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September Blessings
September 1: Take Hold of That for which Jesus Took Hold of You“……BUT I PRESS ON TO TAKE HOLD OF THAT FOR WHICH CHRIST JESUS TOOK HOLD OF ME” (Philippians 3:12). I bless you to press on to take hold of THAT for which Jesus took hold of you. “PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! IN HIS GREAT MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD” (1 Peter 1:3). I bless you to recognize the meaning of the Living Hope that is available to you moment-by-moment through Jesus Christ…the Living Hope that can raise the poor from the dust and lift the needy from the ash heap. Take hold of THAT for which Jesus took hold of you. “JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME” (John 14:6). I bless you to seize the meaning of Truth that is available to you moment-by-moment through Jesus Christ…the Truth that brings all darkness to Light and sets the captives free from their strongholds. Take hold of THAT for which Jesus took hold of you. “BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS” (Galatians 5:22). I bless you to understand the meaning of Love that is available to you moment-by-moment through God’s Spirit…the Love that is not a by-product of your sinful Self-nature, but a by-product of Jesus living through you. Take hold of THAT for which Jesus took hold of you. MAY YOU REALIZE THAT JESUS TOOK HOLD OF YOU I bless you |
September 2: Take Hold of That for which Jesus Took Hold of Youclick here for audio version “……BUT I PRESS ON TO TAKE HOLD OF THAT FOR WHICH CHRIST JESUS TOOK HOLD OF ME” (Philippians 3:12). My life has had many opportunities…many courses of action…many options. However, there has only been one plan that has contained the THAT for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. The other plans have not necessarily been bad. They contained many good works. They delivered great results. However, they did not deliver the God-sized results that only God’s plan could deliver…and I desire the God-sized results…the plan that contains the THAT for which Jesus took hold of me. “FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.” I bless you to press on to take hold of the THAT for which Jesus took hold of YOU. I bless you to know that God has a THAT available for YOUR life too. God’s mastermind has a marked-out course for your life…a plan to follow…a program of action. Know that he already has certain projects planned for you…certain assignments lined up….certain accomplishments mapped out. One of the reasons that you are not walking in the THAT could be that you have not been willing to give up all the other plans you are following…so you can take hold of the THAT! I bless you to desire the THAT for which Jesus took hold of you…the good works which God has prepared beforehand just for you. I bless you to allow Jesus to guide you to your purpose that was specifically designed for YOU. Know that the projects you are doing in your life are not necessarily bad…but are they the THAT that God has predesigned just for YOU? May you only be satisfied to walk in the THAT that Jesus has available for you. May you discontinue all other projects…good and bad…in order to take hold of the THAT! I bless you |
September 3: Allow the Spirit“FOR IF YOU LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE, YOU WILL DIE; BUT IF BY THE SPIRIT YOU PUT TO DEATH THE MISDEEDS OF THE BODY, YOU WILL LIVE, 14BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE SONS OF GOD” I bless you to get to the point where you feel stuck with your self-nature….. the point where you hate your self-nature…. the point where you wish with all your heart that you had the nature of Christ. I bless you to realize that it is at this point that you are ready for the Spirit to start exchanging your self-nature for the nature of Christ. May you grasp the fact that you are not able to slay your own self-nature. You do not own the power or the wisdom to depreciate the self-nature. Know and believe that this is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. So, I bless you not feel hopeless that you are stuck with your self-nature. Simply give the Spirit a chance. I bless you |
