THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD EQUIPPED YOU WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ORDER TO THRIVE IN THIS LIFE

Did you know that God chose you BEFORE the foundations of the earth? BEFORE the worlds were ever formed, He knew you. And, He didn’t create you to be average. He didn’t create you to barely get by. No, He created you to EXCEL! Not only has He CHOSEN you, but He has EQUIPPED you with everything you need to live and THRIVE in this life. He has deposited seeds of GREATNESS inside EVERY person. But in order to tap into those seeds of greatness, you have to BELIEVE this and ACT on it.

Too many people today are going around with low self-esteem, feeling inferior like they don’t have what it takes. But that is living a lie. And as long as we have a poor self-image, we’re not going to experience God’s BEST. In order to be all that God has CALLED us to be, we have to see ourselves as CHOSEN, VALUABLE and VICTORIOUS.

Today, MEDITATE on this truth. Let it sink down deep into your heart. Let it build CONFIDENCE and SECURITY in you. As you understand your VALUE in the eyes of GOD, you’ll be EMPOWERED to live the life of VICTORY He has prepared for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…”
(Ephesians 1:4, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

AS BELIEVERS, WE HAVE ACCESS TO GOD 24/7

BELIEVERS, have the HONOR and PRIVILEGE to enter boldly into God’s presence. Scripture says that we can come to His throne of grace and receive His mercy. Because He LOVES us, He has given us unlimited access to Himself 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

But notice that today’s verse tells us that we shouldn’t just come any old way to God. We shouldn’t come empty-handed to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. What can we bring? What do we have that’s WORTHY of Almighty God? Our PRAISE. Our THANKSGIVING. Our WORSHIP. We are to enter His gates with an offering from our hearts of ADORATION because He is WORTHY!

We have to understand, PRAISE isn’t just about singing songs on Sunday mornings. Praise is the expression of GRATEFULNESS to Father God for Who He IS and all that He has DONE. PRAISE gets God’s attention. Praise is a powerful TOOL in the life of the believer because God INHABITS our praises! When we enter His presence the RIGHT way, He enters our CIRCUMSTANCES, and when God shows up, the enemy MUST flee! Today, enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING and open the door for Him to move on your behalf!

Today’s Scripture:

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
(Psalm 100:4, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD DOESN’T WANT YOU TO JUST BE ALIVE, HE WANTS YOU TO BE ‘REALLY ALIVE’

A few years ago, I was watching the news when Captain Sullenberger successfully landed a jet airplane in the Hudson River. All 155 passengers survived. It’s known as “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, “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:

SPEAK WHAT YOU SEEK UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT YOU SAY

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:

GIVE IT TO GOD, AND LET HIM DO IT HIS WAY

God sees and cares about EVERYTHING that happens in your life. He’s seen every wrong that’s been done to you. He’s seen every unfair situation. He told the people of Israel, “I have seen your affliction. I have seen how badly you were treated those 430 years that you were in slavery.” Then He went on to say, “I have come down to DELIVER you.” When God brought them out, they didn’t come out empty-handed. God made their enemies hand over their GOLD AND SILVER. God VINDICATED His people, and He will vindicate YOU!

Maybe someone has wronged you today. You could easily become bitter and angry and spend your life trying to pay them back. However, if you will give it to God and let HIM do it HIS way, scripture says He’ll pay you DOUBLE for your trouble! Today, know that He sees where you are, He sees where you’ve been, and He sees the struggles of your heart. Release the struggle to Him and let Him REWARD you with His EVERLASTING promises.

Today’s Scripture:

“I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.”
Psalm 31:7, NLT

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD’S FAVOR, BLESSING AND SPLENDOR IS ON YOU IN A HEAVY WAY

Notice that today’s verse doesn’t say that the GLORY of the Lord is going to come on you ONE day. It doesn’t say, “Maybe when the economy gets better, when you graduate from college, or when you get that good break.” No, it says God’s GLORY is ALREADY on you!

The word “GLORY” in the original language indicates that God’s FAVOR, BLESSING and SPLENDOR is on you in a HEAVY way. It’s something that is TANGIBLE and has WEIGHT. Think about it this way: You are NOT less than, intimidated or weak; you are HEAVY with God’s FAVOR. You are dripping with God’s GOODNESS. Your attitude should be, “There’s no TELLING what’s in my future! I am weighted down, not with burdens, not with problems. I am weighted down with the FAVOR of God.”

When you really understand that you are heavy with FAVOR, then it’s easy to be heavy with EXPECTATION. It’s easy to believe for BIG things when you know God has FAVORED you in a BIG way. It’s time for you to ARISE. It’s time for you to SHINE. Let that sink down into your SPIRIT today because it’s time for you to arise and SHINE because His GLORY and His FAVOR is HEAVY upon you!

