Spiritual Inspiration

“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, NIV).

So many people today are not really enjoying their lives because of the condition of their minds. They constantly dwell on negative, destructive, harmful thoughts. They don’t realize it, but the root cause of many of their problems is simply the fact that their thought life is out of control. They just dwell on any thought that comes.

More than ever, we have to understand that our lives follow our thoughts. If you think negative thoughts, then you’re going to live a negative life. If you think discouraging, hopeless thoughts, can’t-do-it thoughts, mediocre thoughts, then your life is going to go down that exact same pathway. That’s why we have to take captive every thought and renew our minds with the Word of God on a daily basis.

I want to challenge you today to think about what you’re thinking about. Don’t let those self-defeating thoughts linger in your mind. Instead, speak God’s promises over your life. Declare what He says about you. Take captive every thought and renew your mind daily. As you do, you’ll be empowered to move forward into the abundant life He has for you!

Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

You are God’s representative in this earth. When you follow the Word of God and allow Him to work in your life, you are letting your light shine. When you are good to people and show them kindness, even when they don’t deserve it, you are shining your light. When you smile and keep a good attitude, even when things don’t go your way, you are setting an example so that people will glorify God in heaven. Notice this scripture says, “they will see your good works…” People aren’t impressed by our knowledge or what we say, people are drawn to God by our good works.

Ask the Lord to show you ways to share His goodness with others. Look for opportunities to let your light shine everywhere you go - at home, at work, in the grocery store, at the gym. There’s always an opportunity to be an example of God’s goodness. As you do, it will bring honor and glory to God; and when you honor Him, He always honors you. He will continue to pour out His abundant blessing in every area of your life.

Do you need direction in your life today? Jesus said, “I am the way.” Not only is He the Way to life in eternity, but Jesus is a Waymaker here on earth. He is the way to everything you need in this life. Do you need to know the way out of debt? Do you need to know the way to having better relationships…the way to overcome an addiction…to live in peace and joy? When you know Jesus, you know the Way!

“Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15, AMP).

Are you facing trouble in any area of your life today? God is standing ready to deliver you. He promises in His Word that He is near to all those who call upon His name. No matter what you may be going through, have confidence knowing that God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. He promises to deliver you!

Notice that today’s verse tells us that our part is to honor and glorify Him. In other words, you don’t have to wait until everything is perfect to give Him praise. You can give Him honor and glory right now. You can thank Him for all He’s done in your life so far and what He will do in your future.

Call on Him today and focus on having an attitude of faith and expectancy. Speak His Word and declare His promises over your life. Trust in Him because He will take you places you’ve never dreamed. As you praise Him, He’ll deliver you and take you higher and higher into the good life He has prepared for you!

God knew there would be times when we would be tempted to waver in our confession of hope. Maybe you are believing for something and you’re starting to think, “Is this really for me? Will this really ever happen?” If that’s you today, remember, He who promised is faithful! And His faithfulness doesn’t depend on your ability to figure it all out. His faithfulness doesn’t depend on the plans we can make or the scenarios we can come up with; He’s faithfulness depends on His Word which never changes!

Declare His Word and hold on to your confession of hope today. Be confident that God can make a way when there seems to be no way. Even when your mind may waver, don’t allow your confession to waver. Declare that God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Declare that He Who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it. Remember, there is power in your words and power when your words are in agreement with His Word. As you hold on to your confession of hope, you’ll see His faithfulness, and you’ll move forward into victory in every area of your life.

God doesn’t want us to just barely get by in life. He wants us to thrive and experience the fullness of His blessing. Not only does He want to meet our needs, He wants us to be in a position to reach out and help meet the needs of others, too.

When we pray and ask God for something, it opens a supernatural door. Our faith gives God something to work with. Faith is what pleases Him. Faith moves mountains. Did you know that it pleases God when we pray bold prayers and ask Him for big things? God loves it when we step outside of the realm of the possible and totally believe what He can do. With God, all things are possible!

Today, I encourage you to get bold with your prayers. Ask God for big things. Believe that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Put your faith to work because God is faithful. He has big things in store for you, and He says to ask Him!

And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done.” (Matthew 21:21, AMP)

We’ve all had seasons when the challenges of life feel overwhelming. During those times, it’s easy to be tempted to talk about how bad things are. Maybe you received a bad medical report, or maybe you’re facing a financial obstacle. The more you talk about something, the bigger it becomes in your mind. Instead, you’ve got to dig your heels in and say, “No, I am not going to give life to that defeat. I am not going to speak sickness over myself. I’m not going to speak lack. I’m not going to speak fear. I’m choosing a different report. I believe the report of the Lord which says, ‘I can do all things through Christ. I can defeat this sickness. I can break this addiction. I can have peace in my home. I can see restoration in my relationships.’ ”

Remember, even if you don’t see how things could ever work out, God does. You’ve got to speak His Word over those mountains in your life and declare favor over those situations. Instead of talking to God about how big your problems are, talk to your problems about how big your God is! As you speak to your mountains, they will be moved, and you will walk forward into the victory God has prepared for you!