September 4: Whom am I Pleasing?“FOR IF YOU LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE, YOU WILL DIE; BUT IF BY THE SPIRIT YOU PUT TO DEATH THE MISDEEDS OF THE BODY, YOU WILL LIVE, 14BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE SONS OF GOD” I bless you to be able to detect whether you are living according to the sinful nature, or whether you are led by the Spirit of God. I urge you to ask yourself during any moment of the day or night,” Is this action or reaction of mine pleasing to my self-nature, or is this pleasing to my Father?” Know that the purpose of the self- nature is to please itself…..and the purpose of the Spirit is to please the Father. May you refrain from carrying on your activity if you detect that it would not be pleasing to the Father, but only pleasing to your self-nature. I bless you to choose Life! I bless you |
September 5: Surrender Your Expectations“THAT IS WHY I AM SUFFERING AS I AM. YET I AM NOT ASHAMED, BECAUSE I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, AND AM CONVINCED THAT HE IS ABLE TO GUARD WHAT I HAVE ENTRUSTED TO HIM FOR THAT DAY” (2 Timothy 1:12). I bless you to entrust your expectations to God. Submit your desires to His care. Turn your high hopes over to His authority. I bless you to quit your hold on the timing of your high hopes….when you expect your desires to be fulfilled……even when you are sure these are God-given desires. Do not assign God a timetable. Do not hand God a calendar. I bless you to release the manner in which your expectations are going to be fulfilled, to God……even when you are sure these are God-given expectations. Do not give God an agenda. Do not offer God an outline. Do not present God with a recipe. Remember, God is able to guard the expectations you have entrusted to Him…..to take place at the right time. I bless you |
September 6: A Dog Returns to its Vomit“"A DOG RETURNS TO ITS VOMIT," AND, "A SOW THAT IS WASHED GOES BACK TO HER WALLOWING IN THE MUD”” (2 Peter 2:22). I have the cutest little Bichon Frise dog. He is snow white. I wash him with a special shampoo and conditioner; otherwise, his hair curls and mats too much, especially in salty ocean air. However, this cute little dog has a very gruesome habit…he returns to his vomit. I do not have to describe this to you. I am sure you are familiar with the habits of dogs. “NOW THE MIND OF THE FLESH [WHICH IS SENSE AND REASON WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT] IS DEATH [DEATH THAT COMPRISES ALL THE MISERIES ARISING FROM SIN, BOTH HERE AND HEREAFTER]. BUT THE MIND OF THE [HOLY] SPIRIT IS LIFE AND [SOUL] PEACE [BOTH NOW AND FOREVER]” (Romans 8:6 AMP). Understand that the mind of the flesh is reasoning without the influence of the Holy Spirit. It operates under the control of its own deceitful desires, obtaining misinterpreted conclusions… concocting false deductions… inventing wild suspicions. “THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THAT NATURE DESIRES; BUT THOSE WHO LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPIRIT HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THE SPIRIT DESIRES” (Romans 8:5). I bless you to see that as long as you have your mind set on reasoning without the Holy Spirit, you will behave in the patterns comprising of all the miseries arising from this reasoning. This is the mind of the flesh. Just like a dog returns to its vomit and a sow that is washed returns to its wallowing in the mud, the mind reasoning without the Holy Spirit will always return to the same patterns that please the sinful nature. These irrational, out-of-control and hateful behavior patterns will return tomorrow…and the day after that…and the day after that. I bless you to see that if you would like to change your behavior patterns, you will need to stop living from the mind of the flesh…a mind living in accordance with the sinful nature…a mind reasoning without the Holy Spirit. You will need to start living in accordance with the Holy Spirit and His Reasoning. I bless you |
September 7: Reasoning Under the Control of the Holy Spirit“NOW THE MIND OF THE FLESH [WHICH IS SENSE AND REASON WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT] IS DEATH [DEATH THAT COMPRISES ALL THE MISERIES ARISING FROM SIN, BOTH HERE AND HEREAFTER]. BUT THE MIND OF THE [HOLY] SPIRIT IS LIFE AND [SOUL] PEACE [BOTH NOW AND FOREVER]” (Romans 8:6).
