Freedom from Distress

In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free.  The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?

--Psalm 118:5-6

New International Version

 

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

The beginning of the year has been a trying time for people I care about.  Maybe it's been that way for you or those you love.  My prayer for you, and for them, is that they may know the comfort of God's presence. Whether it's the popular little poem "Footprints" or the familiar "Yea though I walk through the shadow of death, thou art with me," the presence of the Lord is absolutely vital to standing up against our anguish! The Lord does long to be with us, especially at those moments when we feel most alone.  He told us that by experiencing it himself at the cross.

MY PRAYER

I am thankful, O God, that you refused to be God from a safe distance.  Because you came and felt what it was like to be abandoned, forsaken, and alone, I know  I can trust that I will never be forsaken by you. Please give me a clearer sense of your presence with me in my life today, I pray through Jesus. Amen.

Let God Arise

Today's Scripture:

Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered…

Psalm 68:1, NKJV.

Today's Word:

What are you letting arise in your life today? In other words, what are you focusing your words, energy and thoughts on? You might say, “Oh, Joel, it’s just so hard right now. I’ve lost some money.” “My health doesn’t look good.” “Somebody walked out on me.” No, you’re focusing on the wrong things. You’re letting defeat, discouragement and self-pity rise up. Why don’t you turn that around and say, “God is still in control. Somebody may have walked out on me, I may be hurting right now, but I know God is the Restorer of my soul.” “I may have lost money in the stock market, but I’m not worried. I know God is my provider. He is supplying all of my needs. He is fighting my battles.”

When you start giving God glory and letting Him arise in your life, you can’t stay defeated. Your enemies will be scattered! They’ll tremble at your words of faith. Begin right now by declaring God’s goodness in your life and let Him arise so that you can move forward in the victory He has for you!

Prayer for Today:

Father in heaven, I repent right now for allowing any negative, self-defeating thoughts or attitudes rise up in my life. You alone are my God, and I put my trust in You. I bless You today and choose to look for the good things You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By: Joel Osteen

source:

http://psalmsfm.in/

http://community321.com/author/admin/

http://ww2.joelosteen.com/MessageViewer/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2012-11-30

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Jayson Cabrera Gali

Blogs:  http://spiritual12food.blogspot.com/

             http://healthhelpbyjeck.blogspot.com/

Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jayson.gali 

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeckyL214

P.S.

I sincerely want to improve my blog, so I can serve you better. I would like to hear from you, please leave your comments at the bottom of this page. And if you find this very helpful don’t forget to share it to your friends and loved ones.

"Stained Glass Ghetto"

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:  "Be holy, because I am holy."

--1 Peter 1:15-16

New International Version

 

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

"Holy" is one of those words we generally associate with the "stained glass ghetto" -- a word only "church folks" use.  That may be true, but it's still a great concept.  Every kid knows that you don't eat hot dogs and potato chips on china.       Mom's china is reserved for "special company" or "special occasions."  Hot dogs are for paper plates and every day, china is for special events.  When God is calling us to be holy, he's calling us to be china -- something special just for him, and as Peter emphasizes, just like him.

MY PRAYER

Holy Lord, God Almighty, I come before you knowing how great the distance is between your holiness and my commonness.  I thank you for making me holy through the sacrifice of Jesus and by sending your Holy Spirit to live inside of me.  Please receive my life today as a holy offering to you.  Through Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith I pray.  Amen.

Run Your Race

Today's Scripture:

…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…

Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV.

Today's Word:

It’s easy to be tempted to go through life competing with everyone around us. When we see someone who’s more talented, better looking or has more gifts, instead of running our race and being comfortable with who we are, oftentimes we feel inferior and think, “I’ve got to catch up to them.” The problem with this unhealthy competition is that it’s a never-ending cycle.

There will always be someone ahead of us. But, it’s a very freeing thing when you realize, “I’m not competing with you. I don’t have to have as big a house as my neighbor to feel good about myself. I don’t have to keep up with my co-worker. I don’t have to be a certain size. No, I understand that I’m not in competition with my friend, my neighbor or my co-worker. Instead, I’m going to be the best me that I can possibly be.” Friend, that’s an attitude God can work with. When you focus on being who God made you to be, that’s when you’ll rise up higher and position yourself for every spiritual blessing He has in store for you!

