"The first will be last and the last will be first."

When King Herod had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:  'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'

--Matthew 2:4-6

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

"The first will be last and the last will be first."  That's one of Jesus' favorite sayings.  Isn't it interesting that God said it long before he was born.  Isn't it interesting that those who knew the Scriptures, but didn't know Jesus, said it too!  Isn't it interesting that Herod and Jesus lived it thirty years before Jesus would teach it Isn't it interesting that Jesus gave us the Lord's Supper to remember that while Jesus died and shed his blood, on the first day of the week, Sunday, he rose.  When it matters most, Jesus and his people will finish first!

MY PRAYER

You, O Lord, are marvelous.   You are God Almighty, the holy and majestic Creator.  Yet you became the least so I can share in your glory.   Please help me, O God, never to look down on someone else because they look like the least.   I know, Father, that as I serve and love them, I'm serving and loving you.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

Forgo Flattery, Exalt Jesus

You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You.

Psalm 118:28

           

When the apostle Paul and Silas were in Philippi, a certain slave girl possessed with a demonic spirit of divination met them. She was a fortune-teller who brought good profits to her masters. This girl followed Paul and Silas wherever they went, crying out, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17). And she did this for many days.

Now, let me ask you, was there anything wrong with what she said? She was telling the truth, wasn’t she? Paul and Silas were indeed servants of the Most High God, and they were proclaiming the way of salvation. But I want you to see this: For many days, the girl kept saying, “These men are…These men are…These men are…” And this greatly annoyed Paul, so much so that he cast the demon out of her (Acts 16:18). Why was Paul so annoyed? Because the girl was constantly putting the spotlight on him and Silas. The devil always wants us to put our attention on man, instead of God!

My friend, if you are the sort who gets flattered easily, people can control you. All they have to do is say some nice things about you and you are influenced into doing whatever they want you to do. But when you are passionate for the glory of Jesus, you can’t be swayed by the praises of man. You want only Jesus to get all the glory.

So always point people to Jesus. He alone deserves all the glory. You’ll never be shortchanged, my friend, when you do this—God will take care of those who exalt His Son!

By: Joseph Prince

source:

http://nescience68.wordpress.com/

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gospel_of_Matthew_Chapter_2-4_(Bible_Illustrations_by_Sweet_Media).jpg

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a150d1f30f96378c872f47725&id=cb750947cc&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.

Intimately connected to Him

[Jesus said,] "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father's' glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

--John 15:5 and 8

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

We take on Jesus' character (bear fruit) by remaining intimately connected to him.  The distance between heaven and earth is not so great when heaven lives within us.  In John 14, Jesus reminded us that if we will obey him, he will come and live in us and will reveal himself to us.  So as we obey him, we know him better. His life becomes real in us.

MY PRAYER

Precious Lord, I want to obey your word, your will, and your example.  I want to obey you to honor you, to love you, and to know you.  So please, help me come to know you better as I walk more closely in your steps. Help me to know what it means to live your life in my world.  Amen.

Keep Your Eyes On Jesus

Love has been perfected among us in this…as He is, so are we in this world.

1 John 4:17

When you look at yourself (your weaknesses) and your negative circumstances, it’s easy to become seized with anxiety, fear and despair.

That’s why God wants us to look away from ourselves and look at Jesus. In God’s eyes, because He has placed us in Christ, Jesus’ reality is our reality today—“as He is, so are we in this world”!

So don’t focus on your vulnerability or the lack in your life and get discouraged. Ask yourself: Is Jesus abandoned, forgotten, sick and poor today? No, He is at the right hand of the Father, full of life, peace, joy and favor. All of heaven’s resources are at His disposal. He is greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved by the Father today, and so are you!

To be Jesus-occupied like this is to see as God sees. And when you see as God sees, you will also see the grace and supply of the Lord swallow up every lack in your life!

By: Joseph Prince

source:

http://bibleisthebest.com/content.php?menuID=6

http://www.dailydevotionals.co/2012_05_09_archive.html

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a150d1f30f96378c872f47725&id=6d0823dad5&e=b2763b1d9a

+++++

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.

Where's Your Love

Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world.

 --1 John 2:15-16

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

Love for things, especially temporary ones, can sure get us in trouble. Even worse, we can begin to think they will make us happy or fill the empty places in our hearts. But if we really place our hopes and dreams in our Abba Father, we are attached to eternity, and what we need most is always with us!

