Friday, February 29, 2008

Treasure the Word

Treasure the Word
Today's Scripture
“But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God …” (I John 2:5).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
How much do you treasure the Word in your life? When you treasure something, it’s valuable to you. You handle it carefully and protect it. When you treasure a person or relationship, you give attention to them and think about them constantly! When you treasure the Word of God, you are expressing your love for Him. You treasure the Word by meditating on it or thinking about it all throughout the day. Remember, your life will go in the direction of your most dominant thoughts. When your dominant thoughts are the Word of God, you will be empowered to follow and obey His Word. Make God’s Word a priority in your life today and allow it to shape your thinking. Choose to treasure the Word today and everyday and you will be empowered to move forward into the abundant life He has for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in Heaven, today I choose to focus my thoughts on You. I choose to treasure Your Word so that my actions will show how much I love You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Keep the Truth

Keep the Truth
Today's Scripture
“Guard and keep [with the greatest care] the precious and excellently adapted [Truth]…”
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
The Truth of God’s Word is a precious treasure entrusted to us. It empowers us to overcome every obstacle. It’s important to keep this Truth in your heart and establish it in your life. How do you establish the Word in your life? When you make a habit of praying and reading God’s Word it becomes more and more alive to you. When you choose to obey it, you are guarding and keeping the Truth. For example, the Bible says that love covers an offense. When you choose to walk in love even when someone has offended you, you are guarding the Truth. When you choose God’s way, instead of the world’s way, you are guarding the truth. Society has so many different ideas of what is right and acceptable. We have to always choose God’s way. And when you choose God’s way, you get God’s results! God’s results include a blessed and happy life. Start today by asking the Lord to show you His Truth by the power of His Spirit. As you keep the precious Truth of God’s Word, you will be empowered to live the life of victory the Lord has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Truth which sets me free. I invite you to search my heart and mind today and lead me in Your ways. I bless You today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Separate Yourself

Separate Yourself
Today's Scripture
“So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself…be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes…” (II Timothy 2:21).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Are there people or activities in your life that you know you need to separate yourself from? The Bible says that bad company will corrupt good morals. God wants you to constantly be growing and rising higher in life. That’s why this verse encourages us to separate ourselves from corrupting influences. And those influences are more than just the people in your everyday life. The influences are anything that influence your thinking. Be careful about what you are allowing into your mind. Be careful about what you read and what you watch. Don’t give your attention to things that are going to drag you down. Choose to separate yourself today. Remember. God wants you to live an abundant life. He wants you be separate so that He can work through you and fulfill his purposes in you life. As you cleanse yourself God will work in and through you so that you can live as an over comer the way God intends!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word which is the Truth that sets me free. Give me strength to separate myself from anything that does not honor You. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

That Other's Might See

That Others Might See
To live a life for JesusThat others might seeMy Lord and Savior Living in meTo tell all thoseWho do not knowOf His grace and forgivenessAnd how He loves us soTo remember how He bled and diedOn Calvary's mountain that dayTo tell of the spear that pierced His sideThe agony He endured to show us the WayAnd soon, very soon,Face to face we will beWith Jesus our SaviorFor all EternityAnd so each day, Redeemer and KingWe look for the clouds to partKnowing that You the victory bringAnd from this world we will depart
Written By Granville (Bud) Kelley

Forgiveness

ForgivenessFulfilling your calling with all of your heart.Ordering your skills toward a great work of art;Reaching a level of brilliant success.Giving your all, hoping to bless.In a moment of time, everything lost,Violet crushed, heedless of cost.Evil given in place of beauty.Now there is nothing for others to see.Even as the deed drifts awaySomething greater has happened that day:Smell the last gift that was given away!
©Benjamin Graber

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Whisper His Name

I Just Have To Whisper His NameI opened my heart up to Jesus.He saved me, and life's not the same.And now when I need help and comfort,I just have to whisper His Name.He's dearer than all of life's treasures.He's greater than all earthly fame.Each promise is mine for the asking.I just have to whisper His Name.Friend, turn your life over to Jesus.His precious salvation now claim.And some day He'll take you to Heaven.You just have to whisper His Name.
Written by Betty Jo Mings bmings@netzero.net http://www.bettyjomings.truepath.com

