THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

WHEN GOD SHOWS UP, THE ENEMY MUST FLEE

What a remarkable PRIVILIDGE it is to boldly approach God’s throne of grace through JESUS. We have the opportunity to reach out to Him at any time, day or night, every day of the year! However, today’s scripture reminds us that we should not approach Him CASUALLY. We should NOT stand before the King of kings and the Lord of lords without an OFFERING. What can we present that is worthy of Almighty GOD? Our PRAISE, our THANKSGIVING, our WORSHIP. We ought to come into His presence with a heart full of ADORATION. Praise extends BEYOND singing hymns in church; it is an act of expressing GRATITUDE to God for His NATURE and all His DEEDS. Praise is a VITAL instrument for believers, for God DWELLS in the praises of His people. When we ENGAGE with Him APPROPRIATELY, He INTERVENES in our situations; and when GOD appears, adversaries must RETREAT! So today, enter His gates with THANKSGIVING, and pave the way for His ACTION in your life.

Today’s Scripture:

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Hebrews 13:15, NLT

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

AS BELIEVERS, GOD’S SPIRIT DWELLS WITHIN US, UNVEILING THE HEART AND MIND OF GOD HIMSELF

Who do you confide your deepest SECRETS in? Most people share their most intimate thoughts only with those CLOSEST to them, those they TRUST and have shared EXPERIENCES with. But have you considered who GOD confides HIS secrets to? The scripture says, “Who can know a person’s thoughts except their own SPIRIT?” For BELIEVERS, God’s Spirit dwells WITHIN, unveiling the heart and mind of God HIMSELF.

God desires for you to UNDERSTAND His thoughts about you, to be aware of the PLANS He has for you. He LONGS to reveal to you sights unseen, sounds unheard, and scenarios beyond IMAGINATION. You are not JUST His child; you are also His FRIEND, His intimate COMPANION. He YEARNS to walk with you, CONVERSE with you, and SHARE with you. What a marvelous and profound IDEA — to understand God’s THOUGHTS because we are UNITED with Him. Open your heart and let Him reveal His profound secrets to YOU today.

Today’s Scripture:

“That is what the scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’ But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10, NLT

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

PROCLAIM GOD’S GREATNESS BY LIVING A LIFE FILLED WITH GRATITUDE TOWARDS HIM

When someone presents you with a significant or expensive GIFT, how do you express your APPRECIATION? Do you convey your GRATITUDE? How do you USE that gift? When it’s something for which you are genuinely thankful, you display it OPENLY and with PRIDE. When others notice and ADMIRE it, you likely share the story of its ORIGIN and the giver’s GENEROSITY. Similarly, we should express our thankfulness to the LORD by showcasing the gifts He has bestowed upon US. We should embody the TRAITS of our heavenly Father, reflecting His LIKENESS in our EYES, SPEECH, and ACTIONS. We should exhibit LOVE, PEACE, JOY, KINDNESS, and HOPE. Our lives should be lived in SUCH a manner that our actions proclaim His MAGNIFICANCE and draw the ATTENTION of others. Proclaim His greatness by living a life filled with GRATITUDE towards Him, and let the world KNOW of His deeds for YOU.

Today’s Scripture:

Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.

Psalm 105:1, NASB

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

YOU DON’T REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF OTHERS; YOU ALREADY HAVE GOD’S APPROVAL

Today’s teaching emphasizes not conforming to the WORLD’S expectations. To be the INDIVIDUAL God created you to be, it takes COURAGE to break FREE from the mold. This entails not dwelling on others’ OPINIONS. The prophet Jeremiah nearly missed OUT on God’s plan for him because he FELT too young, a sentiment shared by TIMOTHY, Paul’s SPIRITUAL son. In 1 Timothy 4:12, PAUL advises Timothy, “Let NO ONE look down on your youth.” Essentially, Paul’s message was, “Timothy, be who GOD created you to be.” The same message applies to you TODAY. You don’t REQUIRE the approval of others; you already have GOD’S approval. Stand up with boldness and CONFIDENCE and watch as God SHOWERS you with blessings and FAVOR beyond your wildest DREAMS.

Today’s Scripture:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

Romans 12:2, NLT

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

YOU’LL BE ASTONISHED BY THE OUTCOMES WHEN YOU HEED GOD’S DIRECTIVES….JUST ONE MORE TIME…..

Throughout Peter’s life, Jesus encouraged him to go above and beyond, to cast his fishing net to the OTHER side of the boat—just ONCE more. These nets were heavy and difficult to maneuver. Despite his hesitation, Peter COMPLIED with Jesus’ request, and the catch he made was EXTRAORDINARY. It’s NATURAL to feel weary and disheartened after persistent efforts yield no VISIBLE success. Yet, when you sense the Master’s voice within urging you to “TRY AGAIN,” resist dismissing what God INTENDS for you. It might defy LOGIC, and every bit of reasoning could SUGGEST it’s impossible. You might think you’re too OLD, or lack the necessary EXPERIENCE. The PROGNOSIS may appear grim, and the odds stacked AGAINST you. However, take a leap of FAITH as the skeptical fishermen did and PROCLAIM, “God, this PROMISE seems illogical. But if it’s Your will, I BELIEVE.” Like Peter, you’ll find yourself ASTONISHED by the OUTCOMES when you heed His directives, just ONE MORE TIME!