MY PRAYER

Give me wisdom, Holy God, to invest in you and things that matter. I confess to you that my eyes and my heart are often distracted by the glitzy stuff that is temporary. By your Spirit, O Father, stir my heart to yearn for you. Through Jesus I pray, Amen.

A Gift from God

Today's Scripture:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8, NKJV.

Today's Word:

We serve such a loving, gracious and generous God. He loves you so much that there isn’t anything He wouldn’t do in order to have a relationship with you. The Bible tells us that sin separates man from God. But God doesn’t want to be separated from us. That’s why He sent His Son into the world—to pay the penalty for sin so that you and I could live in eternity with Him.

So many people today think they have to earn their way to heaven. They think they have to be “good enough” or “do the right thing” in order to be accepted by God. They want to “clean up” before they come to Him. But notice what today’s verse says—salvation is a gift from God. You can’t earn a gift. You don’t pay for it. You can only receive it by faith. If you’ve never made Jesus the Lord of your life, I encourage you to receive this free gift. Let Him fill you with His eternal peace and joy so that you can live the abundant life He has for you.

Prayer for Today:

Father in heaven, I come to You today giving You all that I am. Thank You for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. I believe He died and rose for me, and I invite You to be the Lord of every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
By: Joel Osteen

source:

http://my.opera.com/thieunienhoamy/albums/showpic.dml?album=398379&picture=5668499

http://pastormikescorner.blogspot.com/2012/05/how-will-they-know-im-christian-part-4.html

http://ww2.joelosteen.com/MessageViewer/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2012-10-19

Great Things Beyond our Understanding

God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

--Job 37:5-6

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

Isn't that a beautiful phrase!  "God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding."  Rather than spending a lot of time talking or thinking about how marvelous God is, let's praise him in prayer.

MY PRAYER

Holy, Righteous, and Eternal God, You alone are truly and fully holy. I cannot comprehend the distant outskirts of your ways. But I love you. You are so far beyond me on my best days, I can't quite understand why you would pay such a cost to redeem someone like me. But, Dear God, I thank you.  In Jesus name. Amen.

Say Continually

Today's Scripture:

Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, ‘Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.’

Psalm 35:27, NKJV.

Today's Word:

Notice in today’s verse, God’s people were commanded to go around saying continually, “Let God be magnified. He takes pleasure in prospering me.” I believe one reason they were supposed to say it all the time is so it would get down on the inside of their hearts.

See, when we hear something long enough, we start to believe it. It starts to affect the way we see things. I wonder what would happen if, all through the day, we decided to stop dwelling on negative, defeated thoughts like, “I’ll never get out of debt. My business will never expand. How can I send my children to college? It’s so expensive.” And, what if you started dwelling on thoughts like, “God takes pleasure in prospering me. Good breaks are in my future. Explosive blessings are coming my way?”

Today, let the truth of God’s Word sink down into your heart. All throughout the day, declare His goodness. Declare His faithfulness. Declare His blessings because He delights in seeing you prosper!

Prayer for Today:

Father, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for finding joy in seeing me succeed. Help me to see my life the way you see it. Help me to see and declare the blessing and victory You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By: Joel Osteen

source:

http://myautumnyears.blogspot.com/2011/01/listening-for-gods-voice.html

http://wallpaper4god.com/en/background_bible-verse-job-375/

http://ww2.joelosteen.com/MessageViewer/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2012-10-18

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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.

Be a Living Sacrifice, since you were Elected

I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship.

--Romans 12:1

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

Because God went first and sacrificed what is most precious to him to save us, he can ask us to surrender ourselves to him. Only one problem: The sacrifice wants to keep crawling off the altar. But, since we are that sacrifice, let's offer ourselves fully to God!

MY PRAYER

Holy and Righteous Savior, I want to surrender my life, my body, and will to you. But I confess, there are little things (and maybe some big things), that I keep from ever placing on that altar. Things I don't want to give up. To the best of my ability, I pledge today to live for you in a way that leaves nothing outside your Lordship and control. I offer you me -- all that I have and am -- to be yours today. Through Jesus. Amen.

Foxes in Your Finances

Today's Scripture:

Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.

Song of Solomon 2:15, ESV.

