August 21

Spiritual Check Up Day 3 by SGLY Ministry

LOVE for your enemies
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,”–Jesus Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)

Today’s Action Prayer:
Dear God, I really want to obey these words of Jesus but at times I find it is really hard to do. It doesn’t seem right that I should have to love someone who hates me and/or causes me harm, or bless someone who curses me, but I know for me to be spiritually healthy I must be obedient and try very hard to do this.
I know if I try my best to love, pray and bless that You will give me the strength I need to accomplish it, and the ability to love as You love.
So help me Father God to remember that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Spiritual Exercise:
Love your enemies—It has been said if you love someone they can no longer be called an enemy because love conquers all Therefore, we need to focus on loving people whether or not they love us back, for that is how God loves and that is what He wants us to do also. Therefore, He will surely give us the strength and wisdom to accomplish this if we ask Him.
Bless those who curse you–Ask God to soften their hearts toward you. Ask Him to bless them and do a good work in them that will change their hearts.
Do good to those who hate you–start looking for ways you can do good to them, even if they continue to treat you badly. Memorize this scripture and repeat it to yourself daily: “Trust in the Lord and do good” Psalm 37:3
Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you–start praying for them daily.

Ask God to work in this situation and turn it around for good.

Doing all of this will be hard, but we all know exercise is hard to do at first, but it does get easier as we continue to do it. So let’s focus on doing what we need to do to become spiritually healthy.
We can tell God that our flesh doesn’t really want to do this. but with His help we are going to focus on doing it because He has said that we should, and we want to be obedient to Him. He will bless us for being obedient, and He will give us the courage and strength we need to accomplish the tasks He has called us to do.
Each day we will become spiritually healthier and stronger and we will be amazed at the results all of this will bring about in our lives!

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Don't Wait For Tomorrow

PROVERBS 27:1 NIV 1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Do what you need to do today.

Don't wait to receive Jesus. Don't put off doing the will of God. Don't wait to tell someone you love them.

JAMES 4:13-15 NIV 13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

You don't know what tomorrow holds -- or even if you will be here tomorrow.

Keep your focus on God. Trust in Him, and do His will today.

SAY THIS: I will do what God leads me to do today.

A Bible Devotion

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Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Thoughts for Today
Is someone you care about suffering from a life-controlling problem—a dependence or compulsive behavior or addiction? It might be an eating disorder, drugs, alcohol, gambling, compulsive spending, pornography, overworking or one of many other things that can take hold of a person's life. Your loved one's problem is most likely affecting your life as well.

Rather than focusing on the person with the problem, let's talk about you as a concerned person. You might be finding that every day is a struggle with sensitive and emotional issues. It is important for you to know that you are not alone.

Consider this…
The Bible tells us that God comforts us in all our troubles. This kind of comfort combines relief and consolation. God is a Comforter, standing at your side, ready to minister to your needs.

How can you receive this comfort? Talk to God. Tell him that you trust him and want to do things his way. Sometimes he will comfort you through other people. Sometimes he will comfort you through his words in the Bible. Other times he'll simply fill you with peace in the midst of turmoil.

Remember, God loves you. He cares. He understands. And he is able to comfort you, no matter what the circumstances.

Prayer
Lord, the struggle gets to be too much. I can't do it alone. Help me to remember that I don't have to. Help me remember that you are with me, offering me your love, your strength and your comfort. In Jesus' name …

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An Itchy, Scratchy Burlap Sack by Max Lucado

You have a sack. An itchy, scratchy burlap sack! You probably aren’t even aware of it, you may not have been told about it, but it was given to you. You needed the sack to carry the rocks, boulders, pebbles. All are unwanted. Some were rocks of rejection. You thought you were good enough for the team, but the coach didn’t. The instructor didn’t. They and how many others? It doesn’t take long before you get a collection of stones. Make a bad choice…get called a few names…get abused. And so the sack gets heavy with stones we don’t deserve, along with a few we do.

How can you have dreams for the future when all your energy is required to shoulder the past? Jesus says He is the solution for weariness of the soul. Go to Him. “Come to me, all who are weak and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He already knows what your stones are. He’s just waiting for you to give Him your sack!

