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“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭ Are you truly following Jesus? We sometimes find ourselves in a lukewarm place, we tell ourselves that it's okay but it isn't! Why would we continue to keep ourselves in a danger zone with God? We each have to choose Salvation for ourselves. No one can choose what you truly believe inside, only you can. I found myself in a lukewarm place at one point, I was comfortable. I no longer felt guilty for what I knew was wrong, I put off growing close to God. I came to a place of isolation, I realized that when we truly need someone, God is the one that never leaves us. So why is it that we leave Him for our sinful desires? Nothing in this world is worth giving up your relationship with God or your Salvation for. You are saved through grace by faith, which is not something you can earn, but you should respect enough to live right. Today, if you have found yourself in a luk...

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ ‭ When beginning to forgive someone we are quick to say "But will the prove it?" We cannot expect someone to prove that they deserve our forgiveness. If we were left up to prove we deserve God's forgiveness when we fall into sin over and over we would be in a mess ourselves. We would be searching for forgiveness forever. God freely gives His forgiveness so why can't we? Jesus came down to this earth to save it, was beaten, and the main ones at the cross were the ones that Jesus said, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." If Jesus can choose forgiveness for them and for us why can't we? Today, be quick to forgive. Holding a grudge against someone is not doing any harm to them, instead, it will ruin your own peace. People will hurt you, but remind yourself there has been a time each of us has fallen...

“The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”” Matthew‬ ‭12:37‬ ‭ We all learn early in life that there is power in our words, when we speak we can either help someone or hurt them by what we say. If words can impact others why do we think our words cannot impact ourselves? When we speak rude things to ourselves that does impact us. We must speak joy, hope, strength, and peace over our lives. When we start to speak life into ourselves we will see how God changes things for us. Speaking things that are good are not just words, it is an act of faith in Christ. We are saying that we believe God will do what we are saying. God does the impossible in our daily lives, so why would we not speak about it? Today, don't talk down on yourself. Speak life! Start every day by saying, "Today will be the best day, today God is going to bless me and do the impossible. My prayers will be answered, and I am free in Jesus's name." Watch how much better your life gets when y...

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭ When we truly find a real relationship with God those who used to know us will no longer recognize us. I have come to realize that those friends I used to fit in with will never be the same, that is because I am not the person I once was. When we find that true relationship with God we no longer want the same things in life, we no longer have the same vision. We have to realize that it's a great thing to be changed. The Bible says that we become a new creation when we find Him. We aren't meant to be the same when we grow close to God. We must stop for a second when we feel left out, forgotten, or like we don't fit into the places we once did, because that means we are better off than we once were. If we remain the same how will we become the person we are called to be? If we did not change when we find God we would be the sinner we once...

“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”” ‭‭Esther‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭ The story of Esther is something I've written about a lot, but it's also one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Esther was a common person, living a common life until God called her to be the queen. She then went on to save not only all of the Jews around her but her family, which were the Jews. She was afraid, in an unknown place but brave and called of God. She was called for such a time as this the Bible says. We are all called for something and will change the world in our own ways. There are so many lessons we can learn from the story, but today I wanted to remind you that Esther wasn't born knowing what God had called her to do. She wasn't the one who had the idea to try and be queen, all of the women needed to try out. We some...

“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” Matthew‬ ‭25:29‬ ‭ When we put money into a safe it will not gain interest, we can open a savings however and gain interest. When we bottle up everything we have and don't pray we cannot grow, but when we lay our problems at the altar and pray we are gaining everything. Everything in life is worth telling God about. Even though God knows and sees all He still cares to hear from us. When we pray it isn't about just rambling it's the best communication we could ever have. God loves to hear from us. We can invest in our relationship with God and the things we would have from the interest of it would be amazing. When we are growing close to God we will notice that we begin to feel more free, at peace, whole, loved, and forgiven. We need a relationship with God to be who we are meant to be. Today, mak...