Today's Word:

Oftentimes, it’s not big things that hold us back; it’s small things — especially in your finances. A few dollars a day on coffee quickly turns into hundreds. Too many credit cards become overwhelming to keep up with. That person who hasn’t balanced their checkbook in two years probably hears a little voice every time they go to write a check,

“Get your finances in order.” We have to realize that if we’re not faithful with what we have, God won’t entrust us with more. One lady told me how she hadn’t balanced her checkbook in so long she just closed the account and opened up a brand new one. At least she took action!

I have people tell me all the time, “Joel, I’m going to start giving. I’m going to start tithing my income as soon as I make more money.” No, don’t wait until you have $1,000. Tithe on the $10 you have right now. Don’t let the little foxes spoil your finances. Don’t let another day go by without obeying God. When you set your finances in order, when you put God first in all you do, you are opening the door for His blessing. He says when we are faithful with the little, God will make us ruler over much!

Prayer for Today:

Father God, today I choose to be obedient. I don’t want to let little foxes affect my finances. I dedicate my resources to You. Speak to my heart and show me where to give. I choose to be a faithful sower and expect to reap an abundant harvest by Your Word in Jesus’ name! Amen.

By: Joel Osteen

source:

http://www.adorate.org/2012/06/misreading-romans-121.html

http://www.calvarychapelprinceton.com/romans-1130-121

http://ww2.joelosteen.com/MessageViewer/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2012-08-02

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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.

A Burden Carrier

Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

 --Galatians 6:2

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

I feel so burdened myself, that sometimes I can't even see others' burdens. But Jesus reminds me that if I am to be like him, I will be a burden carrier. This is why he came, why he died, and why his resurrection is so important -- to lift from us the burdens of sin, death, and depravity.

MY PRAYER

Compassionate Father, help me to see and respond to the burdens in other lives around me. I want to be a blessing to the broken and discouraged, so please help me find my place and my way of serving to your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Whose Report Will You Believe?

Today's Scripture:

I have heard a report from the Lord…
Jeremiah 49:14, AMP.

Today's Word:

Every day we get “reports” from the news, our experiences, our friends and family, and many other sources. We also get reports from the Word of God, which oftentimes, contradicts what others are saying. That’s when we have a choice: do we believe what we hear in the natural, or do we believe the report of the Lord?

Friend, we serve a supernatural God! Just because we don’t see a way doesn’t mean that He doesn’t have a way. God can bring one opportunity across your path that will thrust you to a new level. He has explosive blessings that can blast you out of debt and into abundance. “Well, I don’t think I’ll ever get well. You should see what the medical report says about me.” No, that may be true according to medical science, but we have another report and it says, “You will live and not die. God is restoring health unto you.”

With men it may be impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Choose today to believe the report of the Lord. Stand strong no matter what is going on around you knowing that He is leading you into victory in every area of your life!

Prayer for Today:

Father in heaven, I choose to believe Your Word above all else. I know that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf, and You will cause me to triumph. Help me to tune out the negative voices of the world so that I can focus on Your goodness all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By: Joel Osteen

source:

http://ourdailybread.webnode.com/news/carrying-others-burdens/

http://prayers42day.blogspot.com/2009/08/bible-verses-galatians-62.html

http://ww2.joelosteen.com/MessageViewer/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2012-10-08

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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.

Are you "unhip" or a bit out of touch?

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:11-12

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

For most who can read this Internet message, the sentiments of this verse seem foreign. But among those who closely study persecution, believers in Christ are enduring perhaps the greatest amount of persecution in the history of Christianity. For those of us who live in cozy places where belief is tolerated and Christians are just considered "unhip" or a bit out of touch, we need to be thankful that our lives make enough of a distinction from our culture to be noticed, even if it's a bit unfavorably. But at the same time, we need to pray for other believers throughout the world who are undergoing the wrath of hell for the faith.

MY PRAYER

Great Deliverer, we have many who call on your name with faith in Jesus who face persecution and hardship every day. I pray that they will not lose heart and give up their confidence. I pray that you will bring deliverance from this time of persecution. I pray that their sufferings will be the source of powerful witness so others will come to see the great value of Jesus and our allegiance to him. This I pray in his precious and holy name. Amen.

                        

Bring Out the Best

Today's Scripture:

…love is kind…

1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV.

