September 25

Spiritual Vitamins Day 25 by SGLY Ministry

SPIRITUAL VITAMIN T : TEST
“test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
1 John 4:1 NKJV

Today’s Thought:
In the world today there are many beliefs. Many sound good but are not truth.
We are told by the world to be tolerant but we cannot compromise the truth in doing so.
Read and study the bible daily so you know what is true, then you will not be misled by false teachers.

Today’s Action:
Today, take time to test [examine] what you see and hear against the truth of God’s word.

TEST means: to examine closely
“Test all things, hold fast to what is good.” 1 Thess.5:21

TEST means: a set of questions
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” 2 Cor.13:5

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Renew Our Strength

There was a time that I endured a season in my life when several uncertain and difficult circumstances were bearing down on me, and I remember feeling the weight of more than I could handle pressing hard on me. I could physically sense a weight pushing down on both my shoulders and my neck grew stiff from the stress.

There was a serious illness in the family. A messy situation in the extended family. Trouble brewing at a job.

My attempts to change things were futile. My efforts to fix things met with disaster, not improvement.

I had trouble going to sleep at night because it was hard to relax with so many worries running through my mind.
The more I worried, the worse things became.

One night while tossing and turning in my bed, I remembered the verse Isaiah 40:31 about God renewing our strength when we trust and wait on Him. I asked God to please renew my strength for the next day. I pleaded with Him to help me make it through tomorrow without the weight of the world pressing down on me.

I recalled the exact words of the entire verse and received its message into the depths of my heart.

“But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” ~ Isaiah 40:31

I repeated this beautiful verse to myself several times and found my strength being renewed as I continued to meditate on the meaning of its words. God was faithful to renew my strength! I fell asleep that night and slept a more peaceful sleep than I had experienced in weeks.

I woke up the next morning and the weight of the world was not pressing down on me. I believed I could run and not be weary, walk and not faint. I felt so much lighter it was as if I could fly! God taught me that He never intended our burdens to crush us under their weight. His promise to those who wait on Him is to renew our strength.

By Kathy Cheek

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“Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 (AMP)

One of the hardest days of my life was moving two thousand miles away from two of my children. My husband had gotten a job in another state and we were moving with our youngest two children. My oldest son was planning a wedding and he wasn’t about to move. Our oldest daughter was finishing up classes at the junior college and had no desire to move away from school and friends.

My husband’s job was a ministry position, and we knew we were making the right choice. Still, I was lacking when it came to being brave and having courage. My heart felt like melted butter in my chest. My desire to be surrounded by my children was out the door. Then I remembered Jesus…

Jesus faced life on earth. He knew what it was like to be away from family. Once He started His ministry He was far from home. Not only that, He had a longing for His Father’s kingdom. Remembering that Jesus understood my heartache helped me to turn to Him. I spent many mornings with my Bible and journal, looking to Him to show up in Spirit and guide me to the perfect passage that would carry me through my day. As He met me during those times, I came to expect Him more.

Six months after we moved, my daughter transferred to a college near us. Three months after that, my son and his new wife moved to live near us too. It’s not something I expected, but I was thankful. I was also thankful that I learned to trust Jesus and hope in Him in new ways. I can’t expect that things will always turn out how I desire, but I do know that when I turn to Jesus He will be there to see me through.

Faith Step: Think of an impossible situation you’re facing. Write down three things that are bothering you about the situation then cross them out and write this: EXPECT JESUS.

—Tricia Goyer

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Fill Your Mind Overflowing with Faith.

Read through the Bible and underline in red pencil every statement related to courage and confidence. Cram your mind with these healthy, happy, most powerful thoughts. This will expel all thoughts of doubt. Faith in God produces faith in oneself.

No. 69 in a series of 100 Power Thoughts from The Power of Positive Thinking, the All-Time inspirational Best-Selling Book by Norman Vincent Peale.

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The most courageous action to take

— 2 Timothy 2:22 —

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Running away is sometimes considered cowardly. But wise people realize that removing themselves physically from temptation often can be the most courageous action to take. Remove yourself physically from any situation that stimulates your desire to sin. Knowing when to run is as important in spiritual battle as knowing when and how to fight.
--Bible Verse Of The Day

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Bible Verses

James 4:7 “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

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1 Samuel 16:7b – People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

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There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. — Proverbs 21:30

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Psalm 27:4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

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Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:24

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Prayers

Prayer for the Morning

Heavenly Father, I thank you this morning for all that I have. Even if I have problems with my health, I am alive today. If I have money problems, I will eat today. I have clothes to wear, a roof to protect me, and air to breathe.