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ ‭ Responding with kindness is easier said than done. When someone does something that makes us angry we frequently want to be rude or snap at them. We forget that we often say things that God doesn't like, and sometimes we hurt God by our actions but He still chooses kindness. God chooses to forgive us and show us love and kindness. Why can we not choose to treat others with kindness even though we are hurt? Today, if someone's hurt you forgive them. The Bible says that we will not be able to be forgiven unless we ourselves forgive. Forgiveness starts with ourselves. We have to forgive those who hurt us and love them. The Bible says faith, hope, and love but the greatest of these is love. We have to love those who hurt us. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Reme...

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” Romans‬ ‭1:16‬ ‭ Why is it we apologize for being a Christian? I have noticed even I apologize to people at times for being too open about my faith, but why is that? It's something we are proud of. If someone were to get a promotion at their job they would tell everyone about how excited they were. Why can we not be that free to speak without feeling guilty? We say that it's because we don't want to offend others but how can we offend someone by saying how we believe. Is it that deep down we fear the judgment of others? Jesus is the greatest thing to ever happen to us and for us, so why wouldn't we shout it for the world to hear? Why would we stay quiet about the one person who can save every lost soul? We have to be open and stop worrying about hurting feelings. There is a way to speak about Jesus without pushing it ont...

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭ One day you're going to realize that God was putting it all together the entire time. When we think God has forgotten us usually that is when God is at work the most. God doesn't just forget us when we are asking for something. God takes His time preparing whatever it is we are asking for, He looks at each and every detail and takes His time to perfect everything. There was something I was praying about for a long time, and I got signs that God would answer that prayer, but sometimes it felt like I was forgotten. When God answered that prayer, it wasn't how or when I expected instead it was at a time I never expected, and in a way that I didn't notice at first that it was my prayer being answered. What I'm getting at is when I looked back I realized that all along God was working on something, maybe it was on how I acted, ...

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭ God thinks you're good enough, it's your turn to believe it! When we look at ourselves we often see all of our insecurities. When God looks at us He sees every little detail, the Bible says that He knows every hair on our heads. Imagine the details He pays attention to. We each have details about ourselves that we can't stand, but we all have some features we love about ourselves. God made every feature that we have. He has never and will never look at you in the same disappointment we look at ourselves. When Jesus was on the earth He came across a woman that others were trying to stone because she had committed adultery, Jesus told them to let the first person who had not sinned throw the first stone. He chose not to ju...

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭ Do your best and God will do the rest. When we want something in life we must ask ourselves if we are doing out part first. We cannot expect God to do everything for us. We each have a part to do ourselves, something we can work for. It's like this, when we were in school the teacher taught us what we needed to know, gave us a study guide, and even handed us our test, but we were the ones who had to take time to study to pass the test. The teacher could show us what we needed to study and even tell us what we needed to know but we have to choose to study and remember it. Today, make sure you're doing your part. When God sees us making an effort He will do the rest for us. We have a part to do in everything. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of ...

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” James‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭ Why is it that we can watch TV for hours, talk on the phone, scroll through social media, spend time with people all for hours at a time but we cannot read our Bible for 15 minutes a day, or spend 20 minutes in prayer? It's because we unknowingly prioritize everything above God. We let all those things come before spending time with God. I am guilty myself of sometimes not spending as much time in my Word as I should. I have realized that I don't feel as close to God when I don't pray and read my Bible as often, it's not because God is far away from me, it's because I am not making an effort for Him. God meets us where we are, but we have to come close to Him then He will come close to us. When we spend time with Him that proves we are making Him a priority. Today get away from the world and all ...

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”‭‭ Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ ‭ Pray for those who hurt you. We are so quick to throw hatred towards those who hurt us, but instead, we have to give love and forgiveness. We have to stop being rude to those who have hurt us. We can all think back to a time in our lives when we unintentionally hurt someone. We cannot judge someone for something that we have done ourselves. How can we hold being hurt by someone against them when we have made someone feel that way at some point. You've got to learn to forgive those who hurt you and to pray blessings into their lives. You must remember that Jesus still loved Peter even after he denied Him. Today, learn to love, forgive, and pray blessings on those who hurt you. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive o...