Today's Word:

One translation of today’s simple verse says that “love looks for a way to be constructive.” In other words, love looks for ways to improve someone else’s life. Love brings out the best in other people. Don’t just get up in the morning thinking about yourself or how you can make your own life better. Think about how you can make someone else’s life better. Ask yourself, “Who can I encourage today?” “Who can I build up?” You have something to offer those around you that no one else can give. Someone in your life needs your encouragement. Someone in your life needs to know that you believe in them. I believe God will hold us responsible for the people He’s put in our lives. He’s counting on us to bring out the best in our family and friends.

Are you improving the lives of those around you? Are you pouring confidence in them? Why don’t you ask the Lord to give you creative ways to bring out the best in others? As you sow into the lives of others, God will send people along your path that will build you up so that you can embrace every blessing He has in store for you.

Prayer for Today:

Father, thank You for loving me. Thank You for believing in me and always building me up. I ask that You show me creative ways to encourage and build up the people around me. Help me to be an example of Your love in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By: Joel Osteen

source:

http://www.edsphotobooth.com/Weddings/Kerri-and-Matt-5-11-12/22949928_SV2wtX

http://www.chronologicalbibleblog.com/2012/10/october-2nd-chronological-bible-readings.html

http://ww2.joelosteen.com/MessageViewer/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2012-09-13

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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.

Before and After

You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

Before and after -- that's the story of grace. "I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." If we could only fully grasp what we so easily sing then life would be filled with more grace and our churches with more confident servants of God.

MY PRAYER

Lord God Almighty, by your grace I know today that I stand before you welcomed into your presence and received as a beloved child. Thank you for rescuing me from all the traps of the darkness and bringing me into your light. Guide my heart and my feet so they will walk your path and show forth your light. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

            

RUN YOUR RACE

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”

(1 Corinthians 9:24, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD

So many people today spend valuable time and energy trying to make everyone around them happy. They want to be approved, accepted and affirmed. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you can’t let the opinions of others become your focus or distract you from what God has called you to.

In the natural, when a professional runner races, you don’t see them looking around at the other runners, wondering how they are doing. No, they have their mind focused on one thing: the finish line. They don’t waste valuable energy comparing themselves or wondering what’s going on around them. Instead, they focus on winning the prize. This is how we should be in life — focused on winning the prize of the victor’s crown in life.

My challenge to you today is: run your race. Don’t let people squeeze you into their mold. Remember, you don’t have to try to play up to people. You don’t have to worry about what everyone else thinks. As long as you’re being true to what God has put in your heart, don’t look to the left or to the right. Stay focused on your goals. Run your race to win and honor God in everything that you do!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today and every day I set my focus on you. I declare that I will not look to the left or to the right, but I will fix my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. Give me wisdom and grace as I dedicate every area of my life to You in Jesus’ name! Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

source:

http://www.myspace.com/robertbiehn

http://explosivegraffix.com/Graphics%20and%20Designs%20Gallery/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=62

http://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/Index.aspx

+++++

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.

The Last Words...

[Jesus said,] "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:18-20

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

Last words. The last words of a parent to a child leaving for college. The last words of a loved one at the bedside of someone dying. The last words of a friend before moving to a distant place. These last words are chosen with care because they leave a lasting impact. Jesus' last words are our marching orders. "Go make disciples of all peoples! To do this," he emphasized, "you must go where they are, baptize them, and then teach them to do what I taught you to do." Not hard to understand, so what are we doing about obeying those last commands?

MY PRAYER

Father from whom all peoples derive their hope, use your Spirit to rouse within me a passion to share your grace with all peoples. Nudge me out of my safety zone and call me into your empowering and sacrificial grace so that I help others come to know you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

GREATNESS IN THE MIDST OF CRITICISM

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

(Matthew 5:44, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD

If you’re going to do anything great in life, if you’re going to be a great businessperson, a great teacher, a great parent or a great leader, not everyone is going to cheer you on. I’d love to tell you that your family, friends and co-workers will celebrate you, but that’s not the case. Some people simply can’t handle your success. As you grow and increase, as God pours out His favor, somebody will get jealous. Somebody will start finding fault. Don’t be surprised if a relative tries to belittle or discredit you. If you focus on making everyone around you happy, you’ll start changing and lose sight of what God has placed in your heart.

