Ask With the Right Attitude
by Rick Warren

“If you want to know what God really wants you to do, ask him . . . but if you don’t ask in faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.” James 1:5-6 (LB)

God wants to direct you in life, but two things need to line up: You have to ask the right person—God—and you have to ask with the right attitude—in faith—expecting an answer.  

Have you ever asked God for something and didn’t expect to get it? That’s why you didn’t get it. God works in our lives according to faith. So many times we say, “God, please guide me!” and walk away not even waiting for guidance. We just immediately start to work. We say, “God, I want you to give me wisdom. Help me make the right decision.” But we don’t really expect Him to do that. We think it all depends on us. 

God has promised to give us wisdom, if we will ask. Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view. Wisdom is the ability to make decisions the way God makes decisions.

Think about this: God never makes a bad decision. He never makes a mistake. He says if we trust Him and listen to Him, He will guide us. But we must ask in faith.

An Opportunity For Promotion

A WORD FROM THE LORD TO BUILD UP, ENCOURAGE AND COMFORT YOU

My child not every mountain that is in front of you is a work of the enemy. There are times when I call you to face mountains, not to block your path, but rather so that you can climb them. For I have a new thing in store for you. I have a promotion and new blessing. But for you to get to that blessing, it means that you need to grow.So there are times when I will bring pressures on you and cause things to appear blocked. 

However even though the way looks impossible, do not look at it and think that all is lost. For if there is a closed door in front of you, I intend for you to open it.

As you have cried out to me for answers and direction, I have given them to you, but just not in the way that you thought. And so as you face your mountain right now, do not turn away and run from it. Also do not try to go around it. But see it rather for what it is. An opportunity to rise above your circumstances.

For when you face this mountain and all its challenges, you will tap into your spirit and use the faith, hope and love that is in there. Then as you take each step, you will grow more and more in faith. When you reach the top of that mountain, you will be able to see the land in a way you never have before. Suddenly you will understand why you had to come the way you did.

So put aside your excuses and your fear. Instead take my hand and face this new challenge before you. Face it with joy, even though it is not all clear to you. Then as you rise up, you will get closer into my presence and the things that are unclear to you now, will become clear to you then.

Take my hand and let us climb this mountain together says the Lord.

I pray your day is blessed,

Always thank God for what you have, and trust God for what you need.

 Bank Account   
 
This is AWESOME ... something we should all remember.

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eigh t o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.

His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursin g home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.  I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'

'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.  Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.  Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind.  I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away.. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank. I am still depositing.
'Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

Pass this message Now.   Send it right now!
Have a nice day, unless you already have other plans. 
 

Put it into Action

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ”    (Philemon 1:6, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD  
The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. If we don’t put our faith into action, it’s not really faith; it’s just nice ideas. You see, when God truly does a work in our lives, it affects everything about us. It affects our words, our thoughts and our actions. 

How do you know someone is generous? By their generous actions. How do you know someone is kind? By their kind actions. How do you know someone is gentle? By their gentle actions. How do you know someone is a follower of Christ? By their Christ-like actions.

Can people tell by your actions that you belong to God? We all have areas where we can come up higher, but as believers in Jesus, we can be confident that God is at work in us. He is faithful and will complete what He started. As we invite Him to search our hearts and minds, as we surrender every area of our heart to Him and put our faith into action, He will finish His perfect work in us!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for changing me, for making me more like You. I invite Your love to do a work in my heart so that You are reflected in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

What Might Have Been 


"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" 
John 8:12 (NIV).

I think it was Dwight L. Moody who, when seeing a drunk in the gutter, said, "But for the grace of God there go I." Many a time I have wondered where I would be if it weren't for the grace and mercy of God? The probabilities are unthinkable. Spiritually speaking, for certain I would have been lost at sea and, quite possibly, would have made shipwreck of my life. 

Ronnie Hinson has written the words and music of a gospel song that is very meaningful to me. It's entitled "The Lighthouse" and says it well:

"There's a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life's sea. When I'm tossed it sends out a light that I might see. And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me home, If it wasn't for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more. 