I bless you |
September 8: The Flesh Bears Fruit to Death“NOW THE MIND OF THE FLESH [WHICH IS SENSE AND REASON WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT] IS DEATH [DEATH THAT COMPRISES ALL THE MISERIES ARISING FROM SIN, BOTH HERE AND HEREAFTER]. BUT THE MIND OF THE [HOLY] SPIRIT IS LIFE AND [SOUL] PEACE [BOTH NOW AND FOREVER]” (Romans 8:6 AMP). I bless you to know that the mind of the flesh does not reason under the authority of the Holy Spirit. It operates under the control of its own desires, wishes and hopes. Know that once you allow your mind to reason without the authority of the Holy Spirit, you have opened the door to death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin. “I SPEAK IN HUMAN TERMS BECAUSE OF THE WEAKNESS OF YOUR FLESH. FOR JUST AS YOU PRESENTED YOUR MEMBERS AS SLAVES OF UNCLEANNESS, AND OF LAWLESSNESS LEADING TO MORE LAWLESSNESS, SO NOW PRESENT YOUR MEMBERS AS SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HOLINESS” (Romans 6:19). Understand that this lawlessness will lead to more lawlessness. Hopelessness will lead to powerlessness. Powerlessness will lead to joylessness. Joylessness will lead to shame. Shame will lead to guilt……and on and on….. “FOR WHEN WE WERE IN THE FLESH, THE SINFUL PASSIONS WHICH WERE AROUSED BY THE LAW WERE AT WORK IN OUR MEMBERS TO BEAR FRUIT TO DEATH” So, I bless you to reason under the authority of the Holy Spirit…..and present your mind as a slave of righteousness……that leads to holiness. I bless you |
September 9: The Evil One Will Lose his Grip on You “I WILL NOT SPEAK WITH YOU MUCH LONGER, FOR THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD IS COMING. HE HAS NO HOLD ON ME, 31BUT THE WORLD MUST LEARN THAT I LOVE THE FATHER AND THAT I DO EXACTLY WHAT MY FATHER HAS COMMANDED ME” (JOHN 14:30). I bless you to observe that the evil one had no hold on Jesus. The father of lies had no dominion over Jesus. The prince of this world had no control over Jesus. I bless you to further observe that Jesus loved the Father and He did exactly what His Father had commanded Him. “DON'T YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU OFFER YOURSELVES TO SOMEONE TO OBEY HIM AS SLAVES, YOU ARE SLAVES TO THE ONE WHOM YOU OBEY—WHETHER YOU ARE SLAVES TO SIN, WHICH LEADS TO DEATH, OR TO OBEDIENCE, WHICH LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Romans 6:16)? I bless you to follow the example of Jesus and love your Father by obeying Him…..and He will reveal His truths to you…..truths that will set you free….truths that will push the darkness away…..truths that will bring back the hope. And your obedience will lead to righteousness…..and the father of lies will lose his grip on you. I bless you |
September 10: FROM God and THROUGH God and TO God“BE VERY CAREFUL, THEN, HOW YOU LIVE—NOT AS UNWISE BUT AS WISE, 16MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL” (Ephesians 5:15-16). I have found it helpful to not only see my life here on earth as one general opportunity, but making the most of every daily moment-by-moment opportunity. I have a test to which I submit myself deliberately several times a day in order to make the most of every opportunity. “FOR FROM HIM AND THROUGH HIM AND TO HIM ARE ALL THINGS. TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOREVER!...” (Romans 11:36). I ask myself often whether what I am thinking is FROM God and THROUGH God and TO God, because I know that it is the will of my perfect Father for me to take captive every thought that enters my mind and submit it to His son, Jesus. “WE DEMOLISH ARGUMENTS AND EVERY PRETENSION THAT SETS ITSELF UP AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 10:5). I ask myself daily whether what I am believing is FROM God and THROUGH God and TO God, because I know that it is the will of my everlasting Father for me to abstain from leaning on my own understanding, but to depend fully on His. “TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING” (Proverbs 3:5). I deliberately ask myself daily whether my action at a given moment is FROM God and THROUGH God and TO God, because those who are led by the Spirit of God…and sons of God. I bless you to submit yourself to the test of whether your thoughts, beliefs and actions are FROM God, THROUGH God and TO God. May you make the most of every opportunity. I bless you |
September 11: What if I Did not Have Faith?“WHAT IF SOME DID NOT HAVE FAITH? WILL THEIR LACK OF FAITH NULLIFY GOD'S FAITHFULNESS? 4 NOT AT ALL!” (Romans 3:3, 4) I bless you today to celebrate that your lack of faith will not nullify God’s faithfulness. “BUT THE LORD IS FAITHFUL, AND HE WILL STRENGTHEN AND PROTECT YOU FROM THE EVIL ONE” (2 Thessalonians 3:3). In times when the evil one attacks you with abandonment, God is still faithful. He has not left you. He is still Immanuel…..God with you. In times when the evil one attacks you with hopelessness, God is still faithful. He will strengthen you with His Hope. He is still the God of Hope. In times when the evil one attacks you with powerlessness, God is still faithful. He is still the God of Power who can do more than you can ever imagine. In times when you feel you are surrounded by nothing but the darkness of the evil one, God is still faithful. He will protect you from the evil one. He is still the God of Light. “IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, HE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, FOR HE CANNOT DISOWN HIMSELF” In times when you feel filled with fear, God is still faithful. Even when you are faithless, God will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. “GOD, WHO HAS CALLED YOU INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, IS FAITHFUL” (1 Corinthians 1:9).