Friend, your destiny is too great to be distracted by people who are never going to affirm you. Don’t take it personally. It’s not about you. It’s their problem. Shake it off, run your race, be great anyway.

Greatness in the midst of criticism begins with forgiveness. Don’t hold a grudge. Bless those who curse you; pray for those who spitefully use you. As you keep doing what is right, God will honor you. He’ll promote you, and you’ll see the dreams and desires that He placed in your heart come to pass!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I come to You today with an open and humble heart. I choose to forgive those who have criticized me. I choose to bless those who have hurt me. I choose to be great because You have equipped and empowered me to rise higher in this life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By: Joel & Victoria Osteen

source:

http://www.agapecf.net/index-2.html

http://www.breathoflifeonline.net/matthew-2818-20.html

http://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/Index.aspx

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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.

You have a Commendation

"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

In a world with skewed values, and false promises, and fleeting fame, what can we boast in other than the steadfastness of the Lord's love, the incredible riches of the Lord's grace, the incomparable supply of the Lord's blessings, the sweetness of the Lord's people, the mercy of the Lord's plan for our salvation, the promise of the Lord's tomorrow, the..... of the Lord's...!

MY PRAYER

Lord of Majesty and Mercy, every good and enduring thing in my life I have because of you. While the words are simple, they are heartfelt -- In Jesus' name, thank you!

Walk In God’s Wisdom

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1–2

The people of the world are crying out for true wisdom (that can only come from the Lord). Just look at the constant demand for self-help books. But what we need is not more “self-help.” What we need is the Lord’s help! So we should instead read books that are written by Spirit-filled believers and Christian leaders who encourage you to look to Jesus for wisdom and not to man or self.

Psalm 1:1 tells us this from the start: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.” This means that there is counsel in human wisdom. But the man who does not walk according to the wisdom of the world is the man who is blessed! At the same time, if his delight is in Jesus, and he meditates on Jesus day and night, Psalm 1:3 says, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

My friend, make a decision to walk in the counsel of the godly and not in the counsel of the world, and you will see whatever you do prosper. God has raised up men and women who are established in the truths of the new covenant, and who will help you to keep your eyes on Jesus. In Him you will find all the wisdom that pertains to life. The Bible tells us that in Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2–3), for your success. So keep looking to Jesus. Draw on His divine wisdom and see the difference it will make to your life!

By: Joseph Prince

source:

http://kimberly1x.blogspot.com/2010/08/daily-scripture-2-corinthians-1017-18.html

http://wallpaper4god.com/en/background_2-corinthians-101718/

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a150d1f30f96378c872f47725&id=6cde648646&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.

Spiritual Vitality and Stamina

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 12:1

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE

Like the great heroes of the Bible, both big and small, we can do God's work with confidence. But to boldly go where he wants us to go, we must first be willing to let go of the sin that entangles our lives, distorts our vision, and robs us of spiritual vitality and stamina.

MY PRAYER

Holy Father, forgive me for my sin. Not just my blatant sins, but my willingness to dabble in things that are not holy, to flirt with things that are spiritually dangerous, and to expose myself to things that leave a residue of Satan's world. Give me strength to say no to the things that distract me from you and to embrace with passion those things that make me more like you. Through Jesus my Lord I pray. Amen.

NEW LEVELS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

(2 Timothy 1:7, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD

God’s desire is that we continually progress, that we reach higher heights and go to new levels. Oftentimes, as soon as we make the decision to step out in faith and obey God, the enemy brings in fear to try to stop us. He’ll bring thoughts like, “What if you fail? What are other people going to think? You don’t have what it takes.” He’ll do his best to use fear to try to convince us to shrink back and stay where we are.

The Bible says that fear is a spirit. It plays on our emotions and holds us back. But the good news is that we have power over fear! The Bible says that perfect love casts out all fear. When we receive God’s perfect love, we will have confidence about the future because we know His plans are for our good. I’ve heard it said that fear is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. Understand that fear is a lie. Today, choose to believe God’s Word and receive His love so that you can overcome fear and move forward into the good life He has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for taking me to new levels. I know You have equipped me with a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Fill me with Your confidence and assurance to embrace everything You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

source:

http://www.crosscards.com/facebookcovers/hebrews-12-1-fb.html

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/2012/01/run-race.html

http://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/Index.aspx

+++++

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.