“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.” 1 John‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭ Jesus is the love you've been searching for your whole life. You cannot and will never find the love you so deeply desire in a person. A relationship cannot fill that gap you need. Your entire life you've always wanted to be loved, by your friends, family, and relationships, but you've been loved since before your mom even knew you were in her womb. The moment God created you He loved you. You are beyond loved. There are times that we each feel like we arent loved, but there has and will never be a moment that you're not deeply loved. God sees you, He hears you, forgives you and most of all He loves you. Today, quit searching for love in people. No one around you will ever be able to love you as God can. You're loved, and you are cared for by God in every moment. Here are some verses to reflect on today. ““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only S...

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ ‭ You don't have to agree with someone's actions to love them. You can most definitely be against what someone chooses and still be kind to them. I used to worry that the people I had to be around weren't on the best path. It was people I had to be around not a choice. I realized that Jesus would sit at the table and eat with sinners even though He knew their lifestyle. Choosing to love someone and be kind to them doesn't mean you accept their way of life or are letting them think it's okay. It's being kind and showing them the same love that Jesus would. It's not accepting sin, it's setting an example of Jesus' love. God is not a God of hate, although there are times we have to go through discipline, we also are loved in those times. Today, know that you do not have to accept someone's sin to show them love or be...

“But Noah found favor with the Lord.” Genesis‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭ Stop being like Jonah and start being like Noah. When things weren't exactly like Jonah thought they would be, God told Him to go to Nineveh and preach. Jonah didn't like that idea so instead He ran from God. He got on a boat, the other passengers threw Him off and a large fish swallowed him. On the other hand, God told Noah to build an ark, without any sign of rain. He has done so, He got on the ark and stayed on it for forty days and forty nights, his entire family went with him and animals. We have a choice in life. When God speaks for us to take a stand for something and to do something we have a choice to either be like Jonah and run from the calling or to be like Noah and be obedient. Today, be a Noah, not a Jonah. Stick to what God told you to do even if it wasn't your plan. God never will let you down. God is forgiving, but we shouldn't make choices based on the fact we know He forgives. Instead, we should m...

“but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” Luke‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭ There will be joy in the morning. I think of this saying multiple times a day, how God never fails to bring us joy. In the same way that we can count on the fact the sun will rise in the morning, and set in the evening we can count on the fact that God will always bring us joy. We can search for happiness anywhere and through anything, but that kind of happiness will never last. We will never be satisfied, we will always search for something more. God doesn't and will never forget to bring us happiness, the same way He never forgets to tell the sun to rise and set. He created you like He did the sunrise and sunset, and you're just as important. We have to find the joy that God is sending us. Today, cling to the joy of the Lord, knowing that He will always ensure we are full of joy. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Always be full of...

““I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.” Revelation‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭ The door is about to open. I felt God speak to me and I saw a door opening. It was opening up to the true promises of God. We often feel like we are in a long hallway, just looking for the right door to open. Know that the door is about to open for you. This promise that is about to happen for you will be greater than you could have ever imagined, God is doing something amazing in your life. God's plans for you will be so great and so big your wildest dreams couldn't have made you think of them. God knew you needed a door to open, so He began to prepare that door, and when it opens you will see all the effort He put into it all along. He will open doors for you that you didn't even knock on. Today, keep on believing because God is working! God is doing amazing things in your life. Here are some ver...

“The manna came down on the camp with the dew during the night.” Numbers‬ ‭11:9‬ ‭ Where God guides, He also provides. He doesn't guide us into the wilderness and forget us. Think about the Israelites who were headed to the promised land, on their way God provided manna from Heaven every morning. Although they weren't at the promise, God still provided for them while guiding them. Every person on this earth has a promise over our lives. I can promise that God will still provide for you just because you're not in the promised land for your life. Today, know that wherever God is guiding you He will be with you every step of the way. God's guidance is something we have to have, have to trust, and have to follow. We have to be sure to trust Him enough for the manna every morning, knowing He will provide in every way that we need. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water...

“Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” Romans‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭ 40 days and nights don't seem like very long, but imagine being stuck in a boat that was floating above the entire earth with the only living creatures on the boat with you. You might think it was much longer. Noah didn't have a TV to watch a football game to entertain them, a cell phone to play on, or anything like that. Instead, he had a job, to care for the animals and wait patiently. We have the same job but in a different aspect. We all have something we are supposed to be taking care of, while patiently waiting for what is next in life. Life is full of being patient. We have to have the faith to be patient in all circumstances to show that we trust God fully. Today, make sure that you're being patient in the task that God has given you for now, until what comes next. Pay attention to what God assigns you, there is a bigger purpose in everything that we cannot yet see. Here are some v...

“Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”” John‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭ You must be born again. We cannot go our entire lives only with a natural birth. We have to come to God humbly, lay down who we once were, and learn to take on the full armor of God. We must transform ourselves into the person God has created us to be. One bite will never be enough for us. We need to be filled with the Holy Ghost and on fire for the kingdom of God. We cannot live life to our full potential if we're carrying around all of our past. We need to be baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost to be transformed into the person we can be. If you're not baptized, consider doing so for your sake to wash away all your past sins. It's refreshing like a cold glass of tea on a hot day. Also, be filled with the Holy Ghost and watch how it guides you to make the right choices. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You mus...

“But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say, “Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace!”” Psalms‬ ‭35:27‬ ‭ Being rich doesn't mean having the biggest house, nicest car, best clothes, or job. Being rich is found in much better things. You can be rich in love, joy, hope, peace, strength, and struggle with money. Money doesn't value very much in life aside from things we need, it doesn't bring happiness the way the world tells us that it does. Instead, the best things in life come as a blessing from God. We cannot buy things that truly make us happy. We can only ask God for those. I have found out that nothing I have ever spent money on has given me the amount of joy that God can give you for free. God has amazing things planned for us, and amazing blessings to give us. Those are the things that will make us the happiest in life. Today, stop chasing money to make you happy. Being rich isn't happiness, being bless...

“Pray that the Lord your God will show us what to do and where to go.”” Jeremiah‬ ‭42:3‬ ‭ In the quietness, God begins to speak. I've found that it's harder to hear what God wants to tell me when I often surround myself with others. Although we all need time alone, we need time to listen too. We can hear God around others but sometimes we need that one-on-one time with God to truly sit and listen. I love the days it's cool outside, with a bit of a breeze where you can sit outside and listen to the birds sing songs of praise and whatever it is God wants to speak. We need time to listen to God alone in the silence of nature. Today, take time to be alone with God and listen truly to whatever it is He has to say to you. The advice of others amounts to nothing compared to the advice of God. You need quiet time with God. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.” Matthew‬...

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭ We frequently forget that God has had a plan for our lives since we were created in our mother's womb. God's plan did not begin when you first gave your life to Him, God's plan was creating you. The entire world was formed in seven days, but God spent nine long months to create you. God doesn't just create us and forget our existence, He creates us and wants us to follow the plans He also makes for us, He cares for us every day we are here and He loves us beyond measure. He wants what is best for is and wants to bless us. His plans often look different than the ones we have for ourselves. Although we all have dreams, sometimes that is a small dream compared to what God has for us. Today, let God show you His plan, you were created for a purpose. You have a calling and God can use you for the Kingdom of God. Here are some ve...

“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.” Mark‬ ‭11:24‬  ‭A little faith can go a long way. The Bible teaches us that the faith of a mustard seed could move mountains. We have to put our faith into action. When we speak good things into our lives we are actually speaking by faith. We are telling the enemy that we know God is capable and believe that it will happen enough that we are speaking that it will. Faith is believing that God can do something even when we see no proof. God can do anything we ask of Him if we have the faith that He can. Asking God for something and believing He will do it are two different things. If you're asking but not believing He will then that request will never happen. Today, when you ask God for something believe it will happen, if you've been asking God for something speak that it is going to happen. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for;...

