THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

TRUST THAT GOD IS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES PREPARING YOU FOR INCREASE

In life, we ALL go through a PRUNING process. God will PRUNE our lives so that we can bear much FRUIT. To “PRUNE” means something is cut away, something is removed. In other words, maybe a good FRIEND that you counted on moved to another city. Maybe a BUSINESS shut down that you were connected to, or a RELATIONSHIP went a different direction.

Friend, God knows what you NEED in your life in order to GROW and FLOURISH. Sometimes when things happen that we don’t understand, we have to just TRUST that He is working behind the scenes PREPARING you for INCREASE, preparing you to go to another LEVEL. Don’t put a question mark where God has placed a period.

When you’re going through TRANSITION, don’t get bitter. Don’t get down and think it’s the end. Don’t start thinking that you’re a failure. Have the attitude, “God, I let this go knowing that it was only TEMPORARY provision, and what You have in my future will be GREATER than what I’m letting go of.” If you will accept the change and stay in FAITH, God WILL open new doors. He will bring new OPPORTUNITIES, new FRIENDSHIPS, and take you to ANOTHER LEVEL of His GLORY!

Today’s Scripture:

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

John 15:2, NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

TODAY, DECLARE THAT YOU ARE FREE, AND CELEBRATE YOUR FREEDOM

Today in America, we CELEBRATE Independence Day. July 4, 1776 was the day America declared their independence, but the battle for freedom went on until 1783—seven years later. Even though the people DECLARED their FREEDOM in 1776, they had to stand and fight for many years before the British would accept and recognize the United States of America.

Do you know what the early colonists did once they signed the Declaration of Independence? They read it OUT LOUD in public. They published it in the newspaper. They SPREAD THE WORD. They continued to DECLARE and CELEBRATE even though they were in the midst of the battle.

In the same way, we have to DECLARE our FREEDOM and be determined to stand against the opposing forces of darkness in our lives TODAY. We have to DECLARE our freedom from addiction, poverty, sickness and lack. We have to stand and fight until we fully experience His FREEDOM and the PEACE that He has promised.

Today, no matter what battle YOU may be facing, DECLARE that you are free and CELEBRATE your FREEDOM because VICTORY is on the way!

Today’s Scripture:

“You have been set free from sin…”

Romans 6:18, NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD HAS EQUIPPED YOU FOR YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH THIS LIFE…

Are you going through a season where you feel like every time you try to move forward, you hit a roadblock? Something happens that throws you off course. Be ENCOURAGED today because when you submit your life to the Lord, He PROMISES to go BEFORE you. He is PREPARING a way for you. He is making your crooked places straight and your rough places smooth. You may be going through a difficult time right now, but it’s not the end. It’s only the beginning, and God has EQUIPPED you for this journey.

Today, if you feel like you’re in a dry season, don’t look at your circumstances. Look at the PROMISE of God! If you’ll keep speaking words of FAITH, God promises that He’ll anoint your head with oil and your cup will RUN OVER. That means you’ll be REFRESHED and ANOINTED to do what He’s called you to do. God is PREPARING your path and EQUIPPING you for the journey.

What do YOU need in order to keep moving forward? Start by checking your ATTITUDE. Don’t go around complaining or focused on the negative side of things. Put on an attitude of PRAISE and THANKSGIVING. Thank Him for making your crooked places STRAIGHT! Keep your eyes on HIM and follow Him FORWARD into the path of VICTORY!

Today’s Scripture:

I will go before you and make the crooked places straight…

Isaiah 45:2, NKJV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

DON’T CONFUSE WHAT YOU ‘DO’, WITH WHO YOU ARE…..

Have you ever noticed when you ask someone “Who are you?” that a lot of times they’ll say, “I’m a salesman.” “I’m a minister.” “I’m a coach.” “I’m a teacher?” Many people find their identity in what they do. The problem with this kind of thinking is that people IDENTIFY themselves with their negative habits and strongholds, too. I hear people say, “I’m an alcoholic; I just can’t beat it.” No, that’s not WHO you are, that’s what you DO. But if you keep thinking that way and talking that way, it will become so ingrained on the INSIDE that you’ll convince yourself that it’s true, and it will keep you from rising HIGHER.

One time somebody told me, “I’m a drug dealer.” He was embarrassed by it. He didn’t WANT to live that way. I told him what I’m telling you, “That’s not WHO you are. If you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then WHO you are is a child of the Most High GOD. It’s time to start ACTING like it because you have a DESTINY to fulfill.”

As a BELIEVER, you are the righteousness of God in Christ! You are the head and NOT the tail! You are an OVERCOMER! Today, embrace WHO you are in Christ and don’t EVER let your PERFORMANCE change your IDENTITY.

Today’s Scripture:

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”

(Psalm 139:14, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

IF YOU SEEM TO BE IN AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION TODAY, GET “WITH GOD!”

Are you facing something today that seems impossible? With man it may be, but with God, ALL things are possible. If you seem to be in an impossible situation, get “with God!”

Sometimes it’s so easy to focus on our problems and try to solve them in our own strength. But remember, the battle belongs to the Lord. HE has a plan for your VICTORY. He has a plan to give you a way out. He is making the things that seem impossible, POSSIBLE!