Prayer for Today:

Father, I humbly come to You giving You all that I am. I choose to keep my eyes on You and allow You to work in my heart and mind. I declare that I am free from competition today in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By: Joel Osteen

source:

http://www.agodman.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/scriptures/

http://nickswalk.blogspot.com/2011/06/pursuit-of-happiness-devotional-for.html

http://ww2.joelosteen.com/MessageViewer/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2012-11-29

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Jayson Cabrera Gali

Blogs:  http://spiritual12food.blogspot.com/

             http://healthhelpbyjeck.blogspot.com/

Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jayson.gali 

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeckyL214

P.S.

I sincerely want to improve my blog, so I can serve you better. I would like to hear from you, please leave your comments at the bottom of this page. And if you find this very helpful don’t forget to share it to your friends and loved ones.

We all like "do-overs" or second chances

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

--2 Corinthians 5:17

New International Version

 

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

We all like "do-overs" or second chances. God does much better than that! He allows us to become new again. Being the "God of new things" he can even make us new. Beyond forgiveness, beyond cleansing, he makes us holy through Jesus. Let's use the opportunity of a New Year as a springboard to living a life fresh and new and alive to God!

MY PRAYER

O LORD, thank you for a New Year and a fresh start. Please give me wisdom and strength to serve you with integrity and faithfulness in this coming year. I pray that your work be done in my life as I offer myself, my plans, and my future to you. I pray this through Jesus, my intercessor and Lord. Amen.

Enter His Rest

Today's Scripture:

For we who have believed do enter that rest…

Hebrews 4:3, NKJV.

Today's Word:

God promises that there are set times in our future, but He doesn’t tell us when they will be. Your set time may be tomorrow morning at 9:47. You’ll get the phone call you’ve been waiting for. Your set time may be two years from now. You’ll get a good break and that will thrust you to a new level. My question is, “Do you trust God enough to believe that your set times are coming?” Are you willing to wait with a good attitude? Are you willing to get a new perspective?

Remember, that set time is already in your future. Don’t let the negative thoughts talk you out of it. The way you know that you’re really believing is that you have rest on the inside. You’re at peace. You know the answer is on the way. You trust that God is working things out.

Today put your faith and trust in Him and enter into rest. Know that He is good and He is for you! Your set time of favor is on the way!

Prayer for Today:

Father, today I choose to enter into rest. I choose to trust You, I choose to put my faith and hope in You knowing that You are good and that You have good things in store for my future in Jesus’ name! Amen.

By: Joel Osteen

source:

http://www.astrogems.com/bibleverses_wallpaper.php

http://newlife.id.au/christian-living/every-day-is-a-new-day/attachment/2corinthians5_17/

http://ww2.joelosteen.com/MessageViewer/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2012-11-15

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Jayson Cabrera Gali

Blogs:  http://spiritual12food.blogspot.com/

             http://healthhelpbyjeck.blogspot.com/

Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jayson.gali 

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeckyL214

P.S.

I sincerely want to improve my blog, so I can serve you better. I would like to hear from you, please leave your comments at the bottom of this page. And if you find this very helpful don’t forget to share it to your friends and loved ones.

God is interested in you personally

The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

--Isaiah 7:14

 New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

God is interested in us personally. So much so that he personally gives us this sign. Because of Matthew's explanation of the meaning of the name Immanuel, we know what that sign was - Jesus coming to live as God with us.  His presence is God's presence.  His life is God's sign.  The miracle of his conception is God's mystery and also his statement of grace for us.

MY PRAYER

Holy and Almighty Lord who refuses to be detached and far  away:  I thank you for coming to live among us in Jesus.  I thank you and praise you for your sacrifice and pain.  I know this sign cost you greatly so please let my praise in prayer, song, thought and life reflect my thanks to you in Jesus. Amen.

Living The Extraordinary Life

…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…

Hebrews 12:1–2

                       

Have you always longed to live a life that’s beyond the ordinary? Well, you can. You can live in the realm of the extraordinary and even the impossible by the power of the Holy Spirit when you keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith!

