THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

THE MORE OF THE WORD YOU TAKE INTO YOUR HEART, THE MORE SUCCESSFUL YOU’LL BE

In life, there are many kinds of seeds we can sow, but do you know what produces the best crop? The seed of God’s Word planted on the soil of our hearts. The more of the Word you take into your heart, the more abundant the HARVEST will be.

Our job, as believers, is to make sure we are good ground. The scripture tells us there are things that can choke the seed of the Word—the cares of this world and greed and selfishness act as thorns that stop the seed from growing. It also tells us that in order for the seed to take root, we need to stand strong during the difficult times when persecution and challenges come.

If you have hard or dry places in your heart today, God wants to soften those areas. He promised in Ezekiel that He will take out the stony, hard heart and replace it with a new heart, a heart that is good ground and open to Him. This is the heart that will produce an abundant HARVEST of blessing in every area of your life!

Today’s Scripture

“Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Matthew 13:8, NLT

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD KNOWS HOW TO GET YOU BACK ON COURSE NO MATTER HOW LOST YOU MIGHT BE…..

No matter where you’ve been, no matter what you’ve done, realize today that your DESTINY supersedes your mistakes. When God designed the plan for your life, it wasn’t dependent on you being perfect, never making a mistake, or never taking a wrong turn. No, God knew we would all make mistakes. He knows how to get you back on track no matter where you are in life. Just like there are many routes on a map, God has a plan to help you reach your DESTINATION. He has DETOURS, SHORTCUTS and BYPASSES. He has already calculated the entire route for your life.

Today, if you’re feeling like you’ve blown it, if you feel like you are too old, too far gone or too far off track, know that nothing you’ve done, no mistake that you’ve made—or ever WILL make—is a surprise to God. He’s already got it figured out. He’s arranged a COMEBACK for every setback! He has GRACE for every weakness. He has MERCY for every failure. Receive it today and move forward with boldness into the DESTINY He has for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”

Romans 11:29, NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

BE DETERMINED TO KEEP GOD IN YOUR THOUGHTS ALL THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Do you ever keep special cards or emails from loved ones? People do this because those words of love and encouragement are IMPORTANT. In the same way, your words and thoughts of love are important to God, TOO. Did you know He has a Book of REMEMBRANCE? In this book, every time we talk about Him or thank Him for His goodness, He has the ANGELS write it down. When you just think about God, the angels RECORD it. In fact, this moment right NOW, the angels are writing it down in the Book of Remembrance. This book is not up on a dusty storeroom shelf in heaven somewhere. The Scripture says, “It stays CONSTANATLY before God, wide OPEN, as a reminder of those who are THINKING of Him.” God loves you so much and VALUES your love, TOO. All throughout the day, be DETERMINED to keep God in your thoughts. Meditate on His PROMISES and thank Him for His GOODNESS. When we keep our minds FOCUSED on Him, we won’t be DISTRACTED by the cares of this world. When you let your love for Him SHOW, it PLEASES His heart and draws you CLOSER to Him each and every day.

Today’s Scripture

Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

Malachi 3:16, NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

TODAY, GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE TO GOD FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE

Today, take time to REFLECT on and give THANKS to God for all of His BLESSINGS in your life. Whether you are eating turkey, playing games with your family, watching football or visiting a friend, remember to take time to focus on God’s GOODNESS. COUNT your blessings and notice all the GRACE, FAVOR and LOVE that God has given you. Psalm 95:2 says to “come before His presence with THANKSGIVING…shout JOYFULLY to Him with psalms.”

No matter the circumstances in your life, give THANKS and PRAISE to God for all that He has DONE. Remember how GOOD He is and that His love will endure FOREVER. The Bible says that you show your love for God through your actions toward OTHER people. Reach out to those AROUND you this holiday season and share His love and FORGIVENESS with them. You are BLESSED to be a blessing to OTHERS!

Today’s Scripture:

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 15:57, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

KEEP ABIDING IN HIM AND HE’LL BRING YOU THROUGH AND MAKE YOU STRONG AND STABLE

In life, we all have ups and downs. There are seasons that are more difficult than others, seasons of testing, trials and temptation where our CHARACTER is being developed and our faith in God is being STRENGTHENED. Sometimes it can feel like you are taking two steps forward and then three steps backward. But if we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that life is ALWAYS going to be this way. Even in the STRONG seasons, you’ll start looking for things to go wrong.

God doesn’t want us to be living life like a roller coaster. He wants to bring us to a place of STABILITY where we remain STRONG in Him. Jesus said, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you abide in me, you will bear much fruit and your fruit will REMAIN.” The word “REMAIN” means “to be FIXED, IMMOVABLE, not AFFECTED by circumstances.” If you will just keep ABIDING in Him, just keep MEDITATING on His Word, He’ll bring you THROUGH. He’ll make you STRONG, He’ll keep you STABLE, and you’ll keep moving forward into the life of BLESSING He has prepared for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.”

(John 15:7, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

SWITCH OVER INTO PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING AND DECLARE THAT GOD IS GOOD

We all face challenges and obstacles in this life. We all have DREAMS in our hearts, and at times, it looks like they’re not going to come to pass. During these difficult SEASONS, we have a choice. We can get negative and discouraged and talk about how things are not going to work out, or we can switch over into PRAISE and THANKSGIVING which opens the door for God to move on our behalf.