Friday, February 22, 2008

His Unceasing Love

His Unceasing Love
No matter how often I stumble,The Lord holds me up lest I fallHe always is ready to help me,And answer whenever I call.Unfailing love!Sometimes I feel close to my Savior,Delighting in praising His name.But when I grow cold in my ardor,His caring for me stays the same.Unchanging love!No angel, or demon, or powerOn earth or in Heaven above,Or things in the present or futureCan separate me from His love.Unconquerable love!
Written by Betty Jo Mings bmings@verizon.net http://www.bettyjomings.truepath.com

Be Strong

Be Strong in the Lord
Today's Scripture
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Everyone has times when they feel weak or discouraged in life. But you don’t have to live that way! You can be strong in the Lord and in His power. You don’t have to walk around defeated and depressed. You can have joy today! In fact, the Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. God’s joy isn’t based on circumstances. It isn’t based on the news, the stock market or the housing economy. God’s joy is based on Him. When you think about what He’s done for you—that He’s given you life, that He’s cast your sins as far as the east is from the west—you can’t help but get happy! You can’t help but have joy inside of you. That supernatural joy on the inside of you is supernatural strength. The enemy can’t take away what God has given you deep on the inside. So put a smile on your face today and rejoice in the Lord no matter what battles you may be facing. The joy of the Lord will give you strength, and you’ll live the life of victory God has promised you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for joy which strengthens! Thank you for empowering me today no matter what I may be facing. Fill my heart with Your supernatural joy so I can stand strong in all things. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

God's Love

February could be called the "love month." We spend $13 billion on Valentine's Day gifts. We buy 200 million roses, 40 million heart-shaped boxes of candy, $3 billion in jewelry, and exchange over 180 million romantic cards. Sounds like love is doing a booming business. Sadly, the statistics that really count tell a different story - the number of marriages is going down, and the number of divorces is going up, even among believers. Can you imagine how this breaks God's heart?Christians should be the best "lovers" in the world, because we have experienced real, true, unconditional love - the love of God in Christ Jesus!In this edition of Streaming Faith Today, you will find resources to help you apply God's love to your life and relationships. Aren't you glad to know that God's love never fails (I Cor 13:8)? Join us in our Discussion Forum to talk about God's love in your life.
Stay Focused andBlessed.
Jan

If

Another reason that I'm writing is this. When we won the Image Award forHOUSE OF PAYNE, I said something that I didn't know I had said until Iwatched the show played back that night. I said that if 1000 people tellyou no and you get one yes from God then that's all you need to make it.
That thing woke up something in me. I realized at that moment that I hadhad a lot of NO's in my life. I had a lot of people say, "You can't!" and"You never will!" I had a lot of doubters and hardly anybody ever saidthat I could. And through the hardest times in my life I had to learn howto encourage myself. And I want to tell you that if nobody else willencourage you then encourage yourself.
If you have a dream, keep working towards it. It's great to have peoplegive you awards and appreciate what you do, but back in the day, it wasn'tthat way at all. I remember when I was broke and working a dead end jobclearing about 300 dollars a week. This wasn't long ago at all, as amatter of fact.
What I would do though was on my lunch break I would spend the timewriting down play ideas, writing down movie ideas, planning a tour for myplay, looking at maps of the country, calling theaters. I knew that I hadideas that would move people--that would help them in one way or another,so I just kept going. I didn't have a dime to my name. I didn't know howI was going to get there, but I knew that I would in some way. And thenGod made a way.
And look, when I would really get down I used to go out to the nicestneighborhoods and go to open houses and just look at them and believe. Iwould put on my nicest closes and go out and test drive the finest cars.Now I know that these are material things but this is about an exercise infaith.
In order to get to your dreams you have to see yourself there. You have tosee yourself doing better. Use your mind to see yourself doing better. TheBible says, "As a man thinketh, so is he." Stir up the gift in you. Peopleare waiting for your dream to come to pass. Don't give up. I often thinkabout all the times I wanted to give up. I thought about how hard it wasand how much I was going through. I look at my life now and I say tomyself, "Boy I'm glad you kept going!" What if I would have stopped, canyou imagine? No plays, no movies, no Madea, not even this email. Again,God has given us all gifts and if you give up on your dreams then theworld will never know. We're waiting for you!
God bless...Live well,
Tyler Perry
To respond to this message, please go tohttp://www.tylerperry.com/messageboard