Will your lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? I bless you |
September 12: The Spirit Helps us in our Weakness“IN THE SAME WAY, THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE OUGHT TO PRAY FOR, BUT THE SPIRIT HIMSELF INTERCEDES FOR US WITH GROANS THAT WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS. 27AND HE WHO SEARCHES OUR HEARTS KNOWS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT, BECAUSE THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR THE SAINTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOD'S WILL” (Romans 8:26-27).
I bless you |
September 13: The Spirit Helps us in our Weakness“IN THE SAME WAY, THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE OUGHT TO PRAY FOR, BUT THE SPIRIT HIMSELF INTERCEDES FOR US WITH GROANS THAT WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS” (Romans 8:26). I bless you to understand that God sent you His Spirit…..to help you in your weakness. Be encouraged that when you are overwhelmed with sorrow and you have no words left, the Spirit is all set to plead for you in His own purposeful way. “AND HE WHO SEARCHES OUR HEARTS KNOWS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT, BECAUSE THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR THE SAINTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOD'S WILL” (Romans 8:27). And the Perfect Father who searches your heart, knows the intent of the Spirit, because the Spirit pleads on your behalf according to God’s will. “MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL” (2 Corinthians 13:14). I bless you to succumb to the Grace of the Lord Jesus, abide in the Love of the Perfect Father and enjoy the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit. I bless you |
September 14: Everything Matters“WHOEVER SERVES ME MUST FOLLOW ME; AND WHERE I AM, MY SERVANT ALSO WILL BE. MY FATHER WILL HONOR THE ONE WHO SERVES ME” (John 12:26). I bless you today to know that if you follow Jesus, you will be where Jesus is…and everything you do where Jesus is…matters. I bless you to capture that when you are where Jesus is…every smile you give matters. Embrace that when you are where Jesus is…every word you speak matters. Rejoice that when you are where Jesus is…every deed you do matters. Understand that when you are where Jesus is…your patience counts. Grasp that when you are where Jesus is…your faithfulness makes a difference. Be encouraged that when you are where Jesus is…your love carries weight. Be encouraged that the Perfect Father honors those who serves and follows His son, Jesus. He applauds their work. He reveres their commitment. He prizes their efforts. “HIS WORK WILL BE SHOWN FOR WHAT IT IS, BECAUSE THE DAY WILL BRING IT TO LIGHT. IT WILL BE REVEALED WITH FIRE, AND THE FIRE WILL TEST THE QUALITY OF EACH MAN'S WORK. 14IF WHAT HE HAS BUILT SURVIVES, HE WILL RECEIVE HIS REWARD. 15IF IT IS BURNED UP, HE WILL SUFFER LOSS; HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED, BUT ONLY AS ONE ESCAPING THROUGH THE FLAMES” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). I bless you to be diligent to follow Jesus and do the work He gives you to do, because your work will be shown as being the will of the Perfect Father. One day, your work will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. Know that if you are where Jesus is…your work will survive and you will receive your reward. “THE WORLD AND ITS DESIRES PASS AWAY, BUT THE MAN WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD LIVES FOREVER.” (1 John 2:17). I bless you |
September 15: Jesus Has the Power to Bring Everything under His ControlI often cry out to God to bring a problem under His control, and then I am so surprised to see that He does. The other day I had a dilemma. My heart was in a quandary, showing desires in two different directions. Although both of these desires were good, I was in a state of perplexity. The perplexity was very painful. Then I wondered, “Could I ask God to bring this dilemma in my heart under His control if I yield it to Him?” He did! A few days later, I sensed that my desires had sorted themselves out. I was not in a quandary anymore. I knew what to do. God brought the dilemma under His control. “…..WHO, BY THE POWER THAT ENABLES HIM TO BRING EVERYTHING UNDER HIS CONTROL, WILL TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY BODIES SO THAT THEY WILL BE LIKE HIS GLORIOUS BODY.” I bless you to acknowledge that Jesus Christ possesses the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control. Be glad! Jesus is capable of bringing your