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your bed and walk.” (John 5:8)

It’s time to get up! It’s time to stop living life on the ground, it’s time to wipe the gravel off your face, and go after your God given destiny. I don’t have to tell you that life is hard, I don’t have to tell you that life will knock you down, but I will tell you that we serve a God that is bigger than any problems we face, we serve a God that will give us the strength we need to overcome the struggles of life.

In this story Jesus came to a man who had been in the same position for years and had given up on life. Jesus asked him a simple question “Do you want to get well?” We have to make a decision. We have to get up and say “enough is enough, I’m better than this, I am a Child of God, I am more than a conqueror, and It’s time for me to get up and fight with every fiber of my being!” When you have this attitude not only will you overcome your difficulties, but God will open up new doors, show you his favor, and bring your dreams to pass. Pick up your bed and Walk!!

Are you walking by faith or sight today? In other words, are you choosing to believe God no matter what your circumstances look like, or are you making decisions and focusing your mind on what you can see.

As believers, we have to remember that we aren’t just subject to this natural realm–what we can see, hear, touch, and smell. No, we have access to the unseen, supernatural realm where all the promises and blessings of God are stored. When you choose to walk by faith, you are opening a door from the natural realm to the supernatural realm and drawing the blessings of God into your life.

Remember: with God seeing isn’t believing; believing is seeing! Throughout the day, begin to declare, “Father, I want to thank You that my payday is coming. You said no good thing will You withhold because I walk uprightly. I believe even right now You’re arranging things in my favor.” As you walk and live by faith, you will live a life pleasing to God. You’ll see His blessing and favor in abundance, and you’ll fulfill the destiny He has in store for you!

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14, NIV) “I’m God’s masterpiece. I’m wonderfully made. I’m talented. I’m original. God has given me everything that I need.” That’s what David was saying in Psalm 139. He praised God for making him in an amazing way and declared that what God had done was wonderful. Is that how you started your day?

Most people think they are being humble by putting themselves down. They say, “Oh, I’m not that talented. It was no big deal.” But really, we should be bold like David and say, “I’m amazing. I’m a masterpiece. God made me and He doesn’t make junk! I am equipped, I am empowered, and I am amazing!”

Today, make the decision to stop putting yourself down; stop focusing on your flaws and comparing yourself to others. Your Creator says “you are a masterpiece.” It’s time to get in agreement with God and realize how much He loves you. It’s time to realize how special you are. Make the shift by changing your words and start by saying what David said! A Prayer for Today

Father, I do praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for equipping me for every good word. Thank You for showing me Your love in a new way as I keep my heart and mind focused on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Remember, when you feel an unrest, an uneasiness inside, that’s not God trying to keep something from you. That’s God trying to get something better to you. Now don’t be hardheaded. Don’t have to settle for second best.

If you’ll let God lead you, He will do more than you can ask or think. Job put it this way. “God speaks to us in different ways but we don’t always hear His voice.” God is constantly speaking to you. My question is, “Are you tuned in?” Pay attention to what you’re feeling down inside: the promptings, the suggestions; the uneasiness. Remember, He speaks in a still small voice. You’re not going to hear Him by accident. Listening to Him has to be a priority.

Today, I encourage you, be sensitive to Him. Don’t override the warnings. Don’t ignore the alarms. Let peace act as the umpire in your heart. If you’ll do this, God promises He will lead you, guide you, protect you. He’ll show you His favor if you’ll wait for His best!

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me.” (John 10:27, ESV).

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord! Many people today might find it difficult to see themselves as “good” in the eyes of God, but did you know that in the original Greek, this word means “strong” like a warrior? In other words, when you stand strong, when you are willing to fight the good fight of faith, you are giving God something to work with. He is ordering your steps. He’s making a way when there seems to be no way. He’s clearing a path for you, and He is delighting in you. That means He is pleased with your attitude of courage. He is pleased that you are taking a stand for what is right. He is pleased that you are putting Him first place and relying completely on Him.

Remember, God loves your passion for Him. He loves it when you come boldly to His throne of grace. He is honored when you stand and fight the good fight of faith. If you are facing difficulty today, know that God wants to lift you up and give you His strength. Receive it by faith today. Dig your heels in knowing that He is ordering your steps; and when God is leading you, He’s always leading you in the path of victory!