August 22

Spiritual Check Up Day 4 by SGLY Ministry

Spiritual Checkup JOY
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” –Jesus (John 15:11 NKJV)

Today’s Action:
Jesus said if we abide in Him, love and obey Him, then His joy will remain in us and our joy will be full. Joy is a very glad feeling, happiness, or delight.
It is not based on circumstances, it is something within us that enables us to be glad or happy no matter what is going on around us. We need this Joy to be spiritually healthy.
Spiritual Exercise:
Picture Jesus as the Vine and yourself as a branch on that Vine.
If you remain(abide) on the Vine you will bear fruit naturally.
No matter what is happening around you, as long as you remain on the Vine you will bear fruit which is Joy
If you let the storms of life detach you from the Vine, you will spiritually dry up and will not have the nourishment you need to bear fruit—Joy, because a branch cannot bear fruit in and of itself, it must be attached to the Vine.

JOY is necessary for a healthy spiritual life. It is a Fruit of the Spirit.
JOY has nothing to do with us or our circumstances, JOY is the result of abiding. If we have true JOY we will be glad, happy or delightful no matter what is going on in our lives.

Read John 15: 1-11 and commit yourself to stay attached to the Vine, and ask God, the Vinedresser, to take care of you daily.

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Love Yourself, Laugh At Yourself

“You grow up the day you have the first real laugh at yourself.” —Ethel Barrymore

Many of us take our personal faults and mistakes too seriously. We spend too much time opposing ourselves, being our own worst enemies. We often judge ourselves more strictly than we judge others and we focus on our faults far too intensely. Of course, there are times when situations are grave and there are circumstances that require us to be serious. We should always be serious about our sin and want to improve. But many of the little, everyday things we treat as monumental are really not so terribly important. So give yourself a break!

God knew every flaw and weakness you would have and every mistake you would make when He called you into relationship with Himself. Nothing about you surprises Him. Sometimes people think God extends salvation to us and then sits in heaven, saying: “Oh no. Now what am I going to do? I didn't know he was going to do that!”

God knows—and has always known—everything about you. He knows what you will think, do, and say every day for the rest of your life on earth. He also knows how He will help you, teach you, correct you, encourage you, and give you grace for all your faults and failures. He is always for you, never against you, no matter what you do. This truth should set you free to lighten up, enjoy being who God made you to be, and have a laugh at your own self.

You are who you are. You do what you do, and it’s not always perfect. In fact, sometimes you really mess up! That’s part of being human. But if you also love God, have a heart to change, and ask Him to help you, then you can relax. God is working on you, changing you every day, helping you grow. God is not mad at you! Enjoy Him, and enjoy yourself even though you are not perfected yet.

Love Yourself Today: Don’t be so serious all the time. As often as possible, have a good laugh!

From the book Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer.

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Delight In The Lord by Seek Ye First the Kingdom

It is so easy for us to get into a mindset feeling we have the “weight of the world” on our shoulders. We may have financial problems, or health problems, challenges with our relationships, or relatives that are “off course.”

When I start to feel this way, I like to think about the promises God makes to us in Psalm 37:4,5, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”

It seems overly simple to say “don’t worry,” but when we put our trust and hope in God to help us, he will find a way, even when we cannot see one.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the assurance of your presence. Help us remember you are just a prayer away. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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1 Samuel 23:14 'David stayed in the strongholds of the wilderness and in the hill country. Saul hunted him day after day, but God didn't let Saul find him.'

- When the Lord is your protection, nothing and no one can touch you.
- The enemy of your soul seeks to destroy you.
- But if God be for you, who can be against you?
- Live under the shadow of His wings and rest secure and undisturbed.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You that You are the one who can protect, preserve and keep me. You know what I am facing and what I am up against and You can bring me through victorious. Amen.

Kind Regards
Pastor Andrew & Vanessa Roebert

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Bible Verses

Psalm 37:23-24 23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

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I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:2

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“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”- Jeremiah 29:11

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"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-5)

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Finally, 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. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

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Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

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John 8:12 12 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.”

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Proverbs 4:23 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

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Prayers

Prayer to Inspire Others

Lord, I ask you to inspire me to encourage others by what I say and do today. God and Father of all people, never let me look down on others or make anyone feel inferior.

Lord, show me how to live today with genuine concern for others. In expressing my care, may I show people that they are valued, loved and appreciated for who they are. Amen.

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To Glorify God

In view of God’s mercy, I offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is my spiritual act of worship. It is [not in my own strength] for it is You, Lord, who is all the while effectually at work in me—energizing and creating in me the power and desire—both to will and work for Your good pleasure, satisfaction and delight. To God belongs all glory and honor and praise. Amen

Scripture Reading Romans 12:1 Philippians 2:13

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Dear Lord, if only the birds with beautiful voices sang, the world would often be silent. ... Let me "sing out" Your praises because my spirit is filled with love and gratitude for Your gift of faith, and for Your presence in my life. ... Let me worship You, Lord, for Your faithfulness, and for sending Your Son and the Holy Spirit that I may better understand Your will for my life. Let me in all of my being praise You, Lord.

Amen and Amen.

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

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Almighty God, may I have that faith in eternal life which will make me careful of what I choose for my own and more careful of what I put in the lives of others. Amen.

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God our Father, I thank you that many people have used their gifts well and have helped me and inspired me and brought cheerfulness and joy in my life. May I, too, live in such a way that I bring blessings to others by my attitude and actions and my presence with them. Remain with me and lead me to that final day when I, too, will be able to say: “I see all heaven before me and the great God himself.” Amen.

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As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?...Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42: 1–2, 5, NIV

Lord our God, as the deer pants for refreshing water, so our souls long for you, O God. Our souls thirst for you, for the living God. We stand in your presence and pour out our hearts to you. We bring before you everything that is painful to us, all our suffering and needs. We also bring you all our hopes and the many proofs you have given us that our lives need not go to ruin but can be directed to greater things. May the light of your Spirit shine on us today and always. Amen.

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Dear Lord, in times of need I turn to you for your grace and guidance. Today is no different and I come to you once again for I face the unknown and I am scared. Please be with me and let me know I am not alone.

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Lord our God, as the deer pants for refreshing water, so our souls long for you, O God. Our souls thirst for you, for the living God. We stand in your presence and pour out our hearts to you. We bring before you everything that is painful to us, all our suffering and needs. We also bring you all our hopes and the many proofs you have given us that our lives need not go to ruin but can be directed to greater things. May the light of your Spirit shine on us today and always. Amen.