The disciple Peter was able to walk on water as long as his eyes were on Jesus. Remember that Peter was just an ordinary man like you and me. But as long as he looked to Jesus, the Holy Spirit was able to work and Peter could do the impossible. And he was doing fine until he took his eyes off Jesus and considered the boisterous wind (Matthew 14:30). The devil must have whispered in his ear, “You’re not supposed to be walking on water. Don’t you know that? Look at the huge waves. Feel the strong wind. You are going to drown!” And the moment Peter took his eyes off Jesus and looked at his natural circumstances, logic took over and told him that he could not walk on water. That’s when he began to sink.

Beloved, realize that the Spirit of God works to the measure you keep your eyes on Jesus. Today, if you’re being rocked by 10-foot waves of sickness, debt or depression, don’t fix your eyes on the storm. Keep your eyes instead on the Lord. As you meditate on His glory and grace, faith will arise. And you will see His Spirit empower you with His wisdom, His strength and His limitless resources to walk in victory over every single storm!

By: Joseph Prince

source:

http://nearemmaus.com/tag/isaiah-7-14/

http://m.crosscards.com/cards/scripture-cards/isaiah-7-14-christmas.html

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a150d1f30f96378c872f47725&id=4239f882a1&e=b2763b1d9a

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Jayson Cabrera Gali

Blogs:  http://spiritual12food.blogspot.com/

             http://healthhelpbyjeck.blogspot.com/

Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jayson.gali 

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeckyL214

P.S.

I sincerely want to improve my blog, so I can serve you better. I would like to hear from you, please leave your comments at the bottom of this page. And if you find this very helpful don’t forget to share it to your friends and loved ones.

He has spoken to us by his Son

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

--Hebrews 1:1-2

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

God is a speaking God.  He loves us and has chosen to get his message to us in words.  First there were the patriarchs and great prophets.  Then there was the written record in the Scriptures.  But God's greatest message, his most powerful words, were not really words at all, but a person named Jesus of Nazareth, who is Christ and Lord of all.  For us, his Church, to be what he wants us to be, we must not just look at Scripture, we must also look at him.  He is the key to understanding what Scripture means and how it is to be lived.

MY PRAYER

Holy Father, help me to see Jesus and his work and purpose more clearly as I open your Book and seek to understand your will.  Fill me with your Spirit, so that I may greet each decision awakened to the answer to "What would Jesus do?" Through Jesus, my Lord and Savior I pray.  Amen.

Wisdom To Contain God’s Provision  

Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”

2 Kings 4:6–7

When it comes to provision, God’s word is chockfull of wisdom and encouragement. It not only gives you pictures of God’s inexhaustible supply, but it also provides wisdom in managing what comes into your hands.

In the story found in 2 Kings 4:2–7, Elisha told a poor widow to get as many empty vessels as she could, and pour her last jar of oil into the vessels. She did as told and miraculously, the oil kept flowing. It stopped only when she ran out of vessels. Elisha then told her to sell the oil, pay her debt and live on the surplus.

I want you to see two important things here. Firstly, the supply stopped only when the demand on God’s supply stopped. I want to encourage you to never stop looking to Jesus for your supply.

Secondly, if you are in debt, your first priority is to settle your debt. Notice that Elisha told the widow, “Sell the oil and pay your debt.” And when you have cleared your debt, learn to live within your means. Beloved, the more you meditate on and heed the practical wisdom in God’s Word, the more you will be able to contain His provision.

By: Joseph Prince

source:

http://www.clayritter.com/2010/10/god-has-spoken.html

http://toms.podbean.com/2010/04/25/god-has-spoken-dont-drift-away-hebrews-11-24/

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a150d1f30f96378c872f47725&id=b7123400f4&e=b2763b1d9a

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Jayson Cabrera Gali

Blogs:  http://spiritual12food.blogspot.com/

             http://healthhelpbyjeck.blogspot.com/

Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jayson.gali 

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeckyL214

P.S.

I sincerely want to improve my blog, so I can serve you better. I would like to hear from you, please leave your comments at the bottom of this page. And if you find this very helpful don’t forget to share it to your friends and loved ones.

My Ripcord Savior

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

When things are tough, I find it easy to call on God and lean on his mercy and grace. He's my ripcord Savior. But I must confess, when I'm reveling in his blessings and things are going well, I am so much like the Israelites and forget to acknowledge that all the blessings I have and all the opportunities I have received come because of his grace. In my joy and success, I need to learn to acknowledge him!