“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”” Esther‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭ Your calling is higher than where you're at now. We frequently put ourselves into a box because we don't believe in ourselves. We think we aren't worthy of what God has called us to do, but we are. We are more than able to do anything God has called us to do. Stop telling yourself that you cannot be what God has called you. One of my favorite stories in the Bible was Esther. She was called to be a Queen and help save the Jews. She was afraid, she thought she was unworthy but she knew if she did not do what God had called her to do God would replace her with someone who would. We do the same thing, we think we are unworthy of doing the calling. Today, follow what God has called you to do. You are worthy of the calling and capable just as Esth...

“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” Ephesians‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭ We each have met someone that seemed as though their name should have been sunshine, they glowed so bright and you could feel the love of Jesus just being around them. We sometimes feel like everyone is watching our every move, and other times we feel unnoticed. We let off a glow that we cannot see but those around us cling to. That light is the light of Jesus shining through us. We might not see the light but it is there. Everyone needs encouragement sometimes and sometimes that light is exactly what they need. We can let that light shine through by being kind, loving, caring, and forgiving and telling others about Jesus. We can set an example to others through our words and existing if we let Jesus work through us. Today, let your light shine for all to see. Never let others make you feel like you need to hide it. Being a light for Jesus is one of the best things...

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭ It's hard to believe that we are eight months into the year, this year has flown by. We don't even realize how fast time is going until we look at our calender and see the year is coming to the ends. We forget that time ticking by means that is time we are meant to have spent well, it's time that we should invest in others hoping they find the same love and forgiveness that God gives us. We are here as an example of Jesus and we have to make sure that is what we spend our time doing. Time flies by and we don't even realize it. Think about it this way, your life has most likely changed a lot since this time last year, and I know mine has. God has done miracle after miracle in my life since then, and blessings have come into my life that a year ago I couldn't even imagine. God works in the ways He knows is best, not in the ways we choose. Today, use your time as it is val...

“Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:5‬ ‭ The world teaches us to accept sin, not only accept it but to celebrate it. The world has all the morals twisted, and if we were not careful, we would be too. We must watch what we say, what we do, how we act, and who we are to not become a person without Christian morals. It is so important to have morals as a Christian. We must keep our minds on track, that we are not here to accept or celebrate sin. We are here to accept Jesus Christ as our one true God, we are here to celebrate those souls that find Jesus or return to him. We are here to set the example of the opposite of the world. We are meant to be the people who show others what a true Christian is by how we walk, talk, and live our lives. Today, don't follow the world and celebrate sin, follow Jesus and celebrate Him. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “I have given them your word. And the ...

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭ When God opens the door don't forget to praise Him. In this generation, we are all told that people are "self-made". Nothing about your life is all because of you. The Bible says that all good things are a gift from Heaven. We cannot take credit for God's work. We often times pray that God will help us be able to do something, and that is often hard to do, but God makes a way. When God makes the way we cannot say that we got ourselves to where we are. God is the only reason we ever get anywhere in life. We have to start giving God the praise that He deserves. Today, make sure you're not undermining God's blessings. He gives us things out of kindness and love for us not because He has to. Be grateful for such a compassion...

“You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” Psalms‬ ‭63:5‬ ‭ Don't ever let anyone get between you and God. At times we put friendships and relationships over God. We idolize popularity, earthly love, lust, sin, and acceptance. We put everything we think will fill us above our relationship with God. It's like this, you're constantly trying to fill a cup with an empty gallon to fill it with, you cannot fill yourself with sin, lust, popularity, being accepted, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, or any material things. You can only be full when you let God fill you with the Holy Spirit. Nothing in this world will ever make us feel the way God can. This world cannot satisfy us, it will constantly leave us empty. Today, make sure that you're not putting things, or people in front of your relationship with God. He is the priority in our lives and always will be. Here are some verses to reflect on today. “You prepare a feast for me in the ...