Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about living each day as if it’s your last (in Christ). I’ve heard the saying, “live each day as if it’s your last” many times before, but there usually isn’t any spiritual inclination behind it. It’s usually people saying live life to the fullest, by having fun, fun, and more fun. You often think of partying, traveling, and just having a good time, with few boundaries. However, the biblical definition of live each day like it’s your last would be to be conscious of the way you conduct yourself, because at any moment of any time, Jesus could return, or we could die. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying life, and having fun, but you must do it in a way pleasing to God, and there must be a healthy balance. We must take advantage of the time we have here, by doing our part to strengthen the Kingdom of God. We can do that by following God’s will for our life, and answering when He calls. Rest assured that when we’re living a life pleasing to God, we’re going to be blessed beyond what we could ever imagine.

If you knew that you only had one week to live how you would spend that week? That’s a hard question to answer, because neither of us really know how we’d react. I guess I’d try to enjoy some of the things I missed out on, and make amends for anything, or to anyone I’d wronged in the past. I’d also let all of my loved ones know just how much I love them, stay in the Word of God for comfort and strength, and live each moment that I have for God. In all actuality, we should live like this each day, regardless if we know we’re going to die or not. This means treating each moment as if it’s the most precious moment of our life, which is necessary to grow in Christ.

It’s written: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim 4:1-2) This is the call on the life of every Christian. We each have a mission or ministry, which is a charge to teach the word of God, and help the lost and the wicked find their way. Because of this, we take on the great responsibility to be prepared in every season. We have to work on our personal relationship, and walk upright in Christ, before, and even during our attempt to bring others to Christ. We must rely on Jesus, without doubt, that He will see us through, and He will do just that. I challenge you to ask yourself a very hard question today— one that my previous Pastor posed quite frequently— “If Jesus came back right now what do you think He would say to you?” Would He say “well done good and faithful servant”, or “depart from me, I do not know you”?

Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow remains a mystery, so what are you going to do for God today? How will you show Him that you love Him? How do you stay on the path of righteousness? These are questions that we should pose to ourselves each and every morning we wake up. God created us to fellowship with Him, and has made us part of His great Kingdom, so we mustn’t take that for granted. There are times when I get sad or depressed, and I honestly have to remind myself that I am a beloved child of God, and there’s a greater calling on my life. This takes me into praise mode, because it allows me to drop that “it’s all about me” attitude, and take on the mind and heart of Jesus Christ. At the same time, God created me to be Saundra, and I have to be the best me I can possibly be. Sometimes that requires making hard decisions, and walking away from things that are no good for my spirit but my flesh loves.

I have peace in knowing that if Jesus calls me home tomorrow, I’m ready to go. I haven’t been a perfect person, a great missionary, or a famous Pastor of a mega church, nor have I touched millions of lives, however, I love God with all of my heart, and make sure that everyone I come in contact with knows how much He loves us. In a nutshell, that’s all that He expects from us, but each of us have our own unique way of sharing His love. Never cease seeking Him and His will, and I guarantee you that you’ll be ready when the “chariot comes, to take you home” [flaws and all]. If you don’t know Jesus as Lord, then you aren’t ready. Please don’t waste another day trying to “figure out” what you want to do. Try the Lord for yourself, you won’t be disappointed! Take a few moments to take the God Quiz right now. My favorite verses today are: The just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:38-39)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455642&dtype=Scripture

http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio

http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/Broadcast/

I love you!

Daily Devotional Day and Night (Post #300!)

HAPPY TUESDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying this beautiful "terrific Tuesday". I'm doing well, and God is always so good to me. There are a lot of times when I feel like things have come to a standstill. There are moments when I'm moving non-stop and precise, and then there are the moments when everything is in the air, in chaos, and I don't know which way to turn next. Have you ever felt like that? I think these are times when the only thing we can do is pray. As in going to your quiet space, your prayer room or closet, and just being with God. Sometimes a prayer simply consists of asking God to show you His will, and then sitting quietly, waiting on Him. That's so relaxing, and you can almost feel the pressures of the world, and the uneasiness oozing out of your pores, and after you're done, you'll be able to see everything much more clearly. All praise, honor, and glory be to God! Thank you Father for this revelation. Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family.

Today's scriptures are about the power of praying for one another. You know I'm a firm believer in praying for others, because of the volume of prayers I ask you for. As believers, we're all one body of Christ, and we need each other to function, as we should. I know I'm only here right now by the grace of God, and because someone prayed for me. There were times in my life that I didn't pray, but as the gospel great Helen Baylor sings, I had "a praying Grandmother (and mother)". I'm sure we all could share a testimony or two, where someone prayed us out of some mess. I'm grateful for your prayers, especially when I don't have the strength to pray for myself.

Prayer is the base of our relationship with God. It's the way we communicate with, and show our love to Him. In praying for one another, we're showing God that we trust Him with our, and our neighbors' concerns. It's also a part of the second ultimate commandment, to "love our neighbors as ourselves". We should pray for everyone, whether friend, foe, stranger, or best friend. Jesus once said: “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you... And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. (Luke 6:27-28, 32-33) To pray for others, especially those who has hurt you in some way, shows true growth, and Love for Jesus Christ.