Today’s Scripture:

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

Luke 5:4, NLT

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

EXCELLENCE IS WOVEN INTO YOUR BEING-THE DNA OF ALMIGHTY GOD

It’s common to navigate life feeling unremarkable or ordinary, thinking, “I’M nothing special; just ONE among the BILLIONS on Earth.” But NO, when you were created, a piece of the Divine was instilled within you. It’s as if you carry the DNA of the Almighty. You are meant for REMARKABLE feats, to make an IMPACT on this era. The REALITY is, there’s NOTHING ordinary about you. Yet, often we fail to recognize our ESSENCE. We dwell on our FLAWS, what we lack, the ERRORS we’ve made, or our family BACKGROUND. This leads us to settle for mediocrity, DESPITE being fashioned for EXCELLENCE! To transcend mediocrity, remind yourself DAILY, “I possess the DNA of the Supreme Being. EXCELLENCE is woven into MY being. I hail from a lineage of VICTORS.” Embrace the mindset of a VICTOR, and you’ll lead the LIFE of one, confidently accepting the fortunes DESTINED for you.

Today’s Scripture:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10, NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

IGNITE THE POWER AND ENCOURAGEMENT WITHIN, AND EMBRACE THE VICTORIOUS LIFE GOD HAS FOR YOU

Having friends and family to lift your spirits is beneficial, but TRUE triumph comes from INTERNAL encouragement. When doubts arise and CHALLENGES loom, it’s the INNER strength that declares, “I will NOT settle here.” This was David’s approach amidst grave adversity—his family gone, his city in ruins, and his people turned foes. Yet, he found solace WITHIN by recalling PAST victories and God’s unwavering FAITHFULNESS. With each remembrance of divine goodness, his heart grew STRONGER.

Observe the divine at work in NUMEROUS ways. Be grateful for your SALVATION, the gift of LIFE, and His STEADFASTNESS. Concentrate on the belief that God hasn’t led you THIS far to ABANDON you. Ignite the power and encouragement WITHIN, and as you do, you’ll ASCEND and embrace the VICTORIOUS life God has FASHIONED for you.

Today’s Scripture:

“David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him…But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

1 Samuel 30:6, AMP

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

YOU HAVE BEEN GRANTED AUTHORITY BY GOD, TO DECLARE PEACE OVER YOUR HOME, MIND AND FAMILY

What does one do when life’s storms appear overwhelming? There’s a story where Jesus and His disciples were sailing when a fierce storm arose. The disciples were TERRIFIED, yet Jesus was soundly ASLEEP. Upon being awakened by His disciples, Jesus rose and COMMANDED the storm, “PEACE! Be still.” At His words, the waters became TRANQUIL once more.

In challenging times, you need NOT be consumed by the tides of WORRY or FEAR. Just as Jesus calmed the storm with HIS words, you TOO have power in your speech. As a BELIEVER, the Bible ASSURES us that the same Spirit that resurrected CHRIST resides within YOU. This signifies that the divine power to perform MIRACLES is within you. You have been granted the AUTHORITY to proclaim PEACE over your HOUSEHOLD, your THOUGHTS, and your FAMILY. Remember, regardless of the STORMS you face, the GREATER One dwells WITHIN you, EMPOWERING you to triumph in EVERY aspect of your life.

Today’s Scripture:

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”

(Mark 4:39, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

CALL ON JESUS TODAY, AND MOVE RIGHT IN TO HIS PROVISION

When you invoke the name of the Lord, something SUPERNATURAL occurs within you. The Bible indicates that God dwells in your HEART through the Holy SPIRIT. Moreover, invoking His name means you are summoning all that He EMBODIES—LIFE, PEACE, STRENGTH, HOPE, JOY, HEALING, DELIVERANCE, FORGIVENESS, and much MORE. It’s akin to being handed the key to a treasure-laden MANSION, and it’s all YOURS. You can see the KEY, share its existence with OTHERS, and know you have ACCESS whenever you DESIRE, but you must still take ACTION and use the key to unlock the door to enjoy the blessings WITHIN. You wouldn’t just PEEK inside or visit sporadically; rather, you’d move in COMPLETELY. Decide today to EMBRACE God’s plentiful blessings by calling on the name of JESUS. Invoke His name and fully enter into His PROVISION, JOY, PEACE, and LOVE. With the KEY in hand, accept the abundant life He has READIED for you TODAY.

Today’s Scripture:

But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:11, NLT

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD’S ROUTE OVERVIEW FOR OUR LIVES…..

When we input an address into our navigation system, the “Route Overview” provides us with the details of our journey—our destination, the duration, and every turn we need to take. This allows us to relax, secure in the knowledge of what lies ahead. Similarly, God has a “Route OVERVIEW” for our lives. He knows our ULTIMATE destination and the best route to get us there. However, God does NOT reveal all the details to us. Scripture tells us His WORD is a LAMP unto our feet, suggesting we’re given just enough light to see the path DIRECTLY ahead, not the ENTIRE journey of the next fifty YEARS. He guides us one step at a TIME. If we TRUST Him and step into the UNKNOWN, without certainty of the OUTCOME, He will reveal the NEXT step. In THIS way, He leads us towards our DESTINY, one step after ANOTHER.

The question THEN becomes, are you willing to boldly take the next STEP with the light you’ve been GIVEN? It’s in the UNKNOWN that MIRACLES occur, where we uncover ABILITIES we never realized we HAD, and where we achieve BEYOND our wildest dreams. If you dare to do what you feel He’s calling you to DO, He will provide the MEANS, the FAVOR, and everything NECESSARY to ascend to the next LEVEL.

Today’s Scripture:

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105, ESV