THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

STAND STRONG AND FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH

So many people today run from anything that’s hard. They run from their problems. They run from responsibility. They run from people they don’t like. They run from the past. They run from anything that makes them uncomfortable. Instead of facing the issues and dealing with them, they just take the easy way out and go down the path of least resistance. But if you’re going to live in victory the way God intends, you have to learn how to face your challenges HEAD ON.

Notice today’s verse doesn’t say, “Keep running until you see the salvation of the Lord.” It doesn’t say, “Bury your head in the sand until God delivers you.” No, God wants us to STAND STRONG, set our faces like a flint, and fight the good fight of FAITH. And the good news is that you don’t have to do it in your OWN strength! He’s EQUIPPED you with HIS supernatural POWER to overcome every obstacle.

Make the DECISION today to stand strong and face the challenges in your life. Be BOLD and dare to CONQUER! As you stand in FAITH, you will see the SALVATION, the DELIVERANCE of Almighty God in EVERY area of your life!

Today’s Scripture:

“…stand and see the salvation of the Lord…”

(2 Chronicles 20:17, NASB)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

WHEN GOD HOLDS YOU IN HIS HAND, YOU ARE SAFE….

We all face situations in life that feel out of control. During times like these, it’s easy to get discouraged and allow fear to creep in; but instead, why don’t you FOCUS on the fact that GOD is holding you in the palm of His hand! There is nothing too difficult for Him; nothing’s impossible; nothing is beyond His ability. When God holds you in His hand, you are SAFE; you are CARED FOR; In His hand, there is VICTORY. In His hand, there is STRENGTH. In His hand, there is PROVISION. In His hand is EVERYTHING you need.

No matter what you may be going through today, you can trust that God is FOR you. Instead of getting down and depressed over your circumstances, LOOK UP and get a VISION of God turning that situation around. Let FAITH rise in your heart and focus on His FAVOR, PROMOTION and BLESSING. As you keep your heart and mind FOCUSED on Him and choose to obey His Word, you’ll see those supernatural BREAKS that will LAUNCH you further ahead than you ever thought possible because He holds you with HIS VICTORIOUS RIGHT HAND!

Today’s Scripture:

“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you…I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand…”

Isaiah 41:10, AMPC

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

AS A BELIEVER, IF YOU’RE NOT EXPECTING FAVOR, THEN YOU’RE LIVING BELOW YOUR PRIVELEGES

God wants His people to be the MOST blessed! He wants His people to INCREASE so they can live as an example of His GOODNESS. But in order to partake of everything He has in store for us, we have to be open to what HE wants to do in our lives. We have to have a VISION for INCREASE. If you’re not EXPECTING favor, if you just get satisfied with where you ARE, then you’re living BELOW your privileges. But if you will get a VISION for increase, a vision of who you ARE as a child of the Most High God, you’ll see supernatural OPPORTUNITIES, FAVOR and INCREASE in your life.

Today, take time to focus your thoughts on GOD and His PROMISES. Meditate on His WORD. Look for what He is DOING and receive the BLESSINGS He has in store for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”

(Isaiah 43:19, NLT)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD LONGS TO PROTECT AND DEFEND US AND GIVE US HIS STRENGTH

Where do you take refuge when the storms of LIFE come? Where do you go for COMFORT and SAFETY? Some people find it easy to turn to their friends, their job, or even a bowl of ice cream. There’s nothing wrong with any of those things, but God wants us to turn to HIM first. He wants us to take REFUGE in Him. He longs to PROTECT us, DEFEND us and give us His STRENGTH. We serve a GOOD God, and when we take refuge in HIM, He will pour out His abundant BLESSING in our lives.

Taste and see that the Lord is GOOD, and His PROMISES are good. When you turn to God, the Bible PROMISES that you will find rest and refuge for your SOUL. No matter what you may be facing today, come to the Father. He will give you His PEACE and STRENGTH as you take REFUGE in Him.

Today’s Scripture:

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

(Psalm 34:8, ESV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

WHEN YOU WALK AND TALK LIKE YOU’RE BLESSED, THEN YOU’LL LIVE LIKE YOU’RE BLESSED

Your words have tremendous POWER. No matter what you may be facing today, the words of your mouth can help set the course for VICTORY or defeat. When you wake up with an attitude of FAITH and EXPECTANCY and declare that GOD is your refuge, you will be strengthened and empowered by His SPIRIT. When you TALK like you are blessed, when you WALK like you are blessed, then you will LIVE like you are blessed!

Understand that your WORDS are like seeds. When you DECLARE favor and blessing, you are SOWING favor and blessing, and you will reap a HARVEST of favor and blessing in return. That’s why its so important to take inventory of what you are SAYING on a regular basis. Even when challenges and obstacles arise, you have to rise up and say, “If God is FOR me, who can be AGAINST me?” EVERY DAY, let go of the weeds of unforgiveness and bitterness. Water YOUR seed with the Word of GOD so you can move FORWARD into the ABUNDANT life He has in store for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust [with great confidence, and on whom I rely]!'”