From When God Whispers Your Name

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YOUR DAILY INSPIRATION

When we find ourselves in the midst of trouble, right when we are going through the worst part of our trials and the latest tribulations we have to face, it is easy to get overwhelmed and be afraid. How will we get through this? How much longer do we have to endure? How will we ever overcome this mountain of problems that just popped out of nowhere?

When the storm is consuming us it can be hard to keep our eyes focused on the prize. But no matter what we face, we need to remind ourselves, that we do not have to face it alone!

“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.” Isaiah 41:10 (AMP).

Last week an issue in my family arose that is bigger than most thing we had to deal with so far. It overwhelmed me, it took me by surprise, it scared me. And not just that, the consequences scare me as well. I know what I have to do, but finding the courage to do what must be done seems impossible at times.

Of course I looked at God for help and the first few days I just felt numb. It didn’t seem as if God was willing to get involved in this one, making me handle it all on my own.

How foolish of me. He never leaves our sides. He brought me to this scripture in Isaiah 41 and I have read it over and over again all throughout my day. Every time fear creeps back into my mind, trying to numb me, trying to tell me this is too hard, I can’t do it, I recited that scripture again. And wouldn’t you know it, I calmed down instantly.

God IS with me. There is NOTHING to fear. He WILL help me.

How great it feels to get this reassurance from the Lord. And He tried to tell me all along. Matter of fact, one of the songs we sang in church on Sunday had these words in it: If the Lord is with us, then who could ever stop us. If God is for us, what could stand against?

But I was so consumed with my circumstances that I was unable to see what God was trying to tell me.

That doesn’t necessarily make my situation any either. But just knowing that I don’t have to do it alone, that God will give me the strength and ability to do it, gives me enough courage to take the steps I need to take and know that everything will be okay, because God is holding me up with His victorious right hand of rightness and justice.

Jelena Anderson



Count it all joy when you experience various trials. Be strong and don't give up because God will turn your trials into triumphs. Allow Him to use the tough situation to make you stronger and be more like Jesus! ~Malene Mendoza~


The Monkey

One day the zoo-keeper noticed that the monkey was reading two books - the Bible and Darwin's The Origin of Species. In surprise he asked the ape, "Why are you reading both those books"?

"Well," said the monkey, "I just wanted to know if I was my brother's keeper or my keeper's brother."


Lord, I thank You that You never leave my side, that You walk with me through my trials and tribulations, and that You give me the strength to do what I have to do. I pray that You will give me discernment, guidance, and the wisdom to understand Your guidance in the midst of my troubles. Amen.

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A New Heart

Thought for the Day

"With God, every day is a chance for a new beginning. No matter who you are or what you have going on in your life, God holds out His hand to you and waits for you to take it. With Him, the opportunities for renewal are endless."

Today's Word

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26 NIV)

Today's Prayer

Father, Your gift of renewal is the greatest gift one can receive. Let me receive it with grace and humility and accept the changes in my fully so that I may not return to where I was before I accepted You into my life. Amen.

The Whisper Of God

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Today’s Scripture: “The earth was formless and void...and God said, Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:2–3, NASB)

Something Out of Nothing

Are you believing God for something that seems impossible? We serve a great and mighty God and He can create something out of nothing! He can make a way when there seems to be no way. Before God spoke the world into existence, it was formless and void. If God can make the world out of nothing, He can take the empty places in your life and create something beautiful, too. He can speak light into your darkest hour. He can take your formless dreams and give them shape. He can resurrect your dormant gifts and talents! He can make your crooked places straight! Trust Him in all things because He can make something out of nothing!

A Prayer for Today: “Father, thank you for making a way where there seems to be no way. Fill me with Your peace and faith and give me a vision for all You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Joel Osteen

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If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. — 1 John 1:9 (AMPC)

Let Go of the Past; Look to Your Future by Joyce Meyer

It is useless to worry about anything and doubly useless to worry about something that is over and done with and that nothing can be done about. If you made a mistake in the past that can be rectified, then go ahead and take action to correct it. But if you cannot do anything about it except be sorry, then ask for forgiveness from God and anyone you may have hurt and don’t worry about it any longer.

Let me remind you that worry is useless...so why do it? God has given us wisdom, and a wise person will not spend their time doing something that produces nothing of any value.