"And I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him. Jesus is The Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin, He has shown the light around me, so that I might clearly see. If it wasn't for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?"2

Dear reader, have you come to Jesus, the Lighthouse, and found the light—the light of life and the assurance of everlasting life with God? If not, I encourage you to do that today by praying the following:

Suggested prayer: "Dear Jesus God, I confess that I am a lost sinner and come to you believing that you died on the cross to pay the penalty for all my sin so I could be freely forgiven and receive your gift of eternal life. I ask you, Jesus, to forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and life as my personal Savior, and thereby grant me your gift of eternal life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."

At All Times

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE  
“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises”  (Psalm 34:1, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD  
When you woke up this morning, what was the first thing that you thought of? Did you start the day expecting God’s goodness, or is there a circumstance that is overwhelming you and consuming your thoughts?

Today, I want to encourage you that no matter what you are facing, choose to praise to the Lord. Choose to declare His goodness. Your words have tremendous power, and they open the door for either God to work in your life or the enemy to work in your life. Don’t magnify your problems today, magnify your God!

Scripture says that God inhabits the praises of His people. When you praise Him, He shows up and all the forces of the enemy have to flee! There’s no foe that can stand against you in the presence of Almighty God!

Why don’t you take a few moments right now and set the tone for the day by praising God and speaking words of faith over your future. Thank Him for His goodness, faithfulness and love. Praise Him at all times because He is good and worthy, and watch how He transforms every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, I choose to bless You at all times. I choose to set the tone to receive Your favor, grace and mercy. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me at all times! In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Growing Strong in the Broken Places

"But he [God] said to me [Paul], 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV).


Do you ever feel that God can't use you because you aren't qualified? If so, you're in good company. Many of us feel the same way. In fact, there were very few men or women in the Bible who were used of God who didn't have a personal struggle or challenge of one kind or another. Moses and Mary weren't the only ones who didn't feel qualified for the work God was calling them to do!

An unknown author has pointed out that "Moses stuttered. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos's only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob lied. David had an affair. Solomon had too many wives and concubines. Jesus was too poor and wasn't schooled in the right religious institutions. Abraham and Sarah were too old. David was too young. Peter was impulsive. John had a temper. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer, as was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed. Elijah was burned out. Martha worried too much. Matthew was a despised tax-gatherer. Noah had a drinking problem."

It was Ernest Hemingway who first wrote about the world breaking us all but some grow strong in the broken places. The idea behind these words is that where a bone is broken and heals, it becomes the strongest part of the bone. The same is true of our broken places—where we have been hurt, have fallen, or failed. When we bring these to Christ for healing, his strength is then made perfect in and through our weaknesses.

This is certainly true in ministering to other people. Our friends are not helped so much by our brilliant logic or persuasive speech[,] as they are through honest sharing of our own struggles and how, with God's help, we have overcome. As one speaker put it, sharing our faith in Christ is just a case of one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread!

God, of course, doesn't want us to stay stuck in our sins and problems. While he loves and accepts us as we are, and uses us as we are, he loves us too much to leave us as we are. But never think that you have too little talent or too many hurts or problems for God to use you. The key issue is to be available.

Everyone that God has ever used has had their weaknesses, sins, and failings. But they were available, and they have been remembered for what God did through their lives. God will do the same for you and me as we make ourselves available for him to use every day.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I'm available. Please make me usable and use me today to be as Jesus in some way to every life I touch. And please use me in whatever way you choose to be a part of your plans and what you are doing in the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Let His Love Show

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people”  (1 Thessalonians 1:4, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD  
When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he began his letter with a compliment about how well they were living. He could see God’s love in them and he could see God’s love shining through them. Because they were faithful to honor God, He was pleased with them and it showed.

The question we need to ask ourselves today is: When others look at us, do they see God’s love? Can they see the change He’s made? Do they know that we are followers of His? The evidence shows up in our words and actions. When we receive God’s love, it changes us. It empowers us. His love takes us to new levels and becomes clear to the people around us. Best of all, when His love shows through us, it draws others to God, too! Today, open your heart fully to receive His love. Let His love show through you by following His commands and showing love to others.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in Heaven, thank You for loving me. Thank you for empowering me and changing me to be more like You. Have Your way in my heart so that Your love will shine through me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen