THOUGHT FOR 2023

GOD IS RELEASING YOU INTO NEW LEVELS OF YOUR DESTINY IN 2023

When the three Hebrew teenagers were thrown into the fiery furnace because they wouldn’t BOW to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol, they were BOUND with cords. They should have been killed INSTANTLY, but when the king gazed into the furnace, he saw FOUR UNBOUND men, and one who looked like the Son of GOD. Here’s my point: Your hands may be tied TODAY—you’ve worked, prayed, believed, and done the right THINGS, but it seems like your dream is NEVER going to work out. The GOOD news is that God’s hands are NOT tied. He’s not LIMITED by what’s limiting YOU.

I believe that what’s restricted you in the PAST has lost its GRIP—that addiction, that sickness, that lack, the bad breaks. It’s a NEW day. The fourth MAN has shown up. Like the Hebrew teenagers, you’re coming out, NOT bound but LOOSED, FREE, WHOLE, VINDICATED, PROMOTED, with that dream you were BELIEVING for. Your hands are NOT tied ANYMORE. God is RELEASING you into NEW levels of your DESTINY in 2023!

Today’s Scripture:

Daniel 3:25, NKJV

“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

JUST KEEP STANDING UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT GOD PROMISED COME TO PASS

When you’ve done your best to get WELL but it’s not changing, when you’ve treated people with KINDNESS who aren’t being kind to YOU, when you’ve worked HARD but the promotion fell through, what do you DO? Get discouraged, think it’s not going to happen, and give UP? No, just stand FIRM. To be STANDING is to be TRUSTING God, knowing that He’s in CONTROL. When you’re standing, you’re NOT frustrated by what’s not happening. You’re not COMPLAINING about how long it’s taking. You’re NOT moved by what the medical report says or by how your CHILD is acting. You’re at REST and in PEACE. You know that what God STARTED, He’s going to FINISH.

God is looking for STUBBORN faith. You keep BELIEVING, keep THANKING God, and keep being your BEST. Giving UP is not an OPTION; quitting is not IN your mindset. You KNOW that what God PROMISED you IS on the way. No matter WHAT comes against you and isn’t CHANGING, just keep STANDING until you see what God promised come to PASS.

Today’s Scripture:

Ephesians 6:13, ESV

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

DIFFICULTIES ARE A SIGN THAT SOMETHING AMAZING IS IN YOUR FUTURE…..

When you have a big FUTURE, the enemy is NOT going to roll out the red carpet and let you FULFILL it. The apostle Paul recognized that a wide door of OPPORTUNITY had opened for him, but he had MANY adversaries because of the FAVOR that was on his life. The ENEMY recognized that Paul was a HISTORYMAKER, which is why he came against Paul so STRONGLY.

Many of the challenges YOU’VE faced–the things that didn’t seem FAIR, the OBSTACLES that came out of NOWHERE, the PEOPLE who TURNED on you–are because there are seeds of GREATNESS in YOU. You may not see it YET, but the ENEMY sees it. Have a new PERSPECTIVE. Those difficulties are a sign that something AMAZING is in your FUTURE. There’s something IN you that the enemy doesn’t want OUT. There’s an ASSIGNMENT God has for you that the enemy is trying to STOP–an ANOINTING, an EMPOWERMENT, a FAVOR that he doesn’t want you to SEE. The GOOD news is that GOD has the final SAY.

Today’s Scripture:

1 Corinthians 16:9, ESV

…for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

WHEN YOU’RE IN THE WAVES, GRAB ON TO THE BROKEN PIECES

In Acts 27, in the midst of the storm at sea, God PROMISED the apostle Paul that he and the ship’s CREW would SURVIVE, but the ship would be lost. It would have been much LESS traumatic if God had saved the SHIP, but SOMETIMES our boat goes down. The GOOD news is that the wooden boat’s broken PIECES helped float them to SAFETY. We think we have to have the BOAT, but God had a PLAN so that their BROKENNESS became their BREAKTHROUGH.

YOU may have lost someone or something precious to YOU, but what you have LEFT is what you NEED. God didn’t let you lose SO much that you can’t make it to where He’s TAKING you. When you’re in the waves, grab on to the BROKEN pieces. That means to keep believing that what God PROMISED is still on the WAY. Keep THANKING God for His GOODNESS. He doesn’t CHANGE His mind. The boat may have broken APART, but you’re still going to make it to your DESTINY.

Today’s Scripture:

Acts 27:41, NIV

But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

STAY HEALTHY AND DISCONNECT FROM THOSE THAT BRING DIVISION

HEALTHY people are NOT jealous of others and don’t talk about others behind their BACKS. Secure people don’t BAD-mouth others. They FORGIVE others and move ON. They’re NOT bitter, they don’t live with REGRETS, and they’re not MAD at themselves or others. They CELEBRATE other people’s SUCCESS and are HAPPY for those who are AHEAD of them. GRATEFUL people don’t FIND fault and focus on what’s wrong with others.

The Scripture says love COVERS others’ faults. Love covers others’ WEAKNESSES. If someone just goes around EXPOSING others and talking about their FAULTS, don’t sit there and listen to their gossip, criticism, or judgment. Don’t spend TIME on the phone with a friend who talks negatively about all your other friends. If you’re spending TIME with people who are critical, bitter, disgruntled, and FAULTFINDERS, those same QUALITIES are going to rub off on YOU. Keep your spirit PURE from all that discord. Don’t take the bait and join them in making others look BAD. Stay healthy and DISCONNECT from anyone who brings division.