There are many wonderful Scriptures in the Bible that teach us to let go of the past and look to the future. We’re reminded to forget what is behind and keep our eyes facing forward, on God and His plan for us (see Phil. 3:13). We can find peace in the knowledge that God’s compassion and kindness are new every morning and that His faithfulness is abundant (see Lam. 3:22–23). Also, we must never forget that He is able to overcome our mistakes and do far more than we could ever imagine that He could do for us (see Eph. 3:16, 20). God has provided a way for your past to have zero power over you, but it is up to you to receive His gracious gifts of forgiveness, mercy, and a new beginning.

Don’t allow mistakes in your past to fester and threaten your future. When you ask God to forgive you for something that you have done wrong, He is faithful and just to do it. He continuously cleanses us from all unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9). It’s forgiven and forgotten—but you must do the same!

Prayer Starter: Father, thank you for new beginnings, forgiveness, a clean slate with You, and the great future You have for me, amen

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Bible Verses

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

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Proverbs 16:9 9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

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Romans 12:9-18 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

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"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” - Romans 12:2

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Jesus promised, "If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19 NIV)

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The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." — Galatians 5:14

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Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

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Psalm 16:8 “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

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Prayers

Oh Lord, most heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who has safely brought me to the beginning of this day; I give you thanks for my creation, preservation, and all the blessings of my life. Grant that this day I fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all my doings, being governed by your will, may be righteous in your sight. Through Christ our Lord, I pray. Amen.

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Prayer for Goodness (based on Psalm 1)

Heavenly Father, who has given us the gift of your law, so that we might know our sin, and your Son, that we might be forgiven where we fall short: Give me the grace to remember your holy Word, when my surroundings tempt me to confusion and weakness, that I might more nearly approach true obedience to your will. Help me to resist the arguments of the ungodly; let me not be deceived by false beauty; and let me never replace the truth which you have put into my heart with the clever words of men. Through Christ I pray, Amen.

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God of love, Father of all, the darkness that covered the earth has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh. Make me and all who confess your holy name people of this light. Make me faithful to your Word that I may bring your life to the waiting world. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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God Give us Victory

Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. For I wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. You are my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge. I will sing a new song to You, O God; I will make music to You, to the One who gives victory…who delivers His servant. My sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and my daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Amen

Scripture Reading Psalm 144:1-12 (NIV) Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

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Dear Lord, remind me that there will never be enough ordained ministers and missionaries to change the world! Only Christians, by example and word, can contact one on one the unchurched and the agnostic or atheist in the market place. ... Help me, Lord, to truly be Your disciple. Give me the right words at the right time to share Your love, encouragement and comfort, so that others will desire to know You.

In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen.

© 2000 by D. L. Hammond, Permission to copy granted for noncommercial use.

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“A Prayer Of Thanks For God’s Kindness”

Father, You are faithful to supply all our physical needs even as You replenish the earth with fresh moisture from above and raise up the crops in their proper season. We are showered with Your common grace as You bless us each day with Your abundance of good things. Because we know that all things work together for good and to accomplish Your intended goal for our lives, we can remain joyful in hope even in the difficult things we are experiencing today. How reassuring to know that Your kindness indeed leads people to repentance and faith in you. Amen.

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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8–9, NIV

Dear Father in heaven, let our thoughts be filled with all that is honorable, just, pure, gracious, good, and praiseworthy. We want to await your Spirit, not giving way to anxiety, but showing ourselves worthy to be your children. We want to be your children, who can rise above even the most difficult conditions and maintain a quiet trust, to the glory of your Spirit within us. Protect us now and always in your divine peace. Amen.

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Dear Lord, thank you for this day. As a new day starts please be with me to find the strength to get through today, for sometimes it feels as I can't make it at all.

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“A Prayer For Remembering God’s Wonders”

Heavenly Father, it is in my hour of need that I see Your powerful provision in my life. When I’m in need of comfort, You are my Comforter. When I’m in need of courage You go before me. When I’m in need of friendship You are the friend that sticks closer than a brother. When I’m in need of stability You are the Anchor for my soul. When I’m in need of finances You own the cattle on a thousand hills. When I’m in need of peace You are the peacemaker. When I’m in need of food You are the Bread of Life. When I’m thirsty You are the living water that leads to eternal life. You are my Shepherd and I shall never be in want of anything. Thank You for meeting every need I have. Amen.”