THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING GOOD IS GOING TO HAPPEN TODAY

This morning when you woke up, what was the first thing that went through your mind? Maybe you have a deadline to meet or a big appointment at work. Maybe you are facing a challenge or going through a difficulty in a relationship that seems to consume your thoughts. Today, I want to ENCOURAGE you; instead of focusing on what your CIRCUMSTANCES have to offer, focus on what GOD has to offer you. His MERCIES are new every morning, and His COMPASSION never fails. He has VICTORY in store for you today; He has PROVISION in store for you today; He has JOY in store for you today, and He has PEACE in store for you today. He daily loads you with BLESSING!

The key to ACCESSING these daily benefits is setting your FOCUS in the right direction. You can’t WAIT to see how you feel, what kind of mood your spouse is in, what the traffic is like, or what the stock market is doing. No, you have to CHOOSE to set your focus by saying, “This is going to be a GREAT day. I am BLESSED and cannot be cursed! I know GOD is directing my steps; something GOOD IS going to happen to me today!

Today’s Scripture:

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits…”

(Psalm 68:19, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD INVITES YOU TO COME TO HIM

So many people today are living uptight, worried and anxious about the future, filled with frustration and concern. In the natural there may be good reason, but understand, that is NOT God’s BEST. God doesn’t WANT us to live in anxiety and frustration; He wants us to live in PEACE. You can find rest in Him knowing that no matter what is happening AROUND you, GOD ALMIGHTY has His HAND on you.

The next time you’re tempted to worry or be anxious about something, remember this verse. God invites us to COME to Him. In fact, the Bible says He is a REWARDER of those who diligently SEEK Him. But notice, we can’t just come to Him any old way. He wants us to come to Him with a heart of GRATITUDE and THANKSGIVING. Begin by simply saying, “Father in heaven, thank You for the PRIVILEGE to come before You. Thank You for HEARING my prayers.” As you come to Him with an OPEN and HUMBLE heart, He will hear you and fill you with His peace and joy ALL the days of your life.

Today’s Scripture:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

(Philippians 4:6, NASB)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

WE CAN LIVE IN VICTORY IN THIS LIFE AND IN ETERNITY

Jesus went before us and paved the way for VICTORY. Because HE lives, WE can live in VICTORY in this life AND in ETERNITY. Not only can we live in VICTORY, we can help OTHERS live in victory, TOO. We can help the people AROUND us, and we can help the people who are coming AFTER us. We can store up MERCY, PEACE and BLESSIINGS for FUTURE generations.

The life we live should make it EASIER for the people AFTER us. By living a life of EXCELLENCE, we are leaving a mark for FUTURE generations. And really, that’s what matters most in ETERNITY. It’s good to leave an inheritance, but the most VALUABLE thing you can leave on this earth is a legacy of FAITH.

Today’s Scripture:

“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

(Deuteronomy 7:9, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL

LEARNING to walk in the destiny God has for you is a PROCESS. The first step is to get a VISION, a clear picture from God that you can SEE. The next step is to TRUST Him – to believe in FAITH that it WILL happen. And then finally, you take a STEP of faith and live out what God has promised no matter WHAT your circumstances or people AROUND you have to say. First you DREAM it, then you BELIEVE it, and then you LIVE it. Every dream I’VE ever received from God has followed this same pattern. We see in Scripture that even the great men and women of the Bible walked through this process. They had to overcome doubts, they struggled on their journey, but they held fast to what God said knowing that He is FAITHFUL to complete what He STARTED in us!

Today, if you are having a hard time believing what God has promised will come to pass, understand that you are in a PROCESS. Don’t empower DOUBT with your words. Instead, keep DECLARING that He who promised is FAITHFUL! Keep the VISION in FRONT of you knowing that it is for an appointed TIME. DREAM it and BELIEVE it because it won’t be long until you are LIVING the blessed life God has prepared for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 1:6, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

IN ORDER TO HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE, YOU MUST FIRST LET GO OF THE PAST

The Bible tells us that EVERY person, no matter HOW much FAITH they have, no matter how GOOD they are, will face disappointments. It may be something simple like not getting the PROMITION you hoped for, or not closing a BUSINESS deal you worked so hard on. Maybe you didn’t qualify for a HOUSE you really wanted, or maybe something MORE serious happened like a RELATIONSHIP not working out, the death of a LOVED one, or some kind of ILLNESS in your body. Whatever it may be, the REALITY is that we’re ALL going to suffer some setbacks. I believe one of the main keys to OVERCOMING disappointments is learning to let GO of the past.

If you feel “stuck” today, you may want to examine what you’re holding ON to. Be willing let GO of past disappointments by choosing FORGIVENESS. Who hurt you? Who wronged you? RELEASE it to GOD. Do you need to forgive YOURSELF? Do you need to receive GOD’S forgiveness? Make the choice today to FORGIVE. LET GO of the past so you can OVERCOME disappointments and experience the bright FUTURE God has in store for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”

(Isaiah 43:18, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

YOU AND GOD ARE A MAJORITY. STAY IN STEP WITH HIM

Do you wake up every morning expecting FAVOR and BLESSING on EVERYTHING you do? Do you PLAN for what is good? When we plan for what is GOOD, Scripture tells us that we find LOVE. Ultimately, GOD is love which means when you plan for what is GOOD, you will find GOD in the midst of your plans.