out-of-control problem under His control. Be encouraged! Jesus is capable of bringing your out-of-hand dilemma under His control. Rejoice! Jesus is capable of bringing your uncontrollable weakness under His control. Sing with joy! Jesus is capable of bringing your incorrigible heart and your unruly mind under his control. Jubilate! Jesus is able to exercise restraining influence over that which is ungovernable. Celebrate! Jesus is able to rule over that which you place under His control. “THE LORD ON HIGH IS MIGHTIER THAN THE NOISE OF MANY WATERS, YEA, THAN THE MIGHTY WAVES OF THE SEA” (Psalm 93:4). I bless you as you submit your uncontrollable problem to Jesus. I bless you as you surrender your unmanageable weakness to Jesus. I bless you as you yield your entire life to Jesus. I bless you |
September 16: The Righteous Shall Live by Faith "LORD, IF IT'S YOU," PETER REPLIED, "TELL ME TO COME TO YOU ON THE WATER." Living in faith feels like walking on water. It feels scary to trust someone you do not understand fully…hoping for that which you do not see. It feels strange to disregard the turbulent water surrounding you. The other day, the evil one planted a thought in my mind, “Living-by-faith is a trick from God. He is making a fool out of you. His goal is to immobilize you…to de-activate you…to annihilate you. He knows that as long as you trust Him for the outcome, you will be unable to do something about your problem yourself.” Did you recognize the voice of the father-of-lies? I did! I brought these thoughts to God and He assured me that if I took matters into my own hands, the results might be good…but they would not be miraculous. It is only when I trust Him and allow Him to handle matters, that I will be able to walk on water. Then I realized, “Yes, I am a fool. I am a fool for Christ.” “WE ARE FOOLS FOR CHRIST…” (1 Corinthians 4:10). I bless you to live by faith. I bless you to be a fool for Christ. I bless you to walk on water, even if it feels scary and strange to hope for that which you do not see. It is when you walk on water that you will experience God’s Truth, Love and Hope as being a regular part of your life. "— BUT THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY HIS FAITH –“ (Habakkuk 2:4). It is when you walk on water that you know you are experiencing the miraculous. “NOW FAITH IS BEING SURE OF WHAT WE HOPE FOR AND CERTAIN OF WHAT WE DO NOT SEE” (Hebrews 11:1). I bless you |
September 17: My Sheep Listen to My VoiceI used to follow any voice than entered my mind. I still remember. The voice would start innocently as a little thought…“That person does not like me.” Then, as I dwelled on the thought, a belief would grow “I am not worthy to be liked.” Eventually, after days following this voice, a pernicious power of hopelessness and meaninglessness would overtake me. "I AM THE GATE; WHOEVER ENTERS THROUGH ME WILL BE SAVED. HE WILL COME IN AND GO OUT, AND FIND PASTURE. 10THE THIEF COMES ONLY TO STEAL AND KILL AND DESTROY; I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL” (John 10:9). However, my life has changed. I do not follow any thought that enters my mind any more. One thought at a time, I gave my life to Jesus. As a result, I have gotten to know the Voice of Jesus. I know its characteristics. It fills me with Joy. It nourishes me with the Perfect Father’s Love. It feeds me with Faith. It leads me to pastures of Peace. When I follow the Voice of Jesus, I end up where Jesus is… in the Will of the Perfect Father. “MY SHEEP LISTEN TO MY VOICE; I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME” I bless you to become familiar with the Good Shepherd’s Voice. He has come to lead you to Life. If you follow His Voice regularly, you will know His Voice. When you know His Voice, you will recognize the voice of the thief, who has come to kill, steal and destroy. You will recognize the voice of the thief as being an unfamiliar voice…different from the one you are used to. And you will flee from it. “AND A STRANGER WILL THEY NOT FOLLOW, BUT WILL FLEE FROM HIM: FOR THEY KNOW NOT THE VOICE OF STRANGERS” I bless you to surrender your life to Jesus, one thought at a time. Submit the voices to Jesus, one by one, until they are all quiet and only one Voice remains…the Voice that proclaims Hope…the Voice that proclaims Peace…the Voice that proclaims Forgiveness. That is the voice of Jesus. Follow that Voice! I bless you |