Today’s Scripture:

1 Peter 4:8, NLT

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

THE MOST HIGH GOD HAS APPROVED YOU AND HE’S THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS

It’s very POWERFUL when you can say, “I HAVE the talent I need. I have the LOOKS I need. I have the PERSONALITY I need. I have the STRENGTH I need.” David had PLENTY of opportunities to live with a deficit mentality. Before he became the greatest king who ever lived, it is well documented that he was DISCOUNTED by his father and his brothers. They made him FEEL as though he was unqualified, not GOOD enough, AND inferior. If David had relied on other PEOPLE to get his APPROVAL, he never would have stepped into his DESTINY.

Maybe someone has discounted YOU and made you feel that you’re NOT attractive enough, not TALENTED enough, not up to PAR. Don’t believe those LIES. THEY didn’t breathe life into you. They don’t DETERMINE your destiny. Do as David did and say, “Father, THANK You that I have EVERYTHING I need in YOU.” You don’t need other PEOPLES approval or validation. The Most High GOD has APPROVED you. He’s the ONLY One who matters.

Today’s Scripture:

Psalm 23:1, TLB

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

TODAY, RECEIVE CHRIST’S LOVE AND EXTEND IT TO OTHERS

BEYOND the Christmas lights and presents, beyond the MUSIC and great FOOD, God reminds us of the most WONDERFUL gift that has EVER been given…this gift is JESUS. The BABE in the manger. The Savior of the WORLD, who brought the promise of UNCONDITIONAL love, unending HOPE, and ETERNAL life to EVERY person who BELIEVES in Him. The apostle Paul was so OVERWHELMED at the thought of all that God has GIVEN us that instead of trying to put it all in words, he simplified it THIS way: “Thanks be to God for his SON–a gift too WONDERFUL for words” (2 Cor. 9:15).

Jesus is God’s PERFECT, INDESCRIBABLE gift. And the AMAZING thing is that not only are we personally able to RECEIVE this gift that is too wonderful for WORDS, but we are able to SHARE Him with OTHERS today and EVERY day. We need to make sure our hearts are READY, both to RECEIVE Christ’s love AND to extend it to OTHERS. This is what Christmas is ALL about.

Today’s Scripture:

John 3:16, NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

THIS CHRISTMAS EVE, TAKE TIME TO REJOICE WITH THE ANGELS

On the night Jesus Christ was born, shepherds were out in a field near Bethlehem when an angel appeared to them and told them the good NEWS about His BIRTH. Then SUDDENLY, a vast HOST of angels appeared who were PRAISING God. The Scripture tells us that there are angels in HEAVEN singing God’s praises day and NIGHT. Think about THIS: When YOU praise God, you are JOINING with the angels in HEAVEN! What an AWESOME thought that we can be ONE with the HEAVENLY hosts when WE worship.

As you celebrate the birth of Jesus on this Christmas EVE, take time to REJOICE with the angels that the Son of God came to US as a BABY. Turn your thoughts toward our Lord and Savior because He is GOOD and WORTHY of ALL our praise. In the words of Psalm 95, “So come, let us WORSHIP: BOW before Him, on your knees before God, who MADE us! Oh yes, He’s OUR God, and WE’RE the people He PASTURES, the flock He FEEDS.”

Today’s Scripture:

Luke 2:13–14, NLT

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others–the armies of heaven–praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

WHEN GOD PUTS A PROMISE IN YOUR HEART, JUST AGREE WITH HIM…..

Words are POWERFUL. A teenage girl named Mary became pregnant, not by a man, but by a WORD from God. The angel Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Mary, you are highly FAVORED! You will conceive and have a baby WITHOUT knowing a man. He will be the MESSIAH, the Son of GOD.” When God wants to create, He doesn’t use MEATERIAL things; He uses WORDS. Mary could have said to the angel, “THAT’S impossible. It’s never HAPPENED before.” Instead, she said, “Be it unto ME even as you have SAID.” She got in AGREEMENT with God. She used HER words to confirm what she HEARD, not to DEBATE what she heard.

When God puts a promise in YOUR heart, just AGREE with Him. The Scripture says, “By His stripes you are HEALED.” Don’t debate it. “I don’t feel healed. My back is still sore.” Get in a HABIT of speaking FAITH-filled words. “Lord, thank You that I AM healed. Be it unto ME even as You have SAID.”

Today’s Scripture:

Luke 1:37–38, NIV

“For no word from God will ever fail. I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

FOCUS ON THE BLESSING AND NOT THE BURDEN

Mary was told SHE would give birth to the Savior of the WORLD. You can’t GET any more FAVORED than THAT. But with that blessing came a BURDEN. She was favored but MISUNDERSTOOD. FAVORED but ridiculed. Favored but CONTOVERSIAL. People whispered, “She got pregnant BEFORE her wedding.” On one hand, she’s EXCITED and can hardly believe the BLESSING. On the OTHER hand, she must tell Joseph and face having her HEART broken.

Sometimes God will ask us to DO things that are DIFFICULT. It would be much EASIER to stay in our COMFORT zone and NOT rock the boat. But God loves you too MUCH to let you miss your DESTINY. He’s SAYING, “You’ve been HIGHLY favored. I’m going to take you where you’ve never DREAMED and open doors that you couldn’t OPEN.” You can handle the BLESSING, but can you handle the BURDEN? Do as MARY did and keep the right ATTITUDE, knowing that the difficulty is part of the package. FOCUS on the blessing NOT the burden.

Today’s Scripture:

Luke 1:28, NKJV

The angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”