Today’s Scripture:

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.”
(Isaiah 60:1, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD PROMISES TO ALWAYS LEAD US INTO VICTORY

Isn’t it wonderful to know that God PROMISES to always lead us into VICTORY? That means no matter what is going on in your life TODAY, no matter what’s happening in the world AROUND you, no matter what anybody SAYS, you should always be THANKING God because VICTORY is ALWAYS on the way!

You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to CELEBRATE what God is GOING to do in your life. PRAISE is putting action behind your FAITH. In the middle of adversity or a tough time, start making a list of who you’re going to invite to your VICTORY celebration. That means if you’re in the hospital, start planning what you’re going to do when you get OUT. If you lost some money when the stock market went down, start planning your coming-OUT-OF-DEBT party. When things don’t look good in the natural, remember, we serve a SUPERNATURAL God. With God leading you into VICTORY, you can always plan for INCREASE. You can plan for RESTORATION. You can plan for a COMEBACK, and you can plan for VICTORY because He is LEADING and GUIDING you in Jesus’ name!

Today’s Scripture:

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…”
(2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP OTHERS SEE THEIR OWN POTENTIAL

We all need somebody to BELIEVE in us more than we believe in ourselves. We all need people who will push us UP, so to speak. After all, there are enough people trying to push us down in life. There are enough people telling us what we can NOT become and how we don’t have what it takes.

I know in my own life, looking back, I wouldn’t be half of who I am today if it were not for my High School Band Director, Louis Reinacher. He spoke so much FAITH into me. He called out the POTENTIAL on the inside. POTENTIAL that he saw, that I did NOT see at the time.

I believe we ALL have the RESPONSIBILITY to do this for others. Let’s push people UP. Let’s look with our eyes of faith and see their POTENTIAL and tell them what they CAN become. If you will be that person for somebody else, God will make sure somebody will be that person for YOU.

Friend, every person has seeds of GREATNESS inside. You can cause your children to rise to a new level. You can be the CATALYST for your family to do things they NEVER thought possible. Your words have creative power. When you speak VISION, that can be the seed God uses to thrust them to a new level.

Today’s Scripture:

“Two are better than one…if either of them falls down, one can help the other up…”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD IS ALWAYS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES ON YOUR BEHALF

When David wrote this verse, He was in a very difficult situation. He was actually running for his life from his very own son who wanted to kill him and take over the throne. Can you imagine?! David was probably feeling overwhelmed, distraught, heartbroken, betrayed and abandoned. Have you ever felt that way? But notice that David didn’t just tell the Lord all about his problems. He told the Lord about his FAITH when he said, “But You, God, are a shield around me…” David made the CHOICE to FOCUS on God’s GOODNESS no matter what.

We have to remember, circumstances may be tough, but God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. You may have a difficult RELATIONSHIP, but God is your RESTORER today. You may have an overwhelming NEED, but God is your PROVIDER today! The doctors may have told you that you have an incurable disease, but God is your HEALER today! Things may look impossible today, BUT WITH GOD, ALL things are POSSIBLE! If you’ll keep that constant attitude of FAITH and VICTORY, you’ll see the hand of GOD move in your life, and you will experience the life of VICTORY He has in store for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! …But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”
(Psalm 3:1-3, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD’S POWER IN YOU IS GREATER THAN ANY POWER THAT COMES AGAINST YOU

So many people today are living with less than God’s BEST because they’ve allowed fear to creep in and take root in their lives. Fear is the greatest weapon the enemy uses to try to hold us back. Fear is NOT from God. Scripture tells us that fear brings torment. It’s designed to paralyze us and keep us from God’s BLESSINGS.

The good news is that God is GREATER than fear. His POWER in YOU is greater than ANY power that comes against you. But in order to walk in His POWER, you have to close the door on the enemy. See, the enemy can’t have access to your life unless YOU open a door and give him access. That’s why we have to be careful about what we WATCH, what we LISTEN to, what we READ, and what we SAY. When we open ourselves to fear, we give the enemy OPPORTUNITY.

If you’ve allowed fear to steal from you in any area of life, today you can be FREE—you can be FINISHED with fear. CONQUERING the enemy starts by making the CHOICE to close the door on fear, and instead, meditate on God’s PROISES. We OVERCOME by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our TESTIMONY! Let His TRUTH sink down into your heart. DECLARE it out of your mouth. Let Him set you FREE and lead you into VICTORY as you close the door on fear!

Today’s Scripture:

“Do not give the Devil an opportunity to work.”
(Ephesians 4:27, ISV)