(Psalm 91:2, AMP)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

AS BELIEVERS, WE ARE EMPOWERED BY THE SAME SPIRIT THAT RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD

When you REFLECT something, you are exhibiting its LIKENESS. You are displaying its CHARACTERISTICS. Like a mirror, the Bible tells us that we should reflect the character and LIKENESS of Jesus. We should have His same ATTITUDE.

That may sound like a pretty tall order; after all, Jesus was the Son of GOD. But remember, when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, WE become sons and daughters of God, TOO. We become EMPOWERED by the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. That means we have the same POWER, the same spirit of HUMILITY, the same STRENGTH, and the same LOVE on the inside. We are EQUIPPED to follow His example and do what HE did. What did He do? Scripture says that Jesus went around doing GOOD and bringing HEALING to others; physically, spiritually AND emotionally.

Notice that today’s verse starts by saying, “LET…” In other words, WE have to open the door for God to work in our lives. We have to be the ones to humbly invite HIM in. Let that be your goal today—open your HEART to Him so you can REFLECT HIM in your attitude and actions!

Today’s Scripture:

“Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility].”

(Philippians 2:5, AMP)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

YOUR BODY IS GOD’S TEMPLE, HONOR HIM WITH THE CARE YOU TAKE OF IT

There is no doubt that being in shape SPIRITUALLY is the most important kind of FITNESS. But being in shape PHYSICALLY is very important as well. Some people know the BIBLE well – they pray often and know what TO do, but they don’t have the physical ENERGY to do anything at ALL. All THREE parts of your being – physical, emotional and spiritual – should be HEALTHY and in SYNC for you to function most productively. Your body is the TEMPLE of the Most High God, and you must HONOR Him with the care you take of it. Seek a balance, and try to be HEALTHY and God-honoring in EVERY part of life.

Today’s Scripture:

“For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it.”

(1 Corinthians 6:20, TLB)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD LOVES YOU, AND IS WORKING THINGS TOGETHER FOR YOUR GOOD

God has a PLAN to take every adversity and every hardship you go through and USE it. He’s NOT going to beat you down and make your life miserable. No, God’s DREAM is to take that difficulty and SUPERNATURALLY turn it around and use it to bring you GOOD. He will use those tough times to bring you out STRONGER, more MATURE and prepared for PROMOTION! GOODNESS, MERCY and unfailing LOVE are God’s plan for you!

You may not understand everything that’s going on in your life right now, but I encourage you to keep your head held HIGH. Know that God IS working in your life. Keep being FAITHFUL. Keep doing the right thing, knowing that in the end God is going to turn things around in your favor. If God is FOR you, who can be AGAINST you? NO ONE. Greater is the One who is IN you than ANYONE who can be against you. No matter what’s going on AROUND you today, you can put your shoulders back and put a smile on your face because God IS working things together for your GOOD because He LOVES you!

Today’s Scripture:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

(Romans 8:28, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

THE MORE YOU SOW, THE GREATER THE HARVEST WILL BE

The Lord has crowned your year with BOUNTY and GOODNESS! That means there is an ABUNDANT supply for WHATEVER you may need spiritually, physically, emotionally AND financially. He has also set up a SYSTEM by which to BLESS you. It’s the system of seed time and harvest. If you have a need in your life, sow a SEED. For example, if you’re lonely and need FRIENDS, sow a seed by being a friend TO someone. If you have a FINANCIAL need, pray and ask the Lord where you should sow a financial SEED. The Bible says to GIVE, and it shall be given unto YOU; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running OVER. That’s God crowning your year with BOUNTY and GOODNESS. Do you need MERCY? SOW seeds of mercy. The more you sow, the greater the harvest you will REAP. Remember, He’s ALREADY crowned your year with His goodness. Take a step of FAITH today and sow a SEED!

Today’s Scripture:

“You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness…”

(Psalm 65:11, AMPC)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

KEEP TRUSTING BECAUSE GOD IS READY TO BLESS YOU IN UNEXPECTED WAYS TODAY

Our God is a REWARDER of those who SEEK Him! When you keep God FIRST PLACE and do your best to HONOR Him, Scripture says, “His blessings will chase you down and OVERTAKE you.” That means you will come into INCREASE, PROMOTION and good breaks that you didn’t necessarily DESERVE. That’s God REWARDING you for walking in HIS ways.

We see this principle in the Old Testament with Ruth. She was out in the fields following behind the workers and gathering up the leftover wheat that they missed. She was trying to take care of her mother-in-law, Naomi, but they were barely surviving. One day, the owner of the fields told the workers to leave handfuls of wheat on purpose for Ruth. Ruth came into BLESSING that were simply dropped at her feet.

Every one of us can look back and see times where God has left us HANDFULS on purpose—something that we didn’t deserve or even ASK for. We just STUMBLED into it. That’s a “HANDFUL ON PURPOSE.” I encourage you to always keep your expectancy UP. Keep TRUSTING God and obeying His VOICE because He is ready to bless you in UNEXPECTED ways today!

Today’s Scripture:

“And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.”

(Deuteronomy 28:2, ESV)