September 18 : You Must Have the Same Attitude that Christ Jesus had5 YOU MUST HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE THAT CHRIST JESUS HAD. May you repeat the words of Jesus: “I AM NOT SEEKING GLORY FOR MYSELF” “THE WORDS I SAY TO YOU ARE NOT JUST MY OWN. “I DO NOTHING ON MY OWN” I bless you to know that if you humble yourself in obedience to God’s Will for you, He will elevate you at the right time. “Humility is the only soil in which the graces root” (Andrew Murray). I bless you |
September 19: Jesus, Your Living HopeWhen I feel hopeless, everything around me feels dead…lifeless…extinct. My possibilities seem crushed.. My life seems obsolete. My power seems extinguished. Hopelessness seems to be associated with termination…expiration…ruin. Everything ended. There is nothing left. “PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! IN HIS GREAT MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD” (1 Peter 1:3). I bless you today to know that you have been given birth into a Living Hope. Jesus was resurrected from the dead to bring Life…new beginnings…creation. Jesus makes alive which is dead. He creates which does not exist. To Him there is no expiration…no termination…no end. I bless you to notice that Jesus, your Hope, is alive and living. Jesus, your Hope, does not end. Your Hope does not grow weary. Your Hope does not sleep. I bless you to see that Jesus, your Hope, is always available. Your Hope is inextinguishable. Your Hope is present and active. “JUST AS THE LIVING FATHER SENT ME AND I LIVE BECAUSE OF THE FATHER, SO THE ONE WHO FEEDS ON ME WILL LIVE BECAUSE OF ME” (John 6:57). Be encouraged that just as the living Father sent Jesus to live because of the Father, so you will live if you feed on Jesus. Your power will be renewed. Your possibilities will be restored. Your life will be replenished. Capture that because of Jesus, you always have another chance. There is always another beginning. There is always a continuation. Jesus has become your living Hope. I AM THE LIVING ONE; I WAS DEAD, AND BEHOLD I AM ALIVE FOR EVER AND EVER! I bless you as you reach out to take hold of Jesus, the Living Hope, whom your Perfect Father has given you. I bless you |
September 20: Pride Stirs up Strife“HE WHO IS OF A PROUD HEART STIRS UP STRIFE, BUT HE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD WILL BE PROSPERED.” (Proverbs 28:25). “…..FOR FROM HIM AND THROUGH HIM AND TO HIM ARE ALL THINGS” I bless you to be careful of the heart of pride. It is a place that opens up a channel for the evil one to come into authority….control….command. From this place he can call the shots. From the place of pride and self-reliance he can run the show. From here he can gain the upper hand. It can become a place where you unknowingly live your life from him, allowing the father of lies to think through you to please himself. I bless you to come to a place of complete dependence on God…..a place of nothingness. Know that it is when you reach this place of utter dependence on your Father that you start living a life from Him and through Him and to Him. I bless you |
September 21: Rejoice and Weep“REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE, AND WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP” (ROMANS 12:15). I bless you to listen carefully when someone shares his feelings with you. Give your full attention. See the problem through your friend’s eyes…..notice……identify…..discern. They need you to understand how they feel. Your friend needs to grasp that you get the picture of what he is going through. I bless you to be inspired when your friend is inspired…..delight in your friend’s joyfulness…..celebrate your friend’s gladness. I bless you to grieve when your friend has a broken heart. Be sad for your friend’s loss. Lament his despondency. Experience his discouragement with him. I bless you to know that by listening, you can help your friend identify his emotions and beliefs. By not giving advice, you can help your friend get advice from God. By rejoicing when someone rejoices and weeping when someone weeps, you can help a person to enter into God’s presence. Try it! I bless you |
September 22: Not For Him but From Him“…..FOR FROM HIM AND THROUGH HIM AND TO HIM ARE ALL THINGS” I bless you to notice that there is a difference between living a life for God, as opposed to living a life from God. Believing that we have what it takes to live a life for God, we could become independent…… relying on our own strength and goodness. When we become successful, we could become proud, counting our own achievements as righteousness. This could lead to competition and conflict. This is a life of strife…..striving to come up with hope, power and comfort when hopelessness, powerlessness and despair overwhelm us. When we live a life from God, we confess that without Him we can do nothing. We confess that we are totally dependent on God for all things…..His Hope….His Power…..His Comfort. We agree that we have no righteousness of our own, except God’s own Righteousness that He reveals through us. We agree to accept help from the Holy Spirit to receive any of God’s free gifts for us. This is a life of rest….letting God be “I Am” in and through us. I bless you to live a life from God. I bless you |