A lot of times people think, “I’ll have a good attitude as soon as I get over this health issue.” “Mark, I’ll give God praise when I get through these tough times.” But that’s not how FAITH works. As long as we’re negative, discouraged and focused on our problems, it LIMITS what God can do. You’ve got to give God PRAISE FIRST, and THEN the BREAKTHROUGH will come. You’ve got to change your FOCUS FIRST, and then things will change in your FAVOR. Praise ALWAYS precedes the VICTORY.

Today, if you’ve been dwelling on the wrong things and focusing in the wrong direction, SWITCH OVER into PRAISE and THANKSGIVING. Begin to declare that God IS good. Declare that He is FAITHFUL. Declare His PRAISES and open the door to VICTORY in EVERY area of your life!

Today’s Scripture:

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

(Habakkuk 3:17-18, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

YOUR DAYS ARE DESTINED TO SHINE BRIGHTER BECAUSE GOD IS FAITHFUL

In the Old Testament when this scripture was written, God’s people were going through a VERY dark time. They were being held captive against their will and mistreated by other nations. God sent this word to ENCOURAGE them and give them HOPE for their FUTURE. When the time came, God was FAITHFUL to His Word!

Are YOU going through a difficult time today? Let this word bring YOU encouragement, TOO. God wants to give you DOUBLE for your trouble. He is the God of RESTORATION—that means He’s not going to just repay you for every wrong done, He’s going to go above and BEYOND and make things even BETTER than they were before.

If you are facing challenges today or going through a time of adversity, remember, it’s ALWAYS darkest just before the dawn appears. Your days are DESTINED to shine brighter because God is FAITHFUL. As you stay in faith and are obedient to His Word, you’ll receive DOUBLE for your trouble and the BLESSINGS He has in store for YOU!

Today’s Scripture:

“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.”

Isaiah 61:7, NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

IF YOU DO YOUR PART, GOD WILL ALWAYS BE FAITHFULL TO DO HIS PART

The best way to ease stress in your life is to get your mind OFF the pressures by reaching out to help somebody ELSE. Sow good seeds in someone else’s life with a kind WORD or a helping HAND and you will begin to reap a harvest of BLESSING. God asks you to GIVE, but He doesn’t do it to stress you out or frustrate you. He does it to give you wonderful OPPORTUNITIES. God is trying to help you PLANT your seeds, so that you can reap the HARVEST of your labors and your work. When you serve others, you’ll feel a SATISFACTION, PEACE, a JOY, a STRENGTH, and a FULFILLMENT that only GOD can give. STRENGTH, JOY, ENERGY, PEACE, and HEALING come to those who SERVE. If you’re faithful to do YOUR part, He will be faithful to do HIS part. Don’t let the enemy deceive you into thinking that you CAN’T sow seeds of blessing in someone else’s life. Get that seed into the GROUND so it can grow into a harvest of BLESSING and VICTORY!

Today’s Scripture

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45, NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

WE CAN’T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT WE CAN, AND SHOULD ALWAYS CONTROL OUR REACTION

Every day, we have opportunities to get upset, be frustrated, or get offended. Maybe you had plans that didn’t work out, or someone was rude to you at the office. Maybe you were doing something that should have taken one hour and it ended up taking three. Life is full of inconveniences, but even though we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control our REACTION. I heard somebody say, “Life is 10% what happens TO you, and 90% how you RESPOND.”

We should always go out each day with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE, full of HOPE and expecting God’s FAVOR. But at the same time, we should RECOGNIZE that most days are not going to go exactly as we plan. Remember, we were created to live in PEACE. Peace is our position of POWER. If you get stressed because you got off schedule or upset because your child wouldn’t eat his breakfast, or frustrated because somebody offended you, what you’re doing is giving away your POWER. Instead, make the DECISION to release those offenses and disappointments so you can live in PEACE and enjoy the day as the BLESSING God prepared for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.”

(Proverbs 19:11, AMPC)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

LOOK FOR THE GOOD IN OTHERS AND HONOR THEM FOR WHO GOD MADE THEM TO BE

We don’t often hear the word ESTEEM used in our culture, but the Bible tells us to esteem and DELIGHT in one another. One definition of esteem is to ‘hold in high regard.’ That means we are to HONOR and VALUE one another. You may not always agree with everyone around you. THEY may not always act honorably, but we are to honor and esteem people because they are valuable in the eyes of GOD.

If you had a very costly and valuable piece of jewelry, you wouldn’t just wear it to the gym or leave it on the kitchen sink. No, you would treat it CAREFULLY. You would put it in a safe place and PROTECT it. When we see others as valuable, the way God sees them; we TREAT them carefully as well. We should watch how we TALK to other people. We should look for the GOOD in others and HONOR them for who God MADE them to be. The Bible tells us that the way we treat OTHERS is like sowing seeds, and it will come BACK to us. CHOOSE to esteem and delight in one another. Sow GOOD seeds, and you will see a harvest of blessing in your OWN life in return!

Today’s Scripture:

“And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us…”

Ephesians 5:2, AMP