Don’t let the negative voices of the world get you focused in the wrong direction. It doesn’t matter what is happening in the economy or the stock market, God’s plan is ALWAYS for your good. Set your mind on GOOD things and stay in agreement with GOD.

You and God are a MAJORITY. Stay in STEP with Him, plan for what is GOOD, and move forward into the life of VICTORY He has in store for YOU!

Today’s Scripture:

“…those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.”

(Proverbs 14:22, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

THE MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON

It’s been almost 13 years ago now. I was watching the news when Captain Sullenberger successfully landed a jet airplane in the Hudson River. All 155 passengers survived. They made a movie about it called “The Miracle on the Hudson.” A reporter asked one passenger what he thought about it all. He was soaking wet, freezing cold, a little bit frazzled, but he had this incredible glow about him, an EXCITEMENT in his voice. I’ll never forget what he told the reporter, he said “I was alive before, but now I’m REALLY ALIVE.”

My question today is, “Are YOU really alive?” Are you PASSIONATE about the LIFE God has given you? Do you get up every morning with ENTHUSIASM, pursuing your DREAMS? God doesn’t want you to just “be alive” or just exist or endure. He wants you to be REALLY ALIVE! You have seeds of GREATNESS on the inside. There is something more for you to ACCOMPLISH. Get EXCITED about what God is doing! Lift up your eyes of FAITH to Him. Keep HOPING, keep BELIEVING, keep TRUSTING and keep LIVING because God has a wonderful plan in store for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“The thief comes only to steal and Kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

(John 10:10, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

BE OPEN TO THE NEW THINGS GOD HAS IN STORE FOR YOU

CHANGE is one of the most difficult things for people to face; however, change is INEVITABLE. In fact, Mark Twain once said, “The only person who LIKES change is a wet baby.” One reason people don’t like CHANGE is because they get comfortable with where they ARE in life. They get used to their friends, job or the place they live. And even if it’s not perfect, they accept it simply because it’s FAMILIAR. However, when we are not willing to change, we get STUCK in life holding on to what God did in the past instead of GROWING and moving FORWARD into what God wants to do in the FUTURE.

Today, I encourage YOU to be open to the NEW things God has in store for you. Always remember that just because God has blessed you where you ARE doesn’t mean you can just sit back and SETTLE there. God wants to do something new IN you and THROUGH you. He wants to see you GROW, PROSPER and FLOURISH. Get ready and keep your heart focused on HIM. EMBRACE change and see the BLESSING God has in store for YOU!

Today’s Scripture:

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

(Isaiah 43:19, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

DON’T GET SNARED BY THE WORDS OF YOUR MOUTH

During the 1990’s, Jose Lima was the star pitcher for the Houston Astros. One season, he won 20 games and was considered one of the best pitchers in the league. When the Astros moved from the Astrodome to their new ballpark downtown, the fence in left field was much closer than the fence in the Astrodome. It favored the hitters and made it more difficult on the pitchers. The first time Jose Lima went to the new ballpark, he stood on the mound, looked at the fence, and the first words out of his mouth were, “I’ll never be able to pitch in here. The fence is way too close.” Sure enough, he went from being a 20-game WINNER to a 16-game LOSER. It was one of the biggest NEGATIVE turnarounds in the history of the Astros. What happened? He PROPHESIED his future.

Today, don’t get SNARED by the words of your mouth. When negative thoughts come, do NOT speak them out loud; instead, speak LIFE. Speak HOPE. Speak BLESSING. Speak what you SEEK! Speak the Word of God so you can move forward in the VICTORY He has prepared for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“You are snared by the words of your mouth…”

(Proverbs 6:2, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

HE WHO WALKS WITH THE WISE, BECOMES WISE

Sometimes, in order to embrace the DESTINY God has in store, you have to be willing to make some CHANGES in your life. You have to be willing to examine where you ARE and what you need to move FORWARD. This MAY mean that you need to change some FRIENDS that you’re spending time with. Maybe they were fine for a SEASON in your life, but now you’ve OUTGROWN them. This is a NEW season, and in order for you to rise HIGHER, you have to break away from RELATIONSHIPS that are LIMITING you. You have to develop some NEW relationships with people who are going to pull you UP and INSPIRE you to rise HIGHER.

And this doesn’t just mean separating yourself from people who are holding you back SPIRITUALLY. I’ve found that if you’re the SMARTEST one in your group, your group is too SMALL. Find people who are SMARTER than you are, people who will CHALLENGE you to stretch to the NEXT level and become everything God’s CREATED you to be. Remember, he who walks with the wise becomes WISE. Choose your friends WISELY and don’t be DECEIVED. Choose your friends wisely so you can walk and LIVE in the destiny GOD has in store for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”

(1 Corinthians 15:33, NKJV)