The entire objective in our Christian life is to promote growth. Remember, once we become believers, our old self dies, and we begin to grow into new righteous creatures. In order to mature in our Faith walk, we must openly communicate with God. We must also openly communicate with other believers, by sharing our testimonies, and asking for help and prayers when we're in need. As well as offering help and prayers to others in need, as often as necessary. You know one of my favorite verses of scripture: Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16) We've been put here to exalt the Kingdom of God, and when we work together, we can accomplish so much more.

Some people operate on the "I" system, and wonder why they're suffering in their prayer life. I know I'm not the only one who’s ever consistently got down on my knees, and only prayed for myself. When I prayed, it was "Lord, I need", "I want", etc., and that went on for a while. I felt this conviction in my heart. It was like I lost a connection with God, and none of my prayers were being answered. It felt like I was stuck in the wilderness, and couldn't get out. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me and asked something like, "When are you going to pray for anyone else?" I immediately fell to my knees and asked for forgiveness, because I was truly being selfish. Now when I pray, I can still feel that conviction. I actually try my best to pray for the needs of others, before I pray for myself. I've noticed a huge difference in my prayer life, and my prayers are always answered. Note, that when we’re loving God, and loving others, He’ll grant us everything we ask for. As well as, when we’re praying for the needs of others, suddenly most of the things we thought we needed were vanity, and we can better count out blessings.

At my current church we take time out to share our "joys and concerns" with each other. The Pastor prays with the congregation, and we give thanks for the joys, and cast the concerns on the Lord. Each time I've voiced my concerns to the church, my prayers have been answered. It's very important to surround ourselves with positive people. I thank God for those of you who pray for me, even when I don't ask. I have a group of friends I often confide in, and we actively pray for one another. I've noticed a huge change in my life, when I stopped worrying about what people thought about me, and used my life, the good, the bad, and the ugly, as a testimony. That's a part of the reason God allows things to happen in our life. King Solomon wrote in the book of Ecclesiastes, "there's nothing new under the sun". We're rarely alone in our struggles; someone else has been there and done that, trust me. I encourage you to surround yourself with prayer warriors, and I'll volunteer to be the first member. I love you, and want nothing more than your happiness and success, in everything you do. Never hesitate to contact me, or the group, if you're in need of prayers, or someone to pray with.

My first prayer is, if you're struggling, or feel alone and empty, like something is missing in your life, and you haven't confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior, is that you'd do that today. I pray that are willing to confess to God that you're a sinner, and ask Jesus to come into your life. God is waiting on you to say that one prayer, and then you'll be given the power of Christ, to be able to pray and ask for anything in His Name, within His will, for yourself and others. I pray for you daily, and I will continue until I have no breathe in my body. I thank you for doing the same. Even Jesus prayed for us, so let's follow His lead. My favorite verse today is: Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455426&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional

I love you!

Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Today's scriptures are about loving your neighbor. Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ this is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:37-39) This was Jesus' answer when asked which was the greatest commandment of all time. Why do you think loving your neighbor as yourself would be a "great commandment"? I believe it's because we are used as vessels for God. How greater is it to show God, who is Love, then by loving everyone without reservations or biases? Loving others could be a very hard thing to do, especially with so much evil in this world. You know the saying, "It's a thin line between love and hate". That's a true statement when it comes to the flesh. People can push you so far where it's very easy to "hate" them, but is that a Godly reaction? What would Jesus have you do? We've read stories about Jesus getting angry at the money changes in the temple, and turning over tables. In those cases, He wasn’t mad at the people, but at their actions. He loves everyone no matter how He was or is hated. He prayed for all nations, and healed all types of people, despite their "religion", or background. He doesn’t judge by the enormity of our sin, or the lack thereof. He said He came to save the lost, and not minister to Himself, what's the point in that? Once we learn the ways of God, and live by them, we're expected to share our wisdom with anyone we could. Genuine Godly love is a love that knows no bounds, and it's a pleasure to have. For me, over the last couple years, His love has transformed my heart. Yes, I have a long way to go, and I still get angry, but I honestly pray for those who wish me harm. I've practically lost any vindictive ways I may have had, and I pity those who attempt to steal someone’s joy. I'm not sure how many of you have reached this point in your Faith walk, but it's the best feeling in the world. At the same time, when you start to compare your views, to the views of the world, you could start to feel like a "pushover" of sorts, and that’s just what the enemy wants. There are also people who are saved, Holy, and Sanctified, but it stops there. Some, who go to church every Sunday, read their bible everyday and could quote scripture as if they've committed the entire book to memory. Yet, they never commit to doing any work to strengthen the Kingdom of God. If you are that type of person, are you truly following the second great commandment to love your neighbor? We must treat people the way we would want to be treated. It’s written: Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness, “You shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10) If you're living with evil, hatred, jealously, malice, or selfishness in your heart, then how can you truly love the way Jesus loves? The only ways to overcome these things is by taking on the fruits of the Spirit, and to actively love. Always think before you act and speak, and ask yourself "how would I feel if this was done to me?” If you don't know Jesus as your Savior then you have no idea how to truly love anyone else, because Love, who is Jesus Christ, don't live inside of you. Go to Him in prayer right now and ask Him to come into your heart, and then ask Him to teach you how to love. Wisdom is a free gift by grace. My favorite verses today are: Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455181&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!