The Bible says that He has plans for your GOOD, NOT for evil, to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE. Start BELIEVING and CONFESSING today, “I am with God; and with God, ALL things are POSSIBLE!” Are your bills piling up? With God, ALL things are POSSIBLE. Do your relationships need healing? With God, ALL things are POSSIBLE. Is there sickness in your body? With God, ALL things are POSSIBLE! Hold on to that truth and be EMPOWERED to live in HIS victory in EVERY area of your life!

Today’s Scripture:

Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26 NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD’S WAYS ARE HIGHER, AND HE HAS AN APPOINTED TIME OF FAVOR FOR YOUR LIFE

One thing I’ve learned in my life is that God likes to OUTDO Himself. His DREAM for your life is so much bigger than your own. His ways are HIGHER, and He has an appointed time of FAVOR for your life. He is going to take you places that you never thought possible. He is going to open up doors that you never have imagined. He’s going to bring TALENT out of you that you didn’t even know you had. This is the time to get EXCITED about your future! It’s time to get your HOPES up because you have been chosen by the Creator of the universe. Your DESTINY is not determined by the economy, how you were raised, or your education. Your DESTINY is determined by Almighty God.

Today, I want to encourage you to set your thoughts on things above. It’s time for you to move up higher to a NEW level. The good news is that God has already laid out VICTORY before you. I declare that in the days ahead you’re going to stumble into it. Get ready because God is going to raise you UP into the life of BLESSING He has prepared for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come.”

(Psalm 102:13, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER, LOVE AND A SOUND MIND…..

God desires to take care of whatever may be concerning you today. He invites you to give your worries and cares to Him simply because He loves you!

How do you give Him your cares? First of all, understand that cares show up in your mind. When negative, self-defeating thoughts of worry come, you have to RECOGNIZE them as cares and replace them with the Word of God. For example, if you are concerned about a NEED today, say out loud, “My God shall supply ALL my needs according to His riches in glory.” If you have fear about something, say out loud, “God has NOT given me a spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE and a SOUND mind.” If you have sickness in your body, declare, “By His stripes I am HEALED.” As you meditate on the TRUTH and FOCUS your heart and mind on the Father, those cares and concerns WILL disappear.

Then, thank Him for giving you PEACE and JOY. Thank Him for WORKING in your life. As you keep an attitude of FAITH and EXPECTANCY, give HIM your worries and cares and get ready for the BLESSING He has for your future!

Today’s Scripture:

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

(1 Peter 5:7, NLT)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

DON’T DELAY, DO WHAT YOU KNOW IS RIGHT, TODAY

Isn’t it interesting how EASY it is to put things off? We plan on doing something. We have good intentions. We just plan to do it later. “One day I’m going to start EXERCISING. One day I’m going to get my FINANCES in order. One day I’m going to FORGIVE that person who hurt me.” The problem with this kind of thinking is that “one day” NEVER comes. There will always be some reason to keep delaying it.

Is there something in your heart that you know you need to do? Maybe God has been dealing with you, and you keep putting it off. You think, “As soon as I get through this busy season, then I’ll spend more time with my FAMILY. As soon as the price of gas goes down, then I’ll start TITHING my income. As soon as my child gets out of diapers, then I’m going to get my family back in church.” But friend, good INTENTIONS don’t equal OBEDIENCE. The QUICKER you do what you feel down in your spirit, the HAPPIER you’re going to be. Don’t let unfinished business keep you from God’s best. STEP OUT. OBEY His voice and walk in the BLESSING He has for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”

(Psalm 119:60, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

A HEART FULL OF GRATITUDE, HAS NO ROOM FOR COMPLAINING

Your words have the power to pollute or PURIFY. If you constantly complain, you release poison into your life. Complaining is not based on your circumstances, it’s based on the ATTITUDE of your HEART. If you will keep the right attitude during your time of adversity, God will HONOR you. When you truly TRUST God, there are times you will have unanswered questions—don’t let that keep you from fulfilling your DESTINY. When you have a heart full of GRATITUDE, it leaves no ROOM for complaining. You can always find something to thank GOD for no matter WHAT kind of adversity you may face in life. So DECIDE today to live a life of THANKSGIVING! Don’t allow the poison of complaining prevent you from receiving ALL God has for you!

Today’s Scripture:

Let no foul or polluting language…come out of your mouth.

Ephesians 4:29, AMPC

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD HAS THE SOLUTION FOR PROBLEMS YOU HAVEN’T EVEN HAD YET

In life, we all have to deal with the UNEXPECTED. Just because we’re BELIEVERS, just because we’re good people or doing the right thing doesn’t make us exempt from trouble. The scripture says, “The rain falls on the just AND the unjust.” When something unexpected happens or you find yourself facing a crisis, don’t automatically go into “panic mode” or just fall apart emotionally. Realize that the crisis is NO surprise to God. It may be unexpected to YOU, but God knows the end from the beginning. He has SOLUTIONS to problems that you haven’t even had yet. He has EQUIPPED you for every battle, and He goes before you to make your crooked places straight!

Today, instead of focusing on your problem, FOCUS on your God. Focus on the fact that HE is with you. Remember that He is WALKING with you, LEADING and GUIDING you to a place of PEACE and VICTORY. No matter what has happened, He will take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it around for your GOOD. He always leads us in VICTORY. So keep moving forward knowing that He has a GOOD PLAN for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph…”

(2 Corinthians 2:14, AMP)