MY PRAYER

Gracious Father, every good thing I have in my life has come because of you. The family I have been blessed with, the protection I have received, the values that I hold, the successes I have enjoyed, the hope I have, the salvation I have received, and the future I anticipate are all mine because of your grace and not my goodness. Thank you! Thank you! Through Jesus I thank you more! Amen.

Fire up Your Dreams

Today's Scripture

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…

2 Timothy 1:6, NIV.

Today's Word

I believe that God has planted seeds of greatness on the inside of every one of us. We all have dreams and desires, things we want to accomplish; things we want to see changed. But so many times, life has a way of stealing our dreams. We go through disappointments, face adversity, things don’t turn out as we would like. Too often, people just end up settling for second best. But God doesn’t want us to settle for second best. He wants us to be determined, press on, and pursue the greatness that’s on the inside. We should never let “good enough” be good enough!

I want to encourage you today to stir yourself up and get your fire back. Start speaking victory over your future. If one dream has died, dream another dream. Put yourself in a positive, faith-filled environment. Get around people of excellence who live passionately. Fan the flame that is in you so you can move forward into all God has in store for you!

Prayer for Today

Father, I come to You today giving You my disappointments, setbacks, hurts and broken dreams. I ask that You restore my passion and vision for the future. Let Your flame burn brightly in me now and forevermore in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By: Joel Osteen

source:

http://proverbdaily.blogspot.com/2011/11/trust-in-lord-proverbs-3-5-6-16th.html

http://media.photobucket.com/image/Proverbs+3%3A5-6+/JamieAlyssa/Slide1.jpg

http://ww2.joelosteen.com/MessageViewer/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2012-10-02

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Jayson Cabrera Gali

Blogs:  http://spiritual12food.blogspot.com/

             http://healthhelpbyjeck.blogspot.com/

Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jayson.gali 

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeckyL214

P.S. 

I sincerely want to improve my blog, so I can serve you better. I would like to hear from you, please leave your comments at the bottom of this page. And if you find this very helpful don’t forget to share it to your friends and loved ones.

Pour out your Hearts to Him

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalms 62:8

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

It is so hard to share the secrets of our hearts with anyone. We want to keep our secret failings, embarrassments, and sins hidden, fearing others would reject us and we would shame ourselves. But hidden sin is only hidden from us, not from our Father. Hidden sin festers in our hearts and drives a wedge between us and the God who would forgive us and empower us to triumph over it if only we would pour out our hearts to him, because he is our refuge.

MY PRAYER

Loving Father and Holy God, today I want to confess to you several things on my heart. Father, I am afraid for others to know that I have. Holy God, I have sinned and ask your forgiveness for. Eternal Lord, I get anxious about. You alone are my refuge and strength. I trust these confessions with you and ask that you strengthen me by the power of your Holy Spirit not to fall into these same traps again and again. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Don't Let Others Limit Your Dreams

Today's Scripture

What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?

Romans 3:3, NIV.

Today's Word

Have the opinions of other people caused you to water down your dreams? There will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what you say and believe about yourself.

One of the most important things you can learn is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life—you do. In Romans 3:3, the Apostle Paul is saying, “It doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” When God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass, it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to follow the voice of God for yourself and allow Him to order your steps.

Remember, God sees the hidden treasures that you’ve had buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of old, defeated thoughts and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limits and live the abundant life God has in store for you!

Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Today, I take off the limits and embrace the dreams You’ve placed in my heart. Empower me by Your Spirit to fulfill Your plan for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By: Joel Osteen

source:

http://www.oursimplecountrylife.com/2011/06/tmi-too-much-information.html

http://thechurchofgodntj.org/

http://ww2.joelosteen.com/MessageViewer/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2012-10-01

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Jayson Cabrera Gali

Blogs:  http://spiritual12food.blogspot.com/

             http://healthhelpbyjeck.blogspot.com/

Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jayson.gali 

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeckyL214

P.S. 

I sincerely want to improve my blog, so I can serve you better. I would like to hear from you, please leave your comments at the bottom of this page. And if you find this very helpful don’t forget to share it to your friends and loved ones.