HIS POWER AT WORK

His Power at Work
Today's Scripture
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
God is able to do more than you could ever ask or imagine! But notice that this verse says it’s according to the power that is at work within you. How does God’s power work within you? God’s power works in you when you are walking in love. God’s power is at work in you when you choose to forgive those who have wronged you. God’s power is at work in you when you bow before Him with a humble heart. He is at work in you when you are serving others by putting their needs above your own. Remember, God wants to move on your behalf. He loves to bless you! Choose today to let God’s power work in and through you! As you allow Him to work in your life, He promises blessing beyond your wildest dreams! He will do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine. He’ll cause you to live the abundant life He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in Heaven, thank You for choosing to bless me. I invite You to work in my life today. Show me how to walk in Your love so that Your power will flow through me today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Find Rest

Find Rest
Today's Scripture
“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 11:29).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Sometimes the pressures of life can cause unnecessary stress. So many people these days lose sleep worrying about things or people in their lives. But God wants us to live a life of rest and peace. When Jesus walked on this earth, He took time for Himself. He got away from the crowds. He spent time with the Father. He found rest. He was gentle and humble in heart. Do you ever notice that when you are stressed out or worrying about something, you’re less tolerant of the people around you? You’re more likely to say something you don’t really mean. But God wants you to cast your cares on Him so that you can live with a gentle and humble attitude toward others. When you learn to release your burdens and follow the example that Jesus gave, you will find rest for your soul. You will be rejuvenated and refreshed. You will find peace in your heart, and you will move forward in the abundant life God has for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I choose to cast my cares on You. Teach me, Holy Spirit, to have a gentle and humble attitude. Help me find rest for my soul so that I can love others the way You love me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Stay Focused andBlessed.........................Jan

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Love Never Fails

Love Never Fails
Today's Scripture
“Love never fails” (I Corinthians 13:8).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
We all have people in our lives that are difficult at times. Maybe it’s someone you work with, a family member or even your spouse. Relationships can be complicated, but remember: love never fails. The Word of God clearly defines love in 1 Corinthians 13. It says that love is patient and kind. It doesn’t seek its own way. Love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. And most importantly, love never fails. Notice that this chapter doesn’t talk at all about how you feel. God’s love isn’t about feelings. It’s a choice. You can choose to be patient, even when you don’t feel like being patient. You can choose to be kind, even when you don’t feel like being kind. No matter what situation you find yourself in, you can choose love. You are never more like God than when you are walking in love. And when you are walking in love, you will never fail because love never fails. Open your heart to God’s love today. Ask Him to show you how to love others better. As you walk in love, you’ll find peace and live in victory all the days of your life!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love which never fails. Thank You for loving me so that I can be free to love others. Empower me, by Your Spirit, to walk in love no matter what I may face today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Stay Focused andBlessed.........................Jan
The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there.

Keep Asking

Keep Asking
Today's Scripture
“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Is there something you are believing God for? Does it seem like it’s taking a long time to come to pass? Be encouraged today! The Bible says that through faith and patience you will inherit the promise. You can trust that God’s Word is true. Submit your prayers to the Lord, and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking on the door, and it will be opened to you. It may seem like it’s taking a long time, but know this: God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. He is orchestrating things in your favor. He is perfecting whatever concerns you. Don’t give up! Start thanking God for His faithfulness in your life. As you stay faithful in your prayers and thanksgiving, the Lord will move mightily on your behalf. He’ll take you places that you’ve never dreamed, and you will live the life of victory He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for giving me a diligent spirit. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Give me strength to stand until I see Your promises fulfilled in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Have a great day!
Paula D.