very DNA of your being to carry His hope and bless the world with it. Your life has never been and will never be wasted in the hands of our Creator. Every aspect has purpose, and every moment has potential extraordinary impact … even when you cannot see it.

So take what feels ordinary and place it into God’s hands. Ask Him how He would like to use it. Ask Him to reveal who needs the extra dose of encouragement today, and ask Him to help you see others’ needs as you journey along the path He has called you to.


Dear Lord, thank You for wanting to use me today. Even if my everyday moments feel insignificant, I know You will use them for great impact. I need Your help as I learn to say “yes” to Your calling on my life to participate in Your divine activity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Lysa TerKeurst
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"