September 23: Grow Into a Full Experience of Salvation“LIKE NEWBORN BABIES, YOU MUST CRAVE PURE SPIRITUAL MILK SO THAT YOU WILL GROW INTO A FULL EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION. CRY OUT FOR THIS NOURISHMENT, 3 NOW THAT YOU HAVE HAD A TASTE OF THE LORD’S KINDNESS” I bless you to grow into a full experience of God’s salvation to you. Accept that being reconciled to God is just the start; after that follows the “much more” of your salvation…. …..being saved from yourself….being saved from your self. I bless you to celebrate that God has “much more” in store for you…..more Truth….more Life….more Light. Remember, it is for freedom that He has set you free …..freedom from your self. Understand that your self does not always make the best decisions for you, but only what suits the self-nature. Believe that your self has its own ideas of ‘freedom’…….hiding, running and blaming. So, cry out for this nourishment, now that you have tasted God’s Truth, Wisdom and Righteousness, to be sanctified entirely….spirit, soul and body….until you are found blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus. “FOR WE KNOW THAT OUR OLD SELF WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM SO THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DONE AWAY WITH, THAT WE SHOULD NO LONGER BE SLAVES TO SIN” (Romans 6:6). I bless you |
September 24: Faith…..Perseverance……Completeness “CONSIDER IT PURE JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHENEVER YOU FACE TRIALS OF MANY KINDS, 3BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH DEVELOPS PERSEVERANCE. 4PERSEVERANCE MUST FINISH ITS WORK SO THAT YOU MAY BE MATURE AND COMPLETE, NOT LACKING ANYTHING” (James 1:2-4). I bless you to ponder these words: faith……perseverance…..completeness. I bless you to be of good cheer when you encounter the temptation to fall into despair….to surrender to shame…..to collapse into abandonment. Know that each temptation gives you the opportunity to hunker down and draw from God’s resource of Life….Hope….Truth…..Wisdom, which is a gift to you through Jesus Christ. Remember, in Christ, you have everything you need for Life and Godliness, but without Him you can do nothing. Understand that each temptation gives you the chance to endure the heartache with patience and perseverance, not running or hiding from it….not blaming someone else for it…..but bringing it to the feet of Jesus. I bless you to believe that if you keep surrendering your heartache to God, day after day, moment by moment, you will become more mature and more complete each time ….eventually lacking in nothing. I bless you |
September 25: Consider God’s Purpose when You Pray“I took my troubles to the Lord; I bless you today to be certain that your Father does answer your prayer. He does respond to your call. He does hear and He does care…..but the answer might not fit your purpose. Therefore, when you pray, I urge you to consider that God might have answered you already, but you did not recognize the answer, because you are so set on your own purpose and your own plan. Maybe God does not want to follow your plan, but He wants you to follow His. When you pray, I urge you to not just consider the things you have asked God, but keep in mind the things He has asked of you. He might have a plan and purpose all set and ready for you…….AND HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT. Therefore, I bless you to listen to ALL the answers God gives you….not just the ones that fit your purpose. I bless you |
September 26: Strength and Beauty
“HONOR AND MAJESTY ARE BEFORE HIM; STRENGTH AND BEAUTY ARE IN HIS SANCTUARY” (Psalm 96:6). I bless you to ponder God’s beauty around you. He would like to speak to you. Imagine sitting on a white sandy beach with the ocean breathing out little waves of foam like lace curtains curving gently in the breeze. I bless you to hear God telling you, “This is for you. I created the ocean just for you, because I love you. I want you to enjoy the display of my majesty.” Imagine the ocean ablaze with a beam of silver moonlight…..dazzling….. radiant…..glorious. I bless you to hear God calling to you, “This is to remind you that I care about you and I have come to be your Light, so you would never have to walk in darkness.” Imagine standing next to the ocean, watching a stampede of white horses, white caps, racing to the beach, flowing white manes trailing in the wind. Imagine huge waves leaping and plunging, exploding on the rocks nearby. I bless you to hear your Father reminding you, “My Power is sufficient to bring you under my control. I can do more than you can ever imagine.” I bless you to embrace God in His beauty around you. Allow His beauty to speak to you. He wants to reassure, “My child, remember that I care. I will never forget you. I will never abandon you; I did all this for you” I bless you |
September 27: My Hope Is in You all Day Long “GUIDE ME IN YOUR TRUTH AND TEACH ME, I bless you to place your hope in God all day long. Do not grow despairing half way through. Do not become discouraged after a while. Do not lose your hope in time. Instead, expect God’s deliverance. Look forward to God’s outcome. Anticipate God’s answer. Hunker down and do not run or hide in hopelessness. Stay focused on God’s Wisdom…..Truth…..Life…..Love. I bless you to be full of hope, because God will keep guiding you in His Truth. He is your Truth, your Way and your Life. Be encouraged, because God will keep teaching you all you need to know. He always finishes what He has started. Be of good cheer, because God will keep saving you from the evil one. He wants you to grow into a full experience of His salvation. “BLESSED IS HE WHOSE HELP IS THE GOD OF JACOB, I bless you |
September 28: May He give you the desire of your Heart
“"I DESIRE TO DO YOUR WILL, O MY GOD; YOUR LAW IS WITHIN MY HEART."”
I bless you to surrender your expectations to God. Hand Him your longing….your wanting. Trust God with your wishes and dreams. I bless you to surrender your enthusiasm to God. Give Him your eagerness. Hand over your willingness….your readiness. Turn your fervor over to God. Invite God into your zeal. When you face your desires and zest, test them by asking this question, “Who will be mostly pleased by my desire: my self-nature or my Father?”
“MAY HE GIVE YOU THE DESIRE OF YOUR HEART AND MAKE ALL YOUR PLANS SUCCEED” (Psalm 20:4).
I bless you |
September 29: God’s Complete Will for your Life “SO WE HAVE NOT STOPPED PRAYING FOR YOU SINCE WE FIRST HEARD ABOUT YOU. WE ASK GOD TO GIVE YOU COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL AND TO GIVE YOU SPIRITUAL WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING. 10 THEN THE WAY YOU LIVE WILL ALWAYS HONOR AND PLEASE THE LORD, AND YOUR LIVES WILL PRODUCE EVERY KIND OF GOOD FRUIT. ALL THE WHILE, YOU WILL GROW AS YOU LEARN TO KNOW GOD BETTER AND BETTER.” (Colossians 1:9-10). I bless you to seek God’s will instead of your own…..to seek God’s wisdom instead of relying on your own…..to seek God’s understanding instead of believing your own thoughts and trying to figure things out on your own. May you yearn for God’s complete will for your situation…..and not just be satisfied with part of His will. May you wait patiently for all His wisdom He wants to impart to you…..and not mix in some of your own. May you trust Him in faith for His whole understanding….and quit leaning on your own. I bless you to know that when God makes His will known for your life, you will never be the same again. When God speaks his mind about your situation, you will never look at that situation the same again. When God gives you understanding into your own thoughts, you will start to think differently about things. And, the way you live, will change. Your Father will enter in through his Spirit and become your Will…. your Wisdom…..your Understanding. And you will start pleasing your Father…..and good fruit will be the result. I bless you |
September 30: Nothing Good Dwells Within My Flesh
I bless you if you have the intention and urge to do what is right, but have never succeeded. I bless you to stop trying in your own power to do what is right….you do not have what it takes. I bless you to give Jesus a chance to accomplish the impossible for you….your flesh is too weak. I bless you to know that Jesus can live through you to do what is right…..and He will carry it out. I bless you to surrender your intentions to Jesus….rest….trust….believe.
“THANKS BE TO GOD—THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!” (Romans 7:25). I bless you |
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