Let me never take for granted these gifts of life, oh Lord, but always remember that they come from you; without you, no man could make the sun shine or the tree bear its fruit. I pray to live this day in joy and thankfulness for what I have, remembering always who made me and who keeps me. In the name of Christ I pray, Amen.

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Prayer to Treat Others with Courage and Grace

Lord, this day and forever, may I have the courage never to be afraid of anyone. May I have the generosity to bear ill-feeling toward no-one. Lead me to live in such a way as to treat others in the same way as I would like to be treated. Inspire me never to be violent in thought, word or action, and lead me to conquer evil with goodness. Amen.

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Saved By Grace

My performance and the opinion of others did not save me. It is by grace that I am saved through faith; and that not of myself: it is the gift of God. Not by works of righteousness, which I have done, but according to Your mercy You saved me, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which You shed on me abundantly through Jesus Christ my Savior; that being justified by grace, I should be made an heir according to the hope of eternal life. Thank You Father-God for Your tender mercies and lovingkindness. Amen.

Scripture Reading Titus 3:5-7 Ephesians 2:8-9

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Heavenly Father, may I not confuse my life with rebellion, but through thy guidance find peace. Help me through the perplexities that may keep me from the quietness of today. Keep me in sight of the great plan of life, that I may grow steadfastly toward thee. Amen.

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God our Father, we bring before you today those who suffer from chronic illness or disability - those for whom sickness or disability profoundly affects their lives. When they feel diminished, remind them that you call them by name and hold them in the palm of your hand. When they feel fragile and broken, mold them and heal them, that they may more closely resemble the image of Jesus, your Son and our Brother. When they are reminded of different times in the past, lead them to grow in the faith that you love them today, as they are, in the reality of their lives this day. When they feel uncertain about the future, lead them to that perfect love which casts out all fear. When situations remind them - not of what they can do, but of what they cannot do - remind them that “love never fails”, and that, living in your love, they will bear your fruit in plenty. May all of us - whatever our circumstances - never be so taken up with our own concerns that we do not see or respond to the needs of others. May we live with courage the different challenges that each of us faces. Amen.

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“A Prayer For Safe Pasture”

Father, we place our complete trust in You, for You are a faithful, trustworthy, and loving God. As we feed on Your faithfulness and live by Your righteousness revealed to us through the Scriptures we find ourselves delighting in Your presence. We also delight in You when we sing praises, when we give ourselves in service to others, and most especially when we commune with You in prayer. May the desires of our heart bring delight to Yours as we conform ourselves to Your will and rid ourselves of that which lures us from the safe pasture You have abundantly supplied for those who believe. Amen.

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Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more...And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:1, 5, RSV

Lord our God, our Father, we look deep into your mighty Word and see the glory of the new world you will create according to your justice and truth. We thank you for giving us this joy on earth in the midst of all our toil and striving. We look deep into your Word. You make all things new. To this hope our lives are directed, to this hope you have called us, and we want to be faithful forever. Praise to your name, for you have already done great things for us children of men! Keep us in your Word. Let many find the light, for in this light they may look to you in simple faith and constancy until the end, when throughout the world we may see your glory and your grace. Amen.

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Dear Father, thank you for this day and every day you give. My heart is full of troubles today. Please give me the wisdom to deal with them so I may find peace.

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Lord, we pray that Your kingdom come on earth. Change our moral standards to align with Yours. Take the tangled knots of our problems, untie them and make something beautiful from them. Bring about righteousness, peace and truth in our land. Change all our hearts. Bring us to humility and submission to You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

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“A Prayer To The King Of Kings”

Jesus, You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. I pledge my allegiance to You and desire to bring You glory, honor and praise through my thoughts, my words and my actions today. Keep the message from the song, “There is none like You” as the melody of my heart today. “No one else can touch my heart like You do. I could search through all eternity and find there is none like You!” And You are more than enough!

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Dear Father, thank you for today and all that you do. I love you Lord with all my heart. Please help